Expert Review: TaylorMade Spider EX Platinum #3 Putter
All photos courtesy of David L. Brown
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the putter, which I tested for one day in August of 2022.
My take
The TaylorMade Spider EX Platinum #3 Putter is geared for a golfer looking for more feel and consistency seven feet and closer. The putter is also very aesthetically pleasing to the eye with its white and navy design.
About the club I tested
- Model: 2021 Taylormade Spider EX #3
- Shape: Mallett
- Hosel Neck: Plumber neck
- Balance Point: 12in
- Shaft Length: 35in
- Grip Type: Standard
- Finish: White / Navy
About me
- Average Score: 79
- Handicap: 7
- Experience: 22 years of golf
- Right/Left-Handed: Left-handed
- Stroke Type: Straight back and straight through
- Golf Ball Used: 2021 Callaway ERC Soft
- Height: 5’10’’
Test conditions
- When I tested the putter: August 2022
- Days tested: One day
- Where I’ve used it: Turf and outdoor practice greens
- Weather and Wind Conditions: Warm, sunny, slightly damp
- Green Speed: Slow to medium
- Grass Type: Bent grass
How it performs
What I was looking for
I prefer mallet putters over any other type of putter, so I wanted to give the Taylormade Spider Ex a try just because it is one of the more popular styles on the PGA Tour. I like that it’s aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Second, I am a feel putter, so I wanted something with a soft face that would allow me to feel the putt through contact more consistently.
Why I chose this club
I tested this club because I currently play an Odyssey mallet putter and wanted to see how it compared. I’ve seen this putter quite a bit on TV, as most TaylorMade-sponsored players use a version of the Spider putter. I didn’t end up buying this putter, as it was a little lighter than I would have liked.
What I love about it
- Face Feel: The face technology has a balancing feature that really allows me to feel the club striking the ball, which gives me more confidence to make more putts.
- Forgiveness: Even when the putt isn’t stuck perfectly, it still rolls pure and allows shorter putts to hold their line and farther putts to lag their way close to the hole.
- Alignment: The club boasts sharp alignment with its double lines on the side and dotted line down the middle of the club head when viewed from above.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Pulling this out of the bag is a nice feeling. The steel shaft down to the mallet’s white and navy head really makes the putter stand out.
- Grip Feel: Grip feel was solid. It has a pistol oversized grip that is comfortable regardless of hand placement.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Weight: The weight was lighter than I would have liked, as it weighs 352g versus what I am used to at 365g. This created inconsistency with bringing the putter straight back and through.
- Customization: I would have liked to see how a 34-inch putter would have performed, as I fluctuate between that and 35 inches as being my preferred length of putter. I wasn’t able to test a 34 inch, as they did not have any in stock.
Best Putt or Round with this Putter
During my testing session, I was averaging around a 90% make rate five to seven feet away from the hole. I believe the high MOI forgiveness offers more feel and control from a short distance.
Value for the money vs. other options
I think this is worth the money. I tried cheaper options, both the DFX Seven and the DFX 2-Ball putters by Odyssey; they weren’t as forgiving and their faces didn’t have the same feel. I think for a serious golfer, spending the extra money is well worth it.
Final verdict
I believe this putter will create more confidence in one’s green game to lag those long putts close and make more putts within that knee-knocker range of five to seven feet.
