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.