About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the putter, which I tested for three days in October of 2022.

My take

The TaylorMade Spider GT Notchback Single Bend Putter is a great option for all levels of players. I found it to be very forgiving with a really nice alignment look from behind the ball. This mid-mallet shape will be a great fit for someone that is struggling with the idea of a full-sized mallet but wants more forgiveness than a standard-bladed putter.

About the club I tested

• Model: 2022 TaylorMade Spider GT Notchback Single Bend Putter
• Shape: Mid-Mallet
• Hosel Neck: Single Bend
• Balance Point: Face Balanced
• Shaft Length: 34”
• Grip Type: Super Stroke Pistol GTR 1.0
• Finish: Satin

About me

• Average Score: 87
• Handicap: 15
• Experience: 5 years of playing golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
• Stroke Type: Straight
• Golf Ball Used: Srixon Soft Feel
• Height: 5’10”

Test conditions

• When I tested the putter: October 2022
• Days tested: 3
• Where I’ve used it: Practice green
• Weather and Wind Conditions: Sunny and 70°
• Green Speed: Fast
• Grass Type: Bermuda

How it performs

What I was looking for

I have been searching for a new putter for a couple of years now because I have been using the same Odyssey White Hot for the last few years. I was looking for a putter that offers more balance and forgiveness on off-center strikes. My current putter is a blade, and I knew I could see some extra forgiveness moving to a mid-mallet style putter.

Why I chose this club

I chose the Spider GT based on the head shape and style. A mid-mallet is a great balance between a bladed putter and a full-sized mallet. It gives me a great look at address to let me know there is some perimeter weighting to help out when I don’t hit it solid, which we all do more than we would like. I am still in the process of picking my new putter but am leaning heavily toward the Spider GT Notchback. I have tested multiple full-sized mallet options (Spider GT MAllet, Odyssey 2-Ball) and have found that I really like the look of the mid-mallet shape.

What I love about it

• Face Feel: I really enjoyed the Pureroll insert in this putter. It was very soft off the face and got the ball rolling quickly rather than skipping along the green.
• Forgiveness: I saw a good amount of forgiveness on off-center strikes. I really liked that the height of the insert offered help if I struck the ball a little too high.
• Weight: The putter's weight was very well-balanced but just a bit on the lighter side for me.
• Alignment: The alignment was my favorite thing about the putter. Behind the ball, the line and putter shape made it very easy to line up with my aiming point.
• Length: The 34” length was perfect for my 5’10” height and stance.
• Aesthetic Appeal: This putter looked beautiful in the bag and down at the ball. TaylorMade really knocked it out of the park in this department.
• Grip Feel: I liked the feel of the grip but prefer a more “Pistol” shape than the Super Stroke provides. This is less tapered down to the end than is typical in a pistol-style grip. More of an oversized grip feel.
• Customization: TaylorMade allows for multiple customizations on this club that should suit 99% of players.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Other: The only issue I encountered is that the shaft had me standing a bit further away from the ball than I like. This is 100% a personal preference and would probably not affect most players.

Best Putt or Round with this Putter

Well, the first putt I hit with this putter was over 30ft on a very undulated green, and it rolled in on the first putt. It was a lucky putt, but one can’t argue with results like that.

Value for the money vs. other options

I have always thought that TaylorMade putters were a great value for the money, and the Notchback is no exception. It is very competitively priced against most of the major brands. If one is looking for a less expensive option with similar shaping and results, I would look at the Odyssey Rossie.

Final verdict

Although I have not 100% landed on this putter, it is in the final running to go in the bag. I love the mid-mallet shape and really enjoy the soft Pureroll face. The one drawback for me would be the shaft had me standing a bit further away from the ball than I typically like, but I generally have my eyes directly over the ball when I put. Overall, a very solid putter for someone looking to get out of a bladed putter but just not ready to jump into a full-sized mallet.