About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the putter, which I purchased with my own money in June of 2021.

My take

The TaylorMade Spider X Hydroblast Putter is perfect for players with a moderate arc in their putting stroke. This putter also provides increased forgiveness with the perimeter weighting and helps with alignment due to its mallet-head shape.

About the club I own

• Model: 2021 TaylorMade Spider X Hydroblast
• Shape: Mallet
• Hosel Neck: Slant Neck
• Balance Point: Moderate Toe Hang
• Shaft Length: 35 inches
• Grip Type: Superstroke (Switched to Ping Pistol)
• Finish: Hydroblast

About me

• Average Score: 70
• Handicap: +2
• Experience: 5 years of golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
• Stroke Type: Moderate Arc
• Golf Ball Used: TaylorMade Tp5x
• Height: 6’0”

Test conditions

• When I bought the putter: June 2021
• Days tested: 70+
• Where I’ve used it: Multiple golf courses and practice facilities
• Weather and Wind Conditions: Cold, lots of wind, no wind, warm, rain, clear sky, cloudy
• Green Speed: 8–13 on the stimpmeter
• Grass Type: Bent, Poa Annua, and Bermuda

How it performs

What I was looking for

I have always used a blade-style putter but wanted to try a mallet. I was looking for a mallet that would help me with my alignment, and I wanted to see if a mallet would help me make more putts and make my stroke more repeatable.

Why I chose this club

I chose to buy the Spider X from TaylorMade for two reasons. I have never been a fan of mallet-style putters and, as a result, have always used a blade. However, I believe the Spider line has the best-looking mallet putters in golf. I also loved the added forgiveness from the perimeter weighting to make the entire club face forgiving.

What I love about it

• Face Feel: The insert on the face feels extremely soft and could be the best feel I have ever experienced off the face of a putter. The Pure Roll insert helps to roll the ball consistently while providing a soft, spring-like feel. I have fallen in love with practicing my putting because of how good this putter feels.
• Forgiveness: The rear weighting on both ends of this putter makes it extremely forgiving, and mishits still go the same length and a similar line. There are times when I hit the ball off the toe or heel of this putter, and the ball stays true to its original line. The ball also travels a very similar distance no matter where I strike it on the face
• Weight: This putter fits in the middle to heavier end of putters. This makes hitting longer putts and putts on soft greens much better because I do not have to swing the clubhead as hard. This allows me to keep my stroke consistent on any greens that I play on.
• Alignment: The Spider X has an amazing alignment aid. The head itself helps set the putt up straight every time; due to the larger club head, it is very easy to tell if the putter is open, closed, or square. Additionally, the center channel in white helps to perfectly align both sides of the golf ball to ensure I line up in the middle of the club. This putter is very helpful for players who like to use a line to set up their putts.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The Hydroblast finish creates a very sleek and simple design. Additionally, the shape of the Spider X putter is my favorite mallet-design putter out of any of the mallets on the market. It blends a simple design with the perfect-sized head to create an amazing-looking putter.
• Balance: I love this putter due to its toe hang. Toe hang is when the putter head moves on more of an arc rather than straight back and through; therefore, the toe slightly opens during the backstroke and closes after impact. Since I have an arc in my putting stroke, this really helped me make a consistent stroke and hit the center of the face more often. The toe hang on this putter will be great for players with a traditional arc in their putting stroke.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Length: I like a shorter putter, so I would have preferred a 34-inch length to a 35. The shorter length makes me feel more in control of the clubface throughout the stroke to ensure the face is square at impact.
• Grip Feel: I like a smaller grip on my putters, so I got rid of the Super Stroke and replaced it with a Ping Pistol Grip. I like this smaller grip because it allows me to control the face better and feel more connected to the putter.
• Customization: There are currently no options for color, alignment, or length customization with this putter.

Best Putt or Round with this Putter

My personal best round with this putter was a 70. I made pretty much anything within 10 feet. I feel extremely comfortable with all putts inside 20 feet with this putter. I also made a 50-foot putt for eagle in a different round using this putter’s amazing alignment.

Value for the money vs. other options

In my opinion, the Spider X Hydroblast is the best-value mallet putter on the market. Other options include the Scotty Cameron Phantom, Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas, and Odyssey 2 Ball. However, the Spider X offers me better performance and looks, and is significantly cheaper than the Phantom and Las Vegas, and the same price as the 2 Ball.

Final verdict

The TaylorMade Spider X Hydroblast putter is perfect for anyone looking to pick up a quality putter for a great price. This putter can help any player who struggles with alignment and making close putts, helping players to lower their scores.