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

My take

The TaylorMade Spider EX Navy #3 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 the mallet head shape.

About the club I own

• Model: 2021 TaylorMade Spider EX #3
• Shape: Mallet
• Hosel Neck: Slant Neck
• Balance Point: Moderate Toe Hang
• Shaft Length: 35”
• Grip Type: Superstroke (Switched to Ping Pistol)
• Finish: Navy

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: August 2021
• Days tested: 50+
• 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: Range from 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 I wanted to try a mallet. I was looking for a mallet that would help me with my alignment and wanted to see if a mallet would help me make more putts and make my stroke more repeatable.

Why I chose this club

I bought the Spider EX from TaylorMade for two reasons. First, I have never been a fan of mallet-style putters and have always used a blade. However, I believe the Spider line has the best-looking mallet putters in golf. Additionally, I noticed how many tour professionals were using this putter and having success with it, so I wanted to try it out for myself.

What I love about it

• Face Feel: The insert on the face feels extremely soft and could be the best feel I have ever felt off the face of a putter. The Pure Roll insert helps to roll the ball consistently while providing a soft spring-like feel. It helps make putting practice even more enjoyable.
• 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 have been many times when I hit the ball off the toe or heel of this putter, and the ball stayed true to its original line.
• Weight: I love the weight of this putter. This putter fits in the middle to the heavier end of putters, which I personally love. It makes hitting longer putts and putts on soft greens much better because I do not have to swing the clubhead as hard.
• Alignment: The Spider EX has an amazing alignment. The head itself helps set the putt up straight every time. Additionally, the dots in the middle of the club help me be more consistent with my aim, and the center channel can also be used as an alignment aid.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The all-blue head mixed with the black shaft makes this the best-looking mallet putter in golf.
• Other: This putter makes me enjoy putting more than I ever have previously and gives me much more confidence to make my putts.
• Balance: Putters generally have two main balance categories. One is a face-balanced putter, which is great for players with a straight back and through putting stroke. The other is called “toe hang,” which is perfect for players with an arcing semi-circle type putting stroke. The #3 in this putter stands for a slant neck which creates “toe hang” in this putter. I personally have an arc putting stroke, so the #3 slant neck is perfect for me and has helped my putting.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Length: I like a shorter putter, so I would have preferred a 34in length to a 35in. 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 lets me 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 when I shot 68. I felt like the hole was twice as large this round. I also had a great nine-hole round in which I only took nine putts and shot 33. This putter has drastically improved my chances of making short and mid-range putts. The mallet shape head, mixed with the alignment benefits, has given me added confidence on putts inside 10 feet.

Value for the money vs. other options

I do not think there is any putter to compare this to because it was a pioneer in its category. However, I could compare it to other mallet putters, such as the Scotty Cameron Phantom X, which is over $100 more expensive than the Spider, but I don’t think it looks nearly as good. Another comparison would be the Odyssey 2 Ball putter, which is in a similar price range, but I prefer the feel and looks of the Spider EX to the 2 Ball.

Final verdict

The TaylorMade Spider EX Navy #3 Putter is perfect for anyone looking to pick up a quality putter for a great price. This putter will help any player who struggles with alignment and making close putts.