TaylorMade Spider Putter Showdown: Spider X vs EX vs GT Rollback — Which One Is Right for You?
Four TaylorMade Spider putters are currently in stock at Rising Sun Clubs — the Spider X, Spider EX (two length variants), and the Spider GT Rollback. All sourced from Japan, all between $205 and $265. The Spider range has been one of the most dominant putter families on tour and in the amateur game for nearly a decade — but each model within the range solves slightly different problems. Here's how to pick the right one.
Why the Spider Platform Became So Dominant
When TaylorMade launched the original Spider putter in 2011, the high-MOI mallet was already a known category — but no mainstream manufacturer had fully committed to the aesthetic. TaylorMade leaned in. The signature high-contrast alignment lines, wide frame, and perimeter weighting created a putter that was both visually confidence-inspiring and genuinely more forgiving on off-centre putts than blade or small-mallet alternatives.
The MOI (Moment of Inertia) of a Spider is among the highest of any standard-length putter on the market. Higher MOI means the putter face twists less on off-centre contact — the ball comes out closer to where you aimed it, even when you don't hit the sweet spot.
Key concept: MOI in putting
MOI measures a putter's resistance to twisting. A blade putter typically has an MOI of 2,000–3,000 g·cm². A Spider-style high-MOI mallet sits at 4,500–6,500+ g·cm². The practical difference: an off-centre putt on a Spider loses significantly less distance and less directional accuracy than the same miss on a blade. For golfers who don't consistently roll the ball on the sweet spot, the MOI gap matters.
Generation by Generation: What Changed
| Feature | Spider X (2018) | Spider EX (2021) | Spider GT Rollback (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Insert | True Path aluminium insert | Pure Roll insert (softer, more overspin) | Pure Roll insert (refined) |
| MOI | Very high | Very high | Highest in GT generation |
| Alignment System | Single sight line + contrast frame | Single sight line + contrast frame | Sight dot + refined frame contrast |
| Head Weight | 355g | 360g | ~370g (heavier — promotes smoother stroke) |
| Shaft | KBS CT Tour (firmer feedback) | TM Fluted Feel (dampened) | TM Fluted Feel (dampened) |
| Grip | No.1 Grip (standard taper) | Super Stroke (thicker, steadier wrists) | Super Stroke (thicker, steadier wrists) |
| Recommended For | Arc stroke, feedback preference | Straight-back-straight-through, feel preference | SBST, heavy-head preference, modern face tech |
| Price at RSC | $260 (33") | $255 (33") / $265 (34") | $210 — best value |
Stroke Type Matters: The Most Important Decision Factor
Before choosing a Spider model, the single most important question is how your putting stroke moves. The two fundamental stroke types respond differently to putter design:
Length Matters: 33" vs 34" and What It Changes
The two Spider EX units in stock offer a direct length comparison. For most Australian golfers:
- 33 inches suits players who are shorter in stature, prefer a more upright posture over the ball, or whose natural eye position sits inside the ball-to-target line (common with arc-stroke players)
- 34 inches suits taller players or those who prefer to stand slightly further from the ball with eyes directly over the line
The $10 price difference between the two EX units is essentially irrelevant — choose on length, not price.
The KBS CT Tour vs TM Fluted Feel Shaft: What You'll Actually Notice
The Spider X ships with a KBS CT Tour shaft — a firmer, more responsive option that provides slightly cleaner feedback at impact. You feel the contact more precisely.
The EX and GT Rollback both use TaylorMade's Fluted Feel shaft — a dampened design that softens vibration and produces a quieter, more muted sensation. Neither is superior; it's a personal preference. Players who want to "hear" and "feel" the putt tend to prefer the KBS. Players who find harsh feedback distracting tend to prefer Fluted Feel.
Which Spider Should You Buy?
All four Spider putters are Japan-sourced, individually inspected, and 1-of-1. The GT Rollback in particular — most current model, lowest price — is unlikely to sit long.
Or view the full range at risingsunclubs.com.au/collections/latest-releases