Jack Hirsh
TaylorMade Golf
While Scottie Scheffler eventually landed in an off-the-rack Spider Tour X putter this year, propelling him to an outstanding seven-win season on the PGA Tour, some of the other flatsticks he tried along the way also garnered plenty of interest.
Scheffler tested — and briefly put into play — a unique Spider Tour X prototype during the 2023 FedEx Cup Playoffs with a milled face in place of the usual TaylorMade Pure Roll insert. In addition to the milled face, which was in a large plate bolted onto the front of the putter, the prototype also lacked adjustable weight ports in the rear. In their place were hollowed-out sections to keep the shaping with two TSS weight ports moved forward to the sole.
All of these tweaks gave Scheffler the benefits of the Spider Tour X shape while retaining the blade-like characteristics he was used to from his previous gamers.
Spider Tour X Proto Black
$500
Originally a Tour exclusive, Spider Tour X Proto is now available in limited quantities. This rare design is meticulously crafted to shift the center of gravity (CG) as far forward as possible, while preserving True Path™ Alignment and structural stability of the Spider franchise.
That putter didn’t last long in Scheffler’s bag, and it was assumed its run would end as a Tour-only creation. But last fall TaylorMade surprised many by releasing a limited quantity of Spider Tour X Proto’s with Scheffler’s milled insert.
Now, TaylorMade is bringing the prototype back for another limited run.
This time, though, the putter comes in a new black finish, while the original gunmetal finish also is still an option. Both the new Spider Tour X Proto Black and Gunmetal are available in both small slant and L-neck options for $500.
The only difference between the new edition released Monday and last year’s version is the all-black finish that extends to the True Path alignment system on the top of the putter. Even the sightline remains black against the blacktop to create a striking visual contrast against white golf balls.
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Jack Hirsh
Golf.com Editor
Jack Hirsh is the Associate Equipment Editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as head coach. Jack also still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.