There’s no denying the explosive growth in the zero torque putter space in recent years. While the idea had been around for over a decade, LAB Golf’s expanding presence on Tour brought the concept to the masses. Since then, many heavyweights in the industry have joined the zero torque movement, but Taylormade has, at least until now, been noticeably silent. That’s changing today with the introduction of the Spider ZT series of putters. With Spider ZT, the company is combining their proven technologies and shapes with all the benefits golfers see from a “toe up” design.
“Spider putters – renowned for their stability, alignment, and roll – have been reengineered in the Spider ZT to feature a toe-up, or ‘face-forward’ balance configuration. This design minimizes torque and reduces the need for hand manipulation, promoting a more consistent stroke. As a result, the putter face remains squarer to the target line throughout the putting motion, enhancing directional control and building confidence at address and through impact.”
Andrew Oldknow, Director of Product Category, Product Creation
TaylorMade Spider ZT Putters
What makes a Spider as Spider? According to Taylormade, stability, great roll, and ease when aiming. Thanks to these features, the company can claim some of professional golf’s best players as Spider devotees, such as Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Nelly Korda. It goes without saying that the company had tons of motivation when tackling the zero torque concept, and as you might expect they worked hard to put their own mark on the ZT series.
We won’t devote a ton of time explaining zero torque. At this point, most of you should have a handle on the concept. Quickly summarized, zero torque is a way of utilizing the putter’s center of gravity in a way that keeps the face square to the path during the entire stroke. While many of us are used to a putter that opens and closes during the stroke, zero torque takes this variable out of the equation. While it’s not for everybody, it’s captured the attention of golfers of all skill levels for a reason.
So What’s Different?
Taylormade started the Spider ZT by focusing on the things they know work well. The heads are 100% milled from both 303 stainless steel and lightweight 6061 aluminum and feature extreme perimeter weighting that pushes the heel-to-toe MOI rating up to 5k. They also incorporated their multi-material Pure Roll insert, which features grooves cut at a 45 degree angle to promote an immediate forward roll, ensuring your putts hold their line. In many ways, we have a very traditional Spider design here, but as you will see there are some key differences.
It’s actually quite easy to see where the Spider ZT series differs from previous Spider putters. A view from above shows the hallmark cue that we’re looking at a zero torque putter – an onset face. In other words, the face sits in front of the where the centrally-located shaft enters the head. The shaft is perfectly aligned with the head’s center of gravity. In the ZT’s case, the shaft is placed 25mm behind the face, which is actually less onset than we see with some of the other zero torque putters on the market. Taylormade did this for a couple reasons. First, it lessens the visual shock when first picking up the putter. While they can work very well, zero torque putters can look quite odd at first. Second, they feel that this design choice lessens the impact of golfers trying to add loft in the putting stroke, which negatively impacts forward roll.
The stepless KBS CT Putter 120 shaft is positioned with 1 degree of forward lean, which again is slightly less than we see in other companies’ offerings. Taylormade has also utilized a special grip with the Standard ZT, the SuperStroke 1° Off-Axis Pistol 1.0, which has one degree of offset to mitigate some of the awkwardness golfers experience when using a forward-leaning shaft.
In addition to the shaft’s orientation and location in the putter head, TSS weights are precisely triangulated to perfectly balance the Spider ZT in the “toe-up” position. Unlike other Spider putters, the TSS weights aren’t really there to add MOI or stability. Rather, they are there to fully dial in the zero torque design. As such, Taylormade does not recommend swapping them out, as it could impact the performance of the putter.
Taylormade took further steps to design a high-performance putter in the ZT Series that will surely be appreciated. The sole has been completely redesigned to ensure it always sits perfectly on the ground, eliminating the occasional situation where we unintentionally open or close the face after grounding the club. The Spider ZT’s sole has been cambered from heel to toe and shaped from back to front in a way that they believe works perfectly with the onset face design.
While the Spider ZT doesn’t utilize the contrasting True Path alignment system we are used to seeing from Taylormade in recent years, the company has delivered a very useful alignment system. Close inspection of the front of the head reveals a black alignment line surrounded milling lines that are the exact width of a golf ball. This then blends into the center of the black aluminum body. The goal was to give a strong visual cue to the golfer about where exactly they need to frame the ball with the face to align perfectly centered.
Along with radical changes to performance in the Spider ZT line, sharp eyes will notice aesthetic changes from Taylormade. First, a new script font is being used for the “Spider” name, and there is a new Spider logo that looks much more modern, if not a bit sinister. Blue accents on the sole and a blue headcover that proudly displays the new logo will ensure the Spider ZT line is visible on TV when Tour players begin to adopt the new design.
The Details
The Spider ZT will be offered in three different styles: Standard ($449), Counter Balance ($499), and Long ($549).
Preorders begin today, May 29th, on Taylormade’s website, taylormadegolf.com, with retail availability starting on June 6th.
