Along Came a Spider

While the Giants were upsetting the Patriots in Phoenix yesterday, another underdog notched a win in nearby Scottsdale—and he did it with the exotic new Spider putter by TaylorMade.

Indeed, unheralded J.B. Holmes won the FBR Open by sinking a 13-foot birdie putt to force a playoff with Phil Mickelson, after which he sank an 8-foot putt for the victory.

According to PutterZone.com’s sources at TaylorMade, this was the first week that Holmes used the Spider putter after switching from another familiar brand. TaylorMade also says that the Spider was the most-played putter at the tournament, with nine in play.

The Spider, whose formal name is the Rossa Monza Spider, will be available to the public in March. The street price will be $199.

The Spider is distinguished by an unmistakably unique design featuring a steel wire frame interwoven onto a UFO-like chassis. The scientific motive behind this design is to push the envelope on moment of inertia (MOI). By distributing more weight to the perimeter of the putter, this design boosts the putter’s MOI, making it more resistant to twisting and turning, which in turn can enhance consistency and accuracy.

As with all putters in TaylorMade’s Rossa family, the Spider features the company’s signature AGSI+ grooved face insert, which is designed to impart forward spin for truer roll.

PutterZone.com has experienced the Spider and can attest that it’s a beast of a putter—a big mallet with attitude. Stay tuned here for the upcoming review.