Scottie Scheffler was at his breaking point after shooting solid scores but struggling with his putting during the WM Phoenix Open. Despite being the No. 1 player in the world, he had yet to secure a win on the PGA Tour. However, before the start of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he made a pivotal decision to switch to a TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter with a unique L-shaped hosel. This change proved to be a game-changer for Scheffler as he went on to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, followed by back-to-back wins at the Players Championship and the Masters.
The TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck putter features the True Path alignment system, designed to make it easier for golfers to aim their putts accurately. The putter has a gunmetal finish, an aluminum wireframe body, and a vibration-dampening system to enhance performance. With a hosel that creates about 20 degrees of toe hang, the balance of the putter is ideal for golfers like Scheffler who have a slightly arced putting stroke. The Pure Roll insert made with Surlyn and grooves pointing down at a 45-degree angle helps promote a forward roll on putts.
Scheffler’s putter specifications include 3 degrees of loft, a 72-degree lie angle, and a 35.5-inch length. The success Scheffler experienced with the Spider Tour X L-Neck putter led to TaylorMade releasing it to the public after his multiple victories. In terms of putting performance, Scheffler saw a significant improvement in his Strokes Gained: Putting average in 2024 after making the switch to the TaylorMade putter. While he has never been considered an elite putter on the PGA Tour, his consistency and performance on the greens improved noticeably with the new equipment.
The decision to switch to a mallet putter like the Spider Tour X L-Neck was influenced by Scheffler’s struggles with alignment and consistency in his previous putting performances. He found the Spider putter easier to line up correctly and eliminated his tendencies for a heel strike, leading to a more solid and reliable putting stroke. Overall, Scheffler’s success with the TaylorMade Spider putter has been a significant factor in his multiple wins on the PGA Tour in 2024.
