MODEL PLAYED: TaylorMade Ghost Spider S, 35-inch model.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: This putter feels beautifully balanced and has good weight about it. I like that you don’t have to manipulate your hands or the putterhead to get it to sit the right way on the green. It does feel noticeably heavier to my putter, though, but I like that extra mass.

I’m not a big fan of the white look – it might be a little too radical from what I’m used to. I also prefer the colour of the alignment aids of TaylorMade’s previous Spider putter compared to the mostly black alignment strip in this one.

VERDICT: This putter is very different in style and look to any I’ve used before but it only took me a few holes before I grew to really like it. I could definitely get very used to this one. The natural and comfortable way the Ghost Spider S sits on the surface means it holds its path really nicely throughout the stroke, both back and through. That’s a great way to build confidence in a putter and in your putting stroke.

Perhaps the grip could be fatter. My putter has a couple of papers underneath it so that might be what I’m feeling but if I bought this I would be thickening the grip.

MODEL PLAYED: TaylorMade Ghost Spider S, 43-inch belly model.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: This will be my first time using a belly putter. The clubhead feels nice and sits squarely on the green. I don’t mind the white look – to me it contrasts well against the green grass – and the alignment lines are a big help in lining up squarely. The putterhead is a little bit bigger than mine but I actually prefer that.

VERDICT: The Ghost Spider S gives a very true roll and has a nice soft feel with the face insert in it. I didn’t mind the weight of the head and I like the thicker grip with the square shape to it. There is an adjustment period to become used to sticking the handle against your stomach, but once you do that I think the benefits would be noticeable as the belly putter helps keep the putter in that ideal slot for a good, smooth stroke.

This golf course features a lot of run-offs from the greens where putting is usually the smart option and I found the belly putter makes that more difficult. Perhaps with practice you’d get used to it but I got the impression that the longer the stroke required the less the benefit of having a longer-than-standard putter would be.

FACT & FIGURES

SUITABILITY: All levels of golfer.

LENGTHS: The range includes 33, 34 and 35-inch versions plus 41 and 43-inch belly models.

LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes, but not in the ‘short slant’ hosel model.

HOW MUCH?: $209 or $229 for the belly model.

TAYLORMADE SAYS: “Extensive Tour testing influenced every detail of the new Ghost Spider S – one of the most stable putters TaylorMade has ever created. In addition to its new, Tour-inspired shape, the Ghost Spider S is revolutionary in terms of control and feel. To create it, we started with the DNA of our most successful putter franchise and applied more than a year of obsessive feedback from our toughest customers, our Tour staff professionals. In terms of the two most critical aspects of putting – alignment and stability – Ghost Spider S is the complete package.

“It delivers an off-the-charts moment of inertia (MOI) measurement of 6,030, dramatically higher than previous TaylorMade mallets like the Ghost Manta (4,900) and Corza Ghost (3,830).

“The multi-material head (aluminium and steel) combines a white steel frame perimeter and topline with a new, Tour-inspired, non-transition black crown. The contrast between the white leading edge and black crown makes it easier to focus your eyes on the topline, making it easier to aim accurately.”

The standard and belly models are available from November 1, the short slant from December.

Contact TaylorMade on 1800 700 011 or visit

www.taylormadegolf.com.au