Equipment
Rickie Fowler makes the switch to TaylorMade TP5/X
It all started with what appears to be an internal email sent by Taylor Made CEO David Abeles that was posted online last week….
“We are preparing to make one of the most significant announcements in company history – a new addition to our athlete team that will light up the industry and enhance the impact of our brand like never before. Please stay tuned. You will hear from us in a couple of weeks!”
The buzz and speculation that ensued in the GolfWRX forums was nothing short of a Gear Junky FBI-esque investigation. The rumors of who and why covered everyone from Phil, Brooks, LeBron, Steph Curry and I even think former President Obama got tossed into the mix. The code word around Taylor Made was “Project Orange”…kinda love them taking a page from the Lucas Film here.
DRUM ROLL…..As of 8:30AM PST, Monday the 19th of January, the news is now official. Four time PGA Tour winner and World #13 Rickie Fowler has signed a multi-year Ball and Glove Contract with Taylor Made. Fowler will make his first start with the new set up this week at Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open.
“It’s been fun to see what the ball can do. Extra yardage on irons, more spin around the green. One less club for me into many holes is a pretty big advantage, too. What more do you want?”
—Rickie Fowler
Now, I realize this announcement may not seem as sexy as a full bag deal or a Callaway to TaylorMade Mickelson switch.
However this signing is important for TaylorMade for two main reasons.
- It shows the market that TaylorMade has a ball that performs well enough to attract someone like Fowler who has been a staunch Titleist loyalist almost since birth.
- In a market that has been and is still dominated by Titleist, its Taylor Mades first big shot across the bow that they are serious about golf ball innovation and are not hanging their hats on Metal Woods.
The Gear Dive’s Johnny Wunder spoke late last week with Rickie and Director of Golf Ball R&D Eric Loper on how this whole thing came to be.
See what the members are saying in the forums and join the discussion.
Below is the audio interview.
Equipment
TaylorMade goes bigger with Spider ZT Max putter
In the zero-torque putter world the TaylorMade Spider ZT has carved out a great following of golfers who love it. So TaylorMade wanted to go bigger and it did, literally. This new Spider ZT Max features a larger body that is made from aluminum to allow for heavier steel and tungsten weights to move to the perimeter. Combining the weight distribution with the larger size increases stability and the putter will reduce twisting on toe or heel impacts.


TaylorMade kept the zero-torque design the same with a shaft that inserts right near the CG location and 34mm behind the face. Placing the shaft here keeps the putter balancing with the toe up, helping keep the face pointed towards the target throughout the stroke. Each shaft is bored into the head with a 2 degree forward shaft lean to help keep that toe-up design consistent.

A unique sole design is incorporated into the putter to work with the center shaft so the putter doesn’t rock when it is soled on the green. Engineers looked at many different angles and putting strokes to make sure that the putter sits square behind the ball so alignment is easier. While you don’t see the bright white True Path alignment feature on the top of the putter, it is there in milled form. Milled lines on the top of the putter are the exact same width of a golf ball in order to help create better center face contact. The Pure Roll insert on the face is made from a combination of Surlyn and aluminum for a soft but solid feel. Forty-five degree grooves provide immediate forward roll and consistent speed on shots that don’t find the center of the putter.

Golfers can get the new Spider ZT Max in standard length, counter balanced, and in a long model. Offering the putter in these options lets players who find an alternative putting stroke better an option to get a high MOI mallet. The standard length models with get the same KBS CT 120 steel shaft as the new Spider Tour Torched putters while the CB and Long putters will get a KBS Graphite shaft that is heavier (155g & 210g). A Super Stroke Off-Axis Tour 2.0 and a Super Stroke 3.0 17″ grip are stock on these Spider ZT Max putters.

Spider ZT Max Pricing
- Standard: $449.99
- Counter Balanced: $499.99
- Long: $549.99
Equipment
TaylorMade launches Spider Tour Torched putters
TaylorMade has dominated the mallet putter market with their expansive Spider putter line over the last few years. From players on professional tours to us everyday players, you will see a lot of Spider putters in bags. For 2026 TaylorMade is updating the Spider line with the new Spider Torched series that features a new torched PVD finish and some new head shapes.
The first thing you will notice about the Spider Torched putters is the bronze color finish. This finish takes inspiration from Rory’s custom Spider that is heated with a torch to get a multi-color bronze finish. When you heat stainless steel to around 600°F to 900°F it will change to this bronze color in a process called temper color. This happens because very high temperatures cause the metal’s surface to react with oxygen in the air, creating a thin transparent layer that gradually becomes thicker over time. Instead of using the time-consuming torching process, TaylorMade went with a more durable PVD finish to get a similar look.

Rory’s TaylorMade Spider Tour X
With the new launch we get the familiar Spider Tour head shapes that we know and love with the Spider Tour and Spider Tour X. Both are offered with different hosels as well to give looks that golfers will love and influence the toe hang of the putters for fitting different putting strokes. It doesn’t stop there as TaylorMade is also giving us the new Spider Tour V and Spider Tour F shapes that offer a different look and alignment at address. All of the heads stay true to being a Spider by their high MOI design for stability and forgiveness. A sole plate with updated graphics moves weight away from the center of the club head and out to the perimeter.

“The Spider Tour putter family represents the very best of what we do at TaylorMade. Nearlytwo decades of engineering, refinement and Tour feedback have gone into building thisfamily—and this new finish brings a level of visual sophistication that matches theperformance underneath it. These are putters that belong in the hands of the best players inthe world, and they’re proving it every week.”–Andrew Oldknow, Senior DirectorProductCategory and Design

More Photos of the TaylorMade Spider Tour Torched Putters
For lining up the putter we see the tried and true True Path alignment that TaylorMade has been using on Spiders for what feels like forever. This high contrast line makes it faster and easier to get the putter pointed towards your target for more accuracy. You can also see the legendary Pure Roll insert that is made from white TPU for a softer feel. Each insert contains horizontal 45 degree grooves that put more forward roll on the ball and reduce hopping and skidding. Behind the insert is a Hybrar Echo Dampener that will reduce unwanted vibrations for a softer feel and sound at impact. On the sole TaylorMade kept the TSS weights so that you can dial in the head weight in order to get the perfect feel out of your Spider Tour Torched.

Spider Tour

Spider Tour F


Spider Tour V

Spider Tour X

Spider Tour Counter Balanced

More Photos of the TaylorMade Spider Tour Torched Putters
All of the new Spider Torched putters are offered with a premium KBS CT 120 putter shaft that features a gloss black finish. This upgraded shaft features a stiffer feel and low toque for added stability and consistency. The stock grip is a Super Stroke Pistol 1.0 while the counter balanced models get a Super Stroke 2.0 XL grip that is longer, 13.75″, in order to grip it further down easily. A new brown head cover has a leather texture and looks really good with the brown and light blue accents on it.


The new Spider Torched putters will have a $349.99 price for both the standard and counter balanced models.
Whats in the Bag
Sungjae Im WITB 2026 (June)
Sungjae Im had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist TSi2 (8 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 7 X

3-wood: Titleist TS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X

Hybrid: Titleist H2 818 (19 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD Hybrid DI 105 X

Irons: Titleist T100 ’19 (3-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (48-10F, 54-14F), SM7 (60-04L)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Putters: Scotty Cameron Special Select F-5 Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype
Grips: SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT


Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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Tom
Jan 22, 2019 at 3:08 pm
This is it? What a let down….I thought they signed Uncle Rico!
bj
Jan 22, 2019 at 8:14 am
TP5/TP5X are great!!!! Plus balls are where the money is.
TM BOI
Jan 22, 2019 at 2:16 am
sorry, but how can a 3-time winner on the tour be the “the most significant announcements in company history ”
Yesus…
Jamie
Jan 22, 2019 at 12:43 am
Nothingburger, for now. Let’s see how he fares.
NH Golfer
Jan 21, 2019 at 6:12 pm
Glad to see TaylorMade spending money on ball contracts. They have a great product! Hopefully this will be a start of something big.
golfraven
Jan 21, 2019 at 4:23 pm
As if the V1 and the Players glove was not good enough. Everything looks good Ricky, no go and win.
BRADLEY LANEY
Jan 21, 2019 at 4:20 pm
Today is Monday the 21st and TaylorMade is one word. You may want to proofread your releases John.
JP
Jan 21, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Don’t see this as big of a deal as they try to make it sound.
However… The TP5X is a better fit for me over the ProV1X. And I picked up 8-9 yards on the driver and around 4-5 with the longer irons. Plus it spins just as good.
Travis
Jan 21, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Pretty sure Tiger Woods joining TM was much bigger than this lol
EastpointeCC
Jan 21, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Tp5 or TP5X?
Wunder
Jan 21, 2019 at 2:01 pm
TP5X
Benny
Jan 21, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Well said Big T. Unfortunately for Titleist tho this is a HUGE issue for them. They are a ball manufacture first. This could be why Peter’s father stepped down as the writing was on the wall.
Goldenballs
Jan 21, 2019 at 11:49 am
Yesssssss!!!!!
TP5 is the real deal.
ProVs are junk. And he just proved it
Big T
Jan 21, 2019 at 10:17 am
Thats it?? This is the “BIG” news that “is one of the most significant announcements in company history”???? A ball glove deal??????
To me its about the same as if the news came on with “Breaking new: Tree falls over in storm”