Equipment

Fitting Fleetwood: The inside story of getting new TaylorMade staffer Tommy Fleetwood dialed in for 2021

Published

5 years ago

Jan 21, 2021

If you have read any of my material over the past year, you know I am a huge Tommy Fleetwood fan. Yes, the hair game is strong and his affinity for a mixed set of clubs is awesome, but down to the core, it’s the way he plays that keeps me engaged. Beyond the Big Cat, the last time a player got my attention this much was David Duval. Something in the swing, the strike, and what it looks like when that particular player is in full flight. Something is very special about Tommy Fleetwood.

It was the day after the Masters that I learned that Tommy would be signing with TaylorMade. At the time, the Rahm conspiracy theory was running wild, so the speculation around Tommy wasn’t all that nuts. It’s got to be said that TaylorMade and all manufacturers have been trying to sign Tommy Fleetwood for years. What excited me most about the signing was this

It’s time for Tommy to take full flight and win a bunch, and I think TaylorMade was the perfect fit to get him there.
I was excited for my friend Adrian Rietveld who has been a friend and fitter to Tommy for a long time. Adrian cares deeply about all of his players but needless to say, for him, this one was well earned and special.

I’ll deliver the full WITB with specs below, but first, I reached out to ask Adrian about the process of getting Tommy dialed and what we can expect as we go through the rest of the year.

JW: You have been working with Tommy for a long time. What’s it like now having Tommy officially on Team TaylorMade? Knowing he has been in plenty of TM gear in the past, how does he being a staff player change things?

AR: It gives us more time and structure to get things better, to find measurable performance gain, to help him grow as a world-class player. Tommy believes it is a vital piece of the puzzle that, when done right, gives him the best chance at success. Tommy didn’t come to this decision lightly.

Tommy and I have always had a great relationship, but as a free agent we would only get certain windows of time to work. One of the main factors for him joining our staff was that he felt giving this relationship more time to grow and breathe would give him the best chance to grow and ultimately win. Personally, I’m excited for the challenge, Tommy has very high standards and getting him to where he wants to go will push us all in such an awesome way.

JW: Once it was official, where did you start?

AR: Oddly enough, the first official call to duty wasn’t any fitting or product presentation but rather a conversation between Tommy and I (on Zoom of course) just talking thru our philosophies and how we were gonna push each other to get better. We had one of those inspiring conversations where any question or idea was on the table, and by the end of it, we both knew there was so much work to be done, and it was going to be an awesome journey. This is just the beginning. After almost a month of being in the trenches, it’s a bit surreal to be at round 1. I’m living and dying with every shot, and it’s only day 1!

JW: You use the term “equipment sensitivity” in regards to the greats. Where does Tommy fall on a scale of 1-10?

AR: If you ask me, he’s an 11. Master class. If you ask Tommy, he’d probably think he’s a 5 or a 6. He knows far more than he thinks he does, but he’s still a young lad with talent. He has the work ethic and potential to reach the pinnacle of the game. He’s done well to trust his team up to this point but as he grows and succeeds, I think he will start to believe in his instincts around his gear. That stuff comes with time.

JW: Any changes to his iron setup?

AR: Well it’s a brand new fresh set of irons. I wanted to build a clean set to start. He only played four TaylorMade irons before (6-9), he had a different 4 and 5-iron in his previous setup in their own spec and has always leaned towards a pitching wedge in a different head and shaft to his irons.

In this case, I built two sets for him, one that was flawlessly matched blades (3-PW) and one that was closer to what he had which could blend with a combo. The blades (3-PW) set was built around the new ball, I knew that the combo of a clean matched set in combo with the TP5X ’21 ball that there would be no turning back, a ball striker of his quality, and a golf ball that’s performance is unmatched with long irons would make him a better player. My instincts were correct, the testing just showed the class of the player. He is as dialed in as ever and it’s an absolutely perfect set of irons.

JW: In regards to the wedges, it sounds like that will take a bit longer. What potential options do you have and what was tested?

AR: How can you prove a golf ball performance is better if you are switching wedges at the same time? Impossible not to second guess where the performance is coming from? His wedge play is supreme, and it was more harmonious to leave that part constant to let the ’21 TP5x shine like I knew it would, and boy did he put the ball through its paces…particularly from 125 yards and in…There has to be a constant, and switching the ball and wedges over complicates things for no reason. The ball is impressive, so I wanted it to shine without any distraction.

JW: Tommy’s TF Proto, any tweaks adjustments made VS the P7TW, or are they just stamped differently? We know the lofts will be a bit stronger than TW’s gamers.

AR: No changes beyond being stamped with TF, which is our way of showing him some love.

JW: He was loyal to the M6 fairways for a long time. What did he like in that head and what you were able to improve on with SIM2?

AR: Simply, the new fairways give him better gapping coverage into the irons. He now has a 3-wood that gives him 280 to 260 coverage and a 5-wood that gives him 260-240 coverage. With his 4-iron carry up to 230 yards, his gapping is dialed. Honestly, I’m so impressed with these new TaylorMade SIM2 fairway woods. With the M6 5-wood, he had a club that just went too far, leaving so much room from 5-wood to 4-iron. That caused the 7-woods, GAPR Irons, etc to come into play. Now that hole is plugged up, and he doesn’t have to mess with the bottom part of his bag to accommodate. That’s a huge benefit.

JW: Let’s talk about the ball switch which in my opinion is huge. Where did he see improvement in regards to Driver, irons, and wedges. I noticed Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, and Tommy Fleetwood have quickly switched into this new TaylorMade TP5x ball…Something special is going on when those three names are mentioned?

AR: Since it’s a prototype ball, I can’t say much in regards to the tech, but I will say in 4-5 weeks of testing, the golf ball never failed once. It’ll be exciting to see him grow into this ball even more and I can’t wait to share more on the ball when the time is right.

Where he was: #WITB 2020 Masters

Driver: Titleist TSi3 (9 degrees @ 8.25, D2 Surefit)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (tipped 1 inch, 44.75 inches)

3-wood: Titleist TSi2 (15 degrees @ 14.25, C1 Surefit)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (42.5 inches)

5-wood: TaylorMade M6 (19 degrees @ 18)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage XTS 80 TX (41.25 inches)

7-Wood: Titleist TSi2 (21 degrees, B1 Surefit)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8X (41 inches)

*7-Wood and 4 Iron would flip flop along with a TaylorMade GAPR 3 (21 bonded) w/ a Project X 6.5

Irons: Srixon Z785 (4,5), TaylorMade P7TF (6-9)
Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5

Wedges: Callaway MD5 Jaws Raw (48-10S @47, 52-10S, 60-08T @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro 3
Grip: SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord (D, 3W, 5W, 7W and wedges), Iomic Sticky @1pm (Irons)

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

New Tommy Fleetwood 2021 TaylorMade #WITB

Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 Max (10.5 @8.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 70TX (tipped 1 inch, 44.75 inches cut)

3-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Rocket (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 70 TX (42.5 inches)

5-wood: TaylorMade SIM2 (19 degrees @ 18.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana DF 80 TX (41.25 inches)

Irons: (4-PW) TaylorMade P7TF
Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5

IRON SPECS: “The Dialed Set”

Loft/Lie/Length/SW

4-22/59/38.5/D3

5-26/59.5/38/D3

6-30/60/37.5/D3

7-34/60.5/37/D3

8-38/61/36.5/D3

9-42/61.5/36/D3

P-47/61.5/35.75/D3

Wedges: Callaway MD5 Jaws Raw (52-10S, 56-10S@55-9, 60-08T @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro 3
Grip: SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord (D, 3W, 5W, 7W and wedges), blue Iomic Sticky @1pm (Irons)

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x ’21 Proto #19

Equipment

TaylorMade goes bigger with Spider ZT Max putter

Published

3 hours ago

Jun 4, 2026

Brian Knudson

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

Published

5 hours ago

Jun 4, 2026

Brian Knudson

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.