Spider Tour X Proto

[dmac4g]

The Black Proto is back in stock in both plumbers and slant necks.  Should be interesting to see how long this batch lasts.

[OnlyBuilt4ScottishLinks]

On 3/19/2025 at 11:35 AM, dmac4g said:

The Black Proto is back in stock in both plumbers and slant necks.  Should be interesting to see how long this batch lasts.

Grabbed a 35” L-Neck just now.  Dragged my feet for a few days when they restocked around the holidays and didn’t want that to happen again

[CactusGolf]

I've had the slant neck in my cart so many times I've lost count.

 

I'm only glad that it isn't 35".  If it was, it would be in my bag right now.  

 

Really like how clean the putter looks.

[HONGxHONG]

1 hour ago, CactusGolf said:

I've had the slant neck in my cart so many times I've lost count.

 

I'm only glad that it isn't 35".  If it was, it would be in my bag right now.  

 

Really like how clean the putter looks.

 

35"?

 

[Pnwpingi210]

On 3/19/2025 at 6:43 AM, tarrantian said:

 

I hear you, this one is a bit subjective as I personally am on the fence re: torched…

 

Regardless, surprised they haven’t made it available, TM is generally quite opportunistic LOL.

 

Perhaps they’re a bit pissed as Rors (not Scottie) have not jumped to Qi35 by this point and they don’t quite know how to handle this (another thread I suppose!)

Expense.  The torched finish is a lot of manual work.  Figure that proto + a torched finish is going to be 1000 bucks plus

[Pnwpingi210]

On 3/19/2025 at 6:43 AM, tarrantian said:

 

I hear you, this one is a bit subjective as I personally am on the fence re: torched…

 

Regardless, surprised they haven’t made it available, TM is generally quite opportunistic LOL.

 

Perhaps they’re a bit pissed as Rors (not Scottie) have not jumped to Qi35 by this point and they don’t quite know how to handle this (another thread I suppose!)

Expense.  The torched finish is a lot of manual work.  Figure that proto + a torched finish is going to be 1000 bucks plus

[TinkerGolfMan]

This is back on the TM site. Just ordered one, but might need to make changes to a 33 inch as they only sell in 34-35 inches. The 34 inch shaft always snags on my tops when playing. Thoughts on the performance? 

[redshirtgolfer]

26 minutes ago, TinkerGolfMan said:

 Thoughts on the performance? 

will tell you soon 🫣

 

I really hope it’s just great and not great-great, as it comes with several issues for me:

 

- I want 36 inch, so add an extension (hello swing weight) or change shaft (hello extra work, hello extra $ and hello swing weight)

- I have two bags and want driver and putter identical, so worst case 600 - 650$ x2…

[TinkerGolfMan]

47 minutes ago, redshirtgolfer said:

will tell you soon 🫣

 

I really hope it’s just great and not great-great, as it comes with several issues for me:

 

- I want 36 inch, so add an extension (hello swing weight) or change shaft (hello extra work, hello extra $ and hello swing weight)

- I have two bags and want driver and putter identical, so worst case 600 - 650$ x2…

Yeah, I understand where you coming form. I'm trying to find an ACCRA putter shaft for this thing as well. 

[redshirtgolfer]

I’m thinking more Temu 😅😅😅

[redshirtgolfer]

Got it couple days ago and played 18 holes today with plastic on (head and grip). 
 

Mixed feelings so far. 
 

I like:

- Overall performance is definitely good

- Looks

- Feeling of the face

- Weight

- Alignment aids

Dislike:

- Doesn’t make me feel like holding a $500-putter

- Absolutely zero customization possible. At least a thicker but same looking grip and a 36 inch option would have been nice 

- Can’t pickup balls

- It almost looks and feels like every unloved $79 thrift store Spider 

I need my gamer to be 36 inches, so changing shaft or glueing an extension to the shaft are the only options. Plus a new grip. 
 

Since I have two bags and want to have driver and putter the same, it would mean to spend another $500, and go through the same shaft extension, neck bending and grip changing process twice. 
 

Summed up, it’s not really how a relationship should start. I’m looking long term here, potentially a real bromance for years or decades. Will see my putter fitter on Wednesday, and I have a strong feeling it’s gonna be in a brown box very soon… 

Edited April 5 by redshirtgolfer

[tarrantian]

1 hour ago, redshirtgolfer said:

Got it couple days ago and played 18 holes today with plastic on (head and grip). 
 

Mixed feelings so far. 
 

I like:

- Overall performance is definitely good

- Looks

- Feeling of the face

- Weight

- Alignment aids

Dislike:

- Doesn’t make me feel like holding a $500-putter

- Absolutely zero customization possible. At least a thicker but same looking grip and a 36 inch option would have been nice 

- Can’t pickup balls

- It almost looks and feels like every unloved $79 thrift store Spider 

I need my gamer to be 36 inches, so changing shaft or glueing an extension to the shaft are the only options. Plus a new grip. 
 

Since I have two bags and want to have driver and putter the same, it would mean to spend another $500, and go through the same shaft extension, neck bending and grip changing process twice. 
 

Summed up, it’s not really how a relationship should start. I’m looking long term here, potentially a real bromance for years or decades. Will see my putter fitter on Wednesday, and I have a strong feeling it’s gonna be in a brown box very soon… 

 

Geez bud, the plastic must have improved the roll of the ball... 😐 (Do you have plastic on your furniture at home??)...

 

Okay, just joking around, but seriously not sure how you could embrace a putter that you're so unsure of that you're keeping the plastic on in the hope if it doesn't work out, you'll be selling it. As they say, one must commit! (Also, what does a $500 putter 'feel' like?)

[Joesti]

I’ve been eyeing the L neck. Went to the store and rolled some with the stock x l neck and really loved it. How does the proto feel? Is it something like a bettinardi? I’m currently gaming a b6 and like the feel. I’m guessing the proto is less forgiving to strike location than the standard x? 

[redshirtgolfer]

20 hours ago, tarrantian said:

 

Geez bud, the plastic must have improved the roll of the ball... 😐 (Do you have plastic on your furniture at home??)...

 

Okay, just joking around, but seriously not sure how you could embrace a putter that you're so unsure of that you're keeping the plastic on in the hope if it doesn't work out, you'll be selling it. As they say, one must commit! (Also, what does a $500 putter 'feel' like?)

haha, good question. I don’t think that my PLD prime tyne 4 (was around $500 retail) feels like a $500 putter. I rolled some putts with a couple scottys today at my local course, and at least some of them COULD feel like $500-putters (fastback, squareback) 

 

I think what I don’t like is the fact that is not milled from one piece and that the top is or at least looks like plastic (is it?). Will keep you posted if it will stay or not. 

[tarrantian]

1 hour ago, redshirtgolfer said:

haha, good question. I don’t think that my PLD prime tyne 4 (was around $500 retail) feels like a $500 putter. I rolled some putts with a couple scottys today at my local course, and at least some of them COULD feel like $500-putters (fastback, squareback) 

 

I think what I don’t like is the fact that is not milled from one piece and that the top is or at least looks like plastic (is it?). Will keep you posted if it will stay or not. 

 

Yeah, the milling was meant to satisfy a certain demand. Honestly, the putter was meant for an insert and if the insert doesn't work for someone, I would question why that person would even consider a Spider. There are so many milled/one-piece offerings in this category (Scotty and more Scotty), TM should just stay in their lane...

 

Just my .02.

 

I have a custom Spider X3 with the Surlyn insert and it's just gold, I putted lights out today with a few dropping in from the 20' distance, just love it and I would never consider the proto as the insert works for me. The reason for being if I'm correct was they were catering to Scottie, and even he moved to the Surlyn insert. 

 

Everyone has their preferences, and all subjective. 

[redshirtgolfer]

Had my putter fitting today, values pretty similar to my Ping PLD Prime Tyne 4, so no improvement. And I don’t like it enough to keep it. Sorry TM, it’s coming back 🤷‍♂️

[redshirtgolfer]

Does anybody know why we haven’t seen one of this on tour so far?

[kmcb]

13 minutes ago, redshirtgolfer said:

Does anybody know why we haven’t seen one of this on tour so far?

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/720796/scottie-scheffler-switches-to-a-taylormade-spider-tour-x-ss-proto-putter-in-memphis/

[redshirtgolfer]

Thanks, but the honeymoon didn’t last for long. 

[snowmangolf]

I sold mine after a couple rounds with it. Just didn’t like the sound/feel at all. Would be a great putter if someone sent it out to NorCal or Embrace and had them put a different maybe deeper milling on it 

[MerryTex]

12 hours ago, redshirtgolfer said:

Does anybody know why we haven’t seen one of this on tour so far?

I think because like @tarrantianstated, it’s meant for an insert. I’m not saying it can’t play well without it, but the Spider, IMHO, is an insert design with emphasis on roll. The design pushes weight away from the face and when you pair it with the pure roll insert, money. Despite using Toulon, I’ve always been a fan of them. Every variant of the Tour/Tour X has been good. 
 

The milled version was created to try and get Scotty acquainted with the Spider shape and performance characteristics but with feel that he was used to. I think the insert won him over. 

[redshirtgolfer]

I haven’t sold mine yet, and for now, I will not. Something is not right with my putting in the last couple of weeks, and as a grown up adult it’s pretty clear that it can’t be my fault, it must be my putters fault. I’ll bend my proto to 75° lie, extend it by 3 inches, put a 13.75 inch grip on and 50g weight in the back. Should be long enough, counterbalanced enough and heavy enough to compare it to my scotty long design. Will share progress here

Edited July 19 by redshirtgolfer

[BubbaWon]

Please keep us (me) posted. Thinking of doing something similar with my Proto L

 

On 7/19/2025 at 3:20 AM, redshirtgolfer said:

I haven’t sold mine yet, and for now, I will not. Something is not right with my putting in the last couple of weeks, and as a grown up adult it’s pretty clear that it can’t be my fault, it must be my putters fault. I’ll bend my proto to 75° lie, extend it by 3 inches, put a 13.75 inch grip on and 50g weight in the back. Should be long enough, counterbalanced enough and heavy enough to compare it to my scotty long design. Will share progress here

 

[redshirtgolfer]

12 hours ago, BubbaWon said:

Please keep us (me) posted. Thinking of doing something similar with my Proto L

 

 

here is some basic math I did so far:

 

- 35 inch spider tour x proto + 3 inch shaft extension but without a grip is 481 grams 

- 38 inch scotty cameron fastback long design is 661 grams with the stock 17 inch grip on

- 17 inch stock grip is 128 grams

- assuming the shafts are the same weight, the scotty head is 58 grams heavier with standard 2x25 gram weights than the Spider with 2 x 10 gram standard weights

- the Spider would need 2 x 40 or at least 2 x 35 gram weights to be the same weight as the Scotty long design

 

The super stroke tour 2.0 xl is 77 grams, with the 50 grams extra weight it’ll be around the same as the Scotty stock grip. 

I’m waiting for a thicker shaft extension, the grips and the counter weights to arrive and will try to find some heavier Spider weights. Will keep you posted. 
 

 

[BubbaWon]

Got it. I’m thinking of putting in a BGT Stability One Tour in black at 35.25” and a Golf Pride corded green star.
 

If the swing weight is too far off I’ll let my putter guy fix the weighting to bring it home. 

Edited July 24 by BubbaWon
Syntax

[redshirtgolfer]

Di you have an idea how he would fix the weight? My idea is to change the weights to 2x 16 (which adds 12) and so I have about 46 grams left compared to the Scotty. For this I might glue a piece of lead weight in the hole in the back since I don’t have a better idea. 

[BubbaWon]

8 hours ago, redshirtgolfer said:

Di you have an idea how he would fix the weight? My idea is to change the weights to 2x 16 (which adds 12) and so I have about 46 grams left compared to the Scotty. For this I might glue a piece of lead weight in the hole in the back since I don’t have a better idea. 

Speaking from experience…you need to be optimizing for “swing weight”.

 

You’ll find trying to match other putters’ headweight misleading and that you’ll be going in the wrong direction by increasing the putter weight. 

 

You will likely need to add a small 5-10g counterweight at the butt end of the shaft or under the grip. 
 

 

[redshirtgolfer]

19 hours ago, BubbaWon said:

Speaking from experience…you need to be optimizing for “swing weight”.

 

You’ll find trying to match other putters’ headweight misleading and that you’ll be going in the wrong direction by increasing the putter weight. 

 

You will likely need to add a small 5-10g counterweight at the butt end of the shaft or under the grip. 
 

 

Yes and no. Let’s assume, the stock Scotty Long Design off the rack is „optimized“ regarding a specific swing weight. 
 

The grip is 128 grams, 38“ shaft + head are 533 grams. If I build another putter with a 38“ shaft and 533 grams total weight, I‘m quite sure the swing weight will be damn close to the stock Scotty where they‘ve put a ton of research into. IF there’s a difference, it will mostly come from a minimal deviation in the shaft weight. And I‘m guessing, I‘m not even close to be good enough to feel a difference there…

 

The grip is clear, 77g Superstroke Tour 2.0 XL + 50 grams Superstroke counter weight mounted directly into the weight port at the end. 

Edited July 25 by redshirtgolfer

[BubbaWon]

🤷🏼‍♂️🏌️

[redshirtgolfer]

On 7/19/2025 at 9:20 AM, redshirtgolfer said:

I haven’t sold mine yet, and for now, I will not. Something is not right with my putting in the last couple of weeks, and as a grown up adult it’s pretty clear that it can’t be my fault, it must be my putters fault. I’ll bend my proto to 75° lie, extend it by 3 inches, put a 13.75 inch grip on and 50g weight in the back. Should be long enough, counterbalanced enough and heavy enough to compare it to my scotty long design. Will share progress here

 

Okay, here we go. Shaft extension arrived today, Super Stroke Tour 2.0 XL Spider black edition and 50g counter weight yesterday. Had to grind down the shaft extension on both sides a bit + the counter weight to fit into the shaft extension. Finished at 2 pm and had a tee time at 3. I never felt so much love for a putter before. Had a 15 footer for par on 2 and told him: “If you make it, you’re gonna come with me on the 5 day boys trip next week”. Center cup. 
 

The head feels a little bit light at the moment, but this will definitely be fixed by adding some grams. Will start with 40 and see how it goes. 
 

I’m glad I didn’t sell it and I’m also glad I did the putter fitting where long design / counter weighted showed better results. The Scotty helped me to start my LD/CB journey and I understand why people play and/or love a Scotty, but I’m now pretty sure I’m not a Scotty guy. Got it with a good discount and should be able to sell it for the same price.

Edited July 29 by redshirtgolfer