Getting Hands-On with the Spider EX
So, I’d been seeing that Spider EX putter around a bit. You know how it is, you spot something new on the course, maybe someone you play with gets one, and you start wondering. My old putter wasn’t exactly bad, but let’s be honest, my putting needed help. Anything for an edge, right? Or at least, something new to blame.
I finally decided to actually check it out. Went down to the local golf shop. Picked it up. First thing I noticed was the feel. It’s got that unique shape, kinda like its name suggests. Felt a bit different in the hands compared to my blade putter. Heavier, maybe? More stable, definitely. Rolled a few on their little practice green.
Initial Practice Sessions
Took it home and spent some time just getting used to it on the practice mat in my garage. Did a lot of short putts first. Five-footers, ten-footers. Trying to get the alignment down. That white line they put on top, the ‘True Path’ thing, it actually seemed to help line things up. At least, it felt like it did.
- Focused on keeping my stroke smooth.
- Tried to feel the weight of the head doing the work.
- Worked on distance control drills – rolling balls to different spots.
It took a few sessions. Wasn’t magic overnight. Sometimes I’d push it right, sometimes pull it left. The usual frustrations. But the mishits felt… well, they didn’t feel as bad as with my old putter. The ball still seemed to roll reasonably close, even when I didn’t hit the sweet spot perfectly. That was interesting.
Taking it to the Course
Alright, time for the real test. Took it out for a round. First few greens, I was cautious. Lag putting felt okay, maybe a little harder to judge the speed initially because the face feels different – the ‘Pure Roll’ insert, I guess. But the shorter putts, inside 10 feet? That’s where I started to notice something.
I felt a bit more confident standing over those crucial short ones. Maybe it was the stability, maybe the alignment aid, maybe just a placebo effect because it was new. Who knows? But I felt like I was starting the ball on my intended line more often. I definitely sank a couple I might have otherwise missed.
The Verdict So Far
Been using it for a few weeks now. It’s not like I’m suddenly draining 30-footers every hole. Let’s be real. But my consistency on shorter putts seems better. The forgiveness on off-center hits is noticeable. I don’t feel quite as much panic if I don’t strike it perfectly.
Is it the ultimate answer? Probably not. Golf is still hard, putting is still tricky. But for me, right now, the Spider EX feels like a solid tool. It gives me a bit more confidence, especially on those nervy short ones. And the feel off the face is pretty good once you get used to it. I’m sticking with it for now. See how it goes over the long haul.
