Like the rest of the Spider family, however, the centerpiece of the ZT Max is TaylorMade's PureRoll insert, made from a combination of Surlyn and aluminum with 45-degree grooves designed to make the ball ride forward on the face.
Different strokes for different people
They also recognize that while low torque consumption is stable in the Tour, it still accounts for a large and growing segment of the consumer market.
Many golfers can benefit from playing putters like the Spider Tour line, which has become widely accepted on Tour, but many don't. They want something that is sign-and-shoot.
ZT Max gets to that point. Oldknow doesn't expect to see many ZT Max's playing on the PGA Tour, but the consumer market will be a very different story.
“We don't expect to see much on the Tour,” said Oldknow. “All these ball players want to hear more than they want a forward looking product.
“We think this will be something that will work well in the market.”
TaylorMade Spider ZT Max lineup
The Spider ZT Max is available in standard configurations, 36″ and 38″ balance lengths or in 46″ lengths.
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Jack Hirsh/GOLF
What's going on: A very high MOI low torque blade with a mid-range design. The putter is 20 percent larger than the original Spider ZT and, with the addition of heavy steel and tungsten weight in the corners, pushes the MOI to between 7000 g/cm2 in the standard model and around 9000 g/cm2 in the long model.
Whose: Players looking for a very strong putter that will stay square during the putt.
My take: Low-torque putters are bifurcating, and TaylorMade recognizes that
Low-torque putters are certainly not a fad, but the way Oldknow talks about the ZT Max seems to indicate a slight growth in the market.
The message now is that low torque isn't for everyone, and probably not for players who rely on feel. But for those who don't have the reps to develop that feeling or want something more point-and-shoot, low torque can be the solution.
That's not to say that Tour pros are abandoning low-torque putters in droves, but even if they did, consumers might still want putters like the ZT Max because, for the right person, they can make the game easier.
I tend to shy away from extreme shaft thinning, which is one reason I, and many others in this space, really like the ZT-5K. But even though the 2˚ shaft leans on the ZT Max, it's too big and looks similar enough to the ZT-5K that it's hard to tell them apart.
The ZT Max is a great example of a putter that I would want if I were to take six months off the game and play a little. A putter requires very little thought to hit a straight line. Where things get problematic for me is when you introduce a break, but that's why I like high torque like the Spider Tour.
But for anyone who can put point-to-point, the Spider ZT Max will be a great game.
Price, Specifications and Availability
TaylorMade 2026 Spider ZT-Max Custom Putter
LOCAL STABILITY To maximize MOI, four heavy-duty steel weights and a tungsten corner anchor the low-profile, aerospace-grade aluminum body. LOW TORQUE TRAINING The KBS putter shaft has a straight toe bore near the CG with 2° shaft lean and 34 mm of launch behind the face, allowing for a stable, toe-lift design. PURE ROLL™ INSERT Made from a combination of Surlyn and aluminum, the black Pure Roll™ insert creates a soft feel. The grooves are angled at 45° to promote proper forward rolling and better sound, feel and overall roll characteristics. UNIQUE SOLE DESIGN Uniquely shaped and developed to work specifically with this unique hosel configuration, engineers have worked hard to find new ways to improve accuracy from the moment the putter is placed behind the ball. The new curvature sole accommodates different types of players and ball positions, giving golfers the ability to achieve a consistent and repeatable stroke.
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TaylorMade 2026 Spider ZT-Max Counterbalance Custom Putter
LOCAL STABILITY To maximize MOI, four heavy-duty steel weights and a tungsten corner anchor the low-profile, aerospace-grade aluminum body. LOW TORQUE TRAINING The KBS putter shaft has a straight toe bore near the CG with 2° shaft lean and 34 mm of launch behind the face, allowing for a stable, toe-lift design. PURE ROLL™ INSERT Made from a combination of Surlyn and aluminum, the black Pure Roll™ insert creates a soft feel. The grooves are angled at 45° to promote proper forward rolling and better sound, feel and overall roll characteristics. UNIQUE SOLE DESIGN Uniquely shaped and developed to work specifically with this unique hosel configuration, engineers have worked hard to find new ways to improve accuracy from the moment the putter is placed behind the ball. The new curvature sole accommodates different types of players and ball positions, giving golfers the ability to achieve a consistent and repeatable stroke.
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TaylorMade 2026 Spider ZT-Max Long Custom Putter
LOCAL STABILITY To maximize MOI, four heavy-duty steel weights and a tungsten corner are housed in a low-density, aerospace-grade aluminum body. LOW TORQUE TRAINING The KBS putter shaft has a straight toe bore near the CG with 2° shaft lean and 34 mm of launch behind the face, allowing for a stable, toe-lift design. PURE ROLL™ INSERT Made from a combination of Surlyn and aluminum, the black Pure Roll™ insert creates a soft feel. The grooves are angled at 45° to promote proper forward rolling and better sound, feel and overall roll characteristics. UNIQUE SOLE DESIGN Uniquely shaped and developed to work specifically with this unique hosel configuration, engineers have worked hard to find new ways to improve accuracy from the moment the putter is placed behind the ball. The new curvature sole accommodates different types of players and ball positions, giving golfers the ability to achieve a consistent and repeatable stroke.
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TaylorMade's new ZT Max putters are available for pre-order June 4 online and in stores.
