Rory McIlroy uses a custom TaylorMade Spider Tour X mallet putter with a hand-torched finish. It is the only putter of its kind on the PGA Tour. The head features a single white alignment line on the crown, and the distinctive copper-and-blue hues come from a tour-only finishing process. As of early 2025, McIlroy has won with this putter at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Before diving into the details, here are the core specifications of his current gamer:
- Model: TaylorMade Spider Tour X (L-Neck)
- Finish: Custom torched (copper/blue/bronze) – not available at retail
- Neck Type: L-neck (short slant neck with a single bend)
- Length: 34.5 inches
- Head Weight: 355 grams with standard 10-gram weights
- Loft: 3 degrees
- Lie Angle: 70 degrees (standard)
- Insert: Pure Roll insert
- Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol GT Tour
- Alignment: Single white line (no True Path lines)
The Exact Model and Specifications of Rory’s Spider
The putter is a TaylorMade Spider Tour X – not the older Spider Tour, Tour X3, or Tour Z. The key difference is the L-neck design. This neck gives a moderate amount of toe hang, which suits players with a slight arc in their putting stroke. McIlroy’s stroke is not perfectly straight; he has a small arc, and the L-neck helps the putter open and close naturally through impact.
The standard retail Spider Tour X comes in three neck options: L-neck, slant neck, and center shaft. Rory uses the L-neck version. The length is 34.5 inches, which is half an inch longer than the standard 34-inch option. He adds extra layers of tape under the SuperStroke grip to make the lower hand feel slightly thicker.
The Pure Roll insert is the same as the stock model. It is a co-molded insert that helps the ball start rolling end-over-end sooner.
Why Rory Switched to the Torched Spider Tour X?
McIlroy had been using a standard black Spider Tour X for several seasons. At the 2024 Tour Championship, TaylorMade tour rep Bucky Coe showed him a few different finishes – a full sand-blasted head and a couple of torched versions. McIlroy tried a few putts on the practice green and said he switched because the torched finish “looked really cool.”
But the performance benefit goes beyond looks. The torched finish is matte and non-reflective. This reduces glare, especially in bright sunlight. It gives a cleaner visual of the ball, which helps with alignment. McIlroy has said that the darker, matte appearance calms his eyes at address.
Since putting it in the bag, his first win came at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February 2025. He has kept the putter in play ever since.
How Rory’s Putter Differs from Retail TaylorMade Spiders
You cannot buy the torched finish at any golf store. TaylorMade does not offer it as a custom option. The only way to get it is to be a tour pro with access to the tour van. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Rory’s Putter | Retail Spider Tour X |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Custom torched (copper/blue) | Black PVD or Gunmetal |
| Alignment | Single white line | True Path (two white lines with a center line) |
| Length | 34.5 inches | 34 or 35 inches standard |
| Grip | SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol GT Tour (with extra tape wraps) | Same grip model, stock thickness |
| Neck | L-neck | L-neck available in retail |
| Price | Priceless (tour-only) | Around $400 |
The closest stock alternative would be a TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck in gunmetal. The geometry and feel are identical. The only difference is the finish and the alignment marking.
A History of Rory McIlroy’s Putters
Rory has used several putters throughout his career, but his switch to mallet putters is the most important shift.
- Early career (pre-2017): He used a Scotty Cameron Newport GSS. He won four majors with it. The blade putter worked well with his natural stroke at the time.
- 2017: After signing with TaylorMade, he switched to the Spider Tour Red. The mallet shape gave him more stability and forgiveness.
- 2018–2020: He used the Spider Tour Black (a darker version of the same model).
- 2021–2023: He moved to the Spider X, then the Spider Tour X in black. He won the 2022 Tour Championship with the black Tour X.
- Late 2024–present: The torched Spider Tour X – his current putter.
The change from blade to mallet was driven by inconsistency in his putting stats. The mallet reduced the influence of mishits and gave him a more repeatable roll.
Inside Rory’s Putter Setup – Length, Weight, Grip, and Tour Adjustments
Every detail of Rory’s putter is fine-tuned. Here is what we know from tour reports and equipment analysis.
Length: 34.5 inches. This is measured without the grip. The extra half-inch gives him a slightly more upright posture at address.
Swing weight: Around D5 or D6. This is a bit heavier than a standard putter. The heavier feel helps with tempo control on faster greens.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol GT Tour. It is a mid-size pistol grip. Rory adds extra wraps of tape under the lower hand. This gives him a thicker lower-hand feel without switching to an oversized grip.
Lie angle: Standard 70 degrees. He does not adjust the lie angle from stock.
Weight ports: Standard 10-gram weights in the sole. He does not use interchangeable weight screws for heavier heads.
The Torched Finish – More Than Just Looks
The torching process takes about two hours. Tour rep Bucky Coe starts by sand-blasting the head with two different grits to create a raw surface. Then he applies heat with a blowtorch. The amount of heat determines the colors – more heat produces blues and purples, less heat yields copper and bronze. After cooling, a single white line is painted on the crown.
Why does this matter for performance? The matte, non-reflective surface eliminates glare. Many pros prefer a dark, matte head for alignment. The torched finish also has a slightly different sound and feel, though McIlroy has not mentioned any difference in feedback.
The scarcity is part of the appeal. McIlroy has said it is “nice to use a putter no one else has.” But for the average golfer, the visual benefit of a matte finish is the same reason to consider a black or gunmetal version at retail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grip does Rory McIlroy use on his putter?
He uses a SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol GT Tour grip. He adds extra wraps of tape under the lower hand to make the diameter slightly larger.
How much does Rory’s custom Spider putter cost?
It is not for sale. A standard TaylorMade Spider Tour X retails for about $400. If TaylorMade ever released the torched version as a limited edition, it would likely cost more, but no such product exists.
Did Rory McIlroy win a major with his torched Spider?
No. He started using it in late 2024 and won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February 2025, but that is not a major. He has not won a major with this putter as of early 2025.
Can I order a torched finish from TaylorMade?
No. The torching service is only available on the PGA Tour van. Retail customers can choose from black PVD or gunmetal finishes.
What is the difference between the Spider Tour X L-Neck and the slant neck?
The L-neck has a single bend and creates a moderate toe hang (about 25 degrees). The slant neck has a longer angled neck and creates more toe hang (about 40 degrees). McIlroy uses the L-neck because his stroke has a smaller arc.
Does Rory McIlroy use a counterbalanced putter?
No. His putter has no counterweight in the grip. The head weight and length are standard for a non-counterbalanced mallet.
What putter did Rory use before the torched Spider?
He used a standard black TaylorMade Spider Tour X with a True Path alignment. Before that, he used a Spider Tour Black, then a Spider Tour Red, and earlier a Scotty Cameron Newport GSS blade.