TaylorMade Rolls Out the Rossa Monza Spider
Posted March 4th, 2008 by Alan Olson
TaylorMade comes out with a spider for a putter. Don't be scared, its a cool spider.
Ah, it's finally March, which means for us in the non-golfing areas of the United States, we can see the light at the end of our long, dark winter and finally play golf again.
What does that have to do with TaylorMade's new Rossa Monza Spider putter? Not much except that you'll be able to roll one of the bad boy's out on the putting green when they become available to the golfing masses later in March.
The Rossa Monza Spider has already appeared in the winner's circle as J.B. Holmes used one to win at the FBR Open about a month ago. Let's take a look at one of the more interesting looking putters for 2008.
Technology
The Rossa Monza Spider fits into the high moment-of-inertia (MOI) category that has become quite popular as of late. The engineers at TaylorMade used the steel wire-frame construction seen in the Monza Corza which allowed them to move weight to the perimeter to help add stability on mis-hits as well as to help reduce twisting when your impact isn't dead center. By also using an aluminum core, additional weight was able to moved to the perimeter to help increase the MOI of the Monza Spider.
Oh, were not quite done with moving weight around. The most interesting feature of the Monza Spider is it's "wings". Yep, putters now have wings. But these are special wings as the Movable Weight Technology cartridges are inserted in the end which allowed most of the weight to be sitting in areas that are far away from the face, which moves the center of gravity closer to the back and increases the MOI and stability of the Monza Spider (I told you they were special).
In addition to moving weight around, the MWT cartridges are removable which allows you to customize your Monza Spider to the weight that feels best to you by using lighter or heavier weights. To help you roll the ball better, the Monza Spider incorporates the AGSI+ (Anti-Skid Groove System Insert) technology which are "14 polymer-filled grooves in the face that hold the ball briefly at impact to promote forwardspin for a smoother roll and more accurate results."
As for ever important alignment help, the Monza Spider "incorporates an optically friendly alignment aid that was created with input from tour professionals. The aid is specially designed to work with the geometry of the putterhead and the ball to make it simple to aim the putterface accurately." Having seen this in person, the Monza Spider is ridiculously easy to line-up your putts.
Availability and Pricing
You don't have to wait much longer as the Rossa Monza Spider will be available by the end of March and will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $240 although some brief searching at some of the major online retailers shows a price of $199.99.
Final Thoughts
First off, I'm a blade-style putter guy. I've tried various mallet-style putters in the past and they just don't seem overly pleasing to my eye. My first impression of the Rossa Monza Spider when I saw the pictures is that it looks like a cattle brand or perhaps the back half of a fish (it has been a long winter).
I was able to take a quick test drive of one while I visited the TaylorMade tent at the Minnesota Golf show a couple of weeks ago and I must say it felt pretty stable although it felt pretty light to me.
I prefer a little heavier putter so being able to use the MWT technology and just add heavier cartridges is a pretty easy fix. In the end, the Rossa Monza Spider (as well as the rest of the high-MOI putter crowd) just doesn't do anything for me personally but that by no means should dissuade you from giving it a test drive.
Feedback
We'd love to hear from you! Comment below or join our forum.
Posted 06 Mar 2008 at 11:28am #
I can't wait to try this putter out for myself. The looks are a bit off-putting (I see the USS Enterprise when I look at it), but I'm a sucker for MWT. I'm pretty much the opposite of you, Alan. I keep trying blades, but always come back to my original Rossa Monza mallet. I prefer a heavier feel, so your point about being able to increase weight with relative ease isn't lost on me.
$200 is a relative bargain in the world of high-end putters.
Posted 13 Mar 2008 at 10:09pm #
cant wait to see it in person. does anyone know the specs around length? i believe that JB Holmes was using a belly version but the online retailers are only advertising standard lengths? just curious
Posted 19 Apr 2008 at 3:36pm #
Played 2 rounds with this putter. I struggled the first round with only because of the setup of it. I'm usually a blade only golfer but I really liked the way the spider looked. The second round I used it the spider I putted great! I may mess with the weights a little but so far so good. Its a great investment if your looking for a MOI putter.
Posted 19 Apr 2008 at 10:50pm #
I was at the local golf shop today trying out new putters. I tried a varity. (vp5, craz-e, x3,) I fell in love with the Monza Spider. I was sinking almost every putt. The alighnment guide works great. I usually leave my putts a little short. But not with the Monza Spider. I think this will be my next putter.
Posted 22 Apr 2008 at 5:17pm #
i just picked up this putter yesterday and i played one round with it today. it was a huge improvment over my blade. the lining up tools are spectacular and definatley thought through
Posted 18 May 2008 at 2:11am #
I bought this putter about a month ago and love its set up and feel. I have played with the weights a bit, having changed to 8 grams and am now back to the standard 4g. The 4 seems to me the better set up for me and greens I have been playing. This putter has really imporved my putting and it gives me a great deal of confidence as I am standing over the ball. I have noticed PGA Pros giving this one a try as well. Last week it was Paul Goydos who seemed to make everyting with it at the Players. This week I see that Charles Howell is using it and he leading the AT & T here in Atlanta.
Too bad I had to pay for mine.
Posted 20 Jun 2008 at 11:17am #
I've played this putter for a little while now and really like it. From inside 15 feet it feels like you can't possibly not knock on the line you want. I get lots of confidence with it that way.
I have struggled a bit with it on longer lag putts though. My guess is I'm just not completely used to the feel of it yet, but I may try messing around with the weights a bit.
In short, if you can stand the looks of this thing (which don't both me), you should give it a roll. It's definitely solid on the shorter ones for sure.
Posted 26 Jun 2008 at 7:50pm #
I have played with an odyssey 2 ball for 5 years. I am a fairly decent putter and support a 3 handicap. I decided to try something new! I went to the golf store and tried about 10 different putters then I picked the spider up. Looking at it, I thought it looked strange then I started putting with it and I just couldn't miss. I then picked up the two ball putter as you probably know they still sell them. I was struggling with it. I bought the soider. Now the big test. Lets try it out for real at the golf course. It was amazing. Yah! I know what your thinking it works today and tomorrow, but give it a week. Let me tell you I have had it a month and I just about golf everyday and this putter still amazes me. Alignment, feel, and control. I dont think another putter out there can even come close to this. Long or short putts.
Posted 28 Jun 2008 at 3:05pm #
Love everything about it. I've used the two ball and the cameron 2.5 newport and for me the spider is the best. Very well balanced and very easy to line up and execute a putt. The single best thing though is the PURE roll you get with this putter. When i lag with the cameron i sometimes Skid the ball. Not with this thing if you just make reasonable accelerated stroke it will of the face beautifully. See ya scotty.