Put to the test: TaylorMade’s new Red putters

TaylorMade have revealed a brand new TP Red Collection, and ahead of their launch – we’ve put two of them to the test

The TP Red Collection is comprised of five new variations of the Ardmore putter as well as the Chaska model. Each of the six new models feature milled 304 stainless steel heads with Tour Red finish for a premium look and feel with high-contrast coloring and a variety of sightline options to promote improved alignment.

Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm all have something in common this year, and it’s not winning trophies. At some point, they’ve all used a red putter – like hordes of other players.

TaylorMade and then world No.1 Jason Day started the trend back in 2016, and since then Odyssey and EVNroll have come up with their own red designs.

Day asked TaylorMade to paint his favourite Itsy Bitsy Spider putter red (to match the abdomen of the redback spider native to Australia). He had lots of success with it, prompting a rush for the colour among fellow pros – for 12 straight weeks after the AT&T Pebble Beach in February, the Spider Tour Red was the most played model on tour.

Other brands spotted the trend and came up with their own red designs, while the red Spider has been a huge success at retail. With the trend showing no sign of slowing down – indeed, TaylorMade has launched a whole new range of red models.

Find out more about the collection here

TaylorMade TP Red Collection Ardmore 2 – £239

www.taylormadegolf.com
Headweight: 355g
Grip: Super Stroke Pistol GTR 1.0
Toe hang: Face balanced

Verdict: Love them or hate them, fangs on the back of putter heads split weight, raise stability and improve off-centre hit forgiveness. They also give an excellent focal point for long sight lines to help golfers align correctly and keep track of their stroke. Jason Day tested one at the end-of-season Tour Championship and we can see why.

Where the Spider Tour’s wing shapes can be accused of drawing the eye (which some find distracting), the Ardmore is clean and easy on the eye. A full shaft width of offset means your hands are naturally positioned ahead of the ball, which both testers thought was perfect for stroking putts from distance or short range. A white sight line on the top rail is right where you should be impacting putts. One of the best putters for picking your ball up, too!

TaylorMade TP Red Collection Ardmore – £239

www.taylormadegolf.com
Headweight: 355g
Grip: Super Stroke Pistol GTR 1.0
Toe hang: Face balanced

Verdict: A big, beefy mallet with two long sightlines which are perfect not only for tracking your stroke, but also helping you set up square. Like all of the TP Red Collection models the aluminium face insert gives a slightly firmer feel than the surlyn and aluminium mix in the Spider Tour, which is preferred for its feel and sound by Day.

Strangely the sightlines are far enough apart to “frame” the ball at address, but weirdly are brilliant at focusing attention right on the impact zone. We’re big fans of the flat-fronted SuperStroke Pistol GTR grip, which will inspire confidence for lots of golfers, and particularly those who don’t like huge modern putter grips. Perfect for players wanting to try red, but don’t want to stray too far from a traditional looking model.