Popular golf manufacturer TaylorMade has announced a partnership with Blast Motion, the folks behind those iPhone-connected sport trackers. Its first entry is the Spider Interactive putter, which uses a mixture of sensors and data to track stroke metrics and improvement over time. This is the also TaylorMade’s first completely integrated sensor product, skipping previously-required add-ons that were bulky and unattractive.
Spider Interactive will track a variety of metrics, including back and forward stroke, tempo, rotation and more. Aside from packing in all of this technology, the Spider putter is an attractive addition to any bag, its non-sensored version already being one of the most popular clubs in TaylorMade’s lineup.
TaylorMade’s Spider Interactive putter is made from 304 stainless steel with a 601 aluminum body, with the new sensor-laden version primarily only effecting the grip. Early reports say the difference in weight is largely negligible.
“TaylorMade is dedicated to enhancing the performance of golfers at all levels, from our Tour players to consumers alike,” TaylorMade Golf Company CEO David Abeles said. “We accomplish this through creating the most innovative, paradigm-shifting products in the industry. We are continually searching for new ways to enrich the golfers’ experience with an eye toward the future of equipment technology. As such, we are delighted to partner with Blast to create an interactive training tool that enables golfers to become smarter about their game.”
All told, the Spider will track 11 different putting metrics, which will be used to provide feedback on your skills. Within the app golfers will find step-by-step drills to help improve mechanics, tailored to fit specific areas of focus.
For those interested in the more minute details, the Spider putter comes in 34 and 35-inch lengths with a total head weight of 350g. It’s available in both left and right-hand configurations, with a 3-degree loft and 70-degree lie. It uses Taylor Made’s Super Stroke Mid Slim 2.0 grip.
This new partnership with Blast Motion is sure to open the door to additional collaborations in the future. While sensors from Blast and other similar companies offer unique insights into activities, the unwieldy nature of these add-ons can be frustrating during activities. Integrated sensors into the clubs itself is a logical next step, and it wouldn’t surprise me to eventually see TaylorMade offer an entire line with this technology.
TaylorMade is set to offer the Spider Interactive putter for $399.99 when it is goes up for sale. You can sign-up for update on this landing page, and be notified when it’s available for purchase.
[9to5-press-release]
TaylorMade Golf Introduces Spider Interactive Powered by Blast
Carlsbad, Calif. (January 18, 2018) – TaylorMade Golf Company, an industry leader in golf innovation and technology, announced today the release of the new Spider Interactive Powered by Blast putter, engineered in collaboration with Blast Motion and SuperStroke Golf to advance how golfers of all skill levels capture, analyze and progress their game where strokes matter most — on the greens.
The Spider putter, TaylorMade’s most popular putter in company history and one of the most popular putters on the PGA TOUR in ’16-’17, takes the next step in its evolution with the incorporation of Blast’s motion capture sensors in TaylorMade’s first totally-integrated golf sensor product in company history.
Spider Interactive automatically captures valuable stroke metrics in a seamless, non-intrusive design built into the top of the putter’s grip. TaylorMade has also co-developed a matching mobile app — available on March 1 for iOS and in Q2 2018 for Android users — which takes the user on a simple, intuitive journey to become a better putter. Spider Interactive measures key putting stroke metrics including timing (backstroke time, forward stroke time, tempo), impact stroke speed and face rotation. Users will be able to easily analyze details of their putting stroke and track progress over time with performance history and interactive graphs, along with tiered training modules and drills to help improve putting. The app will also feature video recording and playback capabilities so users can review and analyze their strokes. YouTube golf instructional personalities Me & My Golf will have tips and tutorial videos on the app for further developmental content.
The Spider Interactive Powered by Blast putter is constructed the same as TaylorMade’s renowned Spider Tour putters; a 304 stainless steel frame combined with a lightweight 6061 aluminum body enabling weight to be positioned at the extremities, providing improved stability and high MOI. The Spider Interactive Powered by Blast putter also incorporates TaylorMade’s popular, tour-proven milled aluminum Pure Roll™ insert with a gunmetal finish to promote better forward roll, increased directional accuracy and improved distance control. Further, the sensor’s remarkably light weight does not impact the performance of the Spider Interactive putter.
Included with the Spider Interactive is a Blast charging pad, micro USB cable, sensor installation key, live sensor, yellow filler plug (inserted for conforming use in tournament play) and storage pouch.
Pricing & Availability:
The Spider Interactive Powered by Blast is available starting March 23, 2018 at $399 USD, and will be offered in an L-neck (21° toe hang) or double bend (face-balanced) hosel in 34” and 35”lengths in both RH and LH, coming in TaylorMade’s platinum colorway with a full front/back sightline in black.
[/9to5-press-release]
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