What Putter Does Rory McIlroy Use? A Look at His Putter Evolution Through the Years

Few golfers in history have generated as much buzz with a driver in hand as Rory McIlroy. But while his tee game is legendary, his journey on the greens has been far more complex—and revealing. For over a decade, McIlroy has searched for the perfect putter to match his explosive long game. Along the way, he’s tested blades, mallets, inserts, milled faces, and even returned to old favorites in an ongoing effort to find feel, confidence, and consistency.

So, what putter does Rory McIlroy use in 2024–2025? And how did he get there? Let’s break down his putter history in detail, looking at key switches, performance shifts, and why each move mattered.

Current Putter (2024–2025): TaylorMade Spider Tour X

As of the 2024 season, Rory McIlroy is gaming a TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter, a compact mallet design that blends the forgiveness of the larger Spider with a shape more reminiscent of a blade.

Key Features of the Spider Tour X:

• Compact mallet shape with perimeter weighting for stability

• Short slant neck for slight toe hang

• Pure Roll insert for better topspin and roll

• Familiar profile with a more “blade-like” feel

• Works well with Rory’s natural arc stroke

This is not McIlroy’s first time with a Spider-style putter. He’s flirted with different Spider versions for years, but the Tour X seems to strike the right balance for his preferences in 2024—offering control, confidence, and alignment benefits without sacrificing feel.

The Early Days: Scotty Cameron Newport GSS (2007–2012)

In his early professional years (and even during his amateur days), McIlroy used a Scotty Cameron Newport GSS, a classic blade putter made famous by Tiger Woods. This model featured a:

• 303 German stainless steel milled head

• Plumber’s neck hosel

• Subtle toe hang for arc strokes

• Smooth, soft feel preferred by traditionalists

McIlroy used this putter for multiple early wins, including his first major at the 2011 U.S. Open.

Why he used it:

• Clean look at address

• Soft feel and tour-proven performance

• Confidence-building for a young, precision-oriented player

2013–2016: Nike Method Prototype

When Rory signed with Nike Golf in 2013, he made the switch to a Nike Method 006 Prototype—a blade-style putter with a grooved face insert.

Features of the Nike Method 006:

• RZN Groove insert to promote topspin

• Milled steel body for feel and consistency

• Heel-toe weighting for balance

• Moderate toe hang for an arc stroke

This era featured mixed results for Rory’s putting. While he won multiple majors (2014 Open Championship and PGA Championship), putting was often cited as the most inconsistent part of his game.

2017: Return to Scotty Cameron

After Nike exited the equipment business in 2016, Rory became a free agent. Early in 2017, he briefly returned to a Scotty Cameron Newport-style blade, similar to what he used early in his career.

Why the switch:

• Seeking familiarity

• Classic feel with a milled face

• More tactile feedback compared to insert putters

This stint was short-lived, however, as he soon began experimenting again.

2017–2019: TaylorMade Spider Tour Red

When McIlroy signed with TaylorMade in 2017, he moved to the Spider Tour Red, the same model made famous by Jason Day and Dustin Johnson.

Key Features:

• High MOI mallet with perimeter weighting

• Short slant neck for arc strokes

• Pure Roll insert for topspin

• Visual alignment benefits with red finish

This putter had a big impact:

• McIlroy won the 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational using the Spider Tour

• Putting stats improved during this stretch

• He cited the improved alignment and forgiveness as key reasons for success

2020: Return to Blade (TaylorMade TP Juno)

Always one to chase feel and precision, Rory switched again in 2020—this time to a TaylorMade TP Juno, a traditional blade with a milled face.

Why the change:

• He felt the Spider lacked a bit of feedback

• Sought more precise control on fast greens

• Preferred the simplicity of a traditional profile

However, this experiment didn’t stick long. His putting struggled, especially in high-pressure moments.

2021–2023: TaylorMade Spider X & Custom Options

McIlroy returned to a mallet-style putter, this time trying:

• TaylorMade Spider X

• Custom Tour models with slight variations in hosel and alignment

• Testing different inserts and grips, including SuperStroke models

The Spider X offered better feel than the original Spider Tour due to its improved insert and reweighted head. Rory had several strong finishes during this stretch, including winning the 2021 CJ Cup and the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.

But inconsistencies remained, leading to ongoing tweaks.

2024–Present: TaylorMade Spider Tour X – The Hybrid Solution

The 2024 shift to the Spider Tour X marked a blend of everything McIlroy had been chasing:

• The control and shape of a blade

• The forgiveness and alignment aid of a mallet

• A soft yet responsive insert

• Subtle toe hang to match his natural arc stroke

Result: His putting numbers have trended in the right direction, and he appears to have found a more sustainable setup.

McIlroy’s Putter Evolution Timeline

What We Can Learn from Rory’s Putter Journey

1. Feel vs Forgiveness
Rory constantly switches between blades and mallets depending on how he’s feeling on the greens. This reflects a tug-of-war between the feedback of blades and the forgiveness of mallets.

2. Confidence is Key
Like many elite players, Rory’s putting success often comes down to trust. When he’s confident in his flatstick, his scoring follows.

3. No One-Size-Fits-All
Even one of the most talented players in the world experiments with different hosels, shapes, grips, and inserts. It’s a reminder that putting is deeply personal.

Want to Putt Like Rory McIlroy? Try These Options:

If you’re inspired by Rory’s putter evolution, here are a few options worth trying based on his history:

• TaylorMade Spider Tour X – Rory’s current gamer; perfect blend of blade and mallet

• Scotty Cameron Newport 2 – A classic blade if you prefer tradition

• TaylorMade TP Juno – For a more affordable, milled blade feel

• Spider X – Great for those needing alignment help and consistent roll

Final Thoughts

Rory McIlroy’s putter story is one of exploration, frustration, and occasional brilliance. While his driver is often the star, it’s the putter that determines whether he lifts the trophy or finishes T5. His 2024 move to the Spider Tour X seems promising—but as we’ve seen, the putter saga is always evolving.