First it was the Spider, now it’s the Ghost. TaylorMade sure has a knack for spooky putter names. What’s next—the Witch?
That said, “Ghost” is a perfect name for a white putter that has managed to scare up a ton of attention, not to mention a PGA Tour victory in the hands of Justin Rose.
Does the Ghost putter ($160) deliver the goods despite its unconventional color? Or will it make you scream in horror?
Following is PutterZone.com’s TaylorMade Rossa Corza Ghost putter review.
The Storyline
TaylorMade presents the Ghost as, first and foremost, a visual animal. The primary unique selling point is the white finish, which aims to offer groundbreaking contrast for superior alignment.
The alignment features of the TaylorMade Ghost putter are threefold. First, the white leading edge offers vivid perpendicular contrast to the target line. Second, three black sightlines frame the ball and provide in-line visual reference. Third, a circular cutout in the flange echoes the ball for added aiming assistance.
According to TaylorMade, “Our goal with Ghost was simple: Design a putter that’s easier to aim than any other. That’s where the white head comes in. Ghost’s ‘golf ball white’ color complements the white color of the ball, and also stands out easily and beautifully against green grass so you don’t have to strain to see the topline. That takes the strain off your eyes and promotes a calm and confident state of mind, according to an expert in the field of color perception, whom we consulted during the development of Ghost.”
The Ghost also features TaylorMade’s signature AGSI+ grooved face insert, which is designed to impart immediate topspin for consistent forward roll.
The loft of the Ghost putter is four degrees, and the lie angle is 70 degrees. The head weight is 345 grams, and the head is made from 6061 aluminum. It is face balanced with a double bend neck with ¾ offset. It comes in lengths of 33 to 35 inches, in both right- and left-handed models.
The View from PutterZone.com
When I first played around with the TaylorMade Ghost putter indoors, I didn’t realize what I was missing. But then when I took it outside, under the sun and against the grass, I had my “ah-ha” moment.
I was immediately captivated by the vivid contrast of the white against the green. It was almost electric, but not in an obnoxious way. The concept is simple yet brilliant, and it works as advertised.
The leading edge of the Ghost is crisply defined, helping you ensure that the putter isn’t slightly open or closed at address. The three black sightlines along the crown provide a nice in-line visual bracket for the ball. The white finish is bright, and yet somehow soothing.
This is one of those putters that sounds questionable on paper, yet makes sense in practice. Not everyone is going to love the look, but I have no doubt that many golfers will benefit from the totality of the Ghost’s alignment package.
I wasn’t bothered by the circular cutout in the heel. To my eye, it provides some visual relief from the white. It’s also handy when practicing your putting with several balls, as you can stay in position, lean over and press the cutout onto the next ball, then drag it precisely into position for your next putt.
If there’s a weak link with the Ghost, I would say it’s in the feel department. The feel of the putter isn’t particularly sensual or sophisticated. Nor is it very soft, as the presence of the insert might indicate. On slight miss-hits, it can even feel hard and unyielding. I think it’s another case of aluminum not quite offering the “stuffing” of stainless steel.
Some have noted the Ghost’s resemblance to the old Zebra putters. But another putter it resembles is the TaylorMade Spider Balero putter. If you clip the Balero’s wings and paint it white, you get something very close to the Ghost. Personally, I love the shape and size of the Ghost. It’s a full mallet, but it’s not oversized or bulky. To my eye, it’s just right.
I’m curious about the durability of the white painted finish. I was tempted to bang the putter around a little to find out, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I sure wouldn’t leave the Ghost unprotected in the bag. Any sort of nick or gouge or mark along the top of this putter could have devastating visual consequences, as it would be amplified by the contrasting white finish.
The included head cover is quite nice. It feels thick and sturdy, and it boasts a firm magnetic closure. Use this cover properly, and your Ghost should be amply protected from dings and scratches. Kudos to TaylorMade for taking the head cover seriously. The proliferation of junky head covers is a pet peeve of mine.
I think that TaylorMade missed an aesthetic opportunity when making black, not white, the primary color of the grip. I’d bet a dollar or five that a white grip was discussed—how could it not be? But from a practical standpoint, I understand why they didn’t do it. Can you imagine what a white grip would look like after a few days on the retail floor?
All in all, the Ghost lives up to its sales pitch. It stands out from the crowd, offers real alignment benefits and ultimately earns its asking price.
The Bottom Line
The TaylorMade Rossa Corza Ghost putter is a breath of fresh white air in a putter world draped in black and silver. It breaks the mold, but in a good way, delivering on its promise of superior alignment qualities. The Ghost isn’t for everyone, but it is that rare putter that immediately creates its own niche.
What is the difference between the Ghost Corza and the ghost Rossa Corza
I tried to find out from the retail stores with little success from the salesmen. The face inserts are different. I think the Rossa is the older model. I bought the newer one with the Taylormade word on the putter end rather than the word Rossa. Rossa is now stagnant on the store shelf while the newer one is sold out. It is so good that I have given up my $350 Scotty Cameron.