Designed to Appeal to Midsize Mallet Users, New Putter Shares Many Features of the Larger and Immensely Popular Monza Spider
CARLSBAD, Calif. (August 25, 2008) -TaylorMade® Golf has introduced the Rossa® Itsy Bitsy Monza® Spider, a midsize mallet putter designed to perform much like the Monza Spider, an oversize mallet putter launched early this year that immediately captured the attention of PGA Tour professionals and amateur golfers alike.
As its name suggests, the Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider is smaller than the original Monza Spider. It was created at the request of tour pros who wanted a midsize Monza Spider that, like the original, is extremely forgiving, easy to aim and delivers excellent roll. However, the Itsy Bitsy is for a different type of player than the Monza Spider. 
"Through market research we've identified four types of players: those who prefer classic blades, classic mallets, midsize mallets or oversize mallets," said Bill Price, TaylorMade's director of Rossa putter development. "Monza Spider appeals to players who prefer oversize mallets. The Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider's putterhead is 20% smaller, which puts it in the midsize mallet category. However, we expect some crossover from classic mallet players and even classic blade players."
Rossa Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider
At first glance the Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider looks just like the Monza Spider, only smaller. Look closely, though, and you'll see two visual differences. 1) The "wings" (where the MWT® cartridges are located) of the Itsy Bitsy have been pulled inward and don't protrude out to the sides as much. 2) The alignment decal is an abbreviated version of the original. Whereas the decal on the Monza Spider is referred to as "full-court alignment" (alluding to the lines on a basketball court), the decal on the Itsy Bitsy is called "half-court alignment."
The Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider delivers an MOI measurement of 5505 (g-cm2), making it extremely stable and forgiving.
Where do the Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider and the Monza Spider get all of their forgiveness? 1) A steel wire-frame head construction that allows Rossa engineers to position increased weight at the perimeter. That adds stability on mis-hits that helps the putterhead resist twisting when impact is made toward the heel or toe. 2) A light and strong aluminum core that allows more weight to be positioned on the perimeter, increasing MOI. 3) The putterhead's "wings," into which Movable Weight Technology™ (MWT) cartridges are inserted, allow substantial weight to be concentrated in areas far from the face, helping to move the center of gravity (CG) rearward, away from the clubface, which increases MOI and stability. Another benefit of MWT is that it also gives players the option to customize feel by changing the weights to make the putterhead heavier or lighter and/or to change the putter's balance.
Itsy Bitsy Monza Spider, which has already been played on tour, carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $240, and becomes available to consumers starting on October 24, 2008.