From banned drivers to ultra-short putters and multi-million dollar deals – 2025 was a big year for golf equipment.
The 2025 golf season delivered plenty of memorable moments on the course, but it was also a year when the tools of the trade grabbed headlines. From controversial rule checks and innovative tech to bold individual choices, here are the gear stories that stood out.
McIlroy’s Driver Fails the Test
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Championship campaign began with an unexpected twist. His driver failed a USGA conformity test due to excessive face flexibility—an issue caused not by tampering, but by wear and tear from thousands of swings. Forced to switch drivers just before a major, McIlroy’s situation highlighted how even elite players must adapt to the evolving nature of their equipment.
TaylorMade Qi4D: Tour-Ready Before Release
Later in the year, TaylorMade stirred buzz with its unreleased Qi4D driver series spotted during the Abu Dhabi playoffs. Featuring models like the Core with four weights and the low-spin LS, the clubs appeared in the bags of top pros before any official announcement. It was a reminder of how closely Tour players are involved in product development and how quickly new gear hits the competitive scene.
Odd Putters and Big Moves in the Market
Philippe Gariepy turned heads with a putter shorter than a pitching wedge—just 58 cm long. Inspired by a fun round using a child’s club, Gariepy cut down his Scotty Cameron, finding the deep stance improved his ability to read greens and control putts. It was one of the quirkiest equipment stories of the year.
At the U.S. Open, J.J. Spaun’s dramatic birdie putt on 18 brought L.A.B. Golf into the spotlight. His DF3 putter, featuring a zero-t