From banned drivers to ultra-short putters and million-dollar deals – 2025 was a big year in golf equipment.
The 2025 golf season delivered plenty of drama on the course, but the gear used by the pros also made headlines. From controversial rule tests to bold innovations and surprising sales, here are the equipment stories that stood out this year.
McIlroy’s Driver Fails the Test
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Championship campaign began with an unexpected twist. His driver failed a USGA test due to excessive face flexibility — not from cheating, but from wear and tear after thousands of swings. As materials degrade over time, even top-tier clubs can fall out of spec. McIlroy had to switch drivers just before the Major began, raising questions about equipment longevity at the highest level.
New Tech and Bold Moves
Later in the year, TaylorMade caught attention with its unreleased Qi4D driver series, spotted in play during the Abu Dhabi playoffs. Tour pros like McIlroy and Fleetwood were seen testing models like the Core (with four weights) and the LS (low spin). Whether they used them in competition or not, it highlighted how closely elite players are involved in product development and how quickly new tech reaches the course.
Meanwhile, Philippe Gariepy turned heads with a putter shorter than a pitching wedge — just 58 centimeters long. Inspired by a fun round using a child’s club, he cut down his Scotty Cameron for better control and a lower stance to read greens. Unconventional? Yes. Effective? Apparently so.
Big Putts and Bigger Business
At the U.S. Open, J.J. Spaun made a clutch birdie on 18 — and his L.A.B. Golf putter became an overnight sensation. The Direct Force 3 (DF3) features zero torque and Lie Angle Balance