From banned drivers to ultra-short putters and major brand shakeups – 2025 was a big year for golf equipment.
The 2025 golf season delivered plenty of drama on the course, but it was also a landmark year for gear innovation and controversy. From rule-breaking drivers to bold design experiments and multi-million dollar acquisitions, here are the equipment stories that defined the year.
McIlroy’s Driver Fails the Test
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Championship got off to a rocky start when his driver failed a USGA conformity test. The face was deemed too flexible – not due to cheating, but natural wear from thousands of swings. Forced to switch drivers just before a major, McIlroy highlighted how even elite players must adapt quickly to equipment setbacks.
TaylorMade Qi4D Spotted Before Release
Later in the year, TaylorMade made waves with its unreleased Qi4D drivers, spotted in play during the Abu Dhabi playoffs. The models – including a low-spin LS and a Core version with four weights – appeared in the bags of top pros like McIlroy and Fleetwood. The early sightings underscored how closely tour players are involved in product development and how quickly prototypes hit the course.
Unusual Putters and Big Business
One of the quirkiest stories came from Philippe Gariepy, who wielded a 58cm putter – shorter than a pitching wedge. Inspired by a child’s club during a casual round, he cut down his Scotty Cameron to improve control and green reading. The unorthodox setup turned heads and proved that sometimes, less really is more.
Meanwhile, J.J. Spaun’s dramatic birdie at the U.S. Open spotlighted L.A.B. Golf’s Direct Force 3 putter, featuring zero torque and lie-angle balance. The buzz led to a $200 million acquisition