From illegal drivers to ultra-short putters and million-dollar deals – 2025 was a big year for golf equipment.
The 2025 golf season delivered plenty of memorable moments on the course, but the gear used by the pros also made waves. From controversial rule tests to bold innovations and surprising success stories, here are the equipment highlights that captured the most attention this year.
McIlroy’s Driver Fails the Test
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Championship campaign began with unexpected drama. His driver failed a USGA test due to excessive face flexibility—an issue caused not by cheating, but by wear and tear from thousands of swings. The club had simply aged beyond the legal limit. McIlroy had to switch drivers just before the major tournament, raising questions about how often pros should test their gear.
TaylorMade Qi4D: Tour Testing Before Launch
Later in the year, TaylorMade stirred excitement with the early appearance of its Qi4D driver series during the Abu Dhabi playoffs. Though not yet officially released, models like the Core (with four weights) and LS (low spin) were spotted in the bags of top players. Whether or not they used them in competition, the real story was how quickly new tech reaches the Tour—and how involved pros are in development.
The Shortest Putter on Tour?
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 own Scotty Cameron and found surprising success. The low stance helped him read greens better, and the short shaft gave him more control. It was one of the quirkiest stories of the year, proving that sometimes less really is more.
Spaun’s Putt Sparks $200M Deal
At the U.S. Open,