From banned drivers to ultra-short putters and million-dollar deals – 2025 was a big year for golf equipment.
The 2025 golf season delivered plenty of action on the course, but some of the most intriguing stories came from the gear used by the pros. From controversial rule tests to bold innovations and surprising success stories, here are the equipment highlights that grabbed attention throughout the 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 – not from cheating, but from wear and tear after thousands of swings. The club had simply aged beyond the legal limit. Forced to switch drivers just before a major, McIlroy’s situation highlighted how even elite players must adapt quickly when equipment issues arise.
TaylorMade Qi4D: Sneak Peek on Tour
Later in the year, TaylorMade made waves with its unreleased Qi4D drivers spotted in play during the Abu Dhabi playoffs. Featuring models like the Core with four weights and the low-spin LS, the early sightings underscored how deeply tour pros are involved in development and how quickly new gear hits the competitive scene.
Unusual Putters and Big Moves
Philippe Gariepy turned heads with a putter shorter than a pitching wedge. Standing 6’4\”, he cut down a Scotty Cameron to just 58 cm after a successful experiment with a child’s club. The low stance helped him read greens better, and the short shaft gave him more control – proof that unconventional setups can work wonders.
Meanwhile, J.J. Spaun’s birdie putt on 18 at the U.S. Open brought L.A.B. Golf into the spotlight. Using their Direct Force 3 (DF3) putter with zero-torque, lie-angle balance design, Spa