From banned drivers to ultra-short putters and million-dollar deals – 2025 had plenty of gear stories to talk about.
The 2025 golf season delivered not only on-course drama but also off-course buzz around the tools of the trade. From controversial rule tests and cutting-edge innovations to bold individual choices, here are the equipment stories that captured the most attention this 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 tampering, but natural wear from thousands of swings. With the club no longer within legal limits, McIlroy had to make a last-minute switch just before a major championship.
New TaylorMade Qi4D Drivers Spotted Early
Later in the year, TaylorMade stirred excitement with its unreleased Qi4D driver series, spotted in play during the Abu Dhabi playoffs. Three models, including the Core with four weights and the low-spin LS, were seen in the bags of pros like McIlroy and Fleetwood. Whether they actually used them in competition was secondary—the real story was how quickly pros test and adopt new tech.
Unusual Putters and Big Moves
Philippe Gariepy turned heads with a putter shorter than a pitching wedge—just 58 cm. Inspired by a fun round using a child’s club, he cut down his Scotty Cameron and found the deep stance gave him better break reading and control. Sometimes, less really is more.
At the U.S. Open, J.J. Spaun’s clutch birdie putt on 18 brought massive attention to L.A.B. Golf’s Direct Force 3 putter. Its zero-torque, lie-angle-balanced design minimizes face twisting and stabilizes off-center hits. The buzz led to