From banned drivers to ultra-short putters and million-dollar deals – 2025 was a big year for golf equipment.
The 2025 season delivered plenty of on-course drama, 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 got people talking.
McIlroy’s Driver Fails the Test
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Championship started with unexpected equipment drama. His driver failed a conformity test by the USGA due to excessive face flexibility—a result of wear over time, not foul play. After thousands of swings, even the best clubheads can change. McIlroy had to switch drivers just before a major championship.
TaylorMade Qi4D: Tour Testing Before Launch
Later in the year, TaylorMade made headlines with its Qi4D driver series. Spotted in play during the Abu Dhabi playoffs before the official release, the new models included a Core version with four weights and a low-spin LS model. Whether they were used in competition or not, the real story was how quickly tour pros test and adopt new gear.
Unusual Putters and Big Business
Philippe Gariepy turned heads with a putter shorter than a pitching wedge—just 58 cm long. Inspired by a fun round with a child’s club, he cut down his Scotty Cameron for better control and green reading. It was one of the quirkiest gear stories of the year.
Meanwhile, J.J. Spaun’s dramatic birdie putt at the U.S. Open spotlighted L.A.B. Golf’s Direct Force 3 putter. Its zero-torque, lie-angle-balanced design minimizes face twisting and boosts off-center forgiveness. Following Spaun’s success, L.A.B. Golf was sold for over $200 million, though management promised to maintain its core philosophy.