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 excitement on the course, but it was the gear that often stole the spotlight. From controversial rule tests and cutting-edge innovations to bold individual choices, here are the equipment stories that drew the most attention.
McIlroy’s Driver Fails the Test
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Championship campaign began with an unexpected twist. His driver failed a conformity test by the USGA due to excessive face flexibility—an issue caused not by cheating, but by wear and tear from thousands of swings. Forced to switch drivers just before a major, McIlroy’s situation highlighted how even elite gear can evolve beyond legal limits over time.
TaylorMade Qi4D: Tour Testing Before Release
Later in the year, TaylorMade made waves with its Qi4D driver series. Spotted in the bags of Tour pros like Tommy Fleetwood and McIlroy during the Abu Dhabi playoffs, the new models—featuring designs like the Core with four weights and the low-spin LS—were seen in action before their official launch. The early Tour adoption underscored how quickly prototypes can transition into competitive play.
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 using a child’s club, Gariepy cut down his Scotty Cameron, finding the low stance helped him read greens better and gain control. It was one of the quirkiest gear stories of the year, proving that sometimes less really is more.
Meanwhile, J.J. Spaun’s dramatic birdie putt at the U.S. Open brought major attention to L.A.B. Golf’s Direct Force 3 (