From banned drivers to ultra-short putters and multi-million dollar deals – 2025 was a big year for golf equipment.
The 2025 golf season delivered plenty of action on the course, but equipment also made headlines throughout the year. From controversial rule tests to bold innovations and surprising gear choices, here are the stories that grabbed the most attention.
McIlroy’s Driver Fails USGA Test
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Championship campaign began with unexpected drama. His driver failed a USGA conformity test due to excessive face flexibility — not from tampering, but natural wear from thousands of swings. Forced to switch clubs just before a major, McIlroy’s situation highlighted how even elite gear can evolve beyond legal limits over time.
TaylorMade Qi4D: Tour Testing Before Launch
Later in the year, TaylorMade stirred buzz with its unreleased Qi4D drivers spotted during the Abu Dhabi playoffs. Featuring models like the Core with four weights and the low-spin LS, the clubs appeared in play before their official debut. The sightings underscored how closely tour pros are involved in product development and how quickly new tech hits competitive play.
Unconventional Putters and Big Business
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 testing a child’s club for fun. The deep stance helped him read greens better, and the short shaft improved control — proving that sometimes, less is more.
At the U.S. Open, J.J. Spaun’s clutch birdie putt on 18 brought L.A.B. Golf into the spotlight. Using a Direct Force 3 (DF3) putter with zero-torque and lie-angle balance, Spaun showcased the tech’s ability to reduce face twist and stabilize off-center hits. The buzz