The Future of Golf Equipment: Key Questions for 2026

At MyGolfSpy, we tap into an ongoing equipment cycle, continually testing and reviewing to keep you informed. After analyzing feedback from 2025, we’re poised to ask critical questions heading into 2026 regarding the top four golf equipment manufacturers.

TaylorMade: Can They Release a 2026 Driver that is Fast and Consistent?

In 2025, the TaylorMade Qi35 drivers showed decent performance but failed to dominate the competition. Over the past year, models from Callaway, PING, and Titleist consistently outperformed Qi35 across all swing speed categories.

Notably, while TaylorMade has the capability to produce fast drivers, the data indicated a significant gap in consistency. The Qi35 struggled to balance speed with the forgiveness and stability that competitive models demonstrated on off-center hits.

Though Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy utilized the Qi10 drivers at various times throughout the season, it underscored the notion that the Qi35 might not have represented a substantial advance. On a positive note, the Qi35 fairway woods secured the second position in overall fairway wood testing, showcasing commendable distance performance.

Heading into 2026, the pressing question remains: Can TaylorMade deliver drivers that are both fast and consistent enough to reclaim their top-tier status?

Callaway: Can They Repeat as the Driver Standard?

The Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond emerged as the standout driver in 2025, setting a benchmark that competitors will strive to match.

Repeating excellence is often more challenging than achieving it for the first time. PING, for instance, faced the difficulty of following their G430 Max 10K success with a second-place finish in 2025. Maintaining the same level of performance across consecutive years is a rare feat.

For Callaway, the central query moving forward is whether they can preserve their blend of distance and accuracy across various swing speeds as competitors refine their offerings.

PING: Will They Enter the Zero-Torque Putter Game?

PING has a well-established reputation for producing putters that excel in product testing. The Scottsdale Prime Tyne 4 ranked third in mallet testing, while the Scottsdale Anser placed in the top ten for blades.

With the rise in popularity of zero-torque putters, which now have their own Most Wanted category, PING notably did not participate in this space in 2025.

The key question for PING is whether they will choose to enter the zero-torque category and, if so, what innovative strategies they will employ.

Titleist: What Will the SM11 Offer that the SM10 Does Not?

The Vokey wedges from Titleist have been released with remarkable consistency, and a new lineup is anticipated for 2026. The SM9 models were prominent from 2022 to 2024, followed by the SM10 in early 2024, which carried through 2025.

In testing conducted in 2024, the Vokey SM10 finished third overall and claimed the title of best for accuracy—setting a strong benchmark for the upcoming models.

For Titleist, the focus will be on the tangible advancements that the new SM11 wedges will feature beyond what the SM10 has already delivered. These wedges will be part of our 2026 wedge testing to evaluate their competitiveness against other leading brands, including TaylorMade, PING, and Mizuno.

Final Thought

As we look forward to upcoming “First Looks” articles and the return of testing, many of these pressing questions will soon find answers. The rest of the insights will unfold as new data becomes available.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore the evolving landscape of golf equipment and what it means for you, the golfer.