The Most Important Takeaways About Golf Equipment in 2025

As a seasoned sports reporter with a keen eye on professional golf, my exploration of golf equipment this past year has been nothing short of illuminating. While writing about golf gear may not change the world, it certainly adds a touch of excitement to my work.

2025: A Year of Discoveries in Golf Gear

The golf equipment landscape of 2025 was fascinating. Throughout the year, I had the opportunity to test an array of impressive clubs, ranging from the latest innovations to classic designs. Highlights included:

• A player’s distance iron from PING
• An innovative marvel from COBRA
• A driver that looked surprisingly like a Dorito
• Clubs from an OEM that hadn’t released a significant new iron this century
• An illegal (non-conforming) driver

Key Insights from 2025

As we close out the year, I want to share the most significant insight I’ve gained:

If you understand your specifications, there’s a wealth of equipment available for good golf, and it doesn’t have to break the bank.

The Value of Affordable Golf Equipment

Complaints about the rising costs of golf gear often turn into a heated debate. Many golfers cringe at the thought of spending $600 on a new driver or $1,500 on a new set of irons. However, it’s essential to recognize that high prices are not the only options available.

For example, during the latter half of the 2025 season, I played with the Maxfli XC2 forged irons, initially priced at $999, but now available for about $799.98 at retailers like DICK’s or Golf Galaxy. This option not only allows you to test the clubs in a hitting bay but also provides custom fitting opportunities.

Additionally, the Ben Hogan Fort Worth MB/CB irons caught my eye during my testing. They delivered one of my best rounds of the year, alongside the Hogan PTx hybrid and fairway wood.

For drivers, the Takomo Ignis D1 offers great value at $319, while the MacGregor Tourney Max can be found for an even more wallet-friendly price of $249.

Setting Your Golf Goals

Custom fitting is the best route for those looking to extract every bit of performance from their equipment—if that’s your aim, by all means, pursue it. However, once you’ve established your specifications, the options are vast.

For instance, let’s say you’ve been fitted for the TaylorMade P790 irons. As long as you maintain the same iron type—such as player’s distance—you can find alternatives like the MACSPD irons from MacGregor, potentially saving a significant amount.

If you prefer a unique style, brands like Sub 70, Takomo, or Maltby offer tailored solutions to meet your preferences while keeping within a reasonable budget.

Navigating the Market: The ‘Golden Handcuffs’

The comfort of mainstream OEMs is hard to ignore; brands like Callaway and Wilson offer safety and trustworthiness that many golfers appreciate. However, this security often comes with a price, leading to what I term the "golden handcuffs."

While it’s understandable that many are willing to pay extra for that assurance, there is a silver lining—direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are becoming increasingly reputable alternatives. This year’s lesson firmly establishes that there’s never been a better time to be a golf consumer.

In Conclusion

As we wrap up 2025, I encourage golfers to look beyond the mainstream options and explore the fantastic variety of equipment available today. Whether you choose to invest in high-end brands or discover affordable alternatives, exceptional performance is at your fingertips.

Happy New Year to all my fellow golf enthusiasts! Here’s to a successful 2026 on the greens!