What was hot in Golf in 2025 covered a lot of changes in equipment, practice and coaching. Just when you think the game stays the same, something comes along to change your thinking!
Equipment:
- Drivers: 10K MOI for forgiveness – Cobra, Ping led the way
- Fairway woods: More 7 and 9 woods…even 11 woods
- Hybrids: Super hybrids – titanium faces – Callaway
- Irons: More “forged” models with more forgiveness (Ping, Mizuno, Srixon)
- Wedges: Better spin in wet conditions – Cleveland RT-Z, TaylorMade MG5
- Putters: Zero Torque for sure….LAB, TaylorMade Spyder Z
- Shafts – Graphite: Lighter, better construction – Aretera, TPT, FreeFlex,
- Shafts – Steel: More bend profiles for flight control – TrueTemper, KBS, OBAN
- Grips: Industry consolidation – Pure gone, STAR takes over, Super Stroke/Lamkin buy-out
Coaching/Instruction
- Proliferation of “on-line” coaches – some great, some not-so-hot
- Increased use of video feedback and remote lessons
- More emphasis on strength and conditioning
Practice
- More Indoor “Screen” Golf Facilities
- Improved accuracy of lower-cost simulators – Garmin
- More “data” and recommendations – TrackMan Tracy
- Better tools for better players – TrackMan Performance for Strokes Gained
Trends for Golf in 2026
Here is what I see coming down the fairway in 2026:
Equipment:
- Drivers: More emphasis on “speed” over forgiveness – TaylorMade, Callaway
- Fairway woods: Continued emphasis on higher lofted woods versus hybrids
- Hybrids: More lofts and higher speeds
- Irons: New options for higher launching irons (Srixon, TaylorMade, Ping)
- Wedges: More bounce and grind options, some ne cavity back options
- Putters: ZT, ZT and more ZT (Zero Torque)
- Shafts – Graphite: Better manufacturing to tighter tolerances, lighter, stronger
- Shafts – Steel: Tighter weight tolerances and profiles (Nippon, True Temper
- Grips: Continued emphasis on non-taper style, i.e. MCC Plus 4
Coaching/Instruction:
- More AI Based Instruction
- Improved Remote Instruction with video feedback
Practice:
- More integration of practice and club fitting principles – Dynamic loft, lie
- Better feedback from video and ball flight
- Improved visuals and simulator scenarios.
We will be keeping you all abreast of the latest in all of these as we get new updates from our equipment manufacturers and simulator upgrades.
We are working diligently ourselves on enhancing our BGF Fitting System with AI based insights. And, we continue to test all the new shafts for performance and integrity so we will bring you the best of the best in 2026!
Dan Sueltz
Loading ...
