Experts we spoke with say that some of the most likely trends for 2025 lie in fresh lanes. For example, officials at Morton Golf, which operates multiple facilities in Sacramento, mention that golfers are flocking to synthetic and vegan leather fabric golf bags.
“The demand for polyurethane bags has been strong, driven by their sleek, minimalist and retro-inspired designs,” says Ken Morton Jr., Vice President of Retail & Marketing for the company. “These bags offer a high-end look with durable, eco-friendly materials that resonate with today’s more conscious consumers.
“We’ve had great success with PU (polyurethane) bags from brands like Sun Mountain, Ping, Kradul and Vessel, and we’re excited to introduce new offerings from Backspin Golf, Wilson and TaylorMade. The aesthetic appeal and functionality of these bags make them a hit with golfers looking for something unique and stylish without sacrificing performance.”
Morton Golf’s Northern California-based facilities have also experienced a surge in putter fitting interest, particularly following the completion of Morton’s new state-of-the-art Player Performance Putter Fitting Studio.
“There seems to be a growing importance of putting – after all, it accounts for nearly half of golfers’ strokes,” says Morton. “With advancements in putter technology and fitting tools, golfers are realizing that a properly fitted putter can dramatically improve their performance. The early results from our fitting studio have been impressive, with many players reporting immediate gains in their consistency, confidence and overall putting stats.”
Kevin Edwards, PGA of America Director of Golf at Olde Homestead Golf Club in New Tripoli, Pennsylvania, believes that the scoring clubs, putters and wedges in general, will be sought out again in 2025.
“Those categories will have growth,” he says. “We started seeing customers move away from the $500-$600 drivers last year and become more interested in how they could score better. We’ve tried to educate customers about how having wedges and a putter that fit them properly will help them score better – covering topics like spin decay, bounce and wedge shafts, along with how certain putter styles can better fit their putting stroke.
“Consumers are looking for knowledge, so instead of them getting everything on the Internet, we try to be a source for them. Our plans for 2025 include more wedge and putter fitting events to grow that business.”
Other PGA of America Golf Professionals pointed out that lie angle balance putters are gaining a lot of traction, as well, singling out the Odyssey’s Ai-ONE Square 2 Square model. Many golfers find the putters attractive because they feel like the ball can effectively stay on plane during a stroke.
Other hard goods trends are also expected in coming months, with the likes of club lines such as Callaway Elyte, TaylorMade Qi35, Ping G440, Titleist GT and Cobra DS Adapt emerging. PGA of America Professionals tell us that their Trackman data suggests these models are demonstrating significant performance gains across key metrics, including ball speed, forgiveness and spin control.
“Each of these manufacturers is pushing the envelope on materials, weighting systems and adjustability, offering golfers tangible improvements over their current setups,” says Morton.
Thus, expect a noticeable trend toward more customizable and specialized equipment. Golfers are seeking out clubs that are tailored to their unique swing characteristics, and the technology built into these new releases is catering to that demand. Several PGA of America Golf Professionals told us that they anticipate golfers will see meaningful advancements in their games with these new offerings this year, particularly when paired with professional fittings.
“One of the hottest equipment trends anticipated in 2025 is the adaptability of new metalwoods, and the ability to fine tune a player’s optimal specs,” says Ian Ziska, PGA, Head Golf Professional at American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan. “Most importantly, the adjustability allows all golfers to fine tune their specs much like a tour player when working with tour reps.”
Matt Summers, PGA, Director of Golf at Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, Maryland, believes the new lot of mini drivers already seem to have a buzz.
“TaylorMade has put out a couple over the last two years, Callaway put one out in 2024, and now Titleist has one – the GT280 – coming out this year,” explains Summers. “And high-lofted fairway woods have been discussed more and more with golfers going back to fairway wood-style heads and away from hybrids. Better players are showing more play with driving irons instead of hybrids outside of the 3-woods in their bags.”
