Club pro Jason Caron nearly pulled off an epic victory on the Champions Tour Sunday, eventually losing in a playoff to Steven Alker.
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Here are the top five most-Googled golf brands of 2025. Which one are you surprised did not make this list?
Top 5 most-Googled golf brands in 2025
Callaway is leading the way so far this year in Google searches, thanks in part to the success of the new Elyte Triple Diamond driver. It recently won top honors in our Most Wanted 2025 Driver test. The Elyte Triple Diamond was long and accurate, a combination that can be difficult to find in a driver.
| Most Googled Golf Brands |
|---|
| 1. Callaway |
| 2. TaylorMade |
| 3. PING |
| 4. COBRA |
| 5. LAB Golf |
TaylorMade was not far behind Callaway and the Qi35 series has generated some buzz.
PING continues to earn attention with its G430 MAX 10K earning a second-place finish a year after it won our 2024 Best Golf Driver testing. The new PING G440 series is also off to a strong start in 2025.
COBRA is solidly in fourth and from what we’ve seen so far in drivers this year, the new DS-Adapt line features new customization options with the FutureFit33 and the ability to fine-tune ball flight like never before.
Vice is one of, if not, the largest direct-to-consumer golf ball brands. I suppose you can chalk that up to equal parts quality and attitude, although I suspect a good bit of the latter reflects the company name and its willingness to try almost anything when it comes to painting a golf ball.
While most brands’ urethane offerings are limited to a couple of colors and maybe a pattern or alternative alignment aid, Vice offers up a Home Depot paint aisle’s worth of options.
Whites, greens, purples, and the insanely popular drip options; nobody does color like Vice.
Apparently, that’s not enough.
New to the USGA’s conforming ball list is the first alignment pattern we’ve seen from Vice. With separate colors for the Pro Air (teal/black), Pro (red/blue), and Pro Plus (black/black), Vice appears ready to launch its take on stripe alignment.
When COBRA releases limited-edition gear collaborations, it doesn’t mess around.
Just a week ago, we showed you the very cool COBRA x Arnold Palmer Limited Edition DS-ADAPT driver, launched just in time for this past weekend’s Bay Hill Invitational.
Just seven days later, COBRA is at it again with this sweet COBRA x Palm Tree Crew limited-edition DS-ADAPT driver.
As a card-carrying Parrothead in good standing, I was ready to give this collab a full-throttle “FINS UP!” Imagine my surprise, however, when I learned it wasn’t a Jimmy Buffet thing (not directly, anyway) but the work of some Norwegian DJ who’s younger than my oldest daughter.
Never too old to learn, amiright?
Garmin Approach S44 GPS Golf Watch
What We Like
Slim, stylish smartwatch – enough features without overwhelming you Great AMOLED display, customizable watch faces Serviceable – for the most part – GPSWhat We Don't Like
GPS doesn't automatically advance to the next hole periodically No full hole mapping unless you buy the annual subscription ($99/yr) Shot tracking function misses shots, adding them in post-round editing is not easy or intuitive Stats and analytics package is very basicThe Bottom Line
It’s a very good smart watch for the price. However, the GPS function has glitches, and the shot tracking function is mediocre at best. There are far better GPS and shot-tracking options available in the same price range.
Golf is constantly changing. Thanks to the USGA’s 2024 Golf Scorecard, we now have a detailed report of what those changes look like at the recreational level. The new USGA annual report pulls data from 77 million scores posted in 2024 under the World Handicap System (WHS). We can pull information from that about trends, player habits and more. The insights show how the game evolved in 2024 and hint at what’s coming in 2025. Here are some of the biggest trends to keep an eye on.
The nine-holers are taking over
In 2024, nine-hole scores continued to rise, with an almost 10-percent increase since 2023 and a 40-percent increase since 2020. If you haven’t already jumped on board with a nine-hole league or twilight event, you’ll probably see even more opportunities in 2025.
More golfers are tracking scores
More than 3.35 million golfers in the U.S. maintained a handicap index in 2024, nearly a 30-percent increase since 2020. You can’t improve your game unless you measure it and that concept seems to be better understood by more amateur golfers. Another great thing about more scores being posted is that we have more data to learn about the golf population as a whole.
New golfers are embracing the nine-hole concept
Women who are new to the game play more than half their golf as nine-hole rounds. For men, this number is just over a quarter. New players are learning the game in a more beginner-friendly way and easing their way into the 18-hole concept. Golf courses are encouraging nine-hole participation in a way that attracts new players.
Short courses are having a moment
Last year, more than 350 short courses became eligible for official course ratings. In 2024, more than 180,000 scores were posted for short courses.
While Sports Brands Inc. isn’t exactly a household name (not even in golf households), many of the brands under its corporate umbrella were, and maybe still are. And if not, the hope is they will be again.
The mission of Simon Millington’s Sports Brands Inc. is Rebuilding Golf’s Iconic Brands.
The portfolio includes once forgotten but now revived brands like Ram, MacGregor, Zebra, and the perseverant Ben Hogan brand.
In February, Hogan launched new Legend and FT Worth irons. It would seem that was just the beginning. A new entry on the USGA’s conforming clubs list suggests that metalwoods, and specifically, two new drivers, are on the way as well.
2 Ben Hogan Drivers
Even the smallest brands need more than one driver model these days. That makes sense given that fitting is on the verge of surpassing technology as the biggest opportunity for golfers to gain performance.
Harris English won the Farmer’s Insurance Open in January. It was his first win since 2021 but his fifth individual title. Since turning professional in 2011, he has played in 342 events. English carries PING clubs from the driver to the putter. However, the most interesting thing about his WITB is the clubs he hasn’t upgraded in quite a while.
Harris English golf bag (March 2025): At a glance
Harris English is a PING staff player who uses a Titleist golf ball.
PING G430 LST (10.5˚)PING G400 (14.5˚)PING G410 Crossover (3)PING Blueprint T (4-9)PING Glide 4.0 (46, 52˚,56˚), PING Glide Forged (60.˚)PING Scottsdale HoHumTitleist Pro V1 Golf BallDriver: PING G430 LST
The PING G430 LST driver has been around for a few years. It was officially released to the public in January 2023. We included it in our 2023 Best Golf Driver test and found it struggled with forgiveness, mostly due to the lower spin.
For most amateur players, the PING G430 MAX 10K is the better choice. It won the Best Golf Driver of 2024 and came in second in the 2025 testing. If you are new to PING drivers, it’s a good starting point. The LST is for higher swing-speed players who want to keep spin rates down.
Fairway wood: PING G400
If you thought English’s driver was old, look at his fairway wood. The PING G400 3-wood was originally released in 2017. We are noticing more professionals leaving fairway woods in the bag for years. They find something they like and stick with it. (A lesson for us all?)
At the Japan Golf Fair, you can definitely find some gems hidden in the plethora of high-end products on display. One very cool find was the Toulon Japan Full CNC Milled Irons. There were CBs and MBs on display.
These irons are made by Sasaki Kenma. I have been close with and visiting the Sasaki Factory since 2016, when we collaborated to produce the FULL MILLED SEVEN CB. In fact, I will be visiting them twice more within the next 30 days.
And yes, SEVEN is manufactured at Sasaki Kenma, along with the ultra-rare Callaway X-Prototype (Japan-only irons) and the sleek new Callaway blades you may have recently seen on the PGA tour.
In another blog post, I will break down the different levels of full CNC-milled iron manufacturing offered by this factory, comparing the processes behind the Callaway, Toulon, and SEVEN irons—all crafted under the same roof.
GOLF's editors discuss Keegan Bradley's strong play against the specter of the Ryder Cup, and preview the forthcoming Players Championship.
The post Tour Confidential: Players Championship preview, Keegan Bradley’s dilemma appeared first on Golf.
Golf fans were outraged at NBC after the network only caught a snippet of Russell Henley's tournament-deciding chip-in live.
The post What caused NBC’s tournament-deciding commercial gaffe at Bay Hill appeared first on Golf.
Russell Henley, who trailed Collin Morikawa by three with five holes to play, took the lead with a chip-in eagle on No. 16 and won the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Steven Alker won the Cologuard Classic on Sunday for his ninth PGA Tour Champions title, beating Long Island club pro Jason Caron with a 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff at La Paloma Country Club.
Keegan Bradley is the U.S. Ryder Cup captain. But a brilliant week at the Arnold Palmer reminded us that status might be in question.
The post Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup conundrum is getting more complicated appeared first on Golf.
Russell Henley holed a dramatic chip on the 70th hole to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Take a look at his whole bag of Titleist gear.
The post What clubs does Arnold Palmer winner Russell Henley play? Winner’s bag appeared first on Golf.
What better way to end a two-and-a-half-year victory drought than by holing out for an eagle on the 16th hole on Sunday?
Russell Henley held off Collin Morikawa to secure his fifth PGA Tour victory, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Henley earned his largest winner’s check yet, but his most memorable reward may be when his three kids raced onto the 18th green to congratulate him.
It also puts him in prime contention to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Here’s a look at the full payout for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout
| Pos. | Player | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russell Henley | -11 | $4,000,000 |
| 2 | Collin Morikawa | -10 | $2,200,000 |
| 3 | Corey Conners | -9 | $1,400,000 |
| 4 | Michael Kim | -8 | $1,000,000 |
| T5 | Keegan Bradley | -7 | $800,000 |
| T5 | Sepp Straka | -7 | $800,000 |
| 7 | Shane Lowry | -6 | $700,000 |
| T8 | Byeong Hun An | -5 | $600,667 |
| T8 | Justin Rose | -5 | $600,667 |
| T8 | Jason Day | -5 | $600,667 |
| T11 | Tommy Fleetwood | -4 | $451,250 |
| T11 | Scottie Scheffler | -4 | $451,250 |
| T11 | Aaron Rai | -4 | $451,250 |
| T11 | Robert MacIntyre | -4 | $451,250 |
| T15 | Jacob Bridgeman | -3 | $349,000 |
| T15 | Daniel Berger | -3 | $349,000 |
| T15 | Rory McIlroy | -3 | $349,000 |
| 18 | Denny McCarthy | -2 | $309,000 |
| T19 | Sungjae Im | -1 | $269,334 |
| T19 | Si Woo Kim | -1 | $269,334 |
| T19 | Christiaan Bezuidenhout | -1 | $269,334 |
| T22 | Ludvig Aberg | E | $178,112 |
| T22 | Will Zalatoris | E | $178,112 |
| T22 | Chris Kirk | E | $178,112 |
| T22 | Hideki Matsuyama | E | $178,112 |
| T22 | Patrick Rodgers | E | $178,112 |
| T22 | Matt Fitzpatrick | E | $178,112 |
| T22 | Max Greyserman | E | $178,112 |
| T22 | Mackenzie Hughes | E | $178,112 |
| T22 | Wyndham Clark | E | $178,112 |
| T31 | Patrick Cantlay | +1 | $126,000 |
| T31 | J.J. Spaun | +1 | $126,000 |
| T31 | Nick Taylor | +1 | $126,000 |
| T34 | Austin Eckroat | +2 | $111,500 |
| T34 | Andrew Novak | +2 | $111,500 |
| T36 | Lucas Glover | +3 | $96,750 |
| T36 | Adam Scott | +3 | $96,750 |
| T36 | Justin Thomas | +3 | $96,750 |
| T36 | Tony Finau | +3 | $96,750 |
| T40 | Xander Schauffele | +4 | $78,000 |
| T40 | Sam Stevens | +4 | $78,000 |
| T40 | Max McGreevy | +4 | $78,000 |
| T40 | Brian Harman | +4 | $78,000 |
| T40 | Tom Hoge | +4 | $78,000 |
| T45 | Isaiah Salinda | +5 | $62,000 |
| T45 | Adam Hadwin | +5 | $62,000 |
| T45 | Ben Griffin | +5 | $62,000 |
| T48 | Sam Burns | +6 | $56,000 |
| T48 | Jackson Koivun (a) | +6 | $0 |
| T50 | J.T. Poston | +7 | $53,000 |
| T50 | Eric Cole | +7 | $53,000 |
Top Photo Caption: Russell Henley captured the biggest win of his career Sunday. (GETTY IMAGES/Richard Heathcote)
Karl Vilips played his best golf down the stretch Sunday for an 8-under 64 to win the Puerto Rico Open, his first PGA Tour victory in just his third start as a pro.
PGA Tour rookie Karl Vilips picked up his first PGA Tour win at the Puerto Rico Open. Take a look at his whole bag of TaylorMade gear.
The post What clubs does Puerto Rico Open winner Karl Vilips play? Winner’s bag appeared first on Golf.
Russell Henley chipped in for eagle on the 16th hole to steal the Arnold Palmer Invitational trophy away from Collin Morikawa.
The post Russell Henley steals Arnold Palmer Invitational title from Collin Morikawa appeared first on Golf.
