Top 5 Gear Predictions Of 2026

2026 is almost here, marking the time on the calendar when we take a moment to reflect on the year that was and look forward to what the coming year will hold.

For the year that was, the biggest stories were PGA TOUR players sticking with older drivers, zero torque putters dominating the retail space—although tour wins were limited, they snagged a BIG one at the U.S. Open—and more players than ever putting higher-lofted fairway woods into play.

RELATED: Three Reasons to Try an Adjustable, High-Lofted Fairway Wood

So what's next? How do I see this moving forward? How about we get to the list?

High Lofted Fairways Are Staying Put

With Tommy Fleetwood as the poster boy, and others like Adam Scott putting a 9-wood into play, I don't expect the momentum of higher lofted fairways slowing down any time soon.

Even World No 1. Scottie Scheffler put a TaylorMade Qi35 7-wood into play during the Genesis Invitational held at Torrey Pines, and kept it in play for most of the season including his win at the PGA Championship. With courses getting longer and rough getting thicker expect to see a lot more players using these on a regular basis.

RELATED: Was Tommy Fleetwood's Win A Rollback Precursor?

Max MOI Drivers Get More Play

Predictable distance and direction are keys to success in golf, especially off the tee, and with the continued advancement of materials and weight savings, Max MOI drivers are becoming much more appealing to golfers at the highest level.

The Ping G440 Max K was already used by Lauren Coughlin to win during the Grant Thornton this offseason, and in 2025, Ben Griffin won multiple times with Ping's G430 Max 10K (a name that still sounds WAY too long). Gary Woodland has been testing Cobra's newest Max K driver, and with others like PXG, TaylorMade, and Callaway all pushing vertical MOI higher, these clubs are only going to get more popular.

RELATED: Every Driver That Won On The PGA TOUR In 2025

Higher Spin Golf Balls

Just like how 7-woods help to generate stopping power, higher-spin golf balls help players gain more control around the green to stop the ball closer to the hole. The low spin revolution hit a breaking point a couple of years ago, when more general consumers realized that once you push the envelope too far in one direction, you lose out big in other areas.

Plus with drivers, fairway woods, and irons already creating low spin dynamics, the golf ball is the one way to keep spin where it should be for more players.

RELATED: Inside the Physics of Shot Shape and Ball Flight With Titleist Golf Ball R&D

3D Printing Goes Big Time

It's been quite a few years now that 3D printing has been a part of the golf equipment landscape, and I expect that 2026 will be the year we truly start to see the payoffs.

From a greater entry into the iron market for consumers, to putter shapes made possible thanks to additive manufacturing, there will be more in the market than ever before.

I'd even expect some woods to utilize this manufacturing process soon.

RELATED: Cobra Pushes Design & Manufacturing with Limit3D Putters

The Rollack Is Coming

Whether you like it or not, the rollback has been in the works for years now, and I believe that in 2026 the narrative will change from "this can't happen", to "you know what, maybe this is a good idea".

Even Rory McIlroy addressed this on a recent Fried Egg Golf Podcast, and not only mentioned the golf ball, but also how the driver head itself could become a target to drive change in the game at the highest level.

So there it is, my time capsule predictions for the year to come - now we just have to wait 365 more days to find out just how right or wrong I am.

RELATED: Does Tour Buzz Actually Generate Sales? We're About to Find Out.