It’s finally here; Open week. As The Open Championship returns to the windswept links of Royal Portrush this week, all eyes will be on the gear choices players make to battle the unique conditions of links golf.
We saw recently at The US Open, when JJ Spaun was victorious at Oakmont Country Club that LAB putters continued to create a buzz. The American held a 64 foot putt on the 18th green to claim his maiden major in spectacular fashion which propelled an already exciting putter brand to mainstream attention. But, which clubs will make the headlines in Northern Ireland this week?
While modern drivers and high-launch hybrids often steal the spotlight on Tour, it’s the old-school reliability of the driving iron that could take center stage at Royal Portrush. We’ve already seen hints of this shift as Chris Gotterup captured the Scottish Open last week with a driving iron in the bag, and Rory McIlroy has one tucked into his setup as well, signaling a trend that may define this year’s Open.
With firm turf and unpredictable winds demanding both creativity and control, this could be the week certain pieces of equipment make a serious splash, and not necessarily the ones you’d expect. Here’s a look at the gear we think could define The Open.
Driving Irons are often the KEY to Links Golf
Driving irons have been a staple in the bags of competitions at The Open Championship for many a year, and I strongly believe 2025 will be no different. They are simply the perfect club off the tee to get the ball into play as well as off the fairway to power up to the greens.
With narrow fairways and the constant threat of wind, many players are opting for low-launching, piercing ball flights. Many will be switching out their higher lofted fairway woods and hybrids they so often use on the PGA Tour for those longer irons. Those who played in the Scottish Open last week will likely have already made this change, as they accustomed themselves to links golf at the Renaissance Club.
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The NCG team recently got their hands on some of the new driving irons for 2025 that are bound to make an appearance in several golfers bags this week.
Ping are one of the brands to have released a new driving iron offering this season. The iDi Driving Iron impressed us with its lovely, flat, penetrating flight and found it to be particularly useful on fast, bouncy links and heathland golf courses. So, expect to see this in the bags of Ping staffers, like Ryder Cup winner Viktor Hovland, at Royal Portrush.
Additionally, Titleist have also released what our PGA Professional, Jack Backhouse, believes is the most insane utility golf club ever. He called the Titleist 2025 U505 Utility iron the perfect utility iron as it offers fantastic versatility to be able to hit all kinds of shots – be it off the tee or out the rough. Based of this, I am backing the new Titleist driving iron to play a big part in the 2025 Open Championship.
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Could Mini Drivers be the Play?
While driving irons offer control, mini drivers provide a middle ground between accuracy and distance. They are a great option for holes when the driver feels too risky, but a 3-wood may not be enough.
Several manufacturers have leaned into the mini driver category recently, and you can bet a few will be in the bags this week. Their slightly smaller heads and lower spin profiles allow for aggressive tee shots without losing control, making them ideal for battling the coastal breeze. For players needing to shape shots into crosswinds or hold fairways with tight runoffs, this could be the club that changes their championship.
I have been championing the mini driver for a while now. Personally, I love how light and easy they are to swing. Plenty of tour players already carry them in the bag and although it’s not a particularly conventional way of playing links golf, compared to using a driving iron, I do think they have a place at The Open Championship.
There are plenty of quality options on the market for 2025, but the one that took our fancy the most during testing was the PXG Secret Weapon. We found it offers enough forgiveness and ball speed to be a true tee option but retains a shape and flight profile that makes it playable off the deck too.
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Battling the Weather
While the equipment inside the bag will be closely analysed, don’t overlook the gear outside of it and all the golfing accessories used. It wouldn’t be The Open with rain being forecast throughout the week. Despite the heatwave much of us in the UK and Ireland have enjoyed, the rain looks set to be a constant presence throughout the four days. Practice on Monday was suspended because of the weather, so the players will certainly have to contend with the conditions if they are to be The Champion Golfer of the year for 2025.
Umbrellas and waterproofs will be just as critical as any club. Players and caddies will have to navigate shifting weather, gusty wind, and soggy conditions, all of which can dramatically affect performance and club selection.
If you’re heading to Royal Portrush this week, here’s some of the best rain gear for 2025 you can get your hands on to keep dry.
The Open always rewards creativity and precision. Whether it’s a 2-iron stinger riding the wind or a mini driver carving through rain, the best golfers always find a way to combat the elements and the test a links golf course offers. No matter the equipment used, the cream always rises to the top.
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But one thing is for certain, expect the rain gear to play an important role at Royal Portrush.
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Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.
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