Aaron Rai’s PGA Championship win should change how club golfers think about equipment

There was something wonderfully refreshing about watching Aaron Rai win the 2026 PGA Championship without a bag full of the most recently released equipment.

Going by what his peers have said following his victory at Aronimink, he is clearly a deserving and hugely popular winner. Xander Schauffele is just one of a number of players to praise his work rate, which fittingly got its reward in Newtown Square.

[object Object][object Object][object Object]

It is also refreshing to see that in an era of every new driver launch seemingly promises more ball speed, greater forgiveness and unmatched distances, Rai turned up with one from 2019.

Embrace new and old technology

The TaylorMade M6 driver has been a feature in his bag for some years now.

It’s a driver that drew quite the following when it was first released seven years ago. The NCG review team praised the M6 for its forgiving head and larger sweetspot across the face, which helped produce more ball speed.

Although, I doubt many, at the time, would have envisioned it being used to win a major in 2026. But, here we are.

Rai clearly trusts it and its longevity puts a reality check on the need to be constantly changing driver.

Aaron Rai PGA Championship 2026 | Source: PGA of America

Find what works for you

Those aren’t the only quirks to Rai’s bag. Oh no. You will have heard endlessly about his use of two gloves, since which have been identified as the MacWet Climatec Rain Golf gloves.

Aaron Rai final round of the PGA Championship 2026 | Source: Maddie Meyer/PGA of America

A unique look to many, but then golf does have an odd relationship with image and how you’re suppose to look on a course. Accessories like these are often a target for pointless judgement.

In addition to this, he is one of the few players on tour still using iron covers, which have somehow become almost frowned upon to use. But when you hear Aaron Rai’s reasoning for using these, it highlights how fickle that outlook really is.

[object Object][object Object][object Object]

He also uses castle tees and carries a five-hybrid. These aren’t conventional parts to a major winners set-up, but some of them are very personal to him, and that’s uplifting to see.

And really, this is what makes his set-up so enjoyable and relatable to regular hackers like you and me.

Some within the game may even turn their nose-up at it, but he’s a major champion and they’re most likely not.

His success is a reminder that this individualistic game we love, really is all about finding what works for you, no matter what anyone else may say.

Remember that when you’re playing your next club medal competition and sometimes the golfer with the iron covers, pink castle tees and older equipment may end up being the one lifting the trophy.