Kissimmee, Florida, United States: Putters are driving a surprising upswing in the US golf equipment market, posting double-digit growth in the first half of 2025 across both specialty retailers and mass-market outlets.

According to data from Golf Datatech, a Circana company, dollar sales of putters at golf specialty and green grass shops jumped 23% from January through June compared to the same period in 2024.

Mass and sporting goods retailers also reported a 17% increase. No other golf club category came close to matching this level of growth.

Phil Barnard, Vice President at Golf Datatech, attributed the surge to advancements in ‘zero torque’ technology, with multiple brands entering the market over the past year.

While innovation has clearly boosted interest and spending, Barnard cautioned that higher price points may be slowing unit sales, particularly in mass retail channels.

Overall, the US golf equipment industry saw steady if more tempered growth in the first half of 2025.

Strong putter growth in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Specialty and green grass shops recorded a 7% year-to-date increase in sales through June, following a strong January that was 14% higher than the same month last year. Within that segment, club sales rose 6%, and consumables like balls and gloves were up 3%.

The mass and sporting goods sector showed more modest results, with total equipment sales rising just 1%. Golf balls maintained a 3% gain, gloves improved by 5%, and club sales edged up 5%, though declines in full club sets offset some of that momentum.

The data suggest that while innovation continues to fuel niche excitement, broader market gains remain susceptible to economic pressures, including tariffs and pricing dynamics.