Remember when switching balls was just about feel and distance? Well, Rory McIlroy demonstrated how one simple change can trigger a complete equipment revolution ahead of the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational. After winning at Pebble Beach with TaylorMade Qi10 Woods last month, the Northern Irishman arrived at Bay Hill with an entirely new weapon system—one designed to give him strategic advantages on courses where the driver isn’t always the answer.

“I think it’s all really come from the ball change a few weeks ago,” McIlroy explained during his pre-tournament press conference at Bay Hill, referencing his switch to the TaylorMade TP5. This single adjustment set off a chain reaction throughout his bag. It completely reshaped his equipment strategy heading into one of the PGA Tour’s most prestigious events.

New arsenal gives Rory McIlroy distance control advantage

At the heart of Rory McIlroy’s overhaul is the TaylorMade Qi35 driver ($649.99). It features a 9-degree head adjusted to 8.25 degrees and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus VeloCore+ Black 6X shaft. This driver represents TaylorMade’s latest technology, offering enhanced forgiveness and stability compared to the previous Qi10 model. He found this particularly valuable on Bay Hill’s demanding tee shots, where accuracy is paramount.

The most significant change, however, appears in his fairway woods. McIlroy’s new TaylorMade Qi35 15-degree 3-wood ($449.99) delivers an astonishing 300-305 yard carry. Plus, it addresses a specific strategic gap in his game.

“I feel like there’s a lot of golf courses we go to that really pinch in at like 310, 320,” McIlroy noted. “I would hit my 3-wood that’s going like 285, 290, but guys that are shorter than me are hitting driver sort of 300 or 310, so I’m actually at a disadvantage.”

Completing his fairway setup, McIlroy replaced his 5-wood with a TaylorMade Qi35 4-wood ($449.99) that delivers 280-yard carries. The addition of a “Proto” TaylorMade P770 3-iron gives him a precise 260-yard option. In addition, it creates a methodical 20-yard gap between his longest clubs.

This calculated approach provides McIlroy with specific tools for any tee shot challenge that Bay Hill’s demanding layout might present.

Personal customization brings precision to McIlroy’s scoring clubs

The TaylorMade TP5 ball ($49.99/dozen) features a significant technical difference from his previous TP5x—approximately 200-300 RPM more spin on wedge shots. This increased spin profile gives McIlroy greater confidence when taking partial swings with his scoring clubs. As a result, he’s completely reconfigured his wedge setup. He moved from four wedges to three precisely calibrated options.

His new TaylorMade MG4 wedge configuration includes a 48-degree ($179.99) that’s been physically bent from the standard 46.5 degrees, matched with 54-degree and 60-degree options (also $179.99 each). All three feature True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue 115g shafts for consistent feel and performance.

This spacing allows McIlroy to cover all necessary distances while gaining an extra club slot at the top of his bag.

“I just feel like with the ball I’m a lot more comfortable playing those sort of half- and three-quarter shots, so comfortable going back to three wedges,” McIlroy explained. The ability to hit reliable partial shots with consistent distance control eliminated his need for the 50-degree wedge. Therefore, it effectively covered the same yardage gaps with fewer clubs.

Completing his scoring arsenal is the TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter ($399) with its distinctive hand-torched finish and custom white alignment line. McIlroy has relied on this model since late 2024, valuing its high MOI design, which promotes stability on off-center strikes. Moreover, it’s particularly valuable on Bay Hill’s notoriously fast greens.

The SuperStroke Pistol GT 1.0 grip provides consistent hand placement and reduces wrist movement throughout his stroke. This comprehensive equipment overhaul shows McIlroy’s commitment to gaining every competitive advantage possible as the major season approaches.