As October 2025 winds down, the golf world buzzes with anticipation for the off-season shake-ups and innovative gear launches. Tiger Woods, fresh off turning 50 on December 30, 2025, is generating massive hype around a potential PGA Tour Champions debut next year. Meanwhile, Odyssey Golf drops the highly anticipated S2S Tri-Hot putter line, reinforcing their dominance as the #1 putter on Tour. From course renovations at St. Andrews to new footwear collabs, here’s a roundup of the month’s top stories shaping the sport’s future.
Tiger Woods’ Champions Tour Tease: Ready for the Senior Swing?
The biggest whisper in golf circles this October revolves around Tiger Woods’ impending eligibility for the PGA Tour Champions, formerly the Senior Tour. In an exclusive interview with GOLF.com on October 29, Champions Tour president Jim Richerson confirmed the tour is “absolutely ready” for Woods to tee it up in 2026. “We’ve got the infrastructure, the venues, and the excitement built in,” Richerson said. “Tiger’s participation would be a game-changer—think of the ratings, the crowds, the global reach.”
Woods, a 15-time major winner and the face of modern golf, has hinted at senior play during his TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League) commitments, but injuries have sidelined him from full PGA Tour action since 2023. His last competitive outing was a T-45 at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where he shot 69 in the second round amid blustery conditions. Turning 50 mid-season next year, Woods could debut as early as the January 2026 Mitsubishi Championship at Hualalai in Hawaii.
Experts speculate Woods could cherry-pick 5-7 events, blending them with majors and TGL. “It’s not about proving anything at this stage,” said analyst Brandel Chamblee on Golf Channel’s October 28 broadcast. “It’s legacy extension—mentoring the next gen while competing where the ball flies farther.” Fan forums on Reddit’s r/golf exploded with threads post-interview, with over 15,000 upvotes on a poll asking if Woods would win his first Champions event. Betting odds for a 2026 Woods victory sit at +200 on DraftKings, implying a 33% chance.
This news coincides with Gary Player’s 90th birthday on November 1, celebrated with a retrospective at Sun City, South Africa. Player, the only non-American to win all four majors and the Champions Tour’s money list leader in 1988, shared stories of his 165 wins, drawing parallels to Woods’ enduring impact. “Tiger redefined the game like no one since,” Player told Golf Digest. The timing feels poetic—two legends bookending generations.
Odyssey’s S2S Tri-Hot Putters: Innovation Meets Forgiveness
On the equipment front, Odyssey Golf—#1 putter on Tour for 25+ years—unveiled the S2S Tri-Hot line on October 30, available for pre-order and hitting retail November 7. Priced at $299-$349, the collection features seven models blending stainless steel with urethane inserts for “soft yet responsive” feel, per Odyssey’s Carlsbad, CA, announcement.
Key tech: The Tri-Hot face milling creates a multi-material construction—304 stainless body, 303 stainless face, and White Hot urethane insert—reducing face thickness to 1.7mm for 25% more COR (coefficient of restitution) than traditional inserts. This boosts distance control on off-center hits by up to 20%, backed by TrackMan data from testing with Tour pros like Jon Rahm (Odyssey staffer). Models include the #7, Rossie S, and new Jailbird Cruiser mallet, all with Versa alignment aids for visual setup ease.
“Putting is 40% of the game—our S2S line attacks mishits head-on,” said Odyssey VP Austie Rollinson. Early reviews from Plugged In Golf praise the “buttery roll with pop,” ideal for mid-handicappers. On Tour, Odyssey’s putters racked up 1,200+ Strokes Gained Putting in 2025, led by Wyndham Clark’s One Tour Liner.
This launch caps a stellar October for gear drops: Bushnell’s Wingman HD GPS speaker (mid-October, $149.99) integrates hazard distances with Bluetooth audio, while PXG’s Mustang ZT putter (October 16) boasts a 0.055-inch ultra-thin face for insert-like sound. Bridgestone’s Boo Ball Halloween pack (October 1) added fun, bundling 12 TOUR B RX balls in a blood-dripping box for $49.99.
Course Developments: St. Andrews Overhaul and Kohler Expansion
Architectural news dominated mid-month headlines. The R&A announced on October 28 significant renovations to the Old Course at St. Andrews ahead of the 2027 Open Championship. Led by architect Kyle Phillips (Kingsbarns designer), changes include reshaping the 1st and 18th fairways for better spectator flow, reinforcing bunkers with sustainable turf, and adding a new practice facility with 12 heated bays. “Preserving history while enhancing playability,” said R&A CEO Martin Slumbers. Construction starts November 2025, minimizing disruption to the 2026 AIG Women’s Open.
In the U.S., Kohler Golf unveiled Purebred Farm, a 14-hole par-3 course at their Wisconsin resort, designed by King Collins (Dormer Golf Course). Slated for fall 2027 opening, it joins Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits as a “family-friendly gem” with holes from 50-150 yards. Construction begins fall 2025, alongside a $10M Carriage House renovation (closing November 3, reopening May 2026).
Closer to home, Langston Golf Course in Washington, D.C., unveiled a quirky addition on October 28: a 10-foot mound of White House soil imported for native plantings around the 9th green. Part of a $2M sustainability push, it’s dubbed “Potomac Mound” and ties into the course’s public heritage since 1939.
Collaborations and Events: PXG x Cole Haan, Barstool’s Internet Invitational
Fashion met function on October 23 with PXG and Cole Haan’s limited-edition footwear line, launching at $250-$300. The six-shoe collection blends PXG’s Xtreme tech (spikeless traction) with Cole Haan’s leather craftsmanship, featuring waterproof membranes and OrthoLite insoles. Campaign shots at Streamsong Resort highlight “course-to-clubhouse” versatility, with pro Xander Schauffele modeling the low-top sneaker.
Off-course, Barstool Sports’ $1M Internet Invitational captivated YouTube on October 29, drawing 2M+ views. Hosted at Sweetens Cove, the creator-led event pitted influencers like Bob Does Sports against pros in a scramble format. “Deeper than cash—it’s community,” said organizer Dave Portnoy. Winners donated $500K to First Tee chapters.
Earlier, Golfweek hosted the inaugural D-II Men’s Invitational at Fripp Island (October 20-21), where Nova Southeastern edged Colorado Mesa by two strokes for the title. The event, with 15 teams battling wind-swept Lowcountry holes, sets a blueprint for future fall showcases.
Broader Trends: Record Rounds and NGF Data
The National Golf Foundation reported on October 15 that U.S. rounds hit 535M in 2025—a 3% YoY increase—fueled by millennials and Gen Z. Facility dwell time rose 28% since 2019, with amenities like Toptracer bays and distilleries boosting retention. “Golf’s post-COVID evolution,” NGF’s Joe LaBoon noted.
Looking ahead, the Presidents Cup (September 2025 wrap-up analysis) donated $2.5M to First Tee, highlighted by a $250K Chicago chapter gift on October 8 at Soldier Field. Captains Jim Furyk (U.S.) and Mike Weir (International) visited, emphasizing youth access.
October 2025 underscores golf’s blend of legacy and innovation—from Woods’ senior tease to forgiving putters and eco-courses. As winter looms, these stories prime fans for a 2026 loaded with majors, tech, and perhaps a Tiger encore. The fairways call—answer with a fresh Odyssey in the bag.