Top 15 Largest and Famous Brands of Golf Equipment in the World

Larry Mimosa June 21, 2023 | 02:08

Based on yearly sales, KnowInsiders talk about the golf equipment manufacturers and brands that are currently the biggest globally.

Top 15+ Largest and Popular Brands of Golf Equipment in the World

Largest and Best Brands of Golf Equipment in the World

Table of Contents
Top 15+ Largest and Popular Manufacturers of Golf Equipment in the World Today 1. Callaway 2. TaylorMade (Adidas) 3. Titleist 4. Ping 5. Nike Golf 6. Cleveland 7. Mizuno 8. Adams 9. Cobra 10. Odyssey Golf 11. Bridgestone Golf 12. Wilson 13. PXG 14. Top Flite 15. Robin Golf Conclusion

Golf is a popular sport that is played by millions of people around the world, and the industry that supports it is successful. By examining the top golf club producers in terms of revenue, we can learn more about their achievements and market effects.

These businesses, which range from established market leaders to cutting-edge upstarts, have made their names by creating high-quality clubs that cater to golfers of all skill levels.

The National Golf Foundation estimates that in 2021, 3.2 million Americans began playing golf, and 25.1 million Americans, or 8% of the country's population, played golf on a golf course. Historically, golf has been a sport dominated by men, but the pandemic has seen women quickly take up the game. For instance, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 25% of female golfers participated in the sport for the first time. Due to the fact that 27% of new golfers are in the 18 to 34 age group, the sport is also gaining popularity with Gen Z. Gen-Z comprises 6 million of the world's golfers. This is good news for the sport because in the past it frequently attracted the interest of middle-aged and older audiences. The emergence of young, talented athletes like Rory Mcllroy has contributed to the sport's increased popularity with the younger generation.

There are approximately 43% of the world's 40,000 golf courses in the US, and there are 40,000 golf courses overall. The golf equipment market is expected to reach a value of $10,150.3 million by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% from 2021 to 2030. In 2020, the market was estimated to be worth $7,041.3 million.

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE), adidas AG (ETR:ADS), and Puma SE (ETR:PUM) are some of the most well-known businesses in the golf sector.

Top 15+ Largest and Popular Manufacturers of Golf Equipment in the World Today

1. Callaway

Year Established: 1982

Website: www.callawaygolf.com

Headquarters: Carlsbad, California, U.S.

Sponsored Golfers: Phil Mickelson, John Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Carlota Ciganda

Products: Golf Clubs, Golf Bags, Golf Balls, Golf Apparel, Golf Gloves

Callaway Golf

The biggest manufacturer of golf equipment in the country is Callaway Golf, which focuses on golf clubs, bags, balls, apparel, and gloves. Callaway is a well-known manufacturer of high-quality golf equipment with a strong brand identity. Golf Digest's Hot List in 2018 gave the company's drivers, fairway woods, and distance irons all gold awards for their excellence.

Since its founding in the early 1980s, Callaway has contributed to a revolution in golf club design. The introduction of the Callaway "Big Bertha" driver in 1991 marked the beginning of the era of today's larger, more accommodating driver heads. By the end of the 1990s, the business had gained popularity and had many well-known athletes wearing its gear, including renowned golfers like Phil Mickelson, John Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Carlota Ciganda.

When the Callaway Company relocated to Carlsbad, California, in 1995, the brand's journey officially began.

2. TaylorMade (Adidas)

Year Established: 1979

Website: www.taylormadegolf.com

Headquarters: Carlsbad, California U.S.

Sponsored Golfers: Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Matthew Wolff

Products: Golf Clubs, Drivers, Golf Bags, Golf Apparel

TaylorMade began in 1979 with a single item and is now owned by Adidas. Instead of persimmon, this screwdriver is innovative and made of steel. The business quickly established itself as one of the top producers of golf clubs in the world after broadening its focus in the 1980s.

Perhaps the most well-known companies on the PGA Tour right now are TaylorMade. Tiger Woods, John Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and Ricky Fowler are just a few of the notable pros who have TaylorMade clubs in their golf bags. With the introduction of "twisted face" technology for its M3/M4 drivers in 2018, the company reinvented the conventional driver face as part of its ongoing innovation efforts. Additionally, the new Sim Driver lineup enhances the M6's already impressive range and forgiveness.

The TaylorMade Sim Max irons are difficult to beat when it comes to the simplicity of off-center hitting, but M6 is still forgiving. TaylorMade is the best golf club brand of the year, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player.

3. Titleist

Year Established: 1932

Website: www.titleist.com

Sponsored Golfers: Jordan Speith, Justin Thomas, Nelly Korda, Patrick Cantlay

Products: Golf Balls, Golf Clubs, Irons, Putters

The Pro-VI, the ball that is used the most frequently on the PGA Tour, is produced by Titleist, a significant manufacturer of golf equipment. They also produce golf bags, clothing, clubs, and other accessories. They are renowned for possessing outstanding putters and irons that offer both distance and accuracy. The business has its current headquarters in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and is a well-known name in the golf industry.

On the business's first golf ball model, the now-famous Titleist script was first imprinted in 1935. With the help of some of the best professional golfers in the world, including Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson, Justin Thomas, and Nelly Korda, the company has built a strong reputation for its brand.

4. Ping

Year Established: 1959

Website: www.ping.com

Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.

Sponsored Golfers: Bubba Watson, Harris English, Tony Finau, Mackenzie Hughes, Tyrrell Hatton

Products: Golf Clubs, Putters

Ping Golf

PING is an American manufacturer of sporting goods with its main office in Phoenix, Arizona. The manufacture of golf clubs, bags, and equipment is the main focus. Carsten Solheim started the business after working as an engineer for General Electric. He began producing clubs in his Redwood City, California, garage in 1959. He left General Electric in 1967 to work on the PING.

Ping was the first company to offer premium die-cast clubs made with investment casting, which reduced costs, enhanced quality control with cutting-edge features, and set the stage for fittings.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg gave US President Donald Trump a ping "Bergen" club during their meeting at the White House on January 10 to mark the close ties between Norway and the United States. The background of Norwegian immigration to America. Karsten Solheim, the creator of Ping, is from Austrheim, a town close to Bergen, Norway.

5. Nike Golf

Year Established: 1964

Website: www.nike.com/golf

Sponsored Golfers: Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, Michelle Wie, Rory Mcllroy, Jason Day

Products:

The biggest producer of athletic clothing, footwear, and equipment in the US is Nike. The company manufactures soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, and other important sports equipment. Nike is a worldwide brand with influence that extends well beyond American borders.

Bill Bowerman, a former track and field coach at Oregon University, founded the business in the beginning. The market for athletic clothing and footwear has been largely under Nike's control. They no longer make clubs, but they do produce a variety of golf shoes and apparel. Nike is based in Beaverton, Oregon, and is supported by well-known athletes like Jason Day, Michelle Wie, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods.

6. Cleveland

Year Established: 1979

Website: www.clevelandgolf.com

Headquarters: Huntington Beach, CA, United States

Sponsored Golfers: Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry, Ernie Els, Inbee Park, Brooks Koepka

Products: Golf Clubs, Wedges, Hybrids, Golf Bags, Golf Headwear

The center of the action is Roger Cleveland Golf. The company sells golf clubs, apparel, and accessories online through specialty and sporting goods stores in about 25 different countries. It also manufactures wood products, clubs, and clubs. Additionally, the business offers retailers and golf courses all over the country custom club installations.

Since the 1940s and 1950s, replicas of vintage golf clubs have been produced; Roger Cleveland founded the business that bears his name in 1979. Today, the business creates and forges sticks out of strong, light materials like steel, titanium, and graphite. It is owned by SRI Sports in Japan, a branch of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which also owns the Dunlop Sports name in that country.

7. Mizuno

Year Established: 1982

Website: www.mizunogolf.com

Headquarters: Suminoe, Osaka, Japan

Sponsored Golfers: Adrien Saddier, Erika Hara, Keith Mitchell, Luke Donald, Bo Hoag

Products: Golf Clubs, Golf Balls, Golf Hats, Golf Apparel

Rihachi Mizuno founded the Japanese sportswear and equipment manufacturer Mizuno Corporation in Osaka in 1906. Today, Mizuno is a multinational corporation that manufactures a variety of sports gear and apparel for track and field, judo, table tennis, badminton, baseball, soccer, running, rugby, and swimming. Rihachi Mizuno and his younger brother Rizzo, both from Osaka, founded Mizuno in 1906 as the Mizuno Brothers Co., Ltd. In 1907, the shop switched from selling baseballs and western-style accessories to creating custom sportswear.

Professional golfers use the Grain Flow Forged irons made by Mizuno, a producer of golf clubs and accessories. Tiger Woods used Mizuno golf clubs up until the time he turned pro in 1996, switching to Titleist in 1997 to capture his first Masters victory. Mizuno equipment has been used by other athletes throughout their careers.

8. Adams

Founded: 1991

Headquarters: Plano, Texas (Closed), U.S.

Website: https://www.adamsgolf.com/

Adam Golf, Inc. is a United States-based manufacturer of sporting goods with its main office in Plano, Texas. The business manufactured golf clubs, specifically. In 2012, TaylorMade, which is owned by Adidas, bought it, making it one of the brands. An American manufacturer of sporting goods with its main office in Plano, Texas, Adam Golf, Inc. focuses on the golf equipment industry. The business manufactured golf clubs, specifically.

TaylorMade Golf, which was then owned by Adidas, purchased Adams Golf in 2012 for $10.80 per share in cash (roughly $70 million). As a result, Adams has joined the corporate roster of golf companies that includes TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Adidas Golf. TaylorMade was certain that Adams' Plano, Texas, headquarters would continue to exist. The Adams brand, however, had lost market share by 2016 and was viewed by TaylorMade as a "afterthought" by some media sources.

9. Cobra

Year Established: 1973

Website: www.cobragolf.com

Headquarters: California, U.S.

Sponsored Golfers: Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson, Bryson Dechambeau, Jason Dufner

Products: Golf Clubs, Apparel, Accessories

Puma acquired Cobra Golf in 2010 and combined Puma's clothing and footwear with Cobra's golf accessories.

Despite having a Californian base, Puma, a major German sports brand, owns Cobra Golf. One of the first golf club manufacturers to introduce an all-rounder (hybrid) club, it has been around since the 1970s. Their oversized irons were occasionally the best-selling irons in golf during the 1990s, and their enhancement irons consistently rank at the top of lists of the best irons in their category.

Ricky Fowler, Jason Duphner, and Bryson DeChambeau are among the professionals who competed with Cobra on the PGA Tour. Lexi Thompson played LPGA golf with Cobra King Speedzone drivers. Cobra makes wrought iron products for people with physical disabilities (or those who simply prefer a wrought iron look), even though its primary focus is the gaming enhancement industry.

10. Odyssey Golf

Year Established: 1991

Website: www.odysseygolf.com

Sponsored Golfers: Adam Hadwin, Jon Rahm, Brian Stuard

Products: Golf Clubs, Putters, Golf Bags, Accessories

Odyssey Golf

Odyssey Golf is a business that specializes in making putters. The company is well known for producing some of the best putters in the business. Founded in 1991, the business was later acquired by renowned golf manufacturer Callaway.

They share a common administrative center in Carlsbad, California. The well-known company offers putters and a variety of add-ons, such as covers, grips, ball markers, divot repairs, towels, and umbrellas. The company is recognized for its use of the classic red, black, and white color combinations with a swirl.

11. Bridgestone Golf

Year Established: 1931

Website: www.bridgestonegolf.com

Sponsored Golfers: Matt Kuchar, Bryson DeChambeau, Tiger Woods, Lexi Thompson, Fred Couples

Products: Golf Clubs, Putters, Golf Balls

A Japanese manufacturer of cars and trucks, Bridgestone also makes golf equipment and balls. The company is well known for its high-end golf balls in both amateur and PGA tour competitions. Although the original business was established in 1931, it wasn't until 1935 that golf balls were made there. The company sponsors Matt Kuchar, Bryson DeChambeau, Tiger Woods, and Fred Couples on the PGA tour.

12. Wilson

Year Established: 1913

Website: https://www.wilson.com/en-us

Sponsored Golfers: Gary Woodland, Kevin Tway, Brendon Steel, Kevin Streelman

Products: Golf Clubs, Putters, Golf Balls, Golf Bags

The Wilson Sporting Company has been producing top-notch golf clubs since 1914. Over the years, Wilson became well-known for its many inventions, including the R-90 sand wedge and the Wilson Ogg-mented irons, which were both introduced in 1933. Wilson currently produces its golf clubs in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and sponsors players like Kevin Streelman, Gary Woodland, Kevin Tway, and Brendon Steel.

A Chinese sports equipment subsidiary with a Chicago, Illinois, headquarters is The Wilson Sporting Goods Company. It has been a subsidiary of Anta Sports' parent company, the Finnish organization Amer Sports, since 1989. Baseball, badminton, football, basketball, softball, golf, racquetball, soccer, squash, tennis, pickleball, and volleyball are just a few of the sports for which Wilson produces equipment.

The meatpacking business "Schwarzschild & Sulzberger" (later known as "Sulzberger & Son's"), based in New York, which ran slaughterhouses for meat packing, is where the company got its start. The controlling banks appointed meatpacker Morris & Company's former president Thomas E. Wilson as president in 1915, and the business was renamed "Thomas E. Wilson Company" after him. The business bought the Hetzinger Knitting Mills, which makes athletic apparel, and a caddie bag company, which initially made golf balls but later also produced footballs and basketballs.

The Atec, DeMarini, EvoShield, Louisville Slugger, and Luxilon brands of sports gear and protective gear for baseball, lacrosse, softball, and tennis are owned by Wilson Sporting Goods Company.

13. PXG

Year Established: 2014

Website: www.pxg.com

Sponsored Golfers: Cameron Tringale, Zach Johnson, Pat Perez, Wyndham Clark, Jason Kokrak

Products: Golf Clubs, Putters, Golf Bags, Apparel, Accessories

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, PXG (Parsons Extreme Golf) is a relatively new golfing company. Bob Parsons, who also created the well-known web hosting company GoDaddy, founded the company. PXG has established itself in recent years despite its relative youth.

Even professional golfers like Cameron Tringale, Zach Johnson, and Pat Perez are sponsored by PXG. Although the brand primarily sells golf clubs, they also sell clothing and accessories. PXG is renowned for its PXG for Heroes program, which grants discounts to active duty personnel, veterans, and first responders.

14. Top Flite

Year Established: 1971

Website: https://www.golfgalaxy.com/f/shop-top-flite

Sponsored Golfers: Hank Kuehne, Ricky Barnes

Products: Golf Clubs, Putters, Golf Balls, Golf Bags

Prior to being acquired by Callaway in 2003, Top Flite was initially founded in 1971 as a division of the Spalding Company and produced premium golf balls for many years. Up until their 2012 sale to Dick's Sporting Goods, Top Flite produced golf balls while under Callaway's control.

Top Flite is a trademark of Dick's Sporting Goods, which sells golf clubs and balls under that name today. The company has sponsored a number of golfers in the past, including Hank Kuehne and Ricky Barnes, who both played with Top Flite balls.

15. Robin Golf

Website: https://robingolf.com/

Do you know who Robin Golf is? Despite being a young brand, it has already gained popularity and media attention. They want to make it "easier and less expensive to buy premium clubs," and there are a few cool details that enable this.

They produce their clubs using the same equipment and supplies as top-tier golf brands, to start. While not cheap ($699 for the standard set), a premium club set that costs at least twice as much can be purchased if the club head has a more recognizable brand logo. Second, the Super Game Upgrade classification of Robin Golf Club makes it simple to hit, forgiving of errors, and launching the ball into the air. You might not want to join this club if your handicap is less than 10.

Finally, there are enticing options for payment and return. The price of the Robin Golf Club can be paid in monthly installments, and returns are free for 90 days. In essence, you can try the club and return it if you don't like it.

Conclusion

Due to the recent rapid expansion of the golf equipment market, picking the brand that is considered to be the best, the largest, or the most popular will be a challenge. In this article from KnowInsiders, we take a look at 15 of the biggest, most well-known, and best golf equipment brands on the market right now.

Golf has long been seen as an elitist activity, but its recent popularity has proven that anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, can enjoy the sport. When choosing a golf brand, it's important to think about your finances, preferences, and playing style.