What are the most prominent non-industry golf sponsorship deals?
While we’ve all heard of huge golf companies like TaylorMade, Callaway and Titleist, when it comes to prominent non-industry golf sponsorship deals, you'd be forgiven for drawing a blank. Yes, the prizes at huge golf events could sustain a player, it's the off-course sponsorships where the players make most of their money.
Are gambling companies sponsoring golfers?
While golfers themselves have some pretty lucrative sponsorship deals, it's nothing compared to what they could be receiving from gambling company sponsorship.
Is the trend of sponsorships catching on in golf?
But in recent years the trend seems to be catching on in golf as well . And golfers aren’t complaining…not only are the great golfers finding lucrative contracts from sponsors but many golfers who struggle on the tour are as well.
What does a golf club supplier do?
Golf club suppliers manufacture, distribute, and/or supply golf clubs to customers. They are most often part of golf equipment suppliers, but standalone golf club companies exist.
Did Phil lose all his sponsors?
However, in a statement from the accounting organisation, KPMG announced that: "KPMG U.S. and Phil Mickelson have mutually agreed to end our sponsorship effective immediately.
What sponsors dropped Phil?
Workday, a US-based financial management software company, has decided to drop Mickelson from its list of global ambassadors. A statement from the company said: “At this time, Workday and Phil Mickelson have mutually and amicably agreed to not renew our brand sponsorship that ends this March.
Why are sponsors leaving Mickelson?
Phil Mickelson apologizes after comments on Saudi-backed golf league. KPMG and Amstel Light have parted ways with the pro golfer after comments he made supporting a Saudi Arabia-backed golf tour.
What company sponsors professional golf?
Charles Schwab is the Official Investment Firm of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions. In the 20th year of this successful partnership, Schwab continues its support of the tournaments, players, administrators and fans of golf.
Did Callaway drop Mickelson?
Phil Mickelson's spectacular downfall is complete after major sponsors Callaway and Workday drop the six-time major champion after his involvement with the Saudi-backed Super Golf League and 'scary mother******s' outburst.
How much did Callaway pay Mickelson?
' Callaway has supplied Mickelson's clubs since 2004, most recently signing an extension in 2017 which was said to cover the rest of the veteran star's playing career. Callaway's deal is one of Mickelson's most lucrative contracts, contributing to an annual sponsorship income of US$42 million, according to Sportico.
What did Mickelson say that got him into trouble?
Phil Mickelson's comments on the new Saudi Golf League sparked controversy among fellow players and fans including Rory Mcllroy in April. He said he believes the funding produced by the Saudi Golf League will help to levitate the sport, and the money can be used to reshape the nature of the PGA tour.
Why did Nike stop selling golf clubs?
Nike stopped making golf clubs in 2016. It was at this point that the company realized that they were not profitable enough in the golf club division to keep it going. The golf clubs that Nike made were very strong for many years, but at this point, they decided that clubs, balls, and bags were done.
Does PWC sponsor golf?
PWC: -PWC also loves golf as it is a sponsor of the PGA tour event TPC Sawgrass.
Who is sponsored by Mizuno golf?
On the European Tour, Mizuno has signed Frenchman Adrien Saddier, Englishman Scott Gregory – winner of the 2016 Amateur Championship – and 27-year-old Tom Gandy, who hails from the Isle of Man and will be playing on the Challenge Tour in 2020.
Who owns Photon Golf?
Aserta Sports. Makers of a lineup of putters, Aserta also recently purchased Photon Golf. Ben Hogan Golf. The company founded by the great Ben Hogan continues turning out top-notch equipment, such as the Hogan Apex irons and Apex Tour balls.
Who owns Odyssey putters?
Callaway Golf. From the introduction of the Big Bertha line, Callaway has been a leader in golf club production and sales. They also own the Odyssey line of putters and a hot new brand of ball. Carbite Golf. They call themselves the “short game solution,” and putters are their specialty.
What is Knight Golf?
Knight Golf is a low-priced alternative to high-end clubs, offering drivers, irons, putters and more at big-box retail outlets. KZG. KZG makes a full line of golf clubs and accessories, including drivers that utilize maraging technology and forged irons. Louisville Golf.
Why is it called Diamond Touch Golf?
It’s called Diamond Touch Golf because they really do use diamonds in their clubfaces. The result is an ultrahard surface and less spin. Dogleg Right. Best known for its Hog line of putters, drivers and irons, Dogleg Right now makes putters under various brand names.
What is the best putter brand?
Cobra Golf. Cobra is best known for its King Cobra line of oversized titanium drivers, but the company also offers irons, wedges and accessories. Curv Golf. Curv Golf makes a convex-faced putter. Daito Golf. Daito Golf is a Canada-based manufacturer of milled putters, plus putting trainers. Diamond Touch Golf.
What is square two golf?
Square Two Golf. Square Two is best known for its women’s clubs, but it also offers a full line of men’s club. Srixon. Srixon was best known for balls when it first appeared on the scene, but now offers a full line of clubs and accessories.
When will the PGA open sponsorships?
February 2019 : PGA Opens Sponsorships to Gambling Companies. Back in February, the PGA Tour made the decision to allow gambling companies to sponsor golfers . Having been enacted immediately, larger casino companies and golfers alike were thrilled by the news.
How much money did Tiger Woods make in 2019?
Estimated to have earned around $45.15 million in 2019 alone, Tiger Woods is both famous and infamous: the past decade has seen his name in the headlines for more off-course reasons than on-course, and as a result, he lost a lot of sponsorships.
How much did Justin Thomas make in 2016?
One of the younger entrants on our list, at only 26, Justin Thomas earned around $26 million last year, $3.17 million of which came from the PGA Tour, and $23 million from some pretty big brands sponsorships:
How much does Jordan Spieth make?
Also the victim of an “off” year, Jordan Spieth has still earned a cool $31.7 million (or thereabouts) in 2019. Back in August, he he finished 58th in the PGA Tour's final standings, earning $1.78 million.
How much did Phil Mickelson make in 2019?
Always the bridesmaid and never the bride, Phil “The Thrill” Mickelson just loses out to Tiger Woods, yet again: He's estimated to have earned almost $39.4 million in 2019 - $2.4 million of these in tournament winnings, and $37 million in sponsorships, which look a little different to Tiger Woods’:
Is there a casino sponsorship for golf?
Amazingly, there don't really seem to be any casino or gambling-related golf sponsorships among top pros in 2019, with the top 5 professional golfers worldwide instead being sponsored by golf companies, sports companies, fashion houses and energy drinks.
Does MGM sponsor golfers?
While some land-based casinos - such as Las Vegas’ MGM Resort - have had a long history of sponsoring golfers (especially PGA Tour regular, Ryan Moore), when it comes to online vendors sponsoring events, it seems there is a lot of opportunity with very little takeup.
Nascar-ization of Golf
Anybody that has seen John Daly walk the fairways in recent years…is witness to what a human billboard looks like in the game of golf. For the most part this type of advertising was reserved for the Nascar industry. Where even a square inch on a dashboard cam is worth a couple years salary to most.
Right Sleeve
This sleeve is less precious than the left because it gets less TV time, but some marketers prefer it because it shows up on a right-hander’s follow-through. For lefty Phil Mickelson, whose right side faces the target, this is the million-dollar sleeve.
Chest Pocket
The best real estate south of the ears. You can get a no-name for the minimum, but even such second-tier stars as Luke Donald and John Daly (well he could) can command $250,000 or more for over-the-heart coverage.
Shoes
Footwear is cheaper than you’d think until you stop to think: You see shoes on TV only when a golfer goes into a hazard.
Back of the collar
Jim Furyk signed a three-year, $2 million deal to wear a Johnnie Walker logo here. (That’s Johnnie Walker menswear—hard-liquor logos are a no-no.)
How many under pars did Kristen Stewart shoot in the Founders Cup?
Two weeks later, in her debut round on the LPGA Tour, she fired a 7- under-par 65 at the Founders Cup in Phoenix. While that grabbed her second place for the night, she eventually finished 40th in the tournament. No doubt, this young woman will be successful on the tour.
How old is Uriell from the LPGA?
Uriell may be a rookie on the LPGA Tour this year, but she is no stranger to the golf industry. The 22-year-old University of Arkansas graduate also happens to be from this San Diego suburb that plays home to many golf club manufacturers, such as Callaway, Cobra, Honma, TaylorMade and Titleist.
Is Uriell a veteran tour pro?
Uriell has not yet sought out veteran Tour pros about how to go about inking a sponsorship deal. But it’s not like she’s coming in blind. While growing up in town, she got to know employees at the various manufacturers.
How many times has Justin Rose won the PGA Tour?
Rose is a 10-time winner on the PGA Tour, with his most-recent victory at the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open. He also has seven European Tour wins, has competed in five Ryder Cups and reached No. 1 on the Official World Golf Ranking in 2018. He is currently No. 14 in world.
When did Justin Rose sign with Honma?
Rose signed an endorsement deal with Honma in January 2019 to become the company’s first PGA Tour staff player. Rose was a TaylorMade endorser before joining Honma in 2019. Despite still being signed with Honma at the time, he used a TaylorMade SIM driver at the Honda Classic in February.
Is Justin Rose working with another company?
There’s no word yet if Rose is working on a deal with another company as the PGA Tour prepares to resume play in June. “For over a year, Justin worked closely with our team to help develop innovative and top-performing lines of Honma woods and irons,” John Kawaja, president of Honma Golf North America, said in a news release.
When did Bridgestone start making golf clubs?
While golf isn't the core of Bridgestone's enterprise, the Japan-founded company began making golf clubs in 1972 and has had a presence on tour for the past several decades. Top-50 golfers Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker both play Bridgestone clubs (at least partially).
When did Rory McIlroy sign with Nike?
When the company signed Rory McIlroy in early 2013, it could count two of the highest-profile golfers on tour in its stable.
Does Mizuno play on the PGA Tour?
Japanese company Mizuno doesn't have a huge presence on the PGA Tour. The irons specialist only counts former world No. 1 Luke Donald on its roster from inside the top 50 in the OWGR.
Who is the protagonist in Nike Golf?
The protagonist in the story of Nike Golf is Woods. Upon turning pro in 1996, Woods inked a reported five-year, $40 million deal and has re-upped with the Beaverton, Oregon company since, according to ESPN.com's Bob Harig.
Does Taylormade have a Woods logo?
While the Adidas-owned club manufacturer doesn't have a Woods or a Mickelson in its ranks, its logo graces the hats of Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia.
The History of Costco
Costco’s history spans back to July 12, 1976, when Sol Price and his son, Robert, opening the first Price Club warehouse in San Diego. Through multiple mergers and acquisitions, the company expanded its product list and offering selling from 804 warehouses internationally of which 558 are located in the USA and territories.
The Golf Ball Saga
The initial Kirkland Signature golf ball was a 4-piece construction and supply could not keep up with the demand at the price point that it was sold at.
Costco Ball Comeback
In 2020 after addressing the quality control issues, Costco reintroduced the Kirkland Signature 3-piece V2.0 golf ball with a urethane cover. This ball received great reviews and have not shown the same quality issues. At the price point of around $24.99 per 2-dozen, it is highly regarded and appreciated by golfers from around the globe.
Back to Kirkland Golf Clubs
Now that we have a brief overview of who Costco is and its first foray into golf equipment let’s look at who makes Kirkland golf clubs.
Kirkland Wedges
The 3-piece wedge set was released late in 2020 after the putter was released in June 2020. Wedges come in a standard configuration of a 52-degree gap wedge, 56-degree sand wedge, and a 60-degree lob wedge. Unfortunately, you cannot select the bounce of the clubs as they are standard with one bounce option.
Final Thoughts
Costco has made its mark with the entry into the golfing equipment market with its Kirkland Signature golf ball, putter, and wedges.
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Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience then it comes to choosing the right golf gear, and finding the right set up for your game.