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what happened to top flite golf balls

by Elwin Johnston Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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At one time Top-Flite enjoyed one of the largest market shares in the golf ball category. Today, the brand was sold by Callaway Golf to Dick's Sporting Goods for $20 million in cash, according to an 8-K filing.

Unfortunately, Top Flite began to decline for several years and was eventually sold to Dick's Sporting Goods in 2012. Callaway was looking to focus on their main brands, and Dick's wanted to expand into the golf ball market.

Full Answer

What happened to Top-Flite golf balls?

In 2003 Callaway purchased Top-Flite Golf (which, at the time, was comprised of the Top-Flite, Strata and Ben Hogan brands) for $125 million through a pre-packaged bankruptcy agreement.

Are Top Flite bomb golf balls any good?

But in 2012, Top-Flite was sold to Dick’s Sporting Goods and, therefore, is no longer a Callaway brand. To this day, Top-Flite still produces quality golf clubs and balls that are perfectly suited to beginners, and their golf club sets represent excellent value for money for players just starting out in …

What happened to Maxfli golf balls?

Top Flite began in 1971 under the umbrella of its parent company, Spalding. After Spalding went out of business, a pair of changes in ownership occured and Callaway briefly owned Top Flite. In 2012, Callaway sold the Top Flite brand to Dick’s Sporting Goods, which still runs it today.

Does Dick's sell Top-Flite golf balls?

Mar 13, 2022 · A well-known name in golf, Top Flite Golf makes balls, clubs, and other gear geared for beginners. Golfing behemoth Callaway, which owns Strata and Ben Hogan, owned Top-Flite for a long time. As a result of this, Top-Flite has been no longer a Callaway brand since 2012.

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Do they still make Top Flite golf balls?

In 2012, Callaway sold the Top Flite brand to Dick's Sporting Goods, which still runs it today. Dick's and Golf Galaxy are currently the only retailers that carry Top Flite golf balls and golf equipment.

Is Top Flite still in business?

Top Flite is no longer in business and we aren't able to access their parts or plans.May 14, 2018

What company makes Top Flite golf balls?

Callaway Golf Company
The Top-Flite Golf Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Callaway Golf Company and is the world's largest golf ball manufacturer. It is the first U.S. manufacturer of golf balls, dimpled golf balls, two-piece golf balls, multi-layer golf balls, and American-made golf clubs.Oct 17, 2003

What happened to Top Flite golf?

Callaway Golf has sold the Top-Flite brand to Dick's Sporting Goods for $20 million, the company announced Wednesday.Apr 4, 2012

When did Callaway sell Top Flite?

CARLSBAD, Calif., April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) today announced the sale of the Top-Flite brand to Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.Apr 4, 2012

Do any pros use Top Flite golf clubs?

Do Any Pros Use Top-Flite? No, Top Flite is not a brand that is used by pro golfers. In the past, certain golfers – including Hank Kuehne and Ricky Barnes had sponsorship deals with Top Flite, but they didn't actually use Top-Flite equipment while they were playing their rounds.

Is Top Flite A Spalding?

Spalding Holdings Corp., a sporting goods equipment maker, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday to ease the sale of its Top-Flite golf ball unit to Callaway Golf Co., the world's largest maker of golf clubs, for $125 million.Feb 21, 2019

Where Are Top Flite balls made?

Under the purchase agreement, Callaway retained the Strata brand and the golf ball manufacturing facility in Chicopee, Mass.Sep 6, 2021

Where is Top Flite made?

Ownership of Top Flite golf clubs pushed Dick's Sporting Goods to revive the brand and the clubs are now designed, manufactured, and assembled at the Top-Flite Golf Club Company's state-of-the-art and environment-friendly facility in Costa Mesa, California.Sep 6, 2021

Who makes Topgolf?

Under the terms of the merger agreement, which was previously announced on October 27, 2020, Callaway issued approximately 90 million shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Topgolf, excluding Callaway, which previously held approximately 14% of Topgolf's outstanding shares.Mar 8, 2021

Is Odyssey owned by Callaway?

Odyssey putters are played widely by professional golfers, with hundreds of tournaments on the world's five major tours won by Tour pros using Odyssey putters. Acquired by Callaway in 2016, Toulon Design specializes in putters that combine premium materials and craftsmanship with advanced performance technology.

Who owns Srixon balls?

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
Srixon is a brand owned by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Srixon offers a full range of golf clubs, golf balls, and accessories, which are distributed in nearly all major golf markets. Srixon is dedicated to improving your game.

2020 Top Flite Gamer – Key Takeaways

DICK’s returns the Top Flite Gamer to its roots as “the original multi-layer distance ball”

The New Top Flite Gamer

To that end, the 2020 Top Flite gamer is a three-piece ionomer ball designed to compete for your attention in the emerging “Premium Ionomer” category. I’ll spare you a rehashing of my rant on why that term is an oxymoron and instead focus on what DICK’S hopes to achieve with the new ball.

Top Flite Gamer – A Faster Premium Ionomer Ball

As new balls have entered the category, the thing that strikes me as odd is the emphasis on “soft.” Sure, that’s a part of appealing to golfers for whom performance takes a back seat to feel and price but there’s no practical reason why there shouldn’t be a faster alternative to the marshmallows that permeate the category.

Is the Gamer Right For You?

If you’re looking to maximize every bit of performance, the Maxfli Tour is almost certainly the better option. If, however, you’re looking for a little bit softer feel and a more favorable price point, the Top Flite Gamer fits the bill.

Field Use

Top Flite was long considered the "cheap" ball, but recent technological advances and improvements have made these balls quite playable at any level: - Low handicappers will experience great spin with the Gamer ball with its Dimple in Dimple aerodynamics and 3-piece urethane cover.

Pros and Cons

Top Flite has long lacked a good "feel" ball; therefore, it caters more to double-digit and high-handicaps rather than more accomplished golfers. But the company has revamped some of its balls and, with the exception of the XL, you'll get decent feel on all the other Top Flite balls.

Bottom Line

If you're not an excellent golfer, Top Flite offers many alternatives for good quality, affordable golf balls. The balls are well made and do not cut or nick as much as lesser brands. The balls are consistent, and you'll find them on the shelves of just about any golf or sporting goods retailer.

About the Author

J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics.

Who was the golfer that played the Wilson Invex driver?

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