How did Golfsmith make its money?
In 1998, Golfsmith secured a $30 million private placement with DLJ Investment Partners. The private placement helped fund the acquisitions of Lynx Golf Inc., Black Rock Golf Corp. (maker of Killer Bee golf clubs) and Snake Eyes Golf Clubs Inc.
What happened to Golfsmith Canada?
In May 2012, Canadian pension fund OMERS announced plans to take over Golfsmith for $6.10 per share, and the transaction was completed in July 2012. OMERS also owns Golf Town, the largest golf retailer in Canada. The two brands operated as Golfsmith International, the largest golf specialty retailer in the world.
Is Golfsmith owned by Dick's?
The two brands operated as Golfsmith International, the largest golf specialty retailer in the world. On November 3, 2016, Golfsmith was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy court of Delaware to be acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods after being purchased for 69 million dollars.
Does Golfsmith own MacGregor Golf?
The private placement helped fund the acquisitions of Lynx Golf Inc., Black Rock Golf Corp. (maker of Killer Bee golf clubs) and Snake Eyes Golf Clubs Inc. In 2003, the company acquired Zevo Golf. In May 2009, Golfsmith acquired the intellectual property rights to MacGregor Golf.
How do I know if my golf clubs are forged?
The main difference in the two methods is this: in a cast process, there can be small air bubbles that are created in the process and when cool turn into tiny voids, whereas in forged clubs this does not occur, the metal is solid throughout.
What is a forged golf club?
A forged golf iron is a club that is made out of one solid block of metal. The irons are carved and shaped, and they are one solid piece of material. A cast iron is an iron that is made from a mold. Hot metal is poured in the mold into the desired shape, and the result is a cast iron golf club.
What is difference between forged and non forged irons?
The Forged Iron Difference Cast irons are made by pouring hot metal into a mold, or cast, which gives the club heads their shape. Forged irons, on the other hand, are carved out of a solid piece of metal. As you might imagine, forging is a more expensive process, but most golfers agree it leads to a better product.
Do any pros play cast irons?
Bubba Watson is just one of the many pros who use investment cast irons. Back in the days of Bobby Jones, you played forged irons. There were no retail outlets; instead, golfers had blacksmiths make clubheads for them from a block of iron. Modern golfers have less trouble getting clubs, but they have more options.
How long do forged golf clubs last?
In short, the lifespan of modern golf clubs can be anywhere from three years, to a lifetime if repairs are made. However, the longevity of your golf clubs is entirely dependent on how frequently you play and how well you care for your clubs.
How do you forge golf clubs?
0:172:03The Art of Forging (2016 HD). Nothing feels like a Mizuno - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe use 1025 or 1025 e we heat this to really high temperature. So we go to the process of stretchingMoreWe use 1025 or 1025 e we heat this to really high temperature. So we go to the process of stretching and bending. We have a nice flow of the grains just Bend and squeeze.
Do all pro golfers use forged irons?
By the mid-1990s, only about half the players on the PGA Tour were using forged irons. In the 21st century, however, many forged irons incorporate design ideas made popular by cast-iron clubs. Even some cavity-back clubs, formerly the sole province of cast-iron manufacturers, are now being forged.
What are the benefits of forged golf irons?
Pros:The clubhead of a forged iron has additional weight in the center.This higher and smaller sweet spot teaches you to hit more consistently.The construction is more consistent and refined than on cast irons.Forged irons also offer the option of cavity back for more forgiveness.Many players prefer the feel.
Why do forged irons feel better?
Forged clubs feel softer So the perception that a forged club feels softer is often primarily a function of club's shape. Again, forgings typically offer a compact, “muscle back” or small cavity design, which places the majority of material and weight more behind the golf ball.
Do forged irons give more distance?
On the other hand, players' irons or forged irons prioritize feel and distance control more than they provide impunity to your off-center strikes.
Do forged irons wear out faster?
Forged irons use softer steel than cast irons, but unless you're playing golf multiple times per week, the average player won't notice much different in terms of longevity. While both are manufactured to be high quality, forged irons are purer than cast irons and, in theory, should last longer.
Do PGA players use cavity back irons?
According to Titleist, 70% of tour players use cavity backs while 30% use blades. Cavity back irons provide increased forgiveness while blades offer more control and a better feel. This is why a lot of tour players have both cavity backs and blade irons in their bags.
What is Golfsmith?
Golfsmith published and distributed multiple print catalog titles throughout the year, including a general golf equipment catalog, one for custom golf club makers and one offering only tennis products. The company was the first golf retailer to publish a catalog of equipment and fashion exclusively for women.
Who bought Golfsmith?
Golfsmith was purchased at auction by Dick's Sporting Goods. Most Golfsmith stores closed on December 28, 2016.
What is golfsmith school?
Golfsmith now conducts clubmaking schools throughout the year, at three levels of expertise: the Complete Clubmaker’s Training School, the Advanced Clubmaking, Fitting and Repair School, and the Master Craftsman School.
How many stores did Golfsmith have before bankruptcy?
Golfsmith took this opportunity to establish itself as the largest golf retailer in North America (164 stores before the bankruptcy).
How many square feet are there in Golfsmith?
The stores Golfsmith operated were 15,000-40,000 sq. ft each (the average being 23,000 square feet). This led to expensive operating costs, which hurt the company, especially when the golf business began to weaken. Massive amounts of inventory sat in Golfsmith stores losing value as the newer models came out.
When did Golfsmith go public?
Golfsmith’s initial public offering of stock was in June 2006. As of August 2014, Golfsmith operated over 100 stores in over 20 states. In October 2002, Golfsmith sold a majority share in the company to First Atlantic Capital. In 2005, Travis Murphy was awarded the Golfsmith International Employee of the Year award and was inducted into ...
Where is Golfsmith located?
Golfsmith International Holdings Inc. was an American golf specialty retailer based in Austin, Texas. Each store, along with golfsmith.com, housed a wide selection of golf clubs, shoes, apparel, gadgets and gear from all the major brands as well as proprietary offerings. They also offered custom club fitting, lessons and services for golfers.