Tag: Callaway

Report claims Callaway up for sale; company says it’s unaware of discussions

Topgolf Callaway Brands considers selling equipment-maker Callaway at a value of nearly $3 billion.

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Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a comment from Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.

Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. is considering selling its California-based Callaway Golf business, according to a report from South Korea’s Chosun Daily news outlet that was picked up by multiple sites including Bloomberg.

According to the reports, the golf equipment maker would be valued at nearly $3 billion. Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.’s major shareholders – BlackRock Advisors LLC, Providence Equity Partners LLC and Thomas Dundon – have selected a lead manager to explore possible deals.

Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp., however, said later Wednesday that it was unaware of any such discussions.

“While it is our long-standing practice not to respond to market rumors and speculation, in light of today’s unusual market activity, coupled with a recent media report originating in Korea regarding discussions of a potential sale of the Company or its golf equipment business, we confirm that we are not aware of any such discussions,” the company wrote in an emailed comment. “We do not intend to comment further on this topic, and we assume no obligation to make any further announcement or disclosure should circumstances change.”

The New York Stock Exchange share price for Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. surged more than 12 percent to more than $16 in the wake of the reports, as of noon Wednesday. That put the company’s market cap at $2.98 billion. That price slid to beneath $16 a share in afternoon trading. Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.’s stock price had dropped from a 12-month high of $22.87 on April 21, 2023, to a low of $10.05 on November 10. In 2024, it has traded in the $13-$14 range

Reports indicate that the major shareholders want to spin off Topgolf, the entertainment brand with technology-boosted driving ranges and extensive food-and-beverage operations. Callaway Golf Co. closed a deal in March of 2021 to acquire the remainder of Topgolf Entertainment Group it didn’t already own, valuing the driving range chain at about $2 billion. The merger resulted in the name Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.

Chip Brewer, Topgolf Callaway’s CEO, said during its Q4 2023 earnings conference call on February 13, “Topgolf’s track record for selecting and opening venues is extraordinary. They virtually all do well, and average opening results have exceeded our targets. …

“In addition, our venues are increasingly profitable over time with, what we believe, is a clear path to further upside. I’ll even add we have now shown we can do this in the face of same venue sales volatility. In short, the venues are achieving the return targets we communicated and are long, durable and appreciating assets.”

During the same call, Brewer predicted that Topgolf would have more than 30 million visitors to its facilities in 2024 before giving a strong report about Callaway’s club sales.

“Our U.S. dollar market share placed us as the number one club brand and the number two golf ball brand,” Brewer said. “In clubs alone, we were the number one in total clubs, drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons. ”

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1364]

7 new golf equipment products to check out at Golf Galaxy

Check out these 7 new golf equipment products at Golf Galaxy.

Once the calendar flipped to 2024, brands across golf began to release their newest gear. Whether it was drivers, irons sets, wedges, balls or something in between, it seemed like every equipment manufacturer had new offerings.

Well, thanks to our friends at Golf Galaxy, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite recent releases including drivers, irons and golf balls.

Some of the brands on the list below include Callaway, Cobra, Ping and more.

Most of the equipment below can be found on David Dusek’s best golf equipment lists for 2024 including best drivers, best irons, best golf balls and more.

New Callaway staffer Minjee Lee off to record start at Blue Bay LPGA

Lee got off to a strong start at the Blue Bay LPGA event in China after posting a course record-tying 7-under 65.

Past champion Minjee Lee got off to a strong start at the Blue Bay LPGA event in China after posting a smooth 7-under 65, which ties the course record. The Aussie holds a one-stroke advantage over American Sarah Schmelzel and Chinese players Miranda Wang and Ruixin Liu. This marks the first edition of the Blue Bay event since 2018.

“I just took advantage of the really calm conditions this morning,” said Lee, “and I think with the a little bit the rain it actually stopped it even more, the wind.”

While Lee won twice in 2023, this marks the first time she has led or co-led after the first round since the 2022 Chevron Championship. Earlier this season, it was announced that Lee had joined her brother Min Woo on the Callaway staff. Previously a Srixon player, one of the best ball-strikers on the LPGA had some work to do to get things in order. This is her second start this season. She opened with a T-29 last week in Singapore.

“I actually touched on everything this offseason,” said Lee, “especially changing my equipment to Callaway. Everything has been a little bit of a process getting used to, but I think it’s going to take me a couple events just to knock the rust off and break those clubs in.”

Lee also holds the 36-hole and 72-hole scoring records at Blue Bay.

Schmelzel led after the first round of last week’s HSBC Women’s World Championship and ultimately tied for eighth.

Lydia Ko of New Zealand plays her shot on the 9th hole during the first round of the Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course on March 07, 2024 in Hainan Island, Hainan. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)

Lydia Ko, who needs one more point to enter the LPGA Hall of Fame and a win would get her there, opened with a 68 at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course.

“There are some greens with some pin positions that like is actually really hard to stay on the same tier,” said Ko. “I think how the rules officials are going to set up the golf course and where they put the pins are going to dictate the scores a lot.”

World No. 1 Lilia Vu withdrew from the final round in Singapore on Sunday with an illness. She rested on Monday and shot 72 in the opening round.

“I feel like there was a big crowd out here,” said Vu. “I was playing with Ruoning (Yin), so obviously it’s her crowd. There was a lot of little kids out there following her, so it was really cool to see the turnout here.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1373]

Best golf gloves for 2024

Check out the best golf gloves on the market in 2024.

Golf season is right around the corner and you need to make sure you have everything you need to have a great year on the course.

Amateur golfers underestimate how often you need to switch to a new glove to make sure the feel and grip stay fresh.

We’ve searched the internet for some of the best golf gloves on the market from brands like FootJoy, Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, TravisMathew and G/FORE.

If you’re interested in our other apparel, equipment and accessories lists, these are worth a look: Best apparel items for 2024 | Modern apparel items including hoodies, quarter zips | RSVLTS’ new Happy Gilmore collection

Check out these 12 new golf bags including Titleist, Callaway and more

Check out some of the newly released golf bags in 2024.

Winter is dragging on, but soon warm temperatures will return and it’ll be time to hit the range again and get the game tuned up for the 2024 golf season.

We want to make sure you have everything you need to play your best, so we’ve decided to put together a list of some of the best recently released golf bags out there. In this list, you’ll find brands like Nike, Titleist, Ping, G/FORE, Stitch Golf and more.

If you’re interested in our other apparel and equipment lists, these are worth a look: Modernize your style with these sweaters, hoodies, quarter-zips | Modernize your style with these polos.

Best new golf bags:

Odyssey Ai ONE Cruiser putters

Odyssey’s Ai ONE Cruiser putters have an insert made improve distance control and heavier weight to encourage a better-quality stroke.

Gear: Odyssey Ai ONE Cruiser putters
Price: $349.99 each
Specs: Cast stainless steel heads with adjustable sole weights.
Available: February 8 (pre-order), March 15 (in stores)

Who It’s For: Golfers who struggle with distance control and who want a more solid, stable-feeling putter.

The Skinny: While the Ai ONE insert helps golfers improve their distance control by normalizing ball speed over a larger area, the Cruiser putters’ heavier weight should help players make a smoother, better-quality stroke.

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The Deep Dive: When anchored puttering strokes were outlawed by the USGA and R&A in 2016, some players looked to heavier putters and counterbalanced putters to get some of the stability back in their game. Lighter putters can encourage golfers to get their hands and wrists more involved in the stroke, which can lead to inconsistency. However, heavier putters and clubs that have extra weight added to the top of the handle tend to quiet your hands and encourage players to make a smoother stroke, which can enhance consistency.

In time, the counterbalanced putter surge quieted and faded. The trend towards generally heavier putters continued, with many putters now typically weighing 345 or 350 grams, which is about 20-25 grams heavier than putters made in the early 2000s.

With the release of the new Cruiser family of putters, Odyssey is looking to blend the stability and stroke-enhancing features of longer, counterbalanced putters with a face technology created using artificial intelligence.

At the heart of the new Cruiser putter family is the new Ai ONE, which made its debut this winter in the standard Ai ONE putters. On the outside, the insert looks like a standard White Hot insert with a series of grooves milled into the hitting area. However, on the interfacing side of the urethane insert, artificial intelligence has created a series of thicker and thinner areas that help to normalize ball speed. Traditionally, when you strike a pot in the center, you get the best energy transfer, but when you strike a pot towards the heel or toe, the ball rolls out less far. With the AI ONE insert, center strikes are slowed down slightly while mis-hits roll out a touch further, so your overall distance control is enhanced. A transparent polymer window in each putter allows you to see the rippled backside of the insert.

[afflinkbutton text=”Pre-order Ai ONE Cruise putters” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/OrJZDz”]

Odyssey Ai ONE Double Wide Cruiser
A window on the back of the Double Wide Cruiser allows you to see the variable-thickness Ai ONE insert. (Odyssey)

Each of the five Cruiser models features the Ai ONE insert, and all five putters are significantly heavier than most of today’s standard putters, including the 380-gram Jailbird, which also comes with the black-and-white Versa alignment lines. This is the putter that Wyndham Clark used to win the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last week and a putter that is nearly identical to the one he used to win the 2023 U.S. Open. At 38 inches in length, it comes standard with a 17-inch grip, and players are encouraged to choke down so a few inches of the grip extend above their hands. Doing this creates a counterbalancing effect and should help increase stability.

Odyssey Ai ONE Jailbird Cruiser
Weights in the sole of the Cruiser putters allow fitters to adjust the swing weight. (Odyssey)

There are three versions of the #7 putter in the Cruiser family, including a 42-inch, 380-gram Arm-Lock edition and a 48-inch, 450-gram Broomstick model. The standard #7 Cruiser is 38 inches long with a head that weighs 380 grams. Like the Jailbird, it comes standard with a 17-inch grip, along with a Stroke Lab 140 steel shaft.

[afflinkbutton text=”Pre-order Ai ONE Cruise putters” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/OrJZDz”]

Here are several close-up looks at the Odyssey Ai ONE Cruiser putters.

Best pink Valentine’s Day golf gifts in 2024

Celebrate that special golfer in your life with Valentine’s Day pink golf gear.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to get the special someone in your life a great golf gift. Or, heck, forget other people, just treat yourself.

We’ve compiled a list of apparel and equipment items that would make perfect Valentine’s Day gifts from brands like Nike, Adidas, Peter Millar, lululemon, TravisMathew and more.

We’ve got polos, sweaters, hats, shoes and more to improve the golf wardrobe of the lucky recipient.

If you’re interested in our other apparel lists, these are worth a look: Hawaiian-themed | Waterproof golf shoes | Winter golf gear

Now, with Valentine’s Day less than a week away, here are 13 great pink gifts for the golfer in your life:

Best golf sales in February 2024

Gear up for golf season without breaking the bank with our best golf sales in February

Although there’s still snow and chilly temperatures in some parts of the country, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the 2024 golf season. Every amateur needs to make sure they have enough polos, pants, shorts, hats, clubs, balls and everything in between for when the warmer months start to arrive.

So, we thought it’d be a good idea to search the internet for the best golf sales for the month of February. And, thanks to our partners at Worldwide Golf Shops, we’ve done just that.

In this list, we have compiled a wide variety of apparel, equipment, accessories and more from brands like Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, Bushnell, Nike and more.

Winner’s Bag: Nick Dunlap, the 2024 American Express

A complete list of the golf equipment Dunlap used to win the 2024 American Express.

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A complete list of the golf equipment Nick Dunlap used to win the PGA Tour’s 2024 The American Express:

DRIVER: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (9 degrees), with Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 60 TX shaft

[afflinkbutton text=”Pre-order Nick Dunlap’s new TaylorMade driver” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/DKzQ1o”]

FAIRWAY WOOD: Ping G425 LST (14.5 degrees), with Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 85 TX shaft

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Nick Dunlap’s fairway wood – SAVE $90″ link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/LX3nrL”]

IRONS: Srixon ZX Utility (3), with Project X HZRDUS Black 105 6.5 shaft, TaylorMade P•7MC (4-9), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Nick Dunlap’s irons” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/k0Gzb3″]

WEDGES: TaylorMade MG3 (48 degrees), TaylorMade MG4 (52, 56, 60 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Nick Dunlap’s wedges” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/Qy3Jex”]

PUTTER: Odyssey O-Works #7 Tank

BALL: Titleist Pro V1

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Nick Dunlap’s golf ball” link=”https://worldwidegolfshops.pxf.io/xkDybR”]

GRIPS: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

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Now that 2024 equipment is launching, here are 10 great deals on recent iron sets

With all the new clubs being released, there are some GREAT deals on recent models of irons including Callaway, Ping, Cobra, Srixon and more.

At the start of every year, major equipment companies release their new gear. Last week, we published a list of some of the best older-generation drivers to take advantage of great sales from sites like World Wide Golf Shops and PGA TOUR Superstore.

This time around, we’ve scoured the internet for the best deals on older-generation iron sets from brands like TaylorMade, Callaway, Cobra, Srixon, Mizuno and more.

Even though technology in golf equipment gets better every year, if the piece of gear is a year or two old, it still makes a great option for amateur golfers.

Check out the full list of iron sets below.