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The oldest golf companies in the world: a special club

The first game of golf was played in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1456, but it took some time for manufacturers to develop products for the sport. In fact, it took about 450 years before companies realized its popularity. Although the first permanent golf course originated in Scotland, as did the first written rules, and the 18-hole course, it was good American ingenuity to take the first slice of the golf industry pie.

Older golf companies don’t get off course when they insist on claiming the title of “most innovative.” Companies that invested early on changed the way amateurs and professionals play today. A 1927 advertisement stated that “Spalding found that ‘mild steel’ eliminates finger fatigue.” In 1922, The Wilson Sporting Goods Company added golfer Gene Sarazen to its advisory board, beginning a 75-year relationship. The legendary Dunlop “65” golf ball was number one for an unprecedented 50 years. And while MacGregor Golf sounds a bit Scottish, the 110-year-old company is based in Albany, Georgia, and has always modeled its products on emerging technology.

Contemporary companies entered the manufacturing game with unknown materials in the 20th century, developing products that pioneers could not have imagined. But being a first has its rewards: How many brands can boast financially backing legends Patty Berg and Babe Didrickson Zaharis to found the new women’s PGA? (Wilson, 1948.) Or how about working for a company started by a Hall of Fame baseball pitcher who developed the first dimpled golf ball? (Spalding, raising the bar in golf ball engineering). Those top brands continue a mission that still drives the golf market: maintaining the course to high standards.

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