There are literally hundreds of golf club manufacturing companies that produce thousands of different styles and models of golf clubs. Even more, these companies’ headquarters and manufacturing plants are located all over the world. But one thing I’ve noticed lately is that a lot of our readers like to buy goods that are made here in the United States.
So, I thought I’d do some research and find out what golf clubs are made here at home. Below are my findings for the game’s most prominent manufacturers.
Titleist
Titleist markets itself as a completely American brand with headquarters in New Haven, Massachusetts where it produces golf balls, and a club manufacturing plant in Carlsbad, California.
But self-admittedly, there’s more than meets the eye with Titleist. The company’s irons are forged in Japan, finished in China, then shipped to the United States for distribution.
TaylorMade
TaylorMade has witnessed its fair share of hand changes over the years. Most recently it was acquired by KPS Capital in 2017.
It’s not much of a secret that TaylorMade’s components come from China, then are assembled in the United States.
Callaway
Like Titleist, Callaway has a manufacturing plant in Carlsbad, California. It’s here that almost 40% of the company’s clubs are assembled and serve the United States and Latin American markets. Assembly and distribution for markets around the rest of the world almost exclusively takes place in Asia.
All of Callaway’s club parts, apparel, and accessory equipment come from China.
Another assembly plant has been built in the state of Monterrey, Mexico, and a distribution center has opened in Dallas, Texas.
Ping
Following suit is Ping, who’s outsourced most of its manufacturing to China.
With that said, the original manufacturing plant is still going strong in Phoenix, Arizona. All Ping putters are assembled stateside here.
Cobra
By now, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Cobra’s club parts come from China. However, the company has an assembly plant in Carlsbad, California, just like Titleist and Callaway.
Tour Edge
Tour Edge is the one of the only companies I’m aware of that manufactures its golf clubs entirely in the United States.
All clubs are handcrafted in Batavia, Illinois.
Wilson
Wilson mass produces its golf clubs in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
However, there is speculation that its club components come from China. That would make sense as the company has been in ongoing takeover discussions with a Chinese-owned sporting goods company.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little disappointed when I learned that the vast majority of major golf club manufacturing companies outsource so much of their production and assembly to places outside the United States. I understand that they can find cheaper labor elsewhere and therefore have higher margins, but I’d still love to buy American if I could.
What are your thoughts? Are you surprised that so many “American” golf club companies outsource their business overseas? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
