Acushnet Company
An American golf company whose multi-brand portfolio includes Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, Vokey Design, Union Green, and Pinnacle.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Acushnet Company is an American company focused on the golf market. Its business covers golf balls, clubs, putters, wedges, footwear, apparel, gloves, bags, and other accessories, with products sold through professional golf channels, sporting-goods retailers, specialty golf shops, custom-order programs, and other distribution networks. The company operates a portfolio of brands rather than presenting a single uniform product identity. Titleist is its central equipment brand and is particularly associated with golf balls and clubs. FootJoy is focused on golf footwear, gloves, clothing, and related accessories. Scotty Cameron occupies a premium position in putters, while Vokey Design specializes in wedges. Union Green is oriented toward casual golfers and golf accessories, and Pinnacle is associated with distance-oriented golf balls. The company traces its origins to the Acushnet Process Company, founded in 1910 in Acushnet, Massachusetts, by Philip E. "Skipper" Young. The original business processed latex and supplied rubber to industry, later making rubber-based consumer products such as water bottles and bathing caps. Golf became increasingly important over time. In 1932, the company divided its operations into Rubber and Golf divisions, and in 1935 the Golf division introduced the Titleist golf ball. Titleist subsequently became the company's most successful product and a foundation for Acushnet's later development as a dedicated golf business. Acushnet expanded beyond golf balls through equipment, footwear, apparel, and specialist brands. FootJoy, founded in the nineteenth century and acquired by Acushnet in 1985, gave the company a major position in golf shoes, gloves, and clothing. The company also developed or operated premium specialist franchises such as Scotty Cameron putters and Vokey Design wedges. These brands allow Acushnet to address different performance needs and price levels while maintaining a connection with professional golf and serious amateur play. Corporate ownership changed several times. American Brands, later known as Fortune Brands, acquired the company in 1976. Fortune Brands sold Acushnet's original rubber division in 1995, leaving the business concentrated on golf. In 2011, a Korean investment group associated with Fila Korea and Mirae Asset Private Equity acquired Acushnet from Fortune Brands for $1.23 billion in cash. Acushnet completed an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange on October 28, 2016, under the symbol GOLF. Fila Korea later increased its holding and became the controlling shareholder in 2018. Acushnet remains headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, with manufacturing, research and development, custom-ball, packing, and distribution facilities in the wider New Bedford area and additional production capacity in Thailand. The company competes through product engineering, brand specialization, professional-player adoption, tournament visibility, fitting and customization services, and broad access to golfers. Its present identity is that of a specialized golf equipment and lifestyle group rather than a general sporting-goods conglomerate.
History
Acushnet Company's history began in 1910, when Philip E. "Skipper" Young founded the Acushnet Process Company in Acushnet, Massachusetts. The early enterprise focused on deresinating latex and supplying rubber to industrial customers. It later used rubber technology to manufacture consumer products, including water bottles and bathing caps. This initial rubber-products identity explains the company's original name and is distinct from its later concentration on golf. Golf gradually became a major area of activity. In 1932, Acushnet separated its operations into Rubber and Golf divisions. The Golf division developed its own manufacturing and product capabilities, eventually focusing principally on golf balls. In 1935 it produced the Titleist golf ball. Titleist became the company's most successful product and supplied the platform for Acushnet's later expansion into clubs and other golf equipment. Titleist balls gained further visibility through professional competition, including their use by more players at the 1949 U.S. Open than any other ball brand. Acushnet broadened its golf portfolio by adding brands and product categories beyond balls. FootJoy, a Massachusetts-based golf clothing and footwear business founded in 1857, was acquired from General Mills in 1985. The transaction strengthened Acushnet's position in golf shoes, gloves, apparel, and accessories. The company also operated specialist equipment brands, including Scotty Cameron, known for premium putters, and Vokey Design, known for wedges. Scotty Cameron's offering developed around high-end putter design, customization, repair, and collector appeal. Vokey Design established a specialized identity around short-game equipment and wedge design. Additional brands such as Union Green and Pinnacle broadened the portfolio toward casual golfers, accessories, and distance-oriented balls. In 1976, American Brands acquired Acushnet. American Brands later became Fortune Brands, under which Acushnet continued as a golf-focused business. In 1995, Fortune Brands sold Acushnet's Rubber division, which represented the company's original industrial activity. After that divestiture, Acushnet was substantially concentrated on golf equipment, footwear, apparel, and accessories. Fortune Brands announced in December 2010 that it intended to focus on its liquor business and would sell or separate several other activities, including Acushnet. On May 20, 2011, the company announced that a Korean group connected with Fila Korea and Mirae Asset Private Equity would buy Acushnet for $1.23 billion in cash. The transaction closed on July 29, 2011. This created a new ownership structure while preserving Acushnet as a specialized golf company. Acushnet entered the public markets through an initial public offering on October 28, 2016, listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GOLF. In August 2018, Fila Korea acquired a further 20% from several investors, including Mirae Asset, raising its ownership to 53.1% and making it the controlling shareholder. The company is headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, near its packing and distribution center. Its wider southeastern Massachusetts operations include golf-ball manufacturing plants, a research and development technology center, and a custom golf-ball facility in the New Bedford area. Acushnet also operates a golf-ball manufacturing facility in Thailand. Its business model combines brand management, product research, manufacturing, professional endorsements and usage, fitting and customization, and distribution through golf and sporting-goods channels. The result is a house of golf brands covering balls, clubs, putters, wedges, shoes, apparel, gloves, and accessories.
- 2018
Fila Korea takes control
[1]Fila Korea increased its stake to 53.1% by purchasing an additional 20% from investors including Mirae Asset.
- 2016
New York Stock Exchange listing
[1]Acushnet completed an initial public offering and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under GOLF.
- 2011
Acushnet sold to Korean investment group
[1]A group associated with Fila Korea and Mirae Asset Private Equity acquired Acushnet for $1.23 billion in cash; the deal closed on July 29.
- 2010
Fortune Brands announces planned separation
[1]Fortune Brands announced plans to focus on liquor and sell or separate Acushnet and other non-liquor businesses.
- 1995
Rubber division sold
[1]Fortune Brands sold Acushnet's original Rubber division, leaving the company focused principally on golf.
- 1985
FootJoy acquired
[1]Acushnet acquired FootJoy from General Mills, expanding its golf footwear, glove, apparel, and accessory business.
- 1976
Acquired by American Brands
[1]American Brands acquired Acushnet; American Brands later became Fortune Brands.
- 1949
Titleist gains U.S. Open visibility
[1]Titleist was the most-used golf ball at the U.S. Open held that year.
- 1935
Titleist golf ball introduced
[1]The Golf division produced the Titleist golf ball, which became Acushnet's most successful product.
- 1932
Rubber and Golf divisions separated
[1]The company divided its operations into Rubber and Golf divisions, formalizing golf as a distinct business activity.
Products and positioning
A specialized, performance-oriented golf equipment and apparel group spanning premium professional products, mainstream golf gear, and more casual-player offerings.
Golf balls and equipment · 1935
Titleist
Titleist is Acushnet's central golf brand. Its range includes golf balls, clubs, and related equipment for competitive, serious recreational, and performance-focused golfers. The brand's strongest association is with golf balls, beginning with the product introduced by Acushnet's Golf division in 1935. Titleist also supplies drivers, irons, wedges, hybrids, and other equipment, supported by fitting, product testing, professional usage, and golf-retail distribution.
Golf footwear, apparel, and accessories · 1857
FootJoy
FootJoy is Acushnet's principal golf apparel and footwear brand. Its products include golf shoes, gloves, shirts, shorts, trousers, socks, sweaters, jackets, hoodies, caps, bags, and umbrellas. The brand serves golfers seeking purpose-built performance, comfort, weather protection, and course-appropriate styling. Its acquisition in 1985 gave Acushnet a substantial presence in categories worn or used throughout a round rather than only in equipment.
Premium golf putters
Scotty Cameron
Scotty Cameron specializes in premium golf putters. The brand emphasizes precision, shaping, materials, finish, feel, and professional-player and collector appeal. Its Custom Shop provides customization and service options such as engraving, paint-fill choices, shaft bands, grips, and repair work for eligible putters. The range includes blade and mallet designs, with several families named after California locations and associated with a high-end, design-led identity.
Golf wedges
Vokey Design
Vokey Design is Acushnet's specialist wedge brand, associated with craftsman and club designer Bob Vokey. Its products address short-game play through different lofts, grinds, sole configurations, and bounce options. The brand is positioned around shot control, versatility, trajectory, and spin, and is used by golfers who want to tailor wedge setup to course conditions, swing characteristics, and specific scoring shots.
Golf balls and accessories
Union Green
Union Green is a golf brand marketed toward casual players. Its portfolio includes golf balls and accessories intended to make the game approachable and practical for less specialized or more recreational use. It broadens Acushnet's brand coverage beyond its premium and professional-performance franchises.
Golf balls
Pinnacle
Pinnacle is associated with distance-oriented golf balls. The brand serves golfers who prioritize accessible performance and length and complements Titleist's broader performance and tour-oriented ball portfolio.
Brand decisions
2018
Fila Korea increases controlling stakeM&ABackground
Fila Korea sought to consolidate its position among Acushnet's shareholders after the company's public listing.
Action taken
Fila Korea purchased an additional 20% from several investors, including Mirae Asset.
Aftermath
Fila Korea's ownership reached 53.1%, giving it control of Acushnet.
Ownership stake. 53.1% (August 2018)
2016
Initial public offeringOtherBackground
After operating under new ownership, Acushnet pursued access to public equity markets.
Action taken
The company completed an initial public offering and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLF.
Aftermath
Acushnet became a publicly traded golf company while Fila Korea-linked interests remained significant shareholders.
2011
Sale to a Fila Korea-associated Korean groupM&ABackground
Fortune Brands announced a strategic shift toward its liquor business and planned to dispose of Acushnet.
Action taken
A Korean group associated with Fila Korea and Mirae Asset Private Equity acquired Acushnet for $1.23 billion in cash.
Aftermath
Acushnet continued as an independently focused golf company under new Korean-linked ownership.
Acquisition consideration. $1.23 billion in cash (Announced and completed in 2011)
1995
Sale of the Rubber divisionStrategyBackground
Acushnet's original industrial rubber activity no longer fit the increasingly golf-centered portfolio.
Action taken
Fortune Brands sold the Rubber division.
Aftermath
Acushnet became more clearly focused on golf equipment, footwear, apparel, and accessories.
1985
FootJoy acquisitionM&ABackground
Acushnet sought to extend its golf business beyond balls and clubs into footwear, apparel, gloves, and related accessories.
Action taken
Acushnet acquired FootJoy from General Mills.
Aftermath
FootJoy became a major Acushnet brand and strengthened the company's presence in golf footwear and apparel.
1976
American Brands acquisitionM&ABackground
Acushnet was operating as a diversified business with roots in rubber products and a growing golf division.
Action taken
American Brands acquired Acushnet and later operated it within the Fortune Brands corporate structure.
Aftermath
The company continued developing its golf brands under a larger diversified owner.
Recent events
- 2018
Fila Korea became Acushnet's controlling shareholder[1]
M&A
Fila Korea acquired an additional 20% stake from investors including Mirae Asset, increasing its ownership to 53.1%.
- 2016
Acushnet completed its New York Stock Exchange initial public offering[1]
Other
Acushnet became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange on October 28, 2016, using the ticker GOLF.
- 2011
Korean investment group agreed to acquire Acushnet[1]
M&A
A Korean group associated with Fila Korea and Mirae Asset Private Equity agreed to purchase Acushnet from Fortune Brands for $1.23 billion in cash.
- 2011
Acushnet completed acquisition by the Fila Korea-associated group[1]
M&A
The announced acquisition of Acushnet was completed on July 29, 2011, transferring the company from Fortune Brands to the Korean investment group.
- 2010
Fortune Brands announced plans to sell or separate Acushnet[1]
M&A
Fortune Brands announced that it would concentrate on its spirits business and pursue a sale or separation of businesses including Acushnet.
Sources2 sources
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