Callaway Golf
Callaway Golf's official website/business in Italy
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Callaway Golf Company is an American global golf-equipment and golf-lifestyle company headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Its core business designs, manufactures, markets and sells golf clubs, golf balls, putters, bags, gloves, caps, apparel and related performance gear. The company sells through golf specialty retailers, sporting-goods chains, mass merchants, distributors, e-commerce channels, and direct-to-consumer services including pre-owned and trade-in programs. It markets products internationally across more than 70 countries. The company began in 1982 when Ely Callaway Jr., a successful textile executive, wine entrepreneur and avid golfer, invested in Hickory Sticks USA. The business was renamed Callaway Hickory Stick USA, moved to Carlsbad in 1983, and adopted the Callaway Golf name in 1988. Its early identity was built around combining product engineering with approachable performance benefits rather than marketing golf equipment solely to elite players. Callaway’s most important early breakthrough was the Big Bertha driver, introduced in 1991. Its unusually large steel clubhead helped popularize the idea that a driver could offer greater forgiveness and stability while remaining suitable for ordinary golfers. The company subsequently expanded into irons, wedges, woods, golf balls and putters, supported by computer-aided design, proprietary manufacturing processes and extensive player testing. Its golf-ball research program culminated in the Rule 35 ball during the late 1990s, while its acquisition of Odyssey Sports in 1997 established a major putter franchise. Odyssey later became especially associated with the White Hot insert and 2-Ball putter families. Callaway also broadened its portfolio through acquisitions and brand transactions. It purchased the Top-Flite, Strata and Ben Hogan golf businesses from Spalding’s former golf division after Top-Flite entered bankruptcy in 2003. Callaway later sold Top-Flite to Dick’s Sporting Goods and transferred the Ben Hogan brand to Perry Ellis International in 2012, while retaining selected trademarks such as Apex and Edge. During the 2010s it moved further into soft goods, acquiring OGIO and TravisMathew in 2017 and German outdoor-apparel company Jack Wolfskin in 2019. In 2021, Callaway completed the acquisition of Topgolf, an entertainment-oriented driving-range business using technology-enabled golf games, food and beverage and social experiences. The transaction broadened the company from a traditional equipment manufacturer into a wider golf ecosystem spanning on-course equipment, apparel, off-course entertainment and digital golf technology. In 2022, the parent company changed its corporate name to Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. and changed its ticker from ELY to MODG to emphasize the strategic importance of Topgolf. The combination later underwent a strategic reversal. In 2024, the company announced plans to separate Topgolf from the golf-equipment business after concluding that market conditions and the economics of the combined structure had not produced the expected results. In 2025, it sold Jack Wolfskin and agreed to sell a 60 percent stake in Topgolf and Toptracer to funds managed by Leonard Green & Partners. The Topgolf transaction closed effective January 1, 2026. Callaway retained a 40 percent equity interest while returning to a more focused equipment, apparel and gear model. On January 15, 2026, the corporate name reverted to Callaway Golf Company, followed by a ticker change from MODG to CALY. The company’s current portfolio consists principally of Callaway Golf, Odyssey, TravisMathew and OGIO. Callaway is positioned as a premium, technology-led golf brand that seeks to combine measurable performance, forgiveness, craftsmanship and accessibility for recreational golfers, competitive amateurs and touring professionals. Its commercial profile is supported by professional endorsements, product innovation, direct retail capabilities and a broad brand a…
History
Callaway Golf Company traces its origins to 1982, when Ely Callaway Jr. invested in Hickory Sticks USA, a small golf-club business associated with hickory-inspired designs and steel-core shafts. Callaway renamed the company Callaway Hickory Stick USA and moved its headquarters to Carlsbad, California, in 1983. He acquired the remaining ownership interest in 1984, and the company adopted the Callaway Golf name in 1988. The early business was shaped by Callaway’s belief that golf equipment could be both technically advanced and easier for ordinary players to use. A major turning point came in 1986, when the company engaged billiard-cue designer Richard C. Helmstetter as a consultant and later made him chief club designer. Helmstetter introduced computer-controlled manufacturing methods and worked with master tool maker Glenn Schmidt on the original Big Bertha driver. Released in 1991, the driver used a substantially larger steel clubhead than was then customary. The design increased stability on off-center hits and helped make forgiveness a defining selling point in the golf-equipment industry. The Big Bertha concept was subsequently extended into larger clubheads and related club families. Callaway became a public company in 1992. During the 1990s it continued investing heavily in engineering, manufacturing and brand development. In 1996, Roger Cleveland joined as chief club designer, strengthening the company’s expertise in wedges and forged products. Callaway also undertook an ambitious golf-ball development program under Chuck Yash, investing in research, production capacity and aerodynamic testing. The resulting Rule 35 ball was designed as an integrated performance product rather than a series of narrowly specialized balls, seeking to balance distance, control, spin, feel and durability. The acquisition of Odyssey Sports in 1997 expanded Callaway into putters. Odyssey became a long-term pillar of the company, particularly after the launch of the White Hot insert family in 2000 and the 2-Ball mallet putter in 2002. These products helped establish a separate but complementary putter identity alongside Callaway-branded woods, irons, wedges and balls. Leadership changed several times during this period. Ely Callaway stepped down as chief executive in 1996 but remained chairman and continued to lead the golf-ball subsidiary. Donald Dye succeeded him, and Callaway later returned to the chief executive role before his death from pancreatic cancer in 2001. Ron Drapeau then assumed leadership. In 2003, Callaway responded to the bankruptcy of Spalding’s former golf division by acquiring Top-Flite, Strata and Ben Hogan for approximately $169 million. The deal gave Callaway access to established golf-ball and equipment brands, although the company later sold Top-Flite to Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Ben Hogan brand to Perry Ellis International. The company’s modern diversification accelerated during the 2010s. Under Chip Brewer, who became chief executive in 2012, Callaway pursued a broader golf-lifestyle strategy. It acquired OGIO and TravisMathew in 2017, adding technical bags, accessories and apparel, and bought Jack Wolfskin in 2019 to expand into outdoor clothing. These deals supplemented the core equipment business with categories that could reach consumers beyond club purchases. Callaway’s largest strategic expansion occurred with Topgolf. The company announced the acquisition in October 2020 and completed the transaction in 2021. Topgolf operated technology-enabled driving-range venues combining golf games, food, beverages and social entertainment, while Toptracer supplied ball-tracking and visualization technology. The combination was intended to connect the traditional golf-equipment business with new golfers and off-course participation. In 2022, the parent company changed its name to Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. and changed its ticker from ELY to MODG, signaling that Topgolf had become a central part of corporate strategy. The integration ultimately proved difficult. In September 2024, the company announced plans to separate the Topgolf business, citing market conditions and the limited economic success of the combined structure. In 2025, Callaway completed the sale of Jack Wolfskin and agreed to sell a majority stake in Topgolf and Toptracer to Leonard Green & Partners. The Topgolf transaction became effective January 1, 2026, with Callaway retaining a 40 percent equity interest but no longer operating Topgolf as a consolidated core business. The same restructuring returned the corporate name to Callaway Golf Company and the stock ticker to CALY. Today, the company is focused on golf equipment and complementary soft goods. Its continuing portfolio includes Callaway Golf, Odyssey, TravisMathew and OGIO. The business combines premium product engineering with broad distribution, professional endorsements, direct online sales and services for used equipment. Its strategic identity is once again centered on golf clubs, balls, putters, apparel, bags and accessories, while its brand promise emphasizes innovation, performance, craftsmanship and enjoyment for golfers of varied abilities.
- 2026
Return to Callaway Golf Company identity
[4]After selling a majority stake in Topgolf, the company returned to the Callaway Golf Company name and CALY ticker.
- 2025
Jack Wolfskin divested
[4]Callaway sold Jack Wolfskin to an indirect subsidiary of ANTA Sports Products Limited.
- 2022
Topgolf Callaway Brands identity introduced
[1]The parent company adopted the Topgolf Callaway Brands name and MODG ticker.
- 2021
Topgolf acquisition completed
[1]Callaway completed its acquisition of Topgolf, broadening its business into technology-enabled golf entertainment.
- 2019
Jack Wolfskin acquired
[1]Callaway entered the European outdoor-apparel market through the acquisition of Jack Wolfskin.
- 2017
OGIO and TravisMathew acquired
[1]The company expanded its gear and apparel portfolio through acquisitions of OGIO and TravisMathew.
- 2003
Top-Flite, Strata and Ben Hogan acquired
[1]Callaway bought the brands from Spalding’s former golf division after Top-Flite entered bankruptcy proceedings.
- 2000
White Hot putter technology introduced
[1]Odyssey launched the White Hot putter line, which became one of the company’s best-known putter platforms.
- 1997
Odyssey acquired
[2]The acquisition of Odyssey Sports established a major putter business within Callaway’s brand portfolio.
- 1992
Public listing
[2]Callaway became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.
Products and positioning
Premium, technology-led golf equipment and lifestyle brand emphasizing performance, forgiveness, innovation, craftsmanship and accessibility for recreational and professional golfers.
Drivers and golf clubs · 1991
Big Bertha
Big Bertha is Callaway’s signature family of drivers and clubs. Introduced in 1991, the original driver used a much larger steel head than many competing products of its era. The design helped popularize forgiveness, stability and confidence at address as mainstream equipment benefits. Later generations expanded the family across drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons, with product messaging generally focused on distance, launch assistance and improved performance on mis-hit shots.
Golf balls
Chrome Soft
Chrome Soft is a premium multilayer golf-ball family positioned around a combination of soft feel, ball speed, control and greenside spin. It is marketed to golfers who want tour-inspired performance without giving up a softer impact sensation. The range has included standard, X and other variants designed for different launch, spin and feel preferences, making it one of Callaway’s principal modern golf-ball franchises.
Putters · 2000
Odyssey White Hot
Odyssey White Hot is a putter platform built around a responsive face insert designed to produce a soft feel and consistent sound across the face. The family has appeared in blade, mid-mallet and mallet shapes and has been updated repeatedly. Its combination of insert technology, alignment aids and broad head-shape selection has made it one of Odyssey’s most durable and recognizable product lines.
Putters · 2002
Odyssey 2-Ball
The Odyssey 2-Ball putter uses prominent circular alignment markings on the crown to help golfers frame the ball and aim the putter face. Introduced in the early 2000s, the design became a major commercial success and was offered in multiple mallet configurations and insert technologies. It represents Odyssey’s emphasis on visual alignment and ease of use as well as feel and roll performance.
Irons and golf clubs
Apex
Apex is a premium Callaway iron and club family associated with forged construction, compact shaping and a balance between player-oriented control and modern distance technology. The line has been offered in multiple generations and configurations, including models aimed at skilled golfers and versions with additional launch assistance. Apex remains one of the company’s principal performance iron names.
Golf balls
Callaway Golf Balls
Callaway’s golf-ball portfolio spans premium tour-oriented products, distance-focused balls and models designed for recreational golfers. Product development has emphasized aerodynamic dimple patterns, multilayer construction, cover materials, compression and the balance among distance, spin, control and feel. The company’s ball operations complement its club business and provide a recurring-consumption category within the broader equipment portfolio.
Golf and lifestyle apparel · 2017
TravisMathew
TravisMathew is a California lifestyle and golf-apparel brand owned by Callaway. It sells polos, shirts, shorts, outerwear, hats and accessories designed to move between golf, travel and everyday leisure. The brand broadens Callaway’s consumer reach beyond technical equipment and uses a more casual, contemporary identity while retaining a strong connection to golf and active lifestyles.
Bags, gear and apparel · 2017
OGIO
OGIO is a performance-oriented bags and gear brand acquired by Callaway in 2017. Its portfolio includes golf bags, backpacks, travel products, luggage, accessories and selected apparel. OGIO’s design language emphasizes organization, durability, mobility and technical functionality, allowing Callaway to participate in golf transport and lifestyle-gear categories in addition to clubs and balls.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Callaway Golf Japan and Aiba Masaki brand ambassador program
Japan
Callaway Golf Company Japan appointed Japanese entertainer Masaki Aiba as a brand ambassador. The partnership was intended to communicate the appeal of golf to people who were interested in the sport as well as those who had never played, using social-media content and personal enthusiasm for the game.
Outcome. The partnership expanded Callaway’s consumer-facing visibility in Japan and connected the brand with entertainment audiences outside traditional golf marketing.
- Professional golfer endorsement program
Worldwide
Callaway has maintained endorsement and equipment relationships with professional golfers and golf legends, including Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Min Woo Lee, Chris Kirk, Akshay Bhatia, Rasmus Højgaard, Nicolai Højgaard, Arnold Palmer, Annika Sörenstam and Seve Ballesteros. The program supports product credibility, tour visibility and the connection between professional performance and consumer equipment.
Outcome. The endorsement platform has helped Callaway and Odyssey maintain visibility across professional tours while supporting the launch and validation of new clubs, balls and putters.
Brand decisions
2026
Return to Callaway Golf Company identityStrategyBackground
The Topgolf stake sale restored the company’s strategic emphasis on golf equipment, apparel and gear.
Action taken
The company changed its corporate name from Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. back to Callaway Golf Company and changed its NYSE ticker from MODG to CALY.
Aftermath
The ongoing portfolio became centered on Callaway Golf, Odyssey, TravisMathew and OGIO, with Topgolf retained as a 40 percent equity investment rather than a consolidated operating business.
2025
Sell Jack WolfskinM&ABackground
Callaway’s strategic realignment focused resources on golf equipment and complementary soft goods rather than broad outdoor apparel.
Action taken
The company sold 100 percent of the equity interests in Callaway Germany Holdco GmbH, the entity operating Jack Wolfskin, to an indirect subsidiary of ANTA Sports Products Limited.
Aftermath
Callaway exited the Jack Wolfskin business and redirected its portfolio toward Callaway Golf, Odyssey, TravisMathew and OGIO.
Cash consideration. $290 million, net of cash sold and subject to customary adjustments (Sale completed May 31, 2025)
2025
Sell a majority stake in Topgolf and ToptracerM&ABackground
After announcing a separation strategy, Callaway sought a transaction that would reduce operating exposure to Topgolf while preserving some participation in its future growth.
Action taken
Callaway entered an agreement to sell a 60 percent stake in Topgolf and Toptracer to funds managed by Leonard Green & Partners.
Aftermath
The transaction became effective January 1, 2026. Callaway retained 40 percent ownership, exited the consolidated operating role and returned to its heritage corporate name.
Net proceeds to Callaway. Approximately $800 million in net proceeds from the equity sale and related financing transactions (Transaction effective January 1, 2026)
2024
Separate Topgolf from the equipment businessStrategyBackground
The company concluded that the economics and market conditions surrounding the combined Callaway-Topgolf structure had not met expectations.
Action taken
Topgolf Callaway Brands announced plans to undo the merger and separate the Topgolf business from Callaway’s golf-equipment and apparel operations.
Aftermath
The planned separation evolved into a majority-stake sale to Leonard Green & Partners, which closed effective January 1, 2026. Callaway retained a 40 percent interest.
2022
Rebrand as Topgolf Callaway BrandsStrategyBackground
Management said investor feedback indicated that Topgolf should receive greater emphasis in the corporate identity after the acquisition.
Action taken
The company changed its legal corporate name to Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. and changed its NYSE ticker from ELY to MODG.
Aftermath
The rebrand made Topgolf central to the company’s public identity, but the business later announced a separation strategy and eventually returned to the Callaway Golf Company name.
2020
Acquire TopgolfM&ABackground
Callaway sought to broaden its exposure to off-course golf participation, technology-enabled entertainment and new golfer demographics.
Action taken
The company announced an agreement to acquire Topgolf and later completed the transaction, combining equipment, apparel, driving-range entertainment and ball-tracking technology under one corporate structure.
Aftermath
Topgolf became a major operating segment and prompted the 2022 corporate rebrand to Topgolf Callaway Brands, but the combined structure was later unwound.
Announced transaction value. Approximately $2 billion (October 2020 announcement)
2003
Acquire Top-Flite, Strata and Ben Hogan brandsM&ABackground
Top-Flite Golf entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, creating an opportunity to acquire established golf-equipment and golf-ball brands from Spalding’s former golf division.
Action taken
Callaway announced and completed an acquisition of the Top-Flite, Strata and Ben Hogan businesses, competing with Adidas for the assets.
Aftermath
The deal broadened Callaway’s golf portfolio, although Callaway later sold Top-Flite to Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Ben Hogan brand to Perry Ellis International.
Acquisition price. Approximately $169 million (2003 transaction)
Recent events
Callaway completes acquisition of Topgolf[7]
Reported:
Callaway completed its acquisition of Topgolf Entertainment Group on March 8. Callaway issued 90 million shares to Topgolf investors, making the deal worth $2.66 billion.
Sources7 sources
- 1Callaway Golf Company — Wikipedia reference articleen.wikipedia.org
- 2Callaway Golf Company Investor Relations — Leadership in Golfir.callawaygolf.com
- 3Callaway Golf Company Investor Relations — Management Teamir.callawaygolf.com
- 4Callaway Golf Company 2025 Form 10-Ksec.gov
- 5Topgolf transaction completion filingsec.gov
- 6Callaway Golf Company 2025 annual report shareholder lettersec.gov
- 7Callaway完成对Topgolf的收购sdbj.com
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