Whether you’re just getting started in golf, you’re an amateur golfer who consistently scores in the 90s or lower, or you’re a golf professional, choose golf clubs that are made in the USA.
Believe it or not, the largest companies that make golf clubs don’t manufacture them in the USA. The four major American golf brands- TaylorMade, PING, Callaway, PXG, and Acushnet (who owns Titleist)- make their golf club components somewhere other than in America. One exception is the Scotty Cameron putters that Acushnet/Titleist owns. These putters are made in the USA.
Of the four companies that manufacture golf equipment on American soil, only one makes several types: woods, hybrids, drivers, and putters. The other three focus on quality putters. Keep reading to learn more.
What to Consider When Buying Golf Clubs
If you want to improve your game, consider well-designed and well-made golf clubs that help you hit more consistently. Here are a few things to think about when choosing:
- Skill Level: Before purchasing golf clubs, you need to evaluate your skill level. A beginner or a casual player may not require high-end clubs, while an experienced player would benefit from using them. Choose clubs that match your skill level and experience.
- Clubhead Material: Golf clubs are made from different materials, including steel, titanium, carbon fiber, and graphite. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Steel is the most common material used in clubheads because it is durable and affordable. Titanium and graphite are more expensive, but they are lighter and allow for greater clubhead speed and distance. Carbon fiber is a lightweight and durable material and tends to be more expensive. They offer increased clubhead speed, reduced weight, and improved feel and feedback. One American company uses persimmon and hickory wood blocks to make its clubs so you can play golf in the more traditional way.
- Shaft Material: The shaft material is another essential factor to consider. The three main materials used in shafts are steel, graphite, and multi-material. Steel is heavy and sturdy, while graphite is lighter and provides more flexibility, making it suitable for golfers who need more speed and distance. Multi-material shafts combine the benefits of both steel and graphite shafts.
- Clubhead Design: Clubhead design plays a crucial role in the performance of the club. Some clubhead designs offer more forgiveness, making it easier for beginners to hit the ball. Other designs offer more precision and control for experienced golfers.
- Custom Fitting: Custom fitting is essential when buying high-quality golf clubs. Golfers have different swing characteristics, which means that a club that works for one player may not work for another. Custom fitting helps you find clubs that match your swing characteristics, such as swing speed and launch angle, ensuring that you get the most out of your clubs.
By evaluating these factors, you can find the perfect set of golf clubs that meet your needs AND help you improve your golf game.
Related: Are Any Golf Shoes Made in USA?
Why Buy American Made Golf Clubs?
If you want the best clubs on the market, consider golf clubs made in the USA. While these clubs tend to be more expensive, you can protect your investment. Here’s how:
These few American golf companies refuse to defer their market share to other countries. They use master crafters who pay attention to every single detail in the making of clubs. They understand the shape and the physics that go into making each club, and they use the best materials they can find.
American-made golf clubs come with some kind of warranty. If you have a problem with any of your clubs, you’ll find helpful solutions from real people who truly want to make things right.
Take a peak inside the Titleist factory in Carlsbad, California in the video below.
What’s the Difference Between Made in the USA and Assembled or Built in the USA?
Simply stated, “Made in the USA” means most of the materials and making of the golf clubs come within the United States. On the other hand, “assembled” or “built” signifies the clubs are made offshore, then placed on a cargo ship to travel thousands of miles just to arrive in America. Once they reach their company’s production facility, they’re then assembled, built, or put together by the workers.
Want to know more about the meaning of Made in the USA? Read this article: What Does the Made in the USA Label Mean? Your Questions Answered.
Golf Clubs Made in the USA
Bettinardi
Bettinardi mills, tests, and perfects its putters at its manufacturing facility just outside of Chicago in Tinley Park, Illinois, where they’ve been for the past 25 years or more. Doing their own manufacturing and processing not only enables the company to control the quality, but also places them at the forefront of superior golf club production. Robert Bettinardi started his family-owned company when he showcased his one-piece putters from a solid block of 303 stainless steel. Pro golfer Matt Kuchar and a few others use Bettinardi.
L.A.B. Golf
L.A.B. Golf is a smaller but excellent brand that makes its golf putters in the USA, specifically in Oregon. Its initials stand for “Lie, Angle, Balance,” which refers to the balance point of a putter when it is resting on its sole at the proper lie angle. L.A.B. Golf’s putters are made using a process that involves CNC-milling the putter head from a single block of aircraft-grade aluminum or stainless steel. The company uses its patented technology on its putters that eliminates torque, giving golfers the consistent putting they need. Several of its putters are on Golf Digest’s “Hot List,” including the Link .1 stock putter, shown.
Louisville Golf
Louisville Golf honors the history of the game by making wooden clubs from premium persimmon wooden blocks or hickory squares that the company purchases from a family-owned sawmill. You can also choose from wooden or stainless steel shafts. Select your shaft flex, grip color, grip size, and club length for your custom clubs. Each club has been crafted as one-of-a-kind by master crafters using the finest materials and techniques in its Louisville, Kentucky workshop. If you’ve not golfed with wooden clubs, you’re in for a treat. Many users say they get a softer, more responsive feel from these clubs than from modern clubs. The company’s commitment to American craftsmanship and quality has helped it develop a loyal following among golfers who appreciate the unique look, feel, and performance of handcrafted clubs. Fun Fact: The Guinness Book of World Records reports the world record for the longest drive in a competition was delivered with a persimmon wood driver.
Related article: Unique Golf Gifts, American Made
Meridian Putters
Meridian Putters makes classic stainless steel putters from 303 stainless steel blocks in its Brookfield, Wisconsin facility. Even though they are milled to order, they’re more affordable than some other putters. This combination allows you, the consumer, to purchase a higher-quality putter than the typical machine-cast putter off the rack; these putters are not mass-produced. Meridian Putters has three different models, each with different variations to fit your stroke. If you want something more custom, Meridian offers custom face milling, custom finish options, and custom engraving options. Because Meridian putters cannot be purchased in big box stores, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee except for its Lighthouse Collection and one-off custom orders.
Scotty Cameron
Scotty Cameron custom putters are owned by Titleist but continue to be manufactured in California. They’re made from a block of 303 stainless steel. You’ll find a Scotty Cameron putter in Tiger Woods’ and Jordan Spieth’s golf bags. Note: The Scotty Cameron website reports a number of counterfeit putters on the market and notes all its Scotty Cameron putters by Titleist are made in the USA, not China. To ensure you’re getting an authentic product, shop an authorized Titleist retailer in your area.
Golf Clubs Assembled in the USA
The following American companies make their golf club components outside the USA, then assemble them in their American factories.
Callaway Golf Company
Callaway Golf Company is an American golf company, but its clubs are only assembled in the USA; the components are made overseas, then shipped to its Carlsbad, California, assembly plant for assembly and distribution. Callaway sponsors world-ranked pro golfer Jon Rahm, who uses the Callaway X Forged UT driving iron and shown, the Paradym wood. Shop at an authorized Callaway retailer to ensure you’re buying authentic Callaway golf clubs, or shop on the Callaway website. Receive free shipping, a two-year warranty, and a 30-day performance guarantee.
Check out this article for golf socks: American Made Socks: The Ultimate Source List
Odyssey
Odyssey once made its golf putters in the USA, but now the Callaway-owned company assembles them in its California facility. Several PGA golfers choose Odyssey putters, including Sam Burns.
PING
Noted professional golfers Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, and Rory Mcilroy, among others, have been seen with a PING club or two in their golf bags. This company, like many of the others, makes some clubs in Asian countries, specifically Japan and Vietnam, and makes others in its Phoenix, Arizona facility. Namely, the steel shafts and pure golf grips are made domestically. This company allows you to “trade in and move up” your selections whenever you shop at a preferred retailer. PING offers free ground shipping on orders over $99 when you shop on its website. While you’ll find PING clubs at retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, all these selections are imported.
PXG Golf Clubs
Founded in 2014 by Bob Parsons, aka Go Daddy web hosting service inventor, Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG Golf Clubs) designs, markets, and sells custom-fitted golf equipment, primarily golf clubs. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, PXG manufactures its clubs primarily in Asia. Shown is one of PXG’s hybrids that’s "forgiving" and "accurate." It has updated movable weights, a flexible face, and a notable sound and feel. It’s made from lightweight AM355 steel.
This article highlights one American company that makes golf shoes: Made in USA Sneakers & Athletic Footwear: The Ultimate Source List
TaylorMade Golf Company
TaylorMade Golf Company is a subsidiary of Germany's Adidas company. TaylorMade golf clubs are assembled in Carlsbad, but their shafts and heads are made in China, then sent to the Carlsbad facility for assembly. Scottie Scheffler, 2022 Masters winner, uses TaylorMade clubs. Professional golfer Rory Mcilroy is also sponsored by TaylorMade, so you’ll find this brand of clubs in his bag as well.
Titleist
Like Callaway and TaylorMade, Titleist golf clubs also are assembled in its Carlsbad, California manufacturing plant, but the three companies are separate entities. Titleist’s headquarters are in New Haven, Massachusetts, but the world-renowned company gets its club components from Asia. The high-quality graphite shafts are manufactured in Japan and the company’s heads are made in China. All Titleist golf balls are 100% made in the USA, in the greater New Bedford, Massachusetts, area. Jordan Spieth uses Titleist clubs except for his Scotty Cameron putter.
Tour Edge Golf
Tour Edge Golf is an American-owned company in Batavia, Illinois. This company shares that it makes its Exotics and Hot Launch clubs in foundries both domestically and internationally. If they’re made offshore, they’re assembled and inspected in its Batavia headquarters. Exotics is the ultra-premium equipment line that includes some of the best-made golf clubs in the game. Hot Launch golf clubs are sold at more affordable prices but are still a great performance line of golf clubs. Both of these lines reflect the best technology built into the clubs and can be custom-fitted. David Glod founded the company in 1986, and today Glod is one of the preeminent club designers. Tour Edge offers a military discount and a lifetime warranty.
Other related USA Love List articles:
- Best American Made Polo Shirts
- Made in USA Men’s Fashion Dress Shirts & Polo Shirts: The Ultimate Source List
- Made in USA Sunglasses & Eyewear: The Ultimate Source List
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