| The first game of golf was played in Edinburgh, | | | | unprecedented 50 years. And though MacGregor Golf |
| Scotland, in 1456, but it took awhile for manufacturers | | | | sounds a tad Scottish, the 110-year-old company is |
| to develop products for the sport. In fact, about 450 | | | | based in Albany, Georgia, and has always modeled its |
| years passed before companies noticed its popularity. | | | | products on emerging technology. |
| Though the the first permanent golf course originated | | | | Contemporary companies came into the |
| in Scotland, as did the first written rules, and the 18-hole | | | | manufacturing game with materials unknown in the |
| course, it was good ol' American ingenuity to grab the | | | | 20th century, developing products that the trail blazers |
| first slice of the golf industry pie. | | | | couldn't have imagined. But being one of the firsts has |
| The oldest golf companies aren't off course when | | | | its rewards -- how many brands can brag about |
| they insist on claiming the title of "most innovative." The | | | | financially backing legends Patty Berg and Babe |
| firms who invested early on changed the way | | | | Didrickson Zaharis to found the new women's PGA? |
| amateurs and pros play the game today. A 1927 ad | | | | (Wilson, 1948.) Or how about working for a company |
| stated that "Spalding Discovered That 'Mild Steel' | | | | started by a Hall-Of-Fame baseball pitcher, who |
| Banishes Finger Fatigue." In 1922, The Wilson Sporting | | | | developed the first dimpled golf ball? (Spalding, raising |
| Goods Company added golfer Gene Sarazen to its | | | | the bar in golf ball engineering.) Those first brands |
| advisory board, beginning a 75-year relationship. The | | | | continue a mission that still drives the golf market: Stay |
| legendary Dunlop "65" golf ball was number one for an | | | | the course with high standards. |