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Who Owns Golf Pride? The Answer May Surprise You
It’s one of the most common questions in the golf equipment world, often whispered in pro shops and debated on online forums: just who owns Golf Pride? The name is synonymous with the game itself, found in the hands of major champions and weekend amateurs alike. But the corporate identity behind the world’s most dominant golf grip is far from what most people expect.
Golf Pride is owned by Eaton Corporation, a global power management company. Golf Pride operates as a division within Eaton, maintaining its distinct brand identity and leadership in the golf industry.
Leveraging extensive analysis of available corporate data and historical records, this guide unpacks the surprising story behind this ownership. We’ll explore how a leader in golf grips ended up with a parent company specializing in industrial power, the history of the acquisition, and how this unlikely partnership has fueled decades of innovation and market dominance.
Key Facts
- Ownership: Golf Pride is owned by Eaton Corporation, a multinational power management company that sells products in over 175 countries.
- Acquisition History: Eaton acquired the brand in 1968, not directly, but by purchasing its then-parent company, Fawick Airflex, which specialized in industrial clutches and brakes.
- Market Dominance: Over 80% of Tour professionals use Golf Pride grips without being paid for endorsements, a powerful testament to product quality as highlighted in company reports.
- Innovative Roots: The company was founded in 1949 by inventor Thomas L. Fawick, who pioneered the shift from traditional leather to more durable and secure rubber grips.
- Innovation Hub: Today, the brand’s operations and product development are centered at its state-of-the-art Global Innovation Center in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
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The Direct Answer: Who is the Parent Company of Golf Pride?
Golf Pride is owned by Eaton Corporation, a global power management company. Golf Pride operates as a division within Eaton. This fact often comes as a surprise, as Eaton’s core business focuses on managing electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power for industries like aerospace, automotive, and data centers. Golf Pride is a unique, consumer-facing brand within Eaton’s much larger industrial portfolio.
But how did a leader in golf grips end up with a parent company specializing in power management? The story dates back over half a century and reveals a fascinating piece of business history.
The Acquisition Story: How Eaton Came to Own Golf Pride in 1968
In 1968, Eaton Corporation acquired Fawick Airflex, the parent company of Golf Pride, bringing the grip brand under its corporate umbrella. The acquisition wasn’t about entering the golf market; it was a strategic industrial purchase where Golf Pride was essentially part of the package.
Here’s how the ownership transfer happened:
- Golf Pride’s Origins: Before the acquisition, Golf Pride was a successful part of a company called the Fawick Airflex Division. This company’s primary business was not golf grips, but highly specialized industrial clutches and brakes.
- Eaton’s Strategic Purchase: In 1968, Eaton, a growing power management and industrial manufacturer, acquired the entire Fawick Airflex company. This move aligned perfectly with Eaton’s core business focus on industrial components.
- Inheritance of a Brand: As part of this large-scale corporate acquisition, Eaton became the new owner of the Golf Pride brand.
Look at it this way: This acquisition means Golf Pride has been under Eaton’s ownership for over half a century, a fact that surprises many in the golf world.
The Unexpected Connection: Why a Power Management Giant Owns a Golf Brand
Eaton, a power management company, owns Golf Pride because it acquired Golf Pride’s original parent, Fawick Airflex, a manufacturer of industrial clutches and brakes that aligned with Eaton’s core business. The connection, while seemingly random today, makes perfect sense from a historical business perspective. Eaton wanted Fawick Airflex for its industrial technology; Golf Pride just happened to be a valuable asset that came along with it.
While Golf Pride might seem like an unusual fit for a power management company with sales in over 175 countries, its association stems from its original connection to Airflex clutches and brakes, a business that aligned with Eaton’s industrial portfolio.
Think of it like buying a large company for its main factory and getting its highly successful side-business as part of the deal. Eaton’s primary interest was in the industrial components, but they wisely recognized the value and potential of the leading golf grip brand they now owned. They have since allowed Golf Pride to operate with significant autonomy, fostering its growth and innovation from within the larger corporate structure.
The Origin Story: The Founding and Vision of Golf Pride
Long before Eaton entered the picture, Golf Pride was born from the mind of a single inventor. Golf Pride was founded in 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio, by inventor Thomas L. Fawick, who pioneered the use of rubber for more durable and secure golf grips.
Fawick, described as a “golf nut” and a prolific inventor, saw a clear problem with the golf equipment of his day. At the time, nearly all grips were made of leather, which was prone to drying out, cracking, and becoming slippery in wet conditions. He believed rubber could provide a far superior solution.
His vision led to the creation of the first slip-on rubber grips, a revolutionary innovation that offered golfers a more secure, comfortable, and durable alternative to traditional leather grips. This foundational commitment to solving problems through material science and innovation established the DNA of the Golf Pride brand, a legacy that continues under Eaton’s ownership today.
Golf Pride Today: A Story of Dominance and Innovation Under Eaton
Under Eaton’s ownership, Golf Pride operates from its Global Innovation Center in Pinehurst, NC, and is the dominant grip manufacturer, trusted by over 80% of Tour professionals. Far from being a forgotten division, Golf Pride has thrived, leveraging the stability and resources of its parent company to cement its status as the undisputed market leader. The brand has successfully transitioned from being just a supplier to a true performance equipment brand.
The brand’s current strength is built on several key pillars:
Golf Pride At a Glance (2025)
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parent Company | Eaton Corporation |
| President | Jamie Ledford |
| Headquarters | Pinehurst, North Carolina |
| Tour Usage | >80% of professionals (unpaid) |
This leadership and market position are driven by a relentless focus on product development. Key innovations that keep the brand at the forefront include:
- ALIGN Technology: A raised ridge on the back of the grip that promotes consistent hand placement for a more repeatable swing.
- Reverse Taper Technology: Used in putter grips, this design features a slimmer top hand and wider bottom hand to quiet the hands and wrists during the stroke.
- CP2 and CPX Grip Lines: These grips feature advanced materials and core technologies designed to provide maximum comfort and vibration dampening.
Here’s the bottom line: The fact that over 80% of Tour pros choose Golf Pride without being paid is one of the strongest testaments to product quality in the entire sports industry. It’s a powerful signal of the trust and performance that defines the brand today.
To experience the tour-proven performance that comes from decades of innovation, equipping your clubs with the right Golf Pride grips is the next logical step.
FAQs About Golf Pride’s Ownership
Still have questions about who owns Golf Pride? Here are direct answers to the most common queries.
Who is the parent company of Golf Pride?
The parent company of Golf Pride is Eaton Corporation, a multinational power management company. Golf Pride operates as a specialized division within Eaton, focusing entirely on the golf industry.
When did Eaton acquire Golf Pride?
Eaton acquired Golf Pride as part of its acquisition of the Fawick Airflex company in 1968. This means the brand has been under Eaton’s corporate ownership for more than 50 years.
Where is Golf Pride headquartered?
Golf Pride’s headquarters and its state-of-the-art Global Innovation Center (GIC) are located in Pinehurst, North Carolina, the heart of American golf. This facility is the hub for all of the company’s research, design, and product development.
Who is the current President of Golf Pride?
Jamie Ledford has been the President of Golf Pride, a division of Eaton, since 2012. He has overseen the brand’s continued market dominance and its strategic evolution into a performance-focused equipment company.
Final Summary: The Enduring Partnership of Golf Pride and Eaton
The answer to “who owns Golf Pride” is a surprising one: Eaton Corporation, a global power management giant. This unlikely partnership began in 1968, not through a targeted move into the golf market, but as part of a larger industrial acquisition. Yet, this relationship has proven incredibly successful. Eaton has provided the stability and resources for Golf Pride to flourish, while Golf Pride has operated with the focus and passion of a dedicated golf brand.
The result is a story of enduring dominance, fueled by a commitment to innovation that began with its founder, Thomas L. Fawick, and continues today in its Pinehurst innovation center.
- The Owner: Golf Pride is a division of Eaton Corporation, a power management company.
- The History: The ownership dates back to Eaton’s acquisition of Fawick Airflex in 1968.
- The Proof: The brand’s quality is validated by the fact that over 80% of Tour pros use its grips without payment.
- The Innovation: From pioneering rubber grips in 1949 to modern ALIGN technology, the brand has consistently led the industry.
Now that you know the surprising corporate story behind the grip, you can better appreciate the decades of innovation and trust that go into the product trusted by the best players in the world.
Last update on 2025-08-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
