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Who Owns Vice Golf? The Founders & New Ownership Explained
Wondering who is behind the stylish, high-performance golf brand that has shaken up the industry? You’re not alone. Many golfers are curious about the ownership structure of Vice Golf, especially given its rapid growth and recent strategic shifts. The question of “who owns Vice Golf” is more than just trivia; it speaks to the brand’s future direction, product innovation, and its core mission.
As of May 2022, Vice Golf is owned by Oakley Capital, a pan-European private equity firm. The original co-founders, Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl, remain with the company, partnering with Oakley Capital to accelerate future growth.
This guide provides the definitive answer to the question of who owns Vice Golf, backed by official announcements and data. We’ll unpack the entire story, from its disruptive founding in Germany to its powerful new partnership. You’ll learn exactly how Vice Golf built its empire and what the new ownership means for the future of the brand and the products you love.
Key Facts
- New Ownership: The majority stake in Vice Golf was acquired by the private equity firm Oakley Capital in May 2022, signaling a new era of strategic growth for the brand.
- Founders Remain: Co-founders Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl have stayed on with the company, partnering with Oakley Capital to steer the brand’s future, ensuring the original vision continues.
- German Origins: Vice Golf is fundamentally a German company, founded in Munich on December 12, 2012, with a mission to disrupt the global golf market.
- Explosive Growth: Before the acquisition, Vice Golf demonstrated incredible financial performance, achieving a top-line Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 40% between 2018 and 2021.
- Disruptive Business Model: The brand’s success is built on a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model, which allows it to sell premium, patent-protected golf balls at prices 30-50% lower than traditional competitors.
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Who Owns Vice Golf Today? A Deep Dive into Its Founders and New Partnership
As of May 2022, Vice Golf is owned by Oakley Capital, a pan-European private equity firm. This strategic move wasn’t a simple buyout; it was structured as a partnership. The original trailblazing co-founders, Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl, remain significant figures within the company, collaborating with Oakley Capital to drive the next phase of global expansion and product innovation. According to Oakley Capital’s official statement in May 2022, the goal of this partnership is to leverage their expertise to help Vice Golf scale its operations and cement its position as a leading global golf brand.
This answers the core question of who owns Vice Golf company today. It is a powerful combination of its original entrepreneurial spirit and the financial and strategic backing of a major investment firm.
Quick Fact: The acquisition was made through Oakley Capital’s Origin Fund, which focuses on high-growth, digitally native brands. This shows that the investors see Vice Golf not just as a golf company, but as a premier example of a successful e-commerce business.
The Origin Story: How Ingo Düllmann & Rainer Stöckl Founded Vice Golf
Vice Golf was founded in Munich, Germany, on December 12, 2012, by entrepreneurs Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl with the goal of revolutionizing the golf industry. The company was born from a simple yet powerful idea: to challenge the established giants by proving that tour-quality, high-performance golf equipment didn’t need to come with an exorbitant price tag. They saw an industry dominated by legacy brands with complex distribution networks and high marketing overheads, and they knew there was a better way.
But what was the core idea that allowed a German startup to challenge the giants of the golf world? It was a laser focus on quality and a revolutionary business model. The founding principles, often referenced on the “Our Story” page on Vice Golf’s website and in publications from sources like Nicklaus.com, were clear and remain central to the brand’s identity.
- Founded: December 12, 2012
- Founders: Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Core Mission: To offer premium golf balls at significantly lower prices.
From day one, the mission was to make the game more accessible without compromising on performance. This rebellious spirit is embedded in the company’s DNA and is a key reason why so many golfers have embraced the brand.
The Game-Changing Strategy: Vice Golf’s Direct-to-Consumer Disruption
Vice Golf disrupted the market using a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model, allowing them to sell premium, patent-protected golf balls at a 30-50% discount compared to competitors. This led to a 40% top-line Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) between 2018 and 2021. The genius of this model was its simplicity: by cutting out the middlemen—distributors, retailers, and pro shops—they could pass the savings directly to the customer. This strategy was not just about being cheaper; it was about being smarter.
This approach, combined with innovative social media marketing, allowed Vice Golf to build a direct connection with its customers, fostering a loyal community of brand advocates. The financial results of this strategy, as highlighted in the Oakley Capital investment announcements, were staggering. The brand achieved not only the impressive 40% CAGR but also maintained an approximate 20% EBITDA margin, proving the model was both highly scalable and exceptionally profitable. This financial strength is ultimately what made Vice Golf such an attractive partner for investors.
| Feature | Vice Golf (DTC Model) | Traditional Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 30-50% lower | Premium retail pricing |
| Distribution | Directly from ViceGolf.com to consumer | Through retail stores, pro shops, and middlemen |
| Marketing | Innovative social media, digital-first | Traditional advertising, tour professional sponsorships |
Pro Tip: The success of this model wasn’t just about price; it was about building a direct relationship and community with golfers online. This created a powerful feedback loop that allowed Vice Golf to adapt and innovate faster than its larger, more traditional competitors.
The New Chapter: Why Oakley Capital Invested in Vice Golf in 2025
In May 2022, Oakley Capital invested in Vice Golf to partner with the founders and accelerate the brand’s growth, diversify its product line, and drive international expansion, leveraging Oakley’s expertise in supporting DTC businesses. This wasn’t a hostile takeover or a sign of trouble; it was a strategic alliance designed to pour fuel on an already roaring fire. Oakley Capital recognized the immense brand equity, patent-protected production quality, and the proven success of the DTC model that Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl had built.
Think of it less as a ‘buyout’ and more as a successful startup bringing on a powerful partner to help them go from a national champion to a global superstar. The transaction was a well-documented and legitimate strategic move, supported by respected firms like OC&C Strategy Consultants and Apera Asset Management, which served as advisors. The shared vision is clear: to transform Vice Golf from a golf ball specialist into a comprehensive, multi-product global golf brand. The partnership focuses on three key pillars for growth:
- Accelerate Growth: Leverage Oakley’s capital and expertise to scale faster in existing markets and penetrate new ones more effectively.
- Diversify Products: Expand beyond the brand’s famous golf balls into new categories like high-performance apparel, premium accessories, and, most recently, innovative golf clubs.
- Expand Internationally: Strengthen the brand’s foothold in key markets like the United States and push into new international territories, making Vice Golf a truly global name.
The investment from Oakley Capital provides the resources and strategic oversight necessary to achieve these ambitious goals, ensuring that the Vice Golf brand continues its disruptive journey for years to come.
To further enhance your game with the brand that’s reshaping the industry, exploring their top-rated products is a great next step. Below are some of the bestselling Vice golf balls and accessories that embody the quality and value this partnership aims to amplify.
FAQs About Vice Golf’s Ownership and Operations
Resolving common questions about Vice Golf’s structure and operations provides even greater clarity on the brand’s identity and direction.
Who is the CEO of Vice Golf?
Co-founder Ingo Düllmann has been consistently identified as the CEO of Vice Golf, leading the company from its founding and through its new partnership with Oakley Capital. As seen in interviews with major outlets like Golf.com and at industry events such as the PGA Show, he remains the driving force behind the brand’s vision and day-to-day strategy, ensuring the founding ethos continues to guide the company’s expansion.
Is Vice Golf a US company?
No, Vice Golf is not a US company. It was founded in Munich, Germany, in 2012 and remains headquartered there, although it has a significant and growing presence in the United States market. The US is one of its most important markets, but its roots and official headquarters are firmly in Germany, which is a common point of clarification for many new customers.
Who makes Vice Golf balls and clubs?
Vice Golf designs and engineers its own products, leveraging patent-protected production for its high-quality golf balls. While specific manufacturing partners are not publicly disclosed, the brand controls the quality and sells directly to consumers. This model ensures that their unique designs and performance standards are met. By controlling the entire process from engineering (in Germany) to sale, Vice Golf maintains its quality promise and cost advantages.
What is the future of the Vice Golf brand?
The future of Vice Golf, supported by Oakley Capital, focuses on becoming a globally leading multi-product golf brand. This includes expanding its product line into golf clubs (like the VGD01 Driver), growing its apparel and accessories offerings, and accelerating international market expansion. The ultimate vision is for Vice Golf to be a one-stop shop for the modern golfer, providing tour-quality equipment in every category, all delivered with the brand’s signature style and value.
Final Summary: The Story of Vice Golf’s Ownership
The journey of who owns Vice Golf is a modern business success story. It began with two German entrepreneurs, Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl, who had a revolutionary idea to disrupt the golf industry. They succeeded by creating a beloved brand built on quality, style, and a game-changing direct-to-consumer model. Today, Vice Golf is a founder-led, private equity-backed growth company, poised for an even bigger future. The partnership with Oakley Capital is not an end to the story but the beginning of an exciting new chapter, providing the resources to take the brand’s original mission to a global scale.
- The Founders’ Vision: Vice Golf was born in Munich in 2012 from the vision of Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl to offer premium golf products without the premium price.
- The Disruptive Model: Success was achieved through a direct-to-consumer strategy, cutting out the middleman and building a direct, authentic relationship with golfers worldwide.
- The Growth Partnership: In 2022, Oakley Capital became the new majority owner, partnering with the founders to accelerate growth, diversify into new products like clubs and apparel, and expand internationally.
Now that you know the full story behind Vice Golf’s innovative journey, explore their latest product offerings to see the results of this powerful partnership in action.
Last update on 2025-08-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
