Who's Behind TaylorMade? History, Ownership, and the Brand

TaylorMade is currently owned by Centroid Investment Partners, a South Korean private-equity firm based in Seoul. The brand has been under Korean ownership since 2021—as of June 2026, the sale process is still underway. Adidas has not held a stake in the company since 2017.

Anyone holding a TaylorMade Driver today is holding a piece of golf history. The brand that invented the modern Driver has not only changed the game since its founding—it also has a remarkable corporate history: from a home equity loan in Illinois to an estimated brand value of $3.5 billion.

From the Garage to a Billion-Dollar Brand: The Founding Story

The story of TaylorMade begins in 1979 in McHenry, Illinois—and it begins with a bold gamble. Gary Adams, a passionate golfer and inventor, took out a $24,000 home equity loan, rented a warehouse measuring about 560 square meters, and, with three employees, founded the company that would revolutionize the golf industry.

Adams had a brilliant idea: He replaced the classic persimmon wood—the standard material for drivers at the time—with steel. The result was the first metalwood driver in golf history, which became known by the affectionate nickname “Pittsburgh Persimmon.” With a loft of 12 degrees, it was not only technically innovative but also more accessible to players.

In its first fiscal year, TaylorMade generated revenue of $47,000. Just under 27 years later, in 2006, the company became only the second golf brand in history to surpass the $1 billion mark in annual revenue.

Salomon, Adidas, and the Major Corporate Chapters

1984: Acquisition by the Salomon Group

This success did not go unnoticed. In 1984, the French sporting goods conglomerate Salomon S.A. acquired TaylorMade. The strategic rationale was clear: Salomon, known primarily for ski equipment at the time, wanted to expand its portfolio into a “three-season market.” In return, TaylorMade benefited from the group’s global resources and distribution networks.

1997: Adidas Acquires Salomon—and Thus TaylorMade

When Adidas acquired the Salomon Group in 1997, TaylorMade became part of the German sporting goods giant as part of the deal. Under Adidas, the brand underwent a clear strategic realignment: the focus shifted decisively to the Driver market. A decision that would pay off—by the end of 2005, TaylorMade was officially the world’s best-selling Driver brand.

Adidas continued to invest: In 2008, it acquired the golf apparel company Ashworth, followed by Adams Golf in 2012. But the golf business increasingly became a problem. Adidas had once generated up to 1.3 billion euros in revenue from golf apparel and equipment—by 2016, that figure had dropped to just 892 million euros, and the division was posting a slight operating loss.

Where are TaylorMade golf clubs manufactured? Find out here.

2017: The Sale to KPS Capital Partners

In May 2017, Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted announced at the annual shareholders’ meeting in Fürth: “I can now report that the transaction has been completed.” TaylorMade, Adams Golf, and Ashworth were sold to the American private equity firm KPS Capital Partners for approximately 390 million euros—just under 425 million U.S. dollars. Adidas retained only the golf apparel and footwear business under the “Adidas Golf” brand.

For TaylorMade, the sale marked a fresh start under independent leadership. Just days after the deal was finalized, the company parted ways with Sergio García, who had been the face of the brand for 15 years. In his place, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy signed on—both had previously been under contract with Nike after Nike shut down its golf division.

2021/2022: Centroid Investment Partners from South Korea

In August 2021, TaylorMade changed hands once again. The South Korean investment firm Centroid Investment Partners acquired the brand—at a price that market observers estimate was close to two billion U.S. dollars. The Korean fashion group F&F also played a key role in financing the deal.

Jinhyeok Jeong, founder and CEO of Centroid, commented on the deal with clear conviction: “TaylorMade Golf is a groundbreaking investment for Centroid. The industry is currently experiencing high demand with strong long-term opportunities around the world.”

This assessment proved to be accurate. TaylorMade benefited significantly from the post-pandemic golf boom and, according to media reports, achieved an average annual revenue growth of more than ten percent over a five-year period.

Learn all about the latest TaylorMade Drivers here.

Who owns TaylorMade today—and what’s next?

In May 2025, the trade magazine Golf Digest reported that Centroid Investment Partners was putting TaylorMade up for sale—for an estimated $3.5 billion. Following an analysis by JP Morgan and Jeffries, Centroid opted for a direct sale rather than an initial public offering.

What followed proved to be complicated. Old Tom Capital, an investment group based in Denver and Atlanta, was at one point considered the leading bidder with an offer of $3.1 billion. However, in April 2026, Korean media reported that Old Tom Capital was unable to secure financing. Since then, F&F—the Korean fashion group that was already involved in the original acquisition—has raised its offer to approximately $2.8 billion and is now considered the leading bidder. At the time of this publication, the outcome of the sale process remains uncertain.

Sun Day Red: Tiger Woods and the Next Chapter

A notable chapter in TaylorMade’s recent history is its collaboration with Tiger Woods. In February 2024, TaylorMade and Woods jointly launched the “Sun Day Red” apparel line—a brand clearly tailored to Woods’ identity that cements his return as a brand ambassador beyond mere club endorsements.

Is TaylorMade a good golf brand?

The short answer: yes—and for good reason. TaylorMade not only invented the modern metalwood Driver but has continued to shape the golf industry ever since. Many of the world’s best golfers play TaylorMade equipment: Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda, and Collin Morikawa are among the brand’s most prominent ambassadors.

What sets the brand apart is its consistent focus on innovation: from the first steel-head Driver to technologies like the Speed Pocket in Irons, all the way to the carbon-crown models of the Qi series. TaylorMade has rarely been second to anyone when it comes to establishing new materials and production processes in golf.

Today, TaylorMade offers a broad portfolio for golfers of all skill levels—from complete sets for beginners to tour-caliber Irons and Putters for ambitious players. The brand stands for a clear philosophy: technology that makes the game better.

Frequently Asked Questions About TaylorMade (FAQ)

Who currently owns TaylorMade? TaylorMade is owned by Centroid Investment Partners, a South Korean private equity firm. Centroid acquired the brand in 2021 and, as of June 2026, is on the verge of selling it again.

Does Adidas still own a stake in TaylorMade? No . Adidas sold TaylorMade in its entirety to the U.S. private equity firm KPS Capital Partners in 2017. The Adidas Golf line of apparel and footwear remained within the group but has no connection to TaylorMade Golf.

Is TaylorMade an American or Korean brand? TaylorMade was founded in 1979 in Illinois, USA, and still has its operational headquarters in Carlsbad, California. However, the current owner is a South Korean company. The brand is therefore of American origin but under Korean ownership.

What is TaylorMade currently worth? According to media reports from 2025, Centroid Investment Partners is aiming for a sale price of around 3.5 billion U.S. dollars. By comparison, in 2017 the brand was sold for around 425 million US dollars—an increase in value that reflects the global golf boom of recent years.

When was TaylorMade founded? TaylorMade was founded in 1979 by Gary Adams in McHenry, Illinois. Adams invested $24,000—financed by a home equity loan—and revolutionized the game with the first steel-headed Driver in golf history.

Does Tiger Woods play TaylorMade? Yes . Tiger Woods has been a TaylorMade brand ambassador since 2017 and, in 2024, launched the Sun Day Red apparel line in collaboration with the company.