PrideSports

Corporate Headquarters: Brentwood, Tennessee

Website: http://www.pridesports.com

Category: Miscellaneous

LEADERSHIP

Keith Bornholtz  – CEO, Gathr Outdoors

Joe Henderson – President, Recreation, Gathr Outdoors

Company Overview

PrideSports has established itself as “the manufacturer of golf’s essentials,” providing some of the most ubiquitous and widely-used components in the sport. While the average golfer may not be familiar with the parent company’s name, they would likely recognize its primary subsidiaries: Softspikes, CHAMP, and Pride Golf Tee.

The company’s legacy dates back to 1930 when Pride Manufacturing was founded, initially producing wooden mouthpieces for cigars. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the company pivoted to produce golf tees, giving birth to the Pride Golf Tee Company. After years of success, Pride Manufacturing acquired Softspikes, an industry leader in golf spikes, in 2003, forming PrideSports. The company further expanded its market presence by merging with MacNeil Engineering, the maker of CHAMP spikes, in 2013.

Today, PrideSports operates as part of the Gathr Outdoors portfolio of companies, following MacNeill Pride Group’s strategic rebranding in 2022 to better reflect its position in the outdoor gear industry.

Key Facts:

• World’s largest manufacturer and marketer of sport & industrial traction elements
• Largest producer and distributor of golf tees globally
• Market leader in plastic golf spikes through CHAMP and Softspikes brands
• Largest printer of golf scorecards and golf accessories worldwide
• Products used in major championships including the Masters, British Open, and U.S. Open

Business Innovation

PrideSports has revolutionized the golf industry through consistent innovation in both technology and customization. The company’s development of replaceable cleat technology stands as one of the most widely-used golf inventions of the 20th century, fundamentally changing how golfers interact with their footwear. Building on this success, PrideSports has established strong partnerships with major shoe manufacturers, integrating their proprietary locking technologies directly into shoe designs to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.

The company’s innovation extends beyond traction technology through its robust custom products division, which offers a wide range of personalized golf accessories to meet the growing demand for customization in the golf industry. In 2024, PrideSports demonstrated its creative approach to product development with the introduction of “Special Edition Paint Splatter Tees,” showcasing the company’s ability to blend functionality with artistic design in even the most fundamental golf accessories.

Strategic Presence

The company maintains offices across America, Europe, and Asia, serving multiple market segments:

• Golf facilities and pro shops
• Mass retail and sporting goods stores
• Golf specialty retailers
• Online retail channels
• Custom products for golf courses and consumers

Product Innovation

PrideSports’ popular products include:

• CHAMP’s PiviX, Zarma, and Stinger cleats
• Softspikes’ Pulsar, Silver Tornado, and Stealth models
• Custom-imprinted golf tees, ball markers, repair tools, brushes, towels, shoe bags, bag tags, and pencils

The company’s reach extends beyond golf, with products designed for soccer, baseball, football, track and field, cycling, fishing, and ice sports. Their cleats are regularly seen at high-profile events including the Olympics, World Series, Super Bowl, and FIFA World Cup.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

PrideSports continues to dominate its niche in the golf industry through innovation in traction technology, custom products, and essential golf accessories. The company’s strategic position within the Gathr Outdoors portfolio and its continued focus on product development and customization capabilities position it well for future growth in both golf and broader sporting markets.

The effective banning of metal spikes through adoption by several major golf associations in 1993 created a surge in demand for plastic golf cleats, a market that PrideSports continues to lead through its CHAMP and Softspikes brands. The company’s close collaboration with shoe manufacturers throughout the design process ensures its proprietary technologies remain at the forefront of the industry.