Acushnet

To be the performance leader in every golf category by being the undisputed innovation and performance leader in golf.

Acushnet SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for Acushnet was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

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The Acushnet SWOT Analysis reveals a company at the pinnacle of its industry, commanding iconic brands and deep distribution. Its primary strength lies in the authentic, performance-driven loyalty it has cultivated with dedicated golfers. However, this focus creates a strategic tension: its reliance on the mature U.S. market and premium price points presents a vulnerability in a changing world. The path forward requires a dual-pronged strategy. First, Acushnet must aggressively expand internationally and build a dominant digital/DTC platform to diversify revenue and deepen relationships. Second, it must innovate beyond its core to attract the next generation of players, transforming its operational resilience into a competitive weapon. This plan will ensure Acushnet not only leads today's game but defines tomorrow's.

Callaway TaylorMade PING Mizuno Nike

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To be the performance leader in every golf category by being the undisputed innovation and performance leader in golf.

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Strengths

BRAND: Titleist is the #1 ball in golf; FootJoy is #1 shoe and glove.
DISTRIBUTION: Unmatched global network of 25k+ green grass/retail partners.
VALIDATION: Dominant usage on professional tours provides authentic marketing.
MANUFACTURING: Vertically integrated ball plants ensure quality and IP.
FINANCIALS: Consistent free cash flow and strong balance sheet (Q3 2023).

Weaknesses

DEPENDENCE: Over-reliance on mature, weather-sensitive U.S. market.
E-COMMERCE: DTC channel growing but still a small % of total sales vs peers.
PRICING: Premium positioning creates a barrier for new or casual players.
APPAREL: FootJoy apparel faces intense competition from larger athletic brands.
INVENTORY: Elevated inventory levels post-pandemic require careful management.

Opportunities

INTERNATIONAL: Significant growth potential in Asia, esp. Korea and Japan.
DIGITAL: Enhance DTC experience, data capture, and personalized marketing.
OFF-COURSE: Capitalize on growth in golf entertainment (Topgolf, simulators).
DEMOGRAPHICS: Attract younger, more diverse players with new product lines.
CUSTOMIZATION: Expand personalized offerings for balls, clubs, and shoes.

Threats

ECONOMY: Discretionary spending on golf equipment is vulnerable to downturns.
COMPETITION: Callaway (Topgolf) and TaylorMade are aggressive innovators.
SUPPLY CHAIN: Geopolitical risks and inflation impact input/freight costs.
PARTICIPATION: Risk of post-COVID golf participation boom normalizing downward.
COUNTERFEIT: Protecting premium brand IP from counterfeit goods globally.

Key Priorities

GLOBAL: Accelerate international growth to de-risk from the U.S. market.
DIGITAL: Build a world-class DTC and digital ecosystem to own the golfer.
INNOVATION: Drive product innovation to capture new and diverse golfers.
OPERATIONS: Optimize global supply chain for resilience and margin protection.

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Acushnet OKR

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This Acushnet OKR plan is a masterclass in focused execution. It rightly translates the strategic imperatives into four bold, inspiring objectives: Global Growth, Digital Dominance, Future Golfer, and Resilient Operations. The plan excels by linking ambitious, aspirational goals with concrete, measurable outcomes that directly address the core tensions identified in the SWOT. It's not just a plan to sell more golf balls; it's a roadmap to de-risk the business via international expansion, build a defensible digital moat around the customer, capture the next generation of players, and fortify the operational backbone. This is the blueprint for transforming a market leader into a durable, generational icon.

Callaway TaylorMade PING Mizuno Nike

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To be the performance leader in every golf category by being the undisputed innovation and performance leader in golf.

GLOBAL GROWTH

Win the future by dominating key international markets.

ASIA: Increase market share in Japan and Korea by 15% through targeted marketing and distribution expansion.
EUROPE: Launch a new entry-level performance product line to capture 10,000 new golfers in the UK/Germany.
DTC: Grow international e-commerce revenue by 40% by launching localized sites in three new countries.
PARTNERSHIPS: Establish 50 new premium fitting locations across the top 5 international growth markets.

DIGITAL DOMINANCE

Own the golfer relationship through a world-class digital ecosystem.

LOYALTY: Launch a unified loyalty program across brands, enrolling 500,000 members in the first year.
DATA: Increase first-party data collection by 300% via interactive online fitting and performance tools.
E-COMMERCE: Improve DTC conversion rate by 25% through a redesigned, AI-powered checkout and recommendation flow.
CONTENT: Double engagement rates on digital content by launching a new Titleist performance-focused media hub.

FUTURE GOLFER

Innovate products that attract and retain new, diverse players.

PRODUCT: Launch a new product line targeting the off-course/golf entertainment segment, generating $10M revenue.
WOMEN: Increase sales of women's specific products by 20% through co-designed clubs and targeted marketing.
SUSTAINABILITY: Introduce our first fully recyclable golf ball and achieve 25% adoption within the line.
MARKETING: Shift 15% of marketing spend to non-traditional channels (e.g., influencers, gaming) to reach new audiences.

RESILIENT OPERATIONS

Build a predictive, agile, and sustainable supply chain.

FORECASTING: Implement an AI-powered demand forecasting system to improve forecast accuracy by 20%.
INVENTORY: Reduce days of inventory on hand by 15 days through better channel management and production planning.
SOURCING: Qualify a second source for 80% of critical raw materials to mitigate geopolitical supply risk.
AUTOMATION: Increase automation in our primary ball plant by 30% to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

METRICS

Consolidated Net Sales: Achieve 5-7% annual growth
Adjusted EBITDA Margin: Maintain margin above 15%
Global Golf Ball Market Share: Exceed 55% value share

VALUES

A Focus on the Golfer
Product and Service Quality
Innovation and Technology Leadership
Continuous Improvement
Teamwork

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Acushnet Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Acushnet Holdings Corp. Q3 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Acushnet Holdings Corp. Investor Relations Website
Acushnet 2022 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Yahoo Finance (Market Cap, Financials)
Company Website and LinkedIn (Executive Team)

Callaway TaylorMade PING Mizuno Nike

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To be the performance leader in every golf category by being the undisputed innovation and performance leader in golf.

Toggle Theme

What Went Well

BALLS: Continued global market share leadership and sales growth in Titleist.
CLUBS: Strong performance from new TSR driver and T-Series iron launches.
KOREA: Exceptional market growth continues to be a bright spot for revenue.
MARGINS: Gross margin improvement driven by higher prices in balls/clubs.
CASH FLOW: Maintained strong operating cash flow despite inventory investments.

Not So Well

APPAREL: Softness in FootJoy apparel sales due to cautious retailer ordering.
INVENTORY: Company and channel inventory levels remain elevated vs historic.
FX: Unfavorable foreign currency translation negatively impacted net sales.
SHOES: Shoe sales declined YOY against a very strong prior year comp.
GUIDANCE: Full year sales guidance was narrowed, reflecting some uncertainty.

Learnings

RESILIENCE: Core consumable business (balls) is highly resilient.
DIVERSIFICATION: Geographic diversification is critical to offset regional weakness.
INVENTORY: Proactive inventory management is key in the current environment.
BRAND: Premium brand positioning supports pricing power to offset inflation.
CHANNEL: Partner health is a leading indicator of future sales performance.

Action Items

INVENTORY: Continue to actively manage company and channel inventory levels.
APPAREL: Develop new product and marketing strategies to re-accelerate apparel.
OPERATIONS: Drive further operational efficiencies to protect gross margins.
INTERNATIONAL: Sustain investment and focus on high-growth Asian markets.
PRODUCT: Execute flawless launch of next-gen Pro V1 to maintain momentum.

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Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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Acushnet Market

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Acushnet Holdings Corp. Q3 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Acushnet Holdings Corp. Investor Relations Website
Acushnet 2022 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Yahoo Finance (Market Cap, Financials)
Company Website and LinkedIn (Executive Team)

Founded: 1910
Market Share: Over 50% in golf balls; #1 in shoes, gloves.
Customer Base: Dedicated golfers, from amateurs to tour professionals.
Category:
Sporting Goods
SIC Code: 3949
NAICS Code: 339920 Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing
Location: Fairhaven, MA
Zip Code: 02719
Congressional District: MA-9 NEW BEDFORD
Employees: 6700

Competitors

Callaway Request Analysis

TaylorMade Request Analysis

PING Request Analysis

Mizuno Request Analysis

Nike View Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

Acushnet Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Acushnet Holdings Corp. Q3 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Acushnet Holdings Corp. Investor Relations Website
Acushnet 2022 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Yahoo Finance (Market Cap, Financials)
Company Website and LinkedIn (Executive Team)

Problem

Golfers need equipment to play the game.
Dedicated golfers seek a competitive edge.
Equipment must be trusted and reliable.

Solution

High-performance golf balls, clubs, shoes.
Tour-validated technology and innovation.
Precision custom fitting services.

Key Metrics

Consolidated Net Sales
Market Share (ball, club, shoe categories)
Adjusted EBITDA

Unique

Unrivaled validation by world's best pros.
Vertically integrated manufacturing control.
Multi-generational brand loyalty.

Advantage

Iconic brands: Titleist and FootJoy.
Extensive global distribution network.
Decades of proprietary R&D and IP.

Channels

On-course Pro Shops
Off-course Specialty Golf Retailers
Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce

Customer Segments

Dedicated, serious amateur golfers.
Professional tour players.
Aspirational golfers seeking the best.

Costs

R&D and product innovation expenses.
Manufacturing, raw materials, labor.
Marketing and tour professional endorsements.

Acushnet Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 3, 2025

Acushnet empowers dedicated golfers to achieve their peak performance. Through iconic brands like Titleist and FootJoy, it delivers uncompromising, tour-validated equipment. By combining relentless innovation with precision fitting, Acushnet provides the tangible competitive edge and confidence every serious player needs to win, making it the undisputed leader in performance golf.

UNCOMPROMISING PERFORMANCE: Engineer products that deliver measurable results.

AUTHENTIC VALIDATION: The best players in the world choose our brands.

PRECISION FIT: Maximize your potential with custom-fitted equipment.

Before State

Inconsistent performance on the golf course
Lack of confidence in equipment choices
Using ill-fitting or inferior products

After State

Optimized performance through superior tech
Confidence from using tour-proven equipment
Playing with precisely fitted clubs & balls

Negative Impacts

Higher scores and increased frustration
Wasted money on equipment that doesn't help
Slower skill progression and less enjoyment

Positive Outcomes

Lower scores and more consistent ball flight
Increased enjoyment and competitive success
Measurable improvement in key stats (e.g. distance)

Key Metrics

Customer Retention Rates - High, est. >75% for core products

Net Promoter Score (NPS) - Est. 60-70 among dedicated golfers

User Growth Rate - Aligned with global rounds played growth, ~2-4%

Customer Feedback/Reviews - Thousands of positive reviews on retail sites

Repeat Purchase Rates) - Very high for consumables (balls, gloves)

Requirements

Access to professional fitting services
Investment in premium performance equipment
Commitment to using quality products

Why Acushnet

Provide extensive network of certified fitters
Engineer products with measurable benefits
Validate performance with the world's best players

Acushnet Competitive Advantage

Decades of R&D and manufacturing expertise
Unrivaled brand trust and tour validation
Vertically integrated supply chain control

Proof Points

Titleist: The #1 ball at every PGA Tour event
Scotty Cameron: Most trusted putter by pros
FootJoy: The #1 shoe and glove in golf

Acushnet Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Acushnet Holdings Corp. Q3 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Acushnet Holdings Corp. Investor Relations Website
Acushnet 2022 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Yahoo Finance (Market Cap, Financials)
Company Website and LinkedIn (Executive Team)

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

Unmatched product innovation in core categories.

Deepen relationships via digital and retail.

Drive growth in underpenetrated global markets.

Optimize global supply chain & manufacturing.

What You Do

Designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance golf products.

Target Market

Serious, dedicated golfers who prioritize performance and quality.

Differentiation

Unmatched tour validation and professional use.
Vertically integrated R&D and manufacturing for quality control.

Revenue Streams

Wholesale of golf balls, clubs, shoes, and gear.
Direct-to-consumer sales via brand websites.

Acushnet Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Acushnet Holdings Corp. Q3 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Acushnet Holdings Corp. Investor Relations Website
Acushnet 2022 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Yahoo Finance (Market Cap, Financials)
Company Website and LinkedIn (Executive Team)

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Brand-focused divisions (Titleist, FootJoy) with centralized ops.
Supply Chain: Owns key manufacturing facilities; global sourcing for materials.
Tech Patents: Extensive portfolio, especially in golf ball aerodynamics and materials.
Website: https://www.acushnetholdingscorp.com/

Top Clients

Board Members

Acushnet Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

Low: High barriers to entry due to massive R&D costs, manufacturing scale, brand equity, distribution networks, and tour validation.

Supplier Power

Medium: Key raw materials (urethane, titanium) suppliers have some power, but Acushnet's scale and owned manufacturing mitigate this.

Buyer Power

Medium: Individual buyers have low power, but large retail partners (Dick's, PGA Superstore) have significant negotiating leverage.

Threat of Substitution

Low: While other leisure activities exist, there are no direct substitutes for core golf equipment for those who play the game seriously.

Competitive Rivalry

High: Intense rivalry among established players like Callaway, TaylorMade, PING. Competition is based on innovation, marketing, and tour presence.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Acushnet AI SWOT Analysis shows a company sitting on a goldmine of proprietary performance data, its most potent AI asset. The immediate opportunity is to fuse this data with generative AI, revolutionizing its R&D process to create next-generation equipment designs faster than ever before. This internal focus must be paired with an external one: using AI to deliver hyper-personalized fitting, marketing, and content that deepens its connection with every golfer. However, this vision is threatened by legacy infrastructure and the intense competition for AI talent. To win, Acushnet must treat AI not as a feature, but as the central nervous system of its future operations—from product conception to customer relationship. This requires bold investment in both technology and people to transform its data advantage into market dominance.

Callaway TaylorMade PING Mizuno Nike

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To be the performance leader in every golf category by being the undisputed innovation and performance leader in golf.

Strengths

DATA: Decades of golfer performance data from fittings, R&D, and tour pros.
IP: Strong patent portfolio in materials science to feed AI design models.
BRAND: Trusted brand allows for collection of user data for AI services.
PROCESS: Expertise in complex manufacturing processes ripe for AI optimization.
VALIDATION: Tour pros can validate and refine AI-generated equipment designs.

Weaknesses

INFRASTRUCTURE: Legacy IT systems may hinder deployment of advanced AI/ML.
TALENT: Competition for top AI/ML engineering talent against tech giants.
INTEGRATION: Siloed data across brands (Titleist, FootJoy) could limit AI.
CULTURE: Traditional manufacturing culture may be slow to adopt AI workflows.
INVESTMENT: High cost of building and maintaining a leading-edge AI stack.

Opportunities

DESIGN: Generative AI for rapid prototyping of club heads and ball dimples.
FITTING: AI-powered virtual fitting tools using smartphone camera data.
MARKETING: Hyper-personalization of content and offers based on player data.
SUPPLY CHAIN: AI for demand forecasting and optimizing global inventory levels.
COACHING: AI analysis of swing data to provide personalized improvement tips.

Threats

COMPETITORS: Rivals like Callaway could leverage AI to accelerate R&D cycles.
DISRUPTION: Tech-first startups could enter market with AI-native solutions.
DATA PRIVACY: Evolving regulations on customer data could limit AI models.
BIAS: AI models could inadvertently optimize for a narrow player profile.
DEPENDENCY: Over-reliance on third-party AI platforms creates strategic risk.

Key Priorities

R&D: Implement generative AI to accelerate product design and innovation.
PERSONALIZATION: Use AI to deliver hyper-personalized fitting and marketing.
OPERATIONS: Deploy AI for predictive demand forecasting and inventory mgmt.
TALENT: Acquire and develop a core team of dedicated AI and data scientists.

Create professional SWOT analyses in minutes with our AI template. Get insights that drive real results.

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Acushnet Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Acushnet Holdings Corp. Q3 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Acushnet Holdings Corp. Investor Relations Website
Acushnet 2022 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Yahoo Finance (Market Cap, Financials)
Company Website and LinkedIn (Executive Team)

Profit: $198.8 Million Net Income (FY 2022)

Market Cap: $4.1 Billion (April 2024)

Stock Performance

Annual Report: Available on Acushnet Holdings Corp. investor relations website.

Debt: $413 Million Long-Term Debt (Q3 2023)

ROI Impact: Impacted by inventory levels and global freight costs.

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Market Leader

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

Acushnet scores as a dominant Market Leader. Its North Star is category-defining, not societal, capping its ambition. Achievability is strong due to excellent OKR alignment with its weaknesses. The SWOT score is positive, reflecting powerful brands offsetting market maturity risks. AI potential is high due to unique performance data. The growth multiplier is modest, reflecting its already large market share within a mature industry, limiting exponential upside despite strong fundamentals.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 83.3 Risk: 70.0

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

LEVER 1: Accelerate international DTC to capture margin and data.

LEVER 2: Deploy AI in R&D to widen the innovation gap vs rivals.

LEVER 3: Launch new brands/products for the off-course segment.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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