A report from the Sports Marketing Surveys shows that Spalding’s share of the golf ball market has returned to the 30% of last year, and the company is now the market leader. Sales of both Top-Flite and Strata have increased significantly, with market share increasing by more than three percent during February.
“We increased sales by 17% last year,” said managing director, Scott Lucas, “and I am delighted that 2002 has started in the same vein, with all of our brands increasing their market share, particularly golf balls. The 2002 order book is up by more than 60%, again indicating the strength of Spalding UK.”
Spalding continues to invest in research and development and will launch a new golf-ball in July – the Strata Tour Straight à” the first ever multi-layer ball with Teflon coating. The Tour Straight has been designed for golfers looking to hit longer and straighter shots with a softer feel.
Spalding claims that for more than 110 years the company has been responsible for every major golf ball innovation. Spalding is credited for making the first American golf ball, the first US dimpled golf ball, the first three-piece design golf ball with a vulcanized balata cover, the first two-piece golf ball, the first oversized golf ball, the first multi-layer, solid golf core golf ball in America, and the first golf ball with Concentrated Core Technologyà”.
Under the Spalding umbrella are the STRATA, TOP-FLITE, Etonic, Ben Hogan, and Dudley brands.
STRATA www.stratagolf.com