According to 2003 figures released by Golf Datatech Callaway Golf continued to lead the woods market in both units sold at 18.0% and revenues earned at 24.0% and topped the irons market with 17.2% of the units sold and 26.1% of revenues. This marks the seventh year the company has been market leader in these metrics.
Callaway Golf's Odyssey brand completed its seventh straight year atop the putter category with 42.0% of units and 49.4% of overall revenues at retail in the U.S. in 2003. The results were fueled by the continued strength of the popular Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball Putter.
“We believe it is a remarkable achievement to be #1 in the three main product categories of a highly competitive marketplace for seven years in a row,” said Callaway Golf Chairman and CEO Ron Drapeau. “It is gratifying to everyone at the Company. But this success certainly will not breed any complacency here. We recognize that our competition continues to get smarter. We have an outstanding lineup of woods products in place to add to our margin of leadership in 2004. Our irons lineup also is very strong, with the introduction of the new Big Bertha Irons, and we feel optimistic about continuing to lead the marketplace in that category in '04 as well.
“Clearly, the overwhelming leadership position achieved by our Odyssey brand in the putter category will be a challenge to maintain at its record levels, but we feel very good about the '04 products in the Odyssey lineup, as well as the new premium putter offerings by Callaway Golf.”
Callaway Golf introduced 11 new products for 2004, and announced a new three-tiered positioning strategy in the woods category aimed at growing its woods market share.
“Overall, there is a good sense of momentum, finishing the year with our market leadership intact in the three primary categories and then bringing the largest lineup of new products to market in our history,” said Patrice Hutin, President and COO. “We experienced a good bounce in market share in December '03 with the early introduction of the ERC Fusion Driver and we are well positioned at this point. The early feedback has been positive on our new products as we enter the prime selling season.”
