L Catterton, the consumer-focused private equity firm backed by LVMH, has acquired a majority stake in Oregon-based putter brand L.A.B. Golf in a deal valuing the company at over $200m, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The transaction represents one of the largest premium golf equipment investments in decades and signals growing private equity interest in performance-focused sports and lifestyle brands. It is the biggest putter acquisition since Callaway purchased Odyssey for $130m in 1997.

Founded on the concept of “lie angle balance,” L.A.B. Golf has emerged as a disruptive force in the equipment market. Its distinctive putter designs, engineered to minimise torque and face manipulation during strokes, have earned acclaim on professional tours worldwide. The brand saw a major surge in visibility after J.J. Spaun clinched the U.S. Open with a 64-foot putt using the L.A.B. DF3.

CEO Sam Hahn, who took over the company in 2018 after buying out its original backers, has overseen a staggering 18,000% sales growth. Golf Datatech data shows L.A.B. Golf’s market share has quintupled in the past 18 months, pushing it into the top five putter brands globally, with average retail prices nearing $500 per unit.

Although Hahn declined to comment, sources indicate he will remain as CEO post-transaction. Founder Bill Presse, who sold the brand in 2018, confirmed his continued involvement as a shareholder and publicly praised L Catterton’s approach. “They’ve gone above and beyond to do the right things. Truly couldn’t be happier,” he wrote on Reddit.

L Catterton’s current portfolio includes Restoration Hardware, Peloton, West Marine, and Flexjet. This marks a rare foray into golf equipment, underscoring the firm’s confidence in L.A.B. Golf’s premium positioning and global potential.

The brand is expected to sell 130,000 units in 2024, with projections to triple sales volume in 2025, fuelled by new models like the Oz.1 and Oz.1i.

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