L.A.B. Golf, the Oregon-based putter manufacturer known for its distinctive lie-angle balanced designs, has sold a majority stake to private equity firm L Catterton in a deal that values the company at more than $200 million.
The transaction marks a major milestone for the fast-growing brand, which has gained traction on professional tours and with consumers thanks to its torque-free putter technology. L Catterton, a consumer-focused investment firm backed by luxury conglomerate LVMH, confirmed the acquisition to The Wall Street Journal, though financial terms were not disclosed publicly.
Founded in 2014 by Bill Presse, L.A.B. Golf (short for “Lie Angle Balance”) has carved out a loyal following with its non-traditional shapes and performance-driven engineering. CEO Sam Hahn, who took over in 2018 after buying out original investors, is expected to remain in his role. Under Hahn’s leadership, the company has seen exponential growth, with sales increasing by 18,000 percent over the past seven years.
The brand’s momentum accelerated in June when J.J. Spaun used a L.A.B. putter to clinch the U.S. Open at Oakmont, holing a 64-foot putt on the final hole. That victory, combined with growing tour visibility and rising demand among recreational players, has pushed the company into the spotlight. According to WSJ, L.A.B. sold around 130,000 putters in 2024 and is projected to triple that number in 2025.
L Catterton’s investment portfolio includes brands such as Peloton, Restoration Hardware, and Tag Heuer, but this marks its first major move into the golf equipment space. The deal is one of the largest in the category since Callaway’s $130 million acquisition of Odyssey in 1997.
L.A.B. Golf is expected to use the investment to scale operations, meet growing demand, and further develop its product line, which includes the DF3, LINK.1, and Oz.1 models. Despite its rapid rise, the company says it remains committed to its original mission: helping golfers make more putts through better balance and design.
