Cleveland Golf, a brand synonymous with some of the most masterful wedges and friendliest game-improvement clubs, is owned by the Japanese powerhouse, Sumitomo Rubber Industries. This article will not only confirm this ownership but will also unpack the a massive golf company Cleveland now belongs to and how it fits alongside its sister brands, Srixon and XXIO. We'll trace the brand’s history, from its American roots to its current place as a vital part of a global golf leader, so you can better understand the clubs you see on the course every day.
Cleveland Golf is a key brand under the umbrella of Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd., which is the sports division of Sumitomo Rubber Industries. If the name Sumitomo sounds more industrial than athletic, you’re right - they are a massive, multinational tire and rubber company headquartered in Kobe, Japan. However, much like other large corporations that dabble in the world of sports, SRI has built a formidable presence in the golf industry.
Think of it like this: the same way the parent-company that owns Cheerios might also sell pizzas. It’s a portfolio approach. In the golf world, this is a very common structure. For instance, Acushnet owns both Titleist and FootJoy, while Callaway Golf Company owns Odyssey, TravisMathew, and Topgolf. For Sumitomo, acquiring Cleveland was a brilliant strategic move to strengthen their foothold in the fiercely competitive North American golf market.
To really appreciate why Cleveland Golf was such an attractive acquisition, you have to understand its legacy. The company was founded in 1979 by a man whose name remains legendary in club design: Roger Cleveland. Interestingly, the company didn't start by creating radically new designs. Instead, its initial business was crafting beautiful, high-quality replicas of classic clubs from iconic brands like Hogan, MacGregor, and Wilson Staff. Golfers loved them for their classic shapes and premium feel, which quickly earned the budding company a reputation for quality and craftsmanship.
Everything changed for Cleveland with the introduction of one of the most iconic clubs in golf history: the 588 wedge. Released in 1988, the 588 was revolutionary and became the gold standard for wedges for decades. Its success wasn't based on a single gimmick, but on a combination of perfect elements:
This single club line cemented Cleveland’s identity as the authority in the short game. For years, if you went to any driving range or golf course in America, the distinctive "Cleveland 588" stamp was everywhere. It was this expertise that made them such an interesting target for a larger company.
Cleveland Golf’s journey to Sumitomo ownership had a few interesting turns. The first major sale was in 2005, when Cleveland was purchased by the surfwear and sportswear lifestyle brand, Quiksilver. It was an ambitious attempt by Quiksilver to build a "golf group," but the corporate synergy never fully materialized, and a few short years later, they decided to sell.
In came SRI in late 2007. The timing was perfect. SRI, which already owned the successful Srixon and XXIO brands, saw a massive opportunity. By acquiring Cleveland, they didn't just get another club company, they acquired a beloved American brand with instant name recognition and a commanding reputation in the lucrative wedge market. This gave Sumitomo an immediate and powerful route into the garages and golf bags of American players.
For Cleveland, the deal provided access to Sumitomo’s immense research and development budget and a massive global distribution network. It was a win-win that would allow the Cleveland name to thrive with the resources of a global titan behind it.
Alright, so we know Sumitomo owns Cleveland. But many golfers get confused when they see Srixon staff bags on TV or hear ads for a brand called XXIO. The best way to think of these three brands is as a family of specialists, each excelling in its own domain but sharing the same powerful DNA. As a coach, this is a distinction I make all the time to help players find the right gear.
Srixon is positioned as the "player's brand" within the family. It's focused on tour-level performance, especially with its world-class golf balls (like the Z-Star series used by pros like Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka) and its highly acclaimed player's irons (the ZX line). The brand is all about precision, feel, and performance for golfers who are confident in their ball-striking.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is XXIO (pronounced “zek-see-oh”). This is a premium brand laser-focused on one type of player: the golfer with a moderate swing speed. XXIO clubs are engineered to be incredibly lightweight and easy to swing, using sophisticated designs to help players regain lost clubhead speed and hit the ball farther with less effort. Their "Weight Plus" technology is a great example - it adds a small counterweight in the butt end of the grip, making the club feel even lighter and easier to control during the swing.
This brings us back to Cleveland. Within the family, Cleveland has two primary roles. First and foremost, it continues its legacy as the master of the short game. The RTX line of wedges - from the classic 588 to the latest RTX 6 ZipCore - carries on the tradition of creating best-in-class tools for scoring around the greens. Second, Cleveland is the family's game-improvement leader, an expert at making the game easier and more enjoyable for the average player. forgiving drivers (the Launcher series) and easy-to-hit hybrid-irons (the HALO series) are designed to help golfers launch the ball higher, straighter, and more consistently.
Here’s a simple way to remember their roles:
Okay, the corporate history is interesting, but what does this family structure really mean for you, the average golfer standing on the tee? It actually results in a number of tangible benefits that show up in the clubs you play.
With three brilliant engineering teams now under one roof, technology developed for one brand can often be adapted to help another. A perfect example is the "MainFrame" face technology, an intelligent variable-thickness pattern designed using artificial intelligence. It was first developed to maximize ball speed in Srixon drivers. Now, that same core technology has been adapted and integrated into Cleveland's Launcher drivers, giving everyday golfers access to tour-level ball speed innovations.
This three-brand strategy allows Sumitomo to serve practically every golfer on the planet. Trying to break 80 and need workable irons? Srixon’s ZX7s are for you. Have you lost a few miles per hour on your swing and want to get it back? XXIO 12 is your answer. Just want a forgiving driver and one of the best wedges money can buy to help you get up-and-down? Cleveland Launcher and an RTX wedge are the perfect combination. They've eliminated the need to be a "one-size-fits-all" brand, allowing each one to focus on being the best in its category.
Sumitomo has also been smart about protecting the heritage of the brands it acquires. For example, back in 2003, Cleveland Golf bought the beloved Never Compromise putter company, known for its iconic black-and-grey alignment systems. While that brand name has since been retired, Cleveland’s Huntington Beach (HB) SOFT Milled putter line carries on that legacy of offering premium shaping and feel at an exceptional value, keeping the spirit of innovation alive.
The direct answer to "what company owns Cleveland Golf?" is Sumitomo Rubber Industries of Japan. Seeing Cleveland as part of a family of brands alongside Srixon and XXIO shows how it maintains its identity as a wedge and game-improvement leader while being powered by the R&D of a massive global company. This structure ensures that from tee to green, they offer a specialized, high-performing product for virtually every type of golfer.
Knowing about the equipment is one thing, but knowing how to use it in all of the tricky situations you face on the course is another matter entirely. That's where we come in. Whether it's choosing between your trusty Cleveland wedge or an iron for a tough greenside shot, or deciding on a course strategy for an unfamiliar hole, having an expert opinion can make all the difference. When you're playing a round, our Caddie AI acts as your personal on-course coach. You can even send a photo of a difficult lie, and we’ll provide instant, proven advice on both the club and technique to use, giving you the clarity and confidence to play smarter.
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