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 David Whitlam Whitlam, the founder of two high-end golf club manufacturing companies — Gauge Design and Whitlam Golf — grew up around machines. His grandfather owned a John Deere dealership in Saskatchewan, and his father owned a sandblasting company. “We were always messing around with boats and cars and other things,” said Whitlam. “We were very hands-on. I was run off many jobs as a kid — something about child labor laws in Canada.” After graduating from the San Diego Golf Academy in 1987, he entered the golf manufacturing industry, working in sales, product design and management for several companies. Whitlam began designing his own putters in 1999 with the formation of Gauge Design before branching into irons and wedges. In 2003, he launched Whitlam Golf, which designs putters. The 23-person dual company, which is based in Encinitas, doesn’t have the manpower or advertising budgets of the big players in the industry. But that allows his companies “to take our time and not rush our products,” Whitlam said. “We have runs of 5,000 to 20,000, unlike bigger companies that make 250,000 to a million. That lends itself to quality control and high precision.” The clubs are all made or finished in the United States, and the emphasis is on using high-grade materials to make the best product possible. Whitlam putters, which have been used by touring pros to notch more than 30 worldwide wins, begin at around $325, with wedges going for $250 and irons $1,500. Whitlam said the company’s philosophy is simple: “We want to make the best clubs we possibly can. And our clubs don’t look like the Starship Enterprise. We don’t focus on gimmicks. We’re more concerned with tradition and playability.” For more information, visit whitlamgolf.com. |
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