Former Wilson boss shakes up 40-year-old golf brand
Photographs by Charles Cherney
This article appeared in the August 2026 edition of Chicago District Golfer.
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Former Wilson CEO Tim Clarke has played a vital role in taking the company founded by David Glod to another level.
Since David Glod founded the company in his garage in 1986, Tour Edge has been a high-quality golf brand known for its affordable prices. The Batavia, Illinois firm’s rare lifetime warranty on clubs (save for those smashed by angry golfers) has enticed customers, while its premium line of Exotics fairway woods has earned acclaim for decades.
But the past year has seen a metamorphosis never before experienced at the privately held company, which is one of the top-10 manufacturers of golf equipment in a world where it faces thousands of competitors. It has:
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Introduced golf balls for the first time
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Embraced social media – even hiring an influencer
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Created a more dynamic logo to replace the one that cost about $50 in the 1980s
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Hired a younger spokesman rather than depending solely on Champions Tour golfers to promote the brand
The catalyst behind the changes is Tim Clarke. The longtime executive at Chicago-based Wilson Golf was tapped as the new president of Tour Edge in 2024, replacing Glod, the founder and chief executive officer, who is still heavily involved in designing clubs and other aspects of the business.
A quarter of the way into the 21st century, why decide to compete against dozens of other companies – including big names such as Titleist and Callaway – in the golf-ball market?
“Not having a golf ball in the category is a detriment, especially if you’re looking for one-stop shopping with a pro or at a store,” said Clarke, sitting in a Tour Edge conference room featuring logoed bags and other equipment. “The elasticity of brands is much wider today. It used to be you were a driver brand, an iron brand, a ball brand.
“I saw making balls as a door opener. You get easier distribution. If they don’t carry you, it’s hard to penetrate a Green Grass or a specialty guy.”
Clarke (right) with Tour Edge founder David Glod (left).
Clarke said the introduction of balls has opened Tour Edge to an additional 550 shops – including ones run by club pros and on-course specialty spots. The company offers two lines of balls: the two-piece Hot Launch costs $19.99 per dozen, while the three-piece Exotics featuring a urethane cover run $39.99 per dozen.
“The DNA David brought to golf is you don’t have to break the bank,” noted Clarke about the pricing, while adding that sales have been great.
In terms of social media, Tour Edge recently agreed to terms with golf influencer EJ Hill, who boasts more than 365,000 TikTok followers and has forged a strong presence on Instagram and YouTube.
“We are partnering with him because he is a great storyteller and offers the relatability and entertainment factor that attracts the new-age golfer,” Clarke noted.
The new logo is more sleek-looking, replacing the words Tour Edge with a line underneath that Clarke found dated.
“David didn’t want to change it, but I said, ‘If you want to get where you want to go, you have to change the logo,’” Clarke said.
Glod is glad he was persuaded to approve the new look, designed to make the brand more appealing to 25-to-48-year-olds.
“I was very impressed with what the team came up with. It’s much younger,” Glod said. “Even kids in superstores are coming in out of the blue and saying, ‘I want that.’ They didn’t know who we were before.”
The pivot toward youth includes signing golfer Grant Haefner, a 28-year-old who qualified for the U.S. Open in 2025. Previously, Tour Edge focused on Champions Tour players to represent the firm, including Bernhard Langer, Scott McCarron and Alex Cejka. They remain spokesmen and continue to be armed with Exotics equipment during tournaments.
Clarke, seen here analyzing a launch monitor at Tour Edge's Batavia headquarters, believes strongly in the brand's Exotics line of equipment. He also played an instrumental role in the company developing a new logo.
Glod started building clubs for Haefner in high school, so recruiting him as a Tour Edge spokesman was an easy pitch.
“He brings a fresh young face and grinder attitude to our sta as he tries to get to the highest level in professional golf,” Glod said.
Though Clarke once starred in the Driver vs. Driver show on Golf Channel, Tour Edge decided to forgo advertising its rebrand there and place commercials on Fox Business and elsewhere instead.
“We’re trying to be broader in our marketing approach,” Clarke said. “Everything starts with small steps.”
As did the company itself. In high school, Glod drove around and picked up damaged clubs before repairing them in his father’s garage. Eventually, he designed and made clubs in his own house. Today, the Batavia facility custom-builds clubs with a 48-hour turnaround. Clarke said the company boasted double-digit growth in 2025, thanks mainly to its high-end Exotics brand.
“Exotics is the halo of this company,” said Clarke, adding that it has recently captured a number of awards.
What does the future hold? Clarke pointed to the veteran design and engineering team (“they’re all scratch golfers”) who will keep Tour Edge in the game for years to come by continuing to create state-of-the-art equipment. Though challenges always exist, Glod is excited about what’s ahead.
“If we maintain our path as a leader in technology-driven products and the best quality in the full-set market,” he said, “we’ll continue to prosper.”
David A. F. Sweet is the author of Onwentsia at 125, Three Seconds in Munich and Lamar Hunt.