While the PGA Merchandise show doesn’t provide the same breaking equipment news it may have a decade ago, there are still occasional pleasant surprises. While covering the convention floor in January, THP couldn’t help but notice a booth, belonging to a company called WAAC, that stood out. Whether it was the incredibly distinctive apparel, the fun attire made for dogs (we have a soft spot for our canine friends), or WAACKY, the devilish looking character floating over the booth, we had little choice but to stop and investigate further.
While WAAC (which stands for Win at all Costs) was just introduced to the North American market in 2022, the brand has seen incredible popularity in Asia, particularly in Japan and South Korea. They sponsor a growing stable of PGA and LPGA Tour players, with Kevin Na and Minjee Lee (currently ranked 5th in the world) as their most recognizable names. Since 2016, WAAC has steadily grown from a startup to having wide availability in over 80 stores and pro shops in South Korea to launching 20 of its own stores globally in the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In the US market, Worldwide Golf Shops offers a huge selection of their wares.
According to the company, WAAC is “a brand created by ‘Golfers’ for ‘Golfers’ to inspire the ‘Golfers’ dream of winning. WAAC stands for ‘Win At All Costs,’ to capture the spirit and resolve to win in the face of challenge.” The company is aware of the game’s growing popularity in the United States, especially with younger players, and their desire for bold fashion choices.
Kim Yoon-kyung, CEO, notes, “Based on our success in the domestic market, we are entering the U.S. market with WAAC’s unique sensibility and strong vibe that can stimulate young golfers.” The company created a special collection for display at the PGA Merchandise Show that was inspired by nature, sea plants to be exact. The unique designs and vivid colors did exactly what they were intended to do by grabbing attendees’ attention.
In addition to full lines of apparel for both men and women, WAAC has an extensive range of accessories like hats, headcovers, socks, and even luggage. As we mentioned earlier, we instantly fell in love with their dog sweaters and are anxiously awaiting their appearance in the online store. Stay tuned to THP for more on this exciting brand in the near future.
