"Fastest-Growing Golf Shoe Brand in North America" PAYNTR Golf Acquired
Recently, golf ecosystem company 8AM Golf announced the acquisition of a majority stake in golf shoe brand PAYNTR Golf.
8AM Golf's media outlet GOLF.com once called PAYNTR Golf "the fastest-growing golf shoe brand in North America." At the end of 2025, PAYNTR Golf stated: In 2025, its revenue growth is expected to exceed 80%, and in 2026, revenue growth is projected to surpass 160%.
Above: PAYNTR Golf's newly launched FO Rainshedder® RS1 shoe, priced at $220 on the official website
PAYNTR Golf is headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA. Both co-founders have nearly 30 years of experience in the athletic footwear industry:
- Mike Forsey served as NIKE's Global Category Business Director and participated in developing the NIKE and Tiger Woods collaboration golf shoe line.
- Michael Glancy was responsible for golf shoe design at Under Armour.
* For the early development history of PAYNTR Golf, see Orange Bay Sports' historical article.
Above: Mike Forsey (left) and Michael Glancy (right)
Among golfers, there is a saying: "Wearing PAYNTR Golf, you can gain a few extra yards." PAYNTR Golf shoes offer exceptional performance, with each sole equipped with a patented propulsion plate technology that helps players utilize ground reaction forces to increase swing speed and power. The products are comfortable and breathable, so even professional golfers can wear them for 12 hours during a tournament without feeling stuffy or fatigued.
In March 2024, former PGA world number one Australian male golfer Jason Day (pictured below) joined PAYNTR Golf as an equity partner. Currently, Min Woo Lee, Sam Burns, Isaiah Salinda, and other players have worn the brand's shoes in PGA Tour events.
The acquirer 8AM Golf was founded by entrepreneur Howard Milstein, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. It owns more than a dozen golf-related businesses, covering media, equipment, instruction, custom fitting, and experiential golf.
10-time Grammy Award winner, renowned American male singer Justin Timberlake joined 8AM Golf as a partner in 2020, leading creative projects across all brands under the company.
8AM Golf CEO and President Hoyt McGarity said: "This is our first investment in the golf apparel and footwear space, reflecting our confidence in PAYNTR's long-term vision and its ability to continue expanding globally."
Through this partnership, PAYNTR Golf will have the opportunity to collaborate with the most influential creative talents in golf and entertainment, injecting new momentum into brand development—deeply integrating cutting-edge biomechanics, product engineering with brand storytelling, design, and culture.
Currently, PAYNTR Golf products are sold through golf specialty retailers such as PGA TOUR Superstore and DICK'S Sporting Goods, reaching North America, South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, South Africa, the UK, Australia, and select European markets.
The press release stated that with the platform of 8AM Golf, PAYNTR Golf will move into its next phase of growth, further expanding brand awareness, global distribution channels, and tour presence.
｜Source: Brand press release, Orange Bay Sports historical reports, GOLF.com
｜Image source: PAYNTR Golf official website, 8AM Golf official website