8AM Golf

Corporate Headquarters: New York

Website: https://8amgolf.com/

Additional Websites: https://www.nicklaus.com/, https://golf.com/

Category: Portfolio Companies

LEADERSHIP

Howard Milstein, 8AM Golf Chairman

Hoyt McGarity, 8AM Golf President

James Ridout, 8AM Golf Vice President

Philip Cotton, CEO, Nicklaus Companies

Paul Stringer, President, Nicklaus Design

Jason Adel, CEO, GOLF

Lawrence Place, President, Miura

 

8AM Golf is an integrated collection of brands that includes GOLF and Golf.com, Nicklaus Companies, True Spec Golf, Miura, Club Conex, Golf Logix, Fairway Jockey, Chirp, 3’s and more — all with the shared mission of helping players at all levels enjoy the game more.

8AM Golf was formed by entrepreneur Howard Milstein, chairman of New York Private Bank & Trust, with an emphasis on close, long-term partnerships with key figures in golf and golf-related businesses. Renowned entertainer and golf entrepreneur Justin Timberlake has been a partner in 8AM golf since 2020 and is now leading creative initiatives across the 8AM portfolio of companies.

The holding company was formed by entrepreneur Howard Milstein, the chairman of New York Private Band & Trust, who originally partnered with Jack Nicklaus back in 2007 to help expand the Nicklaus brand. Milstein in 2018 bought GOLF magazine and its website as well as True Spec, and through the years has continued to expand the 8AM portfolio.

Hoyt McGarity serves as the President of 8AM, having previously held roles as President and CEO of Miura Golf, the Japanese maker of handcrafted, forged irons, and CEO of True Spec (a brand agnostic club fitting company) and Club Conex (a global leader in adjustable golf club adapter systems).

“Over the past half-decade or so, I’ve been immersed in virtually every aspect of the golf business, and this breadth of experience – and the diversity of the companies that make up the 8AM brand – gives us a unique perspective on all aspects of golf, from media to equipment to golf course design and product licensing,” said McGarity, who played competitively on several professional tours before co-founding a Canadian club fitting company back in 2011.

Each of the 8AM Golf companies is best-in-class – we believe that is what defines our brands,” McGarity added. “They are premium brands that enhance the enjoyment of the game by providing the highest quality golf experience.”

Built on the legacy of Jack Nicklaus, the Nicklaus Companies have world-wide touch-points spanning course architecture and design, endorsements, licensing and exclusive products.

Nicklaus Design has created more than 420 golf courses in 45 countries around the world. Today, the focus of Nicklaus Design includes dramatically expanded services including renovation and redesign, real estate branding, financing, construction management, marketing, technology, and public relations and social integration.

The GOLF brand – the sport’s most-read website and publication, aims to improve the lives of its readers through a journalistic commitment to service, lifestyle and news.

True Spec Golf has more than 25 luxurious locations in key markets throughout North America and Europe, with customers ranging from top touring pros to beginners. Fairway Jockey is an online retailer of custom clubs and a complement to True Spec’s custom fitting business and GOLF’s in-depth editorial gear coverage.

Club Conex is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of adjustable golf club adapter systems, partnering with club fitters, retail outlets, and OEMs to help simplify the club fitting process by creating a brand-agnostic demo.

With more than 5 million downloads, GolfLogix lays claim to being the most downloaded GPS app in golf, offering on-course stat-tracking, GPS, green reading and other dynamic capabilities. The app’s technology now also lives in yardage-book form, providing tons of valuable information in golfers’ back pockets. Chirp is a new app that lets golf fans bet on the outcome of certain shots in PGA Tour events as they happen, without financial risk.

Miura irons, designed and built by Japanese craftsman Katsuhiro Miura, are widely regarded as some of the finest in the world. 8AM Golf holds the distribution rights to Miura clubs outside Japan.

One of 8AM’s newest ventures, 3’s, is seeking to reimagine the golf experience, combining a fun atmosphere and top-notch hospitality with a quality par-3 course and putting area. Justin Timberlake is involved in that venture as well as T-Squared Social with Tiger Woods. Founded by Timberlake and Woods in partnership with NEXUS Luxury Collection and 8AM Golf, T-Squared Social merges pub cuisine and craft cocktails with sporting and entertainment elements including music, table tennis and darts, and simulators for golf, baseball and more.