From the Football Pitch to the Fairway: Why Soccer Players are Investing in Golf Apparel Brands

Most people know Mason Mount as a footballer. Most Americans know him as a soccer player.

While the Manchester United midfielder has built his fame and fortune around the world’s most popular sport, another sport is quickly taking up space in his heart and investment portfolio: golf.

The 27-year-old Englishman is a co-founder and co-investor in Maejer Golf. Launched on July 26, Maejer (pronounced “major”) is a luxury golf brand “inspired by the traditions of golf, the style that surrounds it and the moments shared on the course.”

Along with co-founders James Gullick (previously at Represent), Ben Harris (previously at Nike) and former England rugby captain Owen Farrell, Maejer’s launch doesn’t only deepen Mount’s interest and investment in golf—which includes launching indoor golf club Pitch in Manchester’s Goods Yard development—it reinforces a trend in the game: non-golf professional athletes are pumping their on-field earnings into the industry.

“Our mutual passion is golf, so it was a really natural fit,” said Gullick, who spent 10 years at British luxury streetwear brand Represent. “Both Mason and Owen also understand that there’s a life outside of their respective sports, and that playing careers aren’t the longest. Both have been very switched on in terms of business and making investments while they’re still playing which is really important.”

So why do non-golf professional athletes love golf?

First, golf scratches their competitive itch. If amateurs are so obsessed with trying to perfect the game, imagine the magnified challenge it presents to athletes who have reached the pinnacle of their respective sports.

Second, golf offers active athletes a low-risk hobby (or challenge) as they remain conscious of unnecessary physical and mental strain that may negatively impact their playing careers.

Third, pro athletes have money and influence, both of which go a long way in golf, unlocking doors and clubhouses unseen to most amateurs.

Fourth, golf gives athletes the ability to expand their own brand, unlocking new and untapped audiences through content, investment or endorsement of a mutual interest.

While athletes from Michael Jordan to John Smoltz, Patrick Mahomes and Michael Phelps have taken their drive, dedication and success from their respective sports onto the golf course, some are getting into the game even further than just playing.

Jordan Brand launched its first golf footwear line in June 2015 as an extension of the brand’s basketball and cultural relevance and popularity.

‍Steph Curry first launched a golf line under his eponymous Curry Brand in partnership with Under Armour in 2021. Despite parting from UA in November 2025, a full golf line is included in Curry’s 10-year, $400-million deal with Chinese sportswear giants Li-Ning announced in June 2026.

National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee CC Sabathia and Super Bowl XLVI champion Victor Cruz are investors in Eastside Golf.

Peter Millar recently enlisted the services of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey as its first NFL ambassador, while TravisMathew has been working with former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush since 2023.

Across the pond, golf-obsessed athletes, especially footballers, are expanding their investment and involvement in the game through apparel brands.

Former England/Arsenal star Theo Walcott invested in Manors Golf alongside English tennis legend Andy Murray in March 2026. FC Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane has been an investor and brand ambassador with Reflo since August 2024.

“We see footballers who are into fashion. The culture of the game is such that the audience is more willing to allow these players to express themselves in a different way,” said Hypegolf senior editor Julius Oppenheimer. “So now you have golf getting popular, especially on the fashion side of things, so it’s a natural step if there’s a brand to get behind and support or build something because these guys are also entrepreneurs.

“These days, athletes are already thinking about building something that will last after their playing careers.”

But just because there’s a famous face attached to a brand—either in front of the camera or financing behind the scenes—doesn’t guarantee success. Especially not in an increasingly crowded marketplace where legacy brands and up-and-coming challengers are jostling for attention and dollars.

“Ultimately, a lot of the way you distinguish yourself is in the voice of the brand, how you choose to cultivate your community and audience, and what type of people get behind you,” Oppenheimer said. “Creatively, you can present your products in a way that stands out from others.”

That is certainly the priority for Maejer Golf in its infancy as it builds awareness and trust in the hopes of carving out a share of the marketplace.

“For us, the key is our storytelling and narrative around our theme of ‘For the Moment,’” Gullick said. “We want to build on the emotional side of golf and why you play—the moments before, the moments during, the moments after and all of the moments in between.

“That’s kind of where we’re going to look to grow the brand through our messaging and the narrative of why we play.”

How much of a front-facing role Mount plays in that is to be determined. Unsurprisingly, his name and audience (5.6 million) were leveraged in a collab post on Instagram when Maejer Golf was first announced.

“Backed by @harrykane” reads part of Reflo’s Instagram bio as the brand aspiring to be the most sustainable sportswear brand in the world proudly boasts its association with England’s all-time leading scorer, who also has 20.1 million followers on the platform.

For London-based Manors, having celebrities at its cap table including actor Nicholas Hoult, Walcott and Murray is more of a testament to the brand’s ethos and growth since launching in 2019 as opposed to flaunting famous faces for marketing and social media campaigns.

There’s no singular way to leverage an athlete investor’s fame, fortune and influence, but Maejer, Manors and Reflo are all hoping to reap the benefits of their respective backers.

“If you look at how we’ve leveraged Theo, the honest answer is definitely not enough,” Manors co-founder Jojo Regan said. “I think that’s just because by nature of how we market—it’s a lot more experience and adventure based than it is tied to personalities.

“The way we market isn’t endorsement-based. The nice thing for Theo is he gets to enjoy being an investor in a business he liked before and continues to like and wear and consume.”