Driving Success with the 16 Best Golf Affiliate Programs

Posted by Coty Perry, in Affiliate Programs

Golf is big business. With over 41 million golfers in the U.S. alone and a global market valued at billions of dollars, there is huge potential for affiliate marketers in the golf niche. Best of all, golf is a serious passion. It’s something enthusiasts are willing to spend their last dollar on. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 16 golf affiliate programs based on factors like commission rates, cookie duration, brand awareness and more. 

Whether you’re looking to monetize an existing golf site or want to break into a lucrative affiliate niche that’s good for beginners and experienced affiliates; golf presents a lot of great opportunity. 

1. Callaway Golf

• Commission Rate: 6-9%
• Cookie Duration: 45 days

With widespread name recognition and their equipment used by several top-ranked professional golfers, Callaway Golf sets the standard for premium brands in the sport. They sell popular gear like clubs, balls, bags, accessories and lifestyle apparel.

Callaway Golf provides generous earnings potential for affiliates with performance-based incentives allowing payouts up to 9% per sale. A 45-day cookie window provides exceptionally good coverage to earn credit for referrals who convert later. This duration is better than many rival brands.

For golf affiliates wanting to partner with a category leader, Callaway checks all boxes. Top-notch reputation, strongly branded merchandise and excellent commission structures make them hard to ignore.

2. Global Golf

• Commission Rate: Up to 8%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

Unlike big box golf retailers, Global Golf adopts a more service-oriented tact similar to pro shops at local golf courses. This positioning allows them to provide expertise and value that keeps golfers coming back.

While Global Golf lacks the universal brand recognition of Callaway, they win favor through service and competitive pricing. Their affiliate program pays a healthy 8% baseline commission and a 30-day cookie lets affiliates earn for an extended period from referred traffic.

3. Trendy Golf

• Commission Rate: 6%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

Catering specifically to golfers wanting to look sharp on the course, Trendy Golf lives up to its name stocking stylish apparel and accessories from Polo Ralph Lauren, Adidas and other premium brands. They understand what it takes to create coveted golf fashion.

The focused niche Trendy Golf dominates helps set realistic expectations around conversions, but affiliates still walk away with a good 6% commission on purchases thanks to average order values exceeding $250.

4. American Golf

• Commission Rate: 6%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

Despite the name, American Golf actually holds the title as Europe’s largest golf retailer with almost 100 physical stores located across the UK and Ireland. But they also operate a popular ecommerce store stocking all leading golf gear and accessory brands.

The strong local foothold American Golf enjoys makes them an ideal affiliate partner for European-focused golf blogs and websites already. And a standard 6% commission rate gives you room to negotiate higher bonuses through their program.

5. The Golf Warehouse

• Commission Rate: 1-6.5%
• Cookie Duration: Session-based

Golf enthusiasts recognize The Golf Warehouse as one of the first online specialty stores in the game. Launching initially in 1998, they’ve expanded inventory to carry over 40,000 products from top manufacturers to position themselves as a true one-stop golf retailer.

Despite trailblazing heritage in online golf retail, The Golf Warehouse offers little affiliate value beyond brand familiarity. A small 1% commission trails well below competitors and the lack of a cookie duration will also make it difficult. 

That said, some information out there states that they provide up to 6.5% commissions so that could sweeten the deal a bit. 

6. Golf Outlets USA

• Commission Rate: 5%
• Cookie Duration: 45 days

Golf Outlets USA embraced value positioning from the outset, allowing them to carve out a niche supplying golfers quality gear at bargain prices. With discounted clubs, bags and accessories rounding out their affordable selections, price-conscious shoppers find plenty to like browsing their online store and offers.

While light on brand prestige, Golf Outlets USA caters well to deal-seeking golf shoppers through low prices onequipment essentials. Their affiliate program pays a fair 5% commission and offers a 45-day cookie.

7. Swing Man Golf

• Commission Rate: 20-50% recurring
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

Founded by long drive champion Jaacob Bowden, Swing Man Golf specializes in online video training programs tailored to improve swing mechanics, add distance and lower scores. By focusing teaching around accessibly priced subscriptions, it drives recurring affiliate sales.

Swing Man Golf affiliate payouts are among the most lucrative thanks to a 50% share of revenue from monthly subscription fees. For consistent earnings, affiliates should prioritize their rebillable training series.

8. Austad’s Golf

• Commission Rate: 7.5-9%
• Cookie Duration: 60 days

Operating both retail stores and a popular ecommerce store allows Austad’s Golf to reach golfers through multiple channels, earning repeat business and building strong brand familiarity. Offering equipment across leading golf brands for almost 60 years adds further authority.

Austad Golf further incentives affiliates withcommission bumps up to 9% for driving higher monthly sales volumes. Long 60-day cookies and an average order above $140 provides a lot of backend earning potential from conversions.

9. Rain or Shine Golf

• Commission Rate: 5%+
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

Rain or Shine Golf meets the growing demand for advanced golf simulator systems designed for home and commercial facilities use. With high price points and 5%+ affiliate commissions, even a few referred sales can quickly yield big returns.

Besides golf simulator equipment, Rain or Shine Golf also supplies indoor putting mats, swing aids and related accessories. But their biggest affiliate potential sits with simulator systems averaging between $4,000 to $20,000 depending on features.

10. TeeOff

• Commission Rate: 6%
• Cookie Duration: Unknown

TeeOff modernizes access to tee times and golf course reservations with an online platform listing 500,000+ available booking across more than 9,000 global courses. For traveling golf enthusiasts or affiliates catering to nomadic golfers, it’s an invaluable booking tool to showcase.

Because TeeOff facilitates value bookings rather than physical sales, conversion rates trend higher. While light on some program details, the sheer depth of course availability and a 6% cut of bookings drives plenty affiliate opportunity promoting their services.

11. TaylorMade Golf

• Commission Rate: 5%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

TaylorMade Golf reigns as one of golf’s most recognized equipment brands, aided by sponsorship deals with stars like Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnston along with consistent innovation winning diehard fans. All factors that make their gear a prime seller for savvy affiliates.

The respected TaylorMade name continuously moves merchandise, even at premium pricing tiers. And affiliates earn a base 5% cut of sales through their clean-cut program. For marketability, it’s hard losing with TaylorMade Golf as a partner.

12. Amazon Associates

• Commission Rate: 3%
• Cookie Duration: 24 hours

It’s impossible ignoring retail juggernaut Amazon’s presence, with over 100,000 golf products on offer spanning equipment, attire, accessories and more. 

While Amazon might have a lower commission rate than some of the other options in this guide, we all know they convert better because of the trust people have in Amazon and two-day shipping doesn’t hurt either.

Amazon Associates earns a spot given unlimited reach and brand familiarity. But even minor gains sourcing higher commission deals elsewhere make that a preferable route to maximize golf affiliate earnings. Just don’t ignore Amazon completely.

13. Nike Golf

• Commission Rate: 11%
• Cookie Duration: Unknown

Powered by reverence for the iconic Swoosh logo, Nike Golf offers affiliates a chance to tap brand cache on par with the biggest names in the sport. And Nike backs it up with double-digit 11% commissions to market their equipment and apparel lines.

Rivals can’t touch Nike’s affiliate generosity at 11% product commissions. Expect their payouts to convert well thanks to the respected branding golfers instantly connect with excellence and performance in sports apparel.

14. GForce Golf

• Commission Rate: 10-50%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

Gforce Golf burst onto the scene with advanced swing trainer club designs named some of the world’s most effective golf training aids by critics. Their technology helps ingrain proper swing mechanics through specialized weighting and flexible shafts.

Similar to other golf improvement affiliate programs, Gforce Golf training tools command premium price points yielding 50% rev share commissions when shoppers subscribe to their teaching. It’s an easy angle to pitch the quality and innovation behind these clubs.

15. Fairway Golf USA

• Commission Rate: 4-10%
• Cookie Duration: 60 days

While less mainstream than larger online golf retailers, Fairway Golf USA does cater efficiently to golfers seeking harder-to-findJapanese club brands and custom-built equipment. Specialization makes them a standout within those niche equipment segments.

Fairway Golf USA trails category leaders in providing affiliate program details. But pressed for specifics by affiliates, their niche specialization around Japanese clubs and custom gear deserves a closer look as a niche opportunity.

16. Golf Shoes Plus

• Commission Rate: 5%
• Cookie Duration: Unknown

True to name, Golf Shoes Plus only sells golf shoes – over 12,000 variants to be exact. Avoiding other equipment and apparel gives them unmatched product depth within golf footwear specifically from major companies like Nike, Adidas and FootJoy.

With a straightforward 5% commission through Golf Shoes Plus, affiliates can niche down within just golf shoes rather than broader equipment and accessories found on Amazon and big box golf sites.

Choosing the Best Golf Affiliate Programs

When deciding which golf affiliate programs to focus on promoting, keep these four factors in mind while comparing options:

Commission Rate – Baseline commission percentages indicate how much sales revenue brands share for your referrals. Programs paying higher rates convert better to affiliate income. Top golf programs pay between 5-15%, with some offering additional performance incentives. Keep in mind that some affiliate programs will actually decrease your commission rate if you’re converting a higher amount of traffic. 

Cookie Duration – Cookies track customer actions, crediting affiliates if eventual purchases occur. Longer cookie windows give more time for possible conversions. Longer cookie windows—30, 45 or 60+ days—give extended time for possible conversions. In many affiliate niches, golf included, there may be a timeline before someone is willing to purchase. This is where longer cookies come in. 

Website Conversions – Conversion rate is the percentage that visitors take a desired action. For affiliates, that action is making a purchase. Sites with higher sales conversion rates deliver greater value by turning your audience into buyers at superior percentages. If the website you’re sending your traffic to doesn’t convert, you should find a new affiliate program. 

Average Order Value – How much customers typically spend per order further determines potential individual commission totals. Programs known for bigger average purchases around $100-250+ earn bigger individual payouts when conversions happen thanks to robust cart sizes.

Final Takeaways

Golf affiliate marketing presents major earning potential thanks to the sport’s large global audience, high average order values and passionate fans willing to spend freely on equipment, accessories and training products.

This list of 16 top-rated golf affiliate programs provides a blueprint to capitalize on this lucrative market regardless of your audience’s interests based on factors like broad appeal, strong reputation, competitive commission structures and other affiliate benefits.

So whether launching a standalone golf site or incorporating golf promotions into an existing sports or lifestyle blog, signing up through these affiliate links lets you tee up profits backing big brands golfers already know and love.