Deal delivers tour-wide rebrand and expanded 2026 calendar, with Pinnacle to explore future qualifying initiative
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NEW YORK – World Long Drive (WLD) today announced a transformative title partnership with Pinnacle that will establish the Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour beginning with the 2026 season. The agreement solidifies Pinnacle as the golf ball of choice for the world’s longest drivers, alongside the release of an expanded slate of host markets for the upcoming year, representing a significant expansion of the tour’s commercial and competitive platform.
Delivering performance built for the WLD, the official competition golf ball for the 2026 season will be the Pinnacle Distance, which combines a proprietary high-energy core with optimized aerodynamics to help golfers get every possible yard out of their game. The long distance, consistent ball flight and proven durability of Pinnacle Distance will be on display at every Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour event, exhibition and qualifying competition.
“Pinnacle and World Long Drive share the same DNA: distance, performance, and accessibility for golfers who love to swing hard,” said David Livingston, Chief Commercial Officer of World Long Drive. “Rebranding our tour as the Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour is more than a name change—it’s a statement about the future growth of our sport and our commitment to delivering world-class competition, compelling content, and elevated fan engagement.”
The 2026 Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour season will feature multiple events across key domestic and international markets, beginning in May and culminating with the World Long Drive World Championships in October.
The 2026 Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour will feature televised events on Golf Channel and ESPN2. Every Tour event will stream on the Pinnacle World Long Drive YouTube Channel.
Five World Long Drive athletes — Sean Johnson, Jack Smith, Scottie Pearman, Roni Shin and Abby Marting — will serve as Pinnacle Ambassadors throughout the 2026 season, representing the brand through on-course apparel and participating in Pinnacle-produced training, competition and behind-the-scenes content.
“World Long Drive is where athletes and their equipment are put to the ultimate test in pursuit of distance,” said Jeremy Stone, Senior Vice President of Golf Ball Marketing and U.S. Sales at Acushnet. “That makes it the perfect place to showcase the performance of Pinnacle Distance, which is everything these athletes are looking for – high ball speed with a piercing ball flight and the consistency needed to hit the grid as far downrange as possible.”
About Pinnacle
Pinnacle is an Acushnet Company golf ball brand that designs and produces high-quality golf balls for the value-seeking golfer. Manufactured in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Pinnacle was first introduced in 1980 for golfers seeking exceptional distance, durability, and value, and has remained a category leader for more than four decades.
About The Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour
The Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour is the largest annual domestic professional long drive golf event not associated with the PGA of America, PGA Tour, or LPGA. The Pinnacle World Long Drive Tour features Open, Rise, Senior, Amateur, and Women’s divisions, with events held in North America and Japan, culminating in the annual World Long Drive Championship. Additionally, the Pinnacle World Long Drive Series features exhibitions created for entertainment and broadcast on ESPN2. World Long Drive is owned and operated by GF Sports & Entertainment.
About GF Sports & Entertainment
GF Sports & Entertainment is a global events and operations company that elevates live sports, entertainment, and interactive experiences. The company owns and operates premier professional sports properties across golf, tennis, and lacrosse and is headquartered in New York, NY.
CONTACT
Reeves Eddins | Tony Fay PR | 901.647.9697 | reeves@tonyfaypr.com
Malcolm Herbert | Acushnet Company | macolm_herbert@acushnetgolf.com