Tour validation, global media recognition, and premium retail expansion mark a year of meaningful growth for the Japanese forged equipment brand.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – PROTOCONCEPT GOLF closes 2025 following a year defined by tour-proven performance, global editorial recognition, and disciplined expansion across professional golf and premium retail. Guided by its founding philosophy of precision, patience, and craftsmanship, the brand delivered one of its most impactful seasons to date, reinforcing its position within the global premium equipment category.
A defining moment of the year came with PROTOCONCEPT GOLF’s feature in Golf Digest, which spotlighted the RR Forged Wedges for their refined, player-centric approach to short-game design. The editorial highlighted the brand’s simplified sole system of Neutral, Aggressive, and Sweeper grinds, each engineered through advanced 3D CAD design to optimize center of gravity placement, turf interaction, and shot consistency. The feature underscored PROTOCONCEPT’s commitment to clarity, performance, and craftsmanship in a category often defined by complexity.
“Recognition from Golf Digest and continued validation on Tour reflect the philosophy that guides PROTOCONCEPT GOLF,” said Masashi Kamoda, CEO of PROTOCONCEPT GOLF. “We focus on thoughtful design, precision forging, and equipment that serves the player with honesty. 2025 represented meaningful progress for our team, and we are entering 2026 with clarity, momentum, and respect for the craft that defines our brand.”
Throughout the season, PROTOCONCEPT equipment continued to perform under pressure on the global stage. The RR Forged Wedges played a central role in multiple professional victories across Asia, including standout performances on the Japan Golf Tour and the TLPGA Tour. Staff player PK Kongkraphan delivered an exceptional season marked by multiple wins, relying on RR Wedges for consistency, control, and confidence in the scoring zone. In parallel, a long-time PROTOCONCEPT loyalist earned qualification onto the 2026 LIV Tour, further expanding the brand’s presence across elite professional competition.
Retail momentum accelerated throughout the year as PROTOCONCEPT GOLF expanded its authorized partner network with a focus on premium fitters and specialty retailers. The brand welcomed Aspen Golf Direct as a U.S. retail partner, offering golfers access to PROTOCONCEPT irons and RR Forged Wedges through a comprehensive “Try Before You Buy” demo program. PROTOCONCEPT also strengthened its global fitting footprint through expanded partnerships with Cool Clubs, now carrying PROTOCONCEPT equipment across its worldwide fitting locations, and OTT Golf, the exclusive distributor for the United Kingdom and European markets. In the United States, continued collaboration with elite fitting destinations such as The Golf Station reinforced the brand’s commitment to precision fitting, custom builds, and tour-caliber performance at retail.
Beyond competition, 2025 marked a year of expanded storytelling and education for PROTOCONCEPT GOLF. The brand invested in behind-the-scenes content, product education initiatives, and long-form media appearances featuring CEO Masashi Kamoda. These efforts provided golfers, fitters, and retail partners with deeper insight into the brand’s forging process, sole design philosophy, and tour-driven development approach, reinforcing the craftsmanship behind every club.
As PROTOCONCEPT GOLF turns the page to 2026, momentum continues to build. Product innovation is already underway, expanding upon the success of the RR platform and forged iron lineup, while the brand prepares for a strong presence at the upcoming PGA Show. The entire PROTOCONCEPT team will be onsite, meeting with media, retail partners, fitters, and industry leaders to share insights, discuss upcoming developments, and strengthen partnerships.
To experience the tour-winning RR Forged Wedges and connect with the PROTOCONCEPT Golf team in person, appointments during the PGA Show can be scheduled with Vanessa Price, Read the Greens GOLF Media Inc.: readthegreens@aol.com.
Caitie Owona, Director of Communications, Read the Greens GOLF Media Inc.: caitiereadthegreens@gmail.com.
With tour validation, respected media recognition, and a carefully cultivated retail ecosystem, PROTOCONCEPT GOLF enters 2026 positioned for continued growth and influence. Rooted in Japanese craftsmanship and driven by purposeful design, the brand remains focused on delivering equipment that respects the game, the player, and the pursuit of excellence.
About PROTOCONCEPT GOLF:
Golf manufacturers traditionally create and develop equipment tailored for golf professionals. These specialized clubs and designs, initially offered as prototypes solely for professionals, are not available to amateur golfers. PROTOCONCEPT GOLF emerged from this concept.
The term “PROTO” in PROTOCONCEPT stands for “PROTOTYPE.” Now, amateurs at all skill levels have the opportunity to play with and enjoy the same equipment or prototypes previously exclusive to golf professionals.
Launched in 2019, PROTOCONCEPT GOLF is a prestigious luxury Japanese golf club manufacturer that has shifted its resources and management to North America, under the stewardship of Smiling Ducks, Inc.
Since its inception, PROTOCONCEPT GOLF’s forged irons have consistently earned the esteemed Golf Digest “Hot List” award. The professional team at PROTOCONCEPT GOLF includes Lydia Ko, Haeji Kang, Ryuji Imada, and Chia Cheng. Their artisanal range of forged golf clubs is available through select dealers such as True Spec Golf, Cool Clubs, Urban Golf Performance, and online via Fairway Jockey.
For more information, visit www.protoconceptgolf.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Caitie Owona
Read the Greens, GOLF Media Inc.
Vanessa Marie Price
Read the Greens GOLF Media, Inc.
(714) 544-6515 or readthegreens@aol.com
