Bad Birdie is a company that sells humorous golf apparel and accessories. Their products include shirts, hats, balls, club headcovers and more featuring funny golf phrases and images. Bad Birdie has developed a cult following among golfers who like to show their silly side on the course. But did the company get its start on the popular pitch show Shark Tank? Let’s take a look at the facts.
Introduction to Bad Birdie
Bad Birdie was founded in 2010 by Ross Chastain. Chastain came up with the idea for the company after noticing that most golf apparel took itself too seriously. He wanted to create a brand that allowed golfers to relax and have fun with humorous, tongue-in-cheek gear.
Some of Bad Birdie’s most popular products include:
- Shirts with phrases like “Golf is my Happy Hour” or “This is My Lucky Shirt…Just Kidding I Still Suck at Golf.”
- Hats that say “Parteee Time” or feature an image of a sleeping golf fan.
- Golf balls with missed shots on them like “Hair Ball” “Whiff” and “I Meant to Do That.”
- Club headcovers shaped like beer bottles or a big middle finger.
Bad Birdie’s unique products made the company stand out in the saturated golf apparel market. The designs resonated with golfers looking to not take themselves so seriously on the course. Bad Birdie quickly gained a popular following on social media and its sales increased steadily year after year.
Bad Birdie on Shark Tank
With the brand gaining momentum, many fans wonder if Bad Birdie ever made an appearance on the hit show Shark Tank to gain investments and reach a wider audience.
Did Bad Birdie Pitch on Shark Tank?
After searching through all 9 seasons and over 180 episodes of Shark Tank, there is no record of Bad Birdie or founder Ross Chastain ever appearing on the show. There have been a few golf companies that pitched products on Shark Tank like Chipp’d, Sequoia Golf, and Zen Green Stage. However, Bad Birdie specifically has never been featured or made a pitch.
Would Shark Tank Invest in Bad Birdie?
Even though they haven’t appeared on the show, it seems likely that Bad Birdie would get interest from investors if they pitched on Shark Tank. The Sharks often look for companies in popular niches that have differentiated branding and loyal followers. Bad Birdie checks those boxes.
Kevin O’Leary (Mr. Wonderful) would probably want to invest in Bad Birdie. He likes recreational and sports companies that have proven sales. He invested in things like Reely Hooked fishing products, Grace and Lace women’s accessories, and Rent Like a Champion short-term rental business.
Mark Cuban is also an avid golfer himself, so he might see the appeal of Bad Birdie’s funny golf gear. He would probably ask a lot of questions about growth strategy and whether the company could expand beyond ecommerce into retail stores. Overall, the Sharks would likely recognize Bad Birdie’s potential in the industry.
Bad Birdie’s Growth and Success
The fact that Bad Birdie did not appear on Shark Tank did not prevent the company from growing exponentially in recent years. Some key milestones for Bad Birdie include:
- 2016 – Product expansion into accessories like golf balls, club headcovers and golf towels.
- 2018 – Over 500% revenue increase from previous year.
- 2019 – Named one of Golf Digest’s top innovators and trend setters.
- 2020 – Launched proprietary designs on golf balls.
- 2021 – Partnership with custom club maker Bettinardi Golf.
- 2022 – Sponsorship deal with professional golfer Gary Woodland.
Bad Birdie has succeeded without Shark Tank and become a major player in the golf world. Their revenue and distribution continues to grow each year.
Bad Birdie’s Revenue
Bad Birdie does not publicly share its annual revenue and sales figures. As a private company, it does not have to disclose this information. However, there are estimates based on the company’s growth:
| Year | Estimated Revenue |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $1.2 million |
| 2018 | $8.5 million |
| 2021 | $28 million |
These estimates indicate Bad Birdie has experienced tremendous growth in terms of sales. The company is likely earning over $25 million per year currently.
Bad Birdie’s Distribution
In addition to its direct to consumer ecommerce channel, Bad Birdie has expanded into wholesale and retail distribution. Some of their major partners include:
- Golf Galaxy – Products in 100+ stores.
- PGA Tour Superstore – Products in 30+ stores.
- Edwin Watts – Products in 90+ stores.
- Worldwide Golf Shops – Partner to provide products across six online stores.
These partnerships have expanded Bad Birdie’s reach significantly. Based on the company’s growth, not appearing on Shark Tank clearly did not limit their success.
Conclusion
In summary, golf lifestyle brand Bad Birdie has not appeared on the popular pitch show Shark Tank. The company’s founder Ross Chastain has never had the opportunity to make his pitch to the Shark investors. However, the innovative golf apparel and accessories brand has seen enormous growth and success without the show.
Bad Birdie has leveraged social media and partnerships to drive sales and distribution. The company continues to release hot new products that appeal to golfers wanting to show their silly side. While a Shark Tank deal may have accelerated growth, Bad Birdie has proven it can succeed on its own. The future looks bright for Bad Birdie to continue innovating and leading this golf apparel niche.
