Acushnet Holdings Corp. (GOLF)

ITEM 2.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion contains management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described in “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should carefully read “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” following the Table of Contents. Unless otherwise noted, the figures in the following discussion are unaudited.

Overview

We are the global leader in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of performance-driven golf products, and these products are widely recognized for their quality excellence. Today, we are the steward of two of the most revered brands in golf—Titleist, one of golf’s leading performance equipment brands, and FootJoy, one of golf’s leading performance wearable brands.

Our target market is dedicated golfers, who are the cornerstone of the worldwide golf industry. These dedicated golfers are avid and skill-biased, prioritize performance and commit the time, effort and money to improve their game. We believe our focus on innovation and process excellence yields golf products that represent superior performance and consistent product quality, which are the key attributes sought after by dedicated golfers. Many of the game's professional players, who represent the most dedicated golfers, prefer our products, thereby validating our performance and quality promise while also driving brand awareness. We seek to leverage a pyramid of influence product and promotion strategy, whereby our products are the most played by the world's best players, creating aspirational appeal for a broad range of golfers who want to emulate the performance of the game's best players.

We believe our differentiated focus on performance and quality excellence, enduring connections with dedicated golfers and favorable and market‑differentiating mix of consumable and durable products have been the key drivers of our financial performance.

Our net sales are diversified by both product category and mix, as well as geography. Our product categories include golf balls, golf clubs, wedges and putters, golf shoes, golf gloves, golf gear, and golf and ski outerwear and apparel. Our product portfolio contains a favorable mix of consumable products, which we consider to be golf balls and golf gloves, and more durable products, which we consider to be golf clubs, golf shoes, golf gear, and golf and ski outerwear and apparel. Our net sales are also diversified by geography, with a substantial majority of our net sales generated in five countries: the United States, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and Canada. We have three reportable segments: Titleist golf equipment, FootJoy golf wear, and Golf gear.

Recent Developments

Geopolitical Developments and Macroeconomic Factors: The global economy continues to experience elevated levels of volatility and uncertainty, including within commodity and energy markets, driven by a combination of geopolitical developments and macroeconomic factors. Increased U.S. tariffs have led and may continue to lead to the imposition of retaliatory tariffs by foreign jurisdictions, which have further contributed to disruptions in global capital markets and global supply chains. As a result, we have incurred and may continue to incur incremental costs in connection with importing raw materials, component parts and finished goods. In addition, geopolitical developments, inflationary pressures and other macroeconomic factors have resulted and may continue to result in increased energy, freight, and distribution costs. We have implemented various strategies to mitigate the effect of these incremental costs on our gross profit and gross margin.

In February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that certain tariffs imposed under IEEPA were invalid, and in March 2026, the U.S. Court of International Trade issued an order directing CBP to refund duties collected under IEEPA. In April 2026, CBP established a refund portal, allowing importers of record and authorized customs brokers to submit refund requests. We have submitted refund requests through this portal for duties paid on qualifying imports. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, we recognized benefits related to IEEPA tariff refunds of $44.5 million in costs of goods sold, $0.6 million in selling, general and administrative expenses, and $1.5 million in interest expense, net. These benefits were partially offset by a resulting increase in incentive compensation expense of approximately $7 million. While we continue to evaluate opportunities for additional tariff refunds, we do not expect any future recoveries to have a significant impact on our results of

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operations. See “Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies,” Item 1 of Part I to this report.

Current uncertainties around geopolitical developments and macroeconomic factors and their effects on trading relationships may further affect the costs of our imported raw materials, components parts and finished goods, as well as energy, freight, and distribution costs. In addition, increased market volatility and currency exchange rate fluctuations may influence our hedging strategy. These factors, and any changes to these factors, could have a material adverse effect on consumer behavior and on our future revenues and overall profitability. We continue to monitor the economic effects of these developments and evaluate opportunities to mitigate their related impacts.

Supply Chain Optimization: On January 6, 2026, we formed a new joint venture with Myre and subscribed for shares in the capital of ACL FootJoy, in which we have a 40% interest, with the remaining 60% owned by Myre. The primary purpose of ACL FootJoy is to source raw materials for, and contract for the manufacture and production of, footwear in Vietnam, at one or more factories owned and/or controlled by Myre and/or its affiliates. We currently contract to manufacture substantially all of our FootJoy footwear at the Long An Factory pursuant to this joint venture arrangement. See “Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 16 – Other Business Developments,” Item 1 of Part I to this report.

Information Technology Optimization: During 2024, we began a multi-year implementation of a new global cloud-based enterprise resource planning ("ERP") platform as part of our plans to integrate our operations and enhance our supply chain and finance capabilities. We expect that the new global ERP platform will enable further operating efficiencies and support the Company’s digital transformation. Additional implementation activities are expected to continue in phases by geographic region over the next several years. The global ERP platform implementation spending comprises both capitalized costs and operating expenses. The operating expenses represent costs directly related to the deployment of the global ERP platform above the normal ongoing level of spending on information technology to support our operations. In connection with this strategic initiative, we incurred expenses of $6.9 million and $3.4 million, during the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively, and $9.9 million and $6.0 million, during the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. In addition, we invested $13.3 million and $21.2 million for capitalized implementation costs associated with the integration, configuration and customization of this new global ERP platform during the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. We anticipate spending approximately $35 million to $40 million in total for the full year related to the deployment of the new global ERP platform.

Key Performance Measures

We use various financial metrics to measure and evaluate our business, including, among others: (i) net sales on a constant currency basis, (ii) Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis, (iii) Adjusted EBITDA margin on a consolidated basis and (iv) segment operating income (loss).

Since a significant percentage of our net sales are generated outside of the United States, we use net sales on a constant currency basis to evaluate the sales performance of our business in period over period comparisons and to forecast our business going forward. Constant currency information allows us to estimate what our sales performance would have been without changes in foreign currency exchange rates. This information is calculated by taking the current period local currency net sales and translating them into U.S. dollars based upon the foreign currency exchange rates for the applicable comparable prior period. This constant currency information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measure derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of constant currency information may not be consistent with the manner in which similar measures are derived or used by other companies.

We primarily use Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies, assess our consolidated operating performance and make decisions regarding the pricing of our products, go-to-market execution and costs to incur across our business. We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our operating performance because it excludes the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance. We define “Adjusted EBITDA” in a manner consistent with the term “Consolidated EBITDA” as it is defined in our credit agreement. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income (loss) attributable to Acushnet Holdings Corp. plus interest expense, net, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, and other items defined in our credit agreement, including: share-based compensation expense; restructuring and transformation costs; certain transaction fees; extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring losses or charges; indemnification expense (income); certain pension settlement costs; certain other non-cash (gains) losses, net and the net income (loss) relating to noncontrolling interests. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. It should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) attributable to Acushnet Holdings Corp. as a measure of our operating performance or any other measure of performance derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future

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results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items, or affected by similar nonrecurring items. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider such measure either in isolation or as a substitute for analyzing our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Our definition and calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies due to different methods of calculation. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) attributable to Acushnet Holdings Corp., see “—Results of Operations” below.

We also use Adjusted EBITDA margin on a consolidated basis, which measures our Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales, because our man

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ITEM 7.              MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion contains management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and should be read together with “Item 1A – Risk Factors” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward‑looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of this report. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward‑looking statements. You should carefully read the “Special Note Regarding Forward‑Looking Statements” section of this report following the Table of Contents.

Overview

We are the global leader in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of performance-driven golf products, and these products are widely recognized for their quality excellence. Today, we are the steward of two of the most revered brands in golf—Titleist, one of golf’s leading performance equipment brands, and FootJoy, one of golf’s leading performance wearable brands.

Our target market is dedicated golfers, who are the cornerstone of the worldwide golf industry. These dedicated golfers are avid and skill-biased, prioritize performance and commit the time, effort and money to improve their game. We seek to leverage a pyramid of influence product and promotion strategy, whereby our products are the most played by the world’s best players, creating aspirational appeal for a broad range of golfers who want to emulate the performance of the game’s best players.

We believe our differentiated focus on performance and quality excellence, enduring connections with dedicated golfers and favorable and market-differentiating mix of consumable and durable products have been the key drivers of our financial performance.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying results have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Acushnet Holdings Corp. and Acushnet Company, including Acushnet Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries and less than wholly-owned subsidiaries, which include variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which Acushnet Company is the primary beneficiary. In addition, investments in entities over which the Company has significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company conducts substantially all its business through Acushnet Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

We have three reportable segments. These segments include Titleist golf equipment, FootJoy golf wear and Golf gear. Segment operating income (loss) includes directly attributable expenses and certain shared costs of corporate administration that are allocated to the operating segments, but excludes certain other costs, such as interest expense, net; restructuring costs; the non-service cost component of net periodic benefit cost; transaction fees; as well as other non-operating gains and losses that are not allocated to the reportable segments.

Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Rounds of Play

We generate substantially all of our sales from the sale of golf-related products, including golf balls, golf clubs, golf shoes, golf gloves, golf gear and golf apparel. The demand for golf-related products in general, and golf balls in particular, is directly related to the number of golf participants and the number of rounds of golf being played by these participants. The game of golf remained in high demand in 2025, with the number of on-course golf participants in the U.S. increasing for the eighth consecutive year. Worldwide, the number of rounds played increased by approximately 2% compared to 2024, and by approximately 22% compared to 2019. In the U.S., which represents the game’s largest market, the number of rounds played increased by approximately 1% compared to 2024, and by approximately 25% compared to 2019. We anticipate that the number of rounds played will remain resilient in 2026, driven by an increased number of dedicated golfers and continued participation.

Economic Conditions

Our products are recreational in nature and are therefore discretionary purchases for consumers. Consumers are generally more willing to make discretionary purchases of golf products when economic conditions are favorable and when

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consumers feel confident and prosperous. Discretionary spending on golf and the golf products we sell is affected by consumer spending habits and many macroeconomic factors, including general business conditions, stock market prices and volatility, corporate spending, housing prices, inflation, interest rates, the availability of consumer credit, taxes and consumer confidence in future economic conditions. Consumers may reduce or postpone purchases of our products as a result of shifts in consumer spending habits as well as during periods when economic uncertainty increases, disposable income is lower, or during periods of actual or perceived unfavorable economic conditions.

Demographic Factors

Golf is a recreational activity that requires both time and financial resources. The industry has historically been driven by adults aged 30 and above—primarily gen x-ers, baby boomers, millennials, and, increasingly, gen z—who have the capacity to participate consistently in the sport. Beyond the gen x and baby boomer cohorts, promising developments include a generational shift in golfer demographics fueled by millennial and gen z golfers making their marks at both professional and amateur levels, as well as a notable rise in junior participation among players ages 6–17. The sport’s demographic base is further broadening, supported by a sustained increase in women participating in golf in recent years.

Weather Conditions

Weather conditions in most parts of the world, including our primary geographic markets, generally restrict golf from being played year-round, with many of our on‑course retail customers closed during the cold weather months and, to a lesser extent, during the hot weather months. Unfavorable weather conditions in our major markets, such as a particularly long winter, a cold and wet spring, or an extremely hot summer, would reduce the number of playable days and rounds played in a given year and decrease the amount spent by golfers and golf retailers on our products, particularly with respect to consumable products such as golf balls and golf gloves. In addition, unfavorable weather conditions and natural disasters can adversely affect the number of custom club fitting and trial events that we can perform during the key selling period. Unusual or severe weather events throughout the year, such as storms or droughts or other water shortages, can negatively affect golf rounds played both during such events and afterward. Consequently, sustained adverse weather conditions, especially during the warm weather months, could impact our sales. Adverse weather conditions may have a greater impact on us than other golf equipment companies as we have a large percentage of consumable products in our product portfolio, and the purchase of consumable products are more dependent on the number of rounds played in a given year.

Seasonality

In general, during the first quarter, we begin selling our products into the golf retail channel for the new golf season. This initial sell‑in generally continues into the second quarter. Our second‑quarter sales are significantly affected by the amount of sell‑through, in particular the amount of higher value discretionary purchases made by customers, which drives the level of reorders of the products sold during the first quarter. Our third‑quarter sales are generally dependent on reorder business, and are generally lower than the second quarter as many retailers begin decreasing their inventory levels in anticipation of the end of the golf season. Our fourth‑quarter sales are generally less than the other quarters due to the end of the golf season in many of our key markets, but can also be affected by key product launches, particularly golf clubs. This seasonality, and therefore quarter-to-quarter fluctuations, can be affected by many factors, including weather conditions as discussed previously under “–Weather Conditions” and the timing of new product introductions as discussed below under “–Cyclicality” and “–Product Life Cycles.” This seasonality affects sales in each of our reportable segments differently. In general, however, because of this seasonality, a larger portion of our sales and profitability generally occurs during the first half of the year.

Cyclicality

Our sales can also be affected by the launch timing of new products. Product introductions generally stimulate sales as the golf retail channel takes on inventory of new products. Reorders of these new products then depend on the rate of sell‑through. Announcements of new products can often cause our customers to defer purchasing additional golf equipment until our new products are available. The varying product introduction cycles described below may cause our results of operations to fluctuate as each product line has different volumes, prices and margins.

Product Life Cycles

Titleist Golf Equipment Segment

We generally launch new Titleist golf ball models on a two-year cycle. In general, in odd-numbered years, we launch our premium performance models, Pro V1 and Pro V1x, in the first quarter and in even-numbered years, we launch our premium performance AVX model and most performance models in the first and second quarters. For new golf ball models, sales occur at a higher rate in the year of the initial launch than in the second year.

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We generally launch new Titleist golf club models on a two‑year cycle using the following product launch cycle. At present, we anticipate continuing to use this product launch cycle going forward because we believe it aligns our launches with the purchase habits of dedicated golfers. In general, we launch:

•drivers and fairways in the second quarter of even‑numbered years, which typically results in an increase in sales of drivers and fairways in the ensuing months because retailers take on initial supplies of these products as stock inventory as well as increase custom fitting activity of these new products, with increased sales continuing into the following spring and summer of odd‑numbered years;

•hybrids in the first or second quarter of odd-numbered years, with the majority of sales generated by such new products occurring in the spring, summer and fall of odd‑numbered years;

•irons in the second quarter of odd‑numbered years, which typically results in an increase in sales of irons in the ensuing months because retailers take on initial supplies of these products as stock inventory as well as increase custom fitting activity of these new products, with increased sales continuing into the following spring and summer of even-numbered years;

•Vokey Design wedges in the first quarter of even‑numbered years, with the majority of sales generated by such new products occurring in the spring and summer of such even‑numbered years; and

•Scotty Cameron putters in the first quarter, with Super Select models launched in odd-numbered years and Phantom X models launched in even-numbered years, with the majority of sales generated by such new products occurring in the spring and summer of the year in which they are launched.

FootJoy Golf Wear and Golf Gear Segments

Our FootJoy golf wear and Golf gear businesses are not subject to the same degree of cyclical fluctuation as our golf bal

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