S E11: From Golf Nerd to $200M Exit | Sam Hahn and the Unlikely Rise of L.A.B. Golf

S E11: From Golf Nerd to $200M Exit | Sam Hahn and the Unlikely Rise of L.A.B. Golf

Author: Big Swing Media January 21, 2026 Duration: 47:31
If you think fairy tales in golf only happen inside the ropes — think again.This week on The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Sam Hahn, Founder of L.A.B. Golf, for one of the most unconventional business stories the game has ever seen.What started as a strange, “ugly” putter with a cult following turned into one of the fastest-growing equipment companies in golf — exploding from roughly $1M to $60M in annual sales in just four years, before being sold at a massive valuation. Sam walks through the moments that nearly broke the company, the tour break that almost ended it, and why not relying on PGA Tour validation became the key to survival.Along the way, Sam breaks down:How a musician and bar owner became a golf equipment disruptorWhy L.A.B. Golf rejected traditional marketing and tour contractsThe risks of scaling too fast — and the break that saved the companyWhat it’s like letting go of a brand you built from nothingWhy belief, obsession, and community mattered more than capitalPlus, we debut Powering the Women’s Game presented by Chevron, a new biweekly segment highlighting the growth, history, and future of women’s golf — beginning at the LPGA’s 75th anniversary and examining why the women’s game is poised for its biggest era yet.If you care about entrepreneurship, innovation, golf business, or building something the hard way — this episode is required listening.🔔 Subscribe for New Episodes Every Wednesday Morning▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify📺 Live on Golf Channel Every Tuesday Morning at 7am & 9am#SamHahn #LABGolf #GolfBusiness #GolfInnovation #FounderStory #GolfPutter #TheBigSwing #JimmyRoberts See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by sixteen-time Emmy winner and broadcasting legend Jimmy Roberts, The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts goes far beyond the fairway. This isn't just another sports interview series; it's a deep exploration of the powerful forces and fascinating personalities driving the modern golf industry. Each episode features an intimate, one-on-one conversation with the executives, celebrities, and elite athletes who are actively shaping the game's future, from groundbreaking deals and major investments to the cultural trends redefining the sport. You'll hear candid stories and gain unparalleled access to the boardrooms and backstories behind the headlines. Presented by Big Swing Media, this podcast delivers a unique blend of sports, business, and insider perspective, offering listeners a sophisticated look at where the game is headed next. Tune in for thoughtful dialogues that reveal the strategy and passion fueling golf's biggest swings, both on and off the course.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 46

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts
Podcast Episodes
S E38: The Training Method Behind Scottie Scheffler's Breakthrough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:25
The biggest threat to your golf game may not be your swing. It may be what your body is doing during the rest of the day.In this YouTube-exclusive episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Dr. Jer…
S E37: How Stanford Built a Women’s Golf Powerhouse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:58
Stanford women’s golf has become one of the most dominant programs in college golf — but Anne Walker’s approach goes far beyond swing mechanics.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with St…
S E36: Tiger Woods’ Former Agent Finally Tells the Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
Before Tiger Woods became a global business empire, Hughes Norton was helping build the foundation.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Hughes Norton — the legendary former IMG agent…
S E35: Golf’s Money Problem Is Finally Out in the Open [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:44
Golf is booming — but the business behind the game has never been more complicated.In this special live episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, recorded ahead of the U.S. Open, Jimmy sits down for two separate conve…
S E34: McLaren's Bold Bet on Golf with Hoyt McGarity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:49
Why would one of the most iconic brands in motorsports decide to enter one of the most competitive industries in sports?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Hoyt McGarity, President of 8AM Golf…
S E33: Arthur Blank Bet on Himself... and Won [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:42
How do you go from getting fired to building one of the most successful companies in American history?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Arthur Blank, the billionaire entrepreneur, philanthrop…
S E30: Paige Spiranac on Fame, Hate & Building a Golf Empire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:19
Paige Spiranac became one of the most influential people in golf — but not without controversy, criticism, and constant public scrutiny.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Paige Spiranac for a…
S E29: How AI is Changing Golf Forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:17
AI is changing golf faster than almost anyone realizes.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with members of the Big Swing Media team to break down the biggest trends shaping the future of the game —…