Krank Golf

Founded 2002 · Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Clubs & Balls

#117

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Krank Golf was born in the long drive world, where clubhead speed, ball velocity, and carry distance are the only metrics that matter. Founded in 2002 by Lance Reader, a competitive long driver, Krank built its early reputation engineering drivers that could withstand the extreme forces generated by athletes swinging at 140-plus mph, speeds where conventional clubs can fail structurally. The brand's Formula Fire series and subsequent driver models emphasized ultra-lightweight shafts, aggressive loft options, and face geometries designed to maximize energy transfer and forgiveness on off-center contact. Krank drivers typically feature higher lofts than traditional OEMs recommend, often 11, 13, even 15 degrees, based on the thesis that most golfers lack the speed to optimize lower-lofted clubs and would gain distance through higher launch and reduced spin. This approach, combined with aggressive marketing claims around distance gains, has made Krank both popular among golfers chasing yards and controversial among equipment purists skeptical of oversized promises. The brand operates primarily through direct-to-consumer channels, custom fitting, and a network of certified fitters, avoiding major retail distribution. Krank has zero tour presence among mainstream professional circuits, but that's by design, its clubs are optimized for golfers with moderate swing speeds (85-105 mph) rather than tour professionals. The brand has faced criticism for marketing tactics that some view as misleading, but it retains a loyal customer base among senior golfers and recreational players who report legitimate distance gains after custom fitting. Krank represents a category of one in golf equipment: purpose-built for the distance-desperate, engineered with long drive discipline, and unapologetically focused on a narrow performance outcome rather than broad market appeal.