The Imperial Story: An American Golf Headwear Brand Since 1916

Imperial has made golf hats for more than a century. It started in 1916 with one sewing machine and a run of wool dress caps. Today Imperial headwear is sold at 99 of the top 100 U.S. golf courses and in the merchandise shops of major men's golf championships.

Who is Imperial?

Imperial is an American company that designs and manufactures premium headwear, apparel, and accessories, best known for golf hats and visors. The brand has operated under the name Imperial since it was founded in 1916, and it sells directly to consumers at imperial1916.com as well as through golf pro shops, corporate clients, and licensing partners. Imperial is the flagship brand of a group that also owns Pukka®, the Winston Collection, and the Peter Millar Licensing Company.

The through-line for more than a hundred years has been a single product done well: a hat that fits, holds up, and looks right on the course. Imperial describes its design point of view as "classic with a twist" — traditional golf styling updated with current materials and silhouettes. You can see it across the full headwear range.

How Imperial started in 1916

Imperial began in Denver, Colorado, in 1916 with one sewing machine producing wool dress caps. Headwear was everyday wear then, not sportswear, and the company built its early reputation on making a well-constructed cap at scale. That manufacturing focus — owning the making, not just the label — is still how Imperial operates. Much of the time, the company stitches other brands' and clubs' logos onto its own hats, which is why a golfer can own several Imperial caps without ever seeing the Imperial name on the front.

The 1950 innovation that shaped the brand

In 1950 Imperial developed the first adjustable-size golf cap. Before that, a cap came in a fixed size; Imperial's adjustable design meant one hat could fit a range of heads, which mattered for pro shops stocking for every member and guest. The idea that a golf hat should solve a practical problem — fit, sun, sweat, turnaround time for a custom order — has driven the product line ever since, up to the current signature Tour Visor®.

Where Imperial stands in golf today

Imperial is the leading headwear brand in golf retail. Its products are carried at 99 of the top 100 U.S. golf courses. In the Association of Golf Merchandisers' most recent annual membership study, Imperial took 36% of the vote for top headwear brand — nearly three times the 13% share of the next brand — its ninth consecutive year at #1 for private and resort facilities.

Imperial hats are sold in the merchandise pavilions of all four men's major championships — the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and Open Championship — along with the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and the Solheim Cup, where Imperial serves as the official hat supplier. Other customers include the PGA Tour and the American Junior Golf Association. Shop the tournament collections in the golf events shop.

What Imperial makes

Imperial's catalog centers on golf headwear and extends into apparel and accessories. The core categories are:

Headwear: performance caps, rope hats, dad hats, trucker hats, bucket hats, beanies, and visors, including the signature Tour Visor® — browse the golf shop or the best sellers. Apparel: t-shirts, polos, quarter-zips, hoodies, and sweatshirts. Accessories: belts, bags, and drinkware. Imperial also runs a custom and wholesale operation that adds logos to its best-sellers for golf clubs, corporate clients, and events, with the fast turnaround times and low minimums that pro shops depend on. Colleges and universities get their own team collection.

The brands and partners behind Imperial

Imperial designs, markets, manufactures, and distributes headwear across several brands. It owns and operates Imperial, Pukka®, the Winston Collection, and the Peter Millar Licensing Company. On the manufacturing and licensing side, Imperial also produces headwear for other companies, including Peter Millar. That combination — its own brands plus contract production for others — is why Imperial's caps sit on so many shelves under so many logos.

Who owns Imperial?

Imperial has been a CPC company since 2021. CPC is a Kansas City–based investment holding firm that follows a long-term "buy, build, and hold" strategy rather than buying to resell. Under that ownership, Imperial appointed David Shaffer as President in 2024 and expanded through acquisitions, adding headwear brands including JT Spencer and Pukka, the latter kept as its own brand within the Imperial group. The company is headquartered in Bourbon, Missouri.

Giving back: the Imperial Foundation

Imperial supports the Imperial Foundation, a philanthropic arm focused on three areas: the vitality of sports, community, and sustainability. The Foundation is an "Inspired Partner" of First Tee, which introduces golf and its values to young people, and in 2024 Imperial partnered with Folds of Honor to support the families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders.

Sustainability

Imperial's sustainability work is organized around four pillars: compliance, environmental excellence, waste reduction, and energy conservation. A growing share of its styles use recycled and certified performance fabrics.

Imperial timeline

• 1916Imperial is founded in Denver, Colorado, making wool dress caps on a single sewing machine.
• 1950Imperial develops the first adjustable-size golf cap.
• 2021Imperial becomes a CPC company under a long-term "buy, build, and hold" ownership strategy.
• 2024David Shaffer is appointed President; Imperial launches the Imperial Foundation and partners with Folds of Honor.
• 2026Imperial is named AGM's #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for the ninth consecutive year, with 36% of the vote.

Frequently asked questions about Imperial

When was Imperial founded?

Imperial was founded in 1916 in Denver, Colorado. It started with a single sewing machine making wool dress caps and has produced headwear continuously for more than a century.

Where is Imperial headquartered?

Imperial is headquartered in Bourbon, Missouri. Its parent company, CPC, is based in Kansas City.

What is Imperial known for?

Imperial is best known for premium golf headwear — visors, rope hats, dad hats, and performance caps, including its signature Tour Visor®. It has been voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for nine consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers.

Who owns Imperial?

Imperial has been owned by CPC, a Kansas City investment holding firm, since 2021. CPC follows a long-term "buy, build, and hold" approach.

Does Imperial make hats for other brands?

Yes. Alongside its own brands — Imperial, Pukka®, the Winston Collection, and the Peter Millar Licensing Company — Imperial manufactures and licenses headwear for other companies, including Peter Millar.

Where can you buy Imperial hats?

Imperial sells directly at imperial1916.com and through golf pro shops. Its hats are carried at 99 of the top 100 U.S. golf courses and in the merchandise shops of major men's golf championships and team events. Start with the headwear collection.

Is Imperial a golf brand?

Golf is Imperial's core market, but not its only one. The company sells into direct-to-consumer, golf, corporate, and supply-chain channels, and its retail partners include resorts, breweries, and surf shops. Its reputation and product design are rooted in golf.

What was Imperial's first innovation?

In 1950 Imperial developed the first adjustable-size golf cap, letting one hat fit a range of head sizes. It set the pattern for a product line built around practical fit and function.