Meet Ryan Benefield of Kennesaw

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Benefield.

Hi Ryan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Golf has always been a part of my life. I grew up in a family involved in the golf industry, so it has been in my blood from the beginning. My professional and educational background is in fine art, and I’ve made a living painting commercial murals—specializing in large-scale logos and wayfinding—which has sharpened my attention to detail. For most of my career as a muralist, I also held a full-time sales job. About three and a half years ago, I left that sales role to pursue painting full time.

As both a golfer and an artist, I always liked adding unique pieces to my bag to stand out from the standard, heavily-branded golf bags and OEM headcovers. During golf trips, I would pick up interesting headcovers from various makers, but I found that many of them didn’t hold up well with regular use in the year-round playing conditions here in Georgia. After shifting into full-time art and finally having the bandwidth, I decided to learn leather crafting. I started sourcing leather from local suppliers and taught myself how to stitch. With the help of YouTube and a little reverse engineering, I made my first piece. It wasn’t particularly pretty—or very functional—but I’ve continued refining my craft ever since.

My original goal was simply to create pieces I wanted for my own bag. As friends, family, and other golfers I played with noticed the items I was making, they began asking for pieces of their own. Through word of mouth, the business has grown substantially, along with my product line—all of which I still personally handcraft. While my designs and offerings have evolved, the original intent remains the same: to create pieces I would be proud to put in my own bag, built with care, durability, and attention to detail.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every small business has its challenges, and the golf industry is no different. On the wholesale side, especially when working with private clubs, there are many barriers to entry. The golf industry is a tight-knit community built on relationships. As a newcomer, it has been a challenge to get in front of the right people.

Fortunately, I’ve been able to take on some meaningful projects that have placed my products in the hands of the right individuals. Those opportunities have opened doors and started the conversations that led to building relationships of my own.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Quality materials, timeless design, and craftsmanship are at the core of my work. There are very few brands in the industry that use comparable materials or put as much care into producing functional golf goods. I take a great deal of pride in slowing down and giving each piece the attention it deserves, without overlooking the small details.

With all of my vegetable-tanned leather pieces (yardage books, wallets, and more), I want the recipient to see and feel the quality of the material itself. I burnish the edges, but I do not paint or dye them, so the natural layers of leather remain visible. The character of the leather is the point, and it should be appreciated rather than covered up.

What were you like growing up?
I was born in Marietta as the youngest of three siblings. I was always active in sports, primarily baseball, before transitioning to golf my freshman year of high school. Athletics and movement always felt natural to me, but so did art. I consistently excelled in school art projects and often found myself sketching or doodling during class.

Looking back, I think art and sports balanced two sides of who I am—an outward-facing, competitive side and a quieter, more introspective one. I’ve always leaned slightly introverted, and I believe that’s part of why golf resonated with me so deeply. It’s one of the few sports where you can lock in, be fully present, and get to work without needing to say much at all

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.linksmangoods.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linksmangoods/