In the late 1800's True Temper began with the combination of several independently owned forging companies with loosely related product lines. In 1902 this combination of businesses was formally organized as the American Fork and Hoe Company.

In 1930 the Royal and Ancient Order of Saint Andrews, the golf decision making body in Scotland, made the steel shaft legal for tournament play. Shortly thereafter, predecessors of the Company began marketing steel shafts under the True Temper brand name. In 1939 a predecessor of the Company completed an initial public offering.

In 1967 True Temper merged into Allegheny Ludlum. In 1978 Allegheny Ludlum sold True Temper to Wilkinson Sword in exchange for a 45% interest in Wilkinson Sword. Two years later Allegheny International acquired the remainder of Wilkinson Sword, bringing True Temper back to Allegheny ownership. In 1985 Allegheny sold True Temper to Emhart Corporation, which was subsequently acquired by Black & Decker in April 1989. A summary of the Company's key historical events follows.