Why the ORCA?
Why the ORCA?
ORKAI was born from a simple belief: golf should feel as boundless and welcoming as the ocean itself. The brand stands for an ocean of inclusiveness, inviting golfers of every background and those with active lifestyles to find their place in the game. Behind ORKAI is 17yards Golf, a parent company that sees golf as more than a business—it is a vehicle for growing the game, giving back, and strengthening communities through participation and opportunity.
The ORCA became our emblem because it reflects who we aspire to be. Often mistaken for a whale thanks to the name “killer whale,” the orca is, in fact, the largest member of the dolphin family—intelligent, social, and remarkably adaptable. That quiet twist of identity mirrors our mission: to challenge assumptions about who golf is for and how the game can be experienced.
There is a certain mystery, gentleness, and effortless grace in the way an orca moves through the water, powered by its powerful, expressive tail. The whale’s tail has long symbolized good luck, speed, and strength, but for us it carries an even deeper message. It is a reminder that the true source of power lies within. Every swing, every step, every new player who picks up a club starts with the same idea: BELIEVE YOU CAN.
Like the ORCA, we are confidently claiming our place within the golf and lifestyle industry, bringing an ORCA-level presence to everything we do. We deliver premium-quality ORKAI-branded and custom-designed golf bags and lifestyle accessories, created not only for golfers, but for anyone who appreciates truly bespoke products. Our clients have the opportunity to commission custom designs that reflect their personal style, resulting in golf bags and accessories that are uniquely their own expression of the ORKAI brand.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF 17YARDS GOLF?
17yards Golf takes its name from a single, unforgettable moment on the course.
One of our founders spent years navigating the corporate world and the fairways at the same time, often as one of the only women in the room—and on the tee box. Golf was her business tool, her networking arena, and, at times, a symbol of the barriers that still existed in an elite and less diverse game.
At a large company golf event, she stood on the green facing a 51-foot putt—17 yards—for a $10,000 prize. These long-shot putts are designed for spectacle, not success. The expectation is simple: you try, everyone cheers politely, and the money stays where it is. But on that day, against the odds and in front of a field that did not expect her to be the one, she sank it.
That putt—those 17 yards—became more than a story. It became a statement. It embodied the belief that with preparation, confidence, and opportunity, anyone can rise to the moment. From that experience, “Believe You Can” emerged as our guiding motto and the inspiration behind the name 17yards Golf.
Today, 17yards Golf is more than a company name. It represents our commitment to growing the game, opening doors, and creating a level playing field in golf and in life, so more people can step up to their own 17-yard putt and believe they can make it.