2018 PGA Merchandise Show

January 24-26, 2018

Orlando, Florida

       With over one million square feet of interactive exhibits and 10 miles of showcase aisles at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, the 65th PGA Merchandise Show brought together golf businesses, professionals, associations and products as it does each January in an industry-only event that celebrates and elevates the business of golf.

     There is a generosity of spirit in golf that is especially apparent here where legends of the sport merge with retailers and manufacturers, innovators and new generations to move us forward.  And some of the most satisfying reflections we have of the show are from following the threads where golf leads.

     With its huge stretch of hitting bays, putting greens and short game challenge, the Indoor Equipment Test Center presented great opportunities to continue our tour of wedges that started at Demo Day and to talk over the new technology with club manufacturing representatives.

 For over 50 years, Honma has been crafting quality.  Precision and detail are their cornerstones.

     Yonex is a company driven by technology.  Advancements in materials, shaping and design are always on the forefront of their new releases.

Studying the Slanted Grooves of the Yonex Ezone GT Hybrid

     We had tried several Epon wedges at Demo Day and enjoyed having the chance to find out more about the forging process that elevates this company to the realm of world class clubmakers.

An enjoyable and instructive visit with Epon

There's a long list of winners at Titleist

Bob Vokey talking shop

     A tribute to the masterful wedge work of Bob Vokey and the process of creating his new Vokey SM7 Wedge was on display at Titleist and the opportunity to see him in person was a great surprise.

     The forgiveness of the Twist Face on TaylorMade's M3 and M4 Driver is true - straight distance with each hit.  And watch for the TaylorMade Spider Interactive Putter with real-time stroke analytics powered by a BLAST Motion Sensor housed in the grip.

Piretti Putters - Works of Art

 




     Simply put, Piretti Putters are works of art.  Focused on delivering a personalized fit, their catalogue includes special editions, custom paint-fills and even a virtual putter fitting via their website.

     Recently retired with a new workshop to fill, we were drawn to the fine bending and lie/loft instruments at Golf Mechanix.  Feels like a new hobby, maybe career, might be in our future!

     Hank Haney, who alongside Suzie Whaley, Debbie Donniger, Larry Rinker, Michael Breed, David Leadbetter and Jim McLean participated in the Teacher Town Hall presented by Sirius XM, is often heard encouraging a student to play a ball that feels good around the green.
     We like the feel of the OnCore Elixer golf ball with its high density polymer mantel and the idea of their risk-free E-Consign program for retailers and clubs.  Keep your "i" out for their GENiUS golf ball, the next gen in putting analytics, due out in time for Father's Day!

   
 



     Volvik,  the official golf ball of the World Long Drive Championship, was bringing out the smiles with their bright colors and "Marvel Matte" finishes, especially with the new cartoon and super hero logos. 









 



     We met their embassador, Tim Burke, 2017 Long Drive Champion and a Super Hero himself, whose longest drive in competition is 469 yards!








     Looking for healthy options to carry for your players?
 

     Physician Endorsed Hats are guaranteed chemical-free sun protection of up to UPF 50 and are crushable, lightweight and adjustable to create a custom fit.





     It was nice to see Jill Strite again, LPGA Member and President of CaddySnax,  Their brandable boxes of healthy snacks conveniently fit in a golf cart glove box and are deliverable to your next event.

 

     We also met the inventors of the Martini Golf Tee which we already happen to carry in our bag.  We can attest to their quality and yardage improvement.  Beware cheap imitations that flex and wobble.  Invest in Martini Tees and you'll be supporting a family business with a great idea and amusing sense of humor!







Here are several designers that are bringing unique and stylish touches to apparel, bags and accessories:

Kaeli Smith - Chic women's styles in performance fabrics cut from vivid, original prints by the artist, customable for your club or resort.

Arnold Palmer Apparel - Hardly a new name but a new menswear company begun in 2017 with timelessly traditional style and all profits to benefit Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation.  "Look Great.  Do Good."

Movetes - Stylish, graceful women's active and daily wear in luxurious fabrics and classic themes. Maureen Caruthers' designs are ahead of the trends.

 

Greyson Clothiers - Fashion-forward, functional menswear with attention to detail and an attitude that is right in step with their iconic Wolf logo.

Jones Golf Bags - Northwest Coast creators of nostalgic and vintage single strap carry bags and leather goods that work well and look great.
















Sassy Caddy - Former Golf Pro Emily Haythorn has put delight into every one of her women's bag sets for golf, racquet and club sports.  Her, and our, favorite signature piece - The Hat Box!

Club Glove USA - The #1 luggage on Tour and American made with a "Train Reaction" integrated luggage connecting system that lets you "Roll like a Pro!"














     Amazing interview opportunities occur at the PGA Merchandise Show and the stories of Gianna Rojas and Wesley Hobbs Bauguess will inspire you.
     Gianna Rojas, Founder of Adaptive Golfers, told us that she only had to ask and the PGA Merchandise Show organized a new Adaptive Golf Center within the Golf Fitness, Wellness and Instruction Area of the Show floor.  Featured products included adaptive clubs, accessories, programs, grip devices and single rider golf carts specifically with this rising segment of golfers in mind.

     Gianna, a March of Dimes "spokeskid" in the 1960's, who was born with an under-developed left hand, is a woman today with an infectious spirit who has never let her physical differences be a barrier.  Golf was a sport she wanted to learn to be able to play with her husband and so she developed a way to play.  More than that, she saw that golf could help her realize her vision of building a resource coalition for adaptive golfers.  And so she has.

Gianna Rojas, Founder of Adaptive Golfers, sporting a skort by

B Skinz, perfectly designed for ease of wear and comfortable play

     Meeting Wesley Hobbs Bauguess, author of God, Country, Golf - Reflections of an Army Widow, was an interview that we could never have prepared for.  Wesley, a mother, golfer and Army veteran, is also a spokesperson for Folds of Honor, a charitable foundation with 10 years of service to families of fallen or disabled US Service Members by providing scholarships to their children and spouses.

     Folds of Honor was begun by Maj. Dan Rooney, an F16 fighter pilot and PGA golfer who started with the first Patriot Day Golf fundraiser on Labor Day Weekend, 2007.  By asking golfers across the country to add an extra dollar to their greens fees, they raised $1.1 million that weekend.  They are honored by the generosity of their donors who have since made Patriot Day Golf the largest grass-roots golf fundraiser with those dollars totaling over $14 million in 2017.

     We had heard Wesley speak 2 years ago.  After losing her husband, Maj. Larry Bauguess, US Army, in 2007, Folds of Honor changed their lives by partnering in her children's future.  It had lifted a huge burden from her shoulders.  Speaking to her in person this year, it was also evident that the ability to participate in other families' recoveries had returned her to a place of service that she had missed so dearly since serving with the Army.  Lives changed because of golf.

     We were also inspired by two gentlemen who came to appreciate how, after pinnacle careers in football, the world of golf could help them achieve even higher goals.  Ron "Jaws" Jaworsky, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and ESPN analyst, motivational speaker and owner of 7 golf courses, has played golf since the age of 9 and understands how the intersection of sports and business can deliver great benefit to communities in need.  His Jaws Youth Playbook Foundation with strong funding from annual golf outings supports health and wellness programs for children in the Greater Philadelphia area.

     Hall of Fame College Football Coach Lou Holtz surely needs no further introduction to most sports fans.  In a heart-warming conversation during the Sirius XM "State of the Game" discussion,  Pete Bevacqua, CEO of the PGA of America, asked him what his mantra was, in a nutshell.

     "Be successful," said Coach Holtz.  "Then be significant."

     His football success has opened many doors, including the door to Augusta National where at age 81 he is an ambassador for Drive, Chip and Putt.  Each spring he puts on his green jacket to welcome and encourage a new generation of athletes at Augusta - girls and boys stepping up to the tee and getting a good grip on golf and life.

     That's what we enjoy so much about covering the PGA Merchandise Show.  It never fails to remind us how richly textured the fabric of golf is.

Drive, Chip and Putt National Finalist Zach Huang will be

seeing Coach Holtz again when he arrives at Augusta this April

2018 PGA Merchandise Show Outdoor Demo Day

January 22, 2018

Orange County National Golf Center
Winter Garden, Florida

Just a fifth of the 360 degree Practice Center

David Leadbetter, 2017 PGA Teacher 

of the Year

     Being recently retired from long-standing careers in outdoor recreation, we have discovered both more time for golf and new requirements in our equipment.  A better short game can help make up for that ever-shortening drive and so wedges were high on our agenda at the 42-acre practice facility that encompasses the PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day.  With over 100 companies across the hitting stations, practice greens, a vendor village and numerous vehicle test tracks, Demo Day provides a unique opportunity for PGA members, conference attendees and invited media to test equipment and engage with professionals.
   
   


     We spent some time at the Epon booth with Trevor Sauntry, a Master Custom Fitter with Impact Precision Golf, who pointed out that Epon utilizes steel forged by Endo, one of the oldest foundries in Japan, creating excellent weight distribution and momentum in their quality wedge.
     The new Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedges go through a spin milled process producing sharp, consistent grooves that are distinct between lofts and are available in 6 different grinds.
     The Cleveland CBX with laser and micromilling has channel grooves to clear debris away through the swing and a microcavity in the hosel that moves the center of gravity closer to the center of the face, adding more feel to that Cleveland bounce.
 

     The Cat is back!  Lynx Golf returns to the U.S. market this year and we enjoyed testing the new Prowler wedge and the Ladies Tigress irons while their ambassador Paul Eales gave us some generous practice pointers that he acquired during his career on the European Tour.

Paul Eales, a veteran of the Challenge, European and Senior Tours
with victories on all three,

steps forward with some helpful advice, starting with

"Relax - you can do this!"

     We couldn't pass by the new drivers without giving them a look.  The forgiveness of the Callaway Rogue is absolutely true and is at your favorite retailer in time for spring training.

     Honma's BeZeal is absolutely beautiful.

Aerotech Steel Fiber Shafts have a good feel with an interesting technology that blends flexibility with rigidity, vibration dampening with control.  

     Sensitive or older hands?  Oversize putter grips now come in a variety of shapes and textures.  Superstroke's "No Taper" design promotes even grip pressure for a consistent and repeatable stroke.  And if you like to tinker, its CounterCore Series allows a golfer to fine-tune the feel with adjustable weighting.

     Flat Cat by Lamkin is designed to quiet and relax the hands while directing superior feel to the fingers.  A weighted cone on the Flat Cat Solution promotes a pendulum-like, more consistent stroke.

     And speaking of relaxed, FootJoy offered hitting opportunities while trying on their Sport SL Golf Shoes with Boa-Lace Technology that included a new pair of TechSof Tour socks and a glove!  FootJoy's "Comfort Never Quits!"

     It seems that several products at this year's Vendor Village caught the eyes of many attendees of the show.  Chippo will probably be the next tailgate or backyard BBQ craze and was selected a 2018 New Product Zone Winner.

The Weatherman Umbrella with smart technology withstands winds of up to 55 mph and has instant NOAA updates to track inclement weather to your precise location.              

     AfterShokz headphones, voted a 2018 Top Buyer's Choice Award winner, are remarkable in their clarity, comfort and practicality.  By positioning them on the cheekbones, ambient noise can be heard as well the playing media and we can see valuable applications that provide personal entertainment with safety in mind.

      Electric golf vehicles with small carbon footprints are becoming ever more popular and fun to drive.  Low impact and easy to maintain, Caruca offers a "Hop on and Go" single rider electric cart that is a light-weight, easy-to-use American-made experience.  

    

     The Swedish Ellwee is a stylish, single-seated electric golf cart that includes a smart tablet dash with advertising software applications, modular components and accessories, and has a range of approximately 4 rounds per charge.  

     A final few minutes test-driving the Ellwee convinced us that golf keeps moving into the future!