Everything about the world of golf
Most people that visit Orlando go to Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal and Seaworld. However, if you are a golf professional, you go the PGA Merchandise Show.
Since 1975, the largest golf industry gathering in the world is in Orlando. It is a trade-only event and is not open to the general public. Participants include PGA, LPGA, golf manufacturers, retail buyers, and fitness instructors. This year more than 35,000 attended the show.
On Tuesday, there was a demo-day at Orange County National Golf Center. The facility is huge, 42-acre circular range. Golf equipment companies, teaching aids, lasers, carts, and GPS products are available to use. There are also several putting greens where you can demo the latest putters on real putting greens.
On Wednesday through Friday golf professionals attended educational seminars to help them keep their teaching credentials current. There was also award presentations to the top teachers for the previous year.
Hitting bays were available indoors to demo the latest golf club companies with their representatives who can give you a printout to your phone of your club specifications. It is fun to visit all the different manufacturers to see which clubs give you the best results.
For golf professionals who operate golf pro shops, they got a chance to see all the new products: apparel, footwear and accessories. There were also products needed to operate golf facilities: driving range products, golf carts, accessories for the course such as ball washers, tee marker, etc.
Golf fitness has become extremely popular. Titleist Performance institute (TPI) had several seminars for fitness trainers. Sports performance companies show-cased their new products.
Most golf facilities recognize the benefits of incorporating fitness equipment and programs. There was an entire area designated to golf fitness equipment. The nutrition products were prevalent. You can sample all the products and make a meal out of all the nutrition bars and drinks on display. There were several booths on relieving golf injuries. I have purchased numerous creams and sprays for my wrists and knees.
I always visit the Golf Teaching aids area. I am a real advocate of using teaching aids in my golf lessons and I have a whole bag full of aids I have purchased at previous shows.
Another area I am interested in is golf travel. I travel to the Solheim Cup every two years with several of my students who enjoy playing golf courses while they are in the area. Research has indicated that golfers like to travel and most like to bring their golf clubs, so the golf travel bags is an area that is very popular.
Simulator golf has really taken over the industry. The National Golf Foundation stated that more golfers are playing on simulators than on golf courses. They can be used for instruction as well as a chance to play some of the greatest golf courses in the world. I hope you get a chance to play Pebble Beach soon on a simulator.
The latest golf carts are amazing. Not only are they used for golf, they have become many golfers’ mode of travel in their communities. Golf Carts are used to drive to the pickleball courts, grocery shopping, playing music and more.
One of my favorite areas to visit is the new products zone. There was a designated area where inventors displayed their new golf products.
Finally, the merchandise show now has pickleball products and a court that attendees can try out all the products. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport and the merchandise show knows that most golf facilities have added pickleball.
I enjoy attending the Golf Merchandise Show and it always amazes me all the golf products that are associated to the game.
Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com
