Following last year’s show which was strictly virtual, Reed Exhibitions, who partner with PGA America, felt it was time to go back to an in-person event. While back in person, the 2022 PGA Merchandise show wasn’t better than ever. I’ll start with the bad first, but don’t give up. I promise there is some good to read as well.
The biggest issue with the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show was that not one major club manufacturer was in attendance. Pre-Covid, TaylorMade decided to stop attending the show, sighting the rising cost of attending the show and a general interest in investing those marketing dollars elsewhere. Shocking at the time, but the show carried on without TaylorMade and didn’t miss a beat. Following a virtual-only 2021, nobody showed up in 2022. Not Callaway, not Cobra, not Mizuno, not Miura, hell not even Wilson showed up.
The biggest shock was that Titleist and all their white coats stayed home. There is a long story that goes back to the beginning of the PGA Merchandise Show with Titleist and them wearing the white sport coats for those who don’t know. It’s very cool, and it was always a highlight to stop by and catch up with Titleist.
On top of no major club manufacturers attending the show, the weather in Orlando, Florida was awful this past week. Demo Day, the outdoor extravaganza, where you get to test out all of the new equipment, was a total bust. Not only did none of the club makers show up, but it rained all day and was miserably cold. PGA Professionals in attendance were able to meet and review new teaching techniques and check out new training aids, but beyond that, it was a total non-event.
Following Demo Day, the exhibit doors open at the Orlando Convention Center, and things begin to take more of a typical feel. In prior years, the PGA Merchandise Show would take over a massive section of the Orlando Convention Center. This year it seemed like the space used was maybe half of that in 2020, pre-COVID.
The good news, the exhibits were much more manageable. In previous shows, it would take multiple days to get out and see things, and even then, you always felt rushed trying to make the rounds. Having less floor space was a significant advantage, and the people in attendance were happy to be there and had a hunger to sell and talk with the media. Let’s get to some of the cool stuff we saw at the show!
Bridgestone Golf Balls
Bridgestone, thank goodness for them. Bridgestone was the most prominent name at the show regarding on-course equipment. Without Titleist at the show, if you wanted to learn about the new golf balls this season, Bridgestone was REALLY your only choice. I’m a big fan of Bridgestone, and we all know they’ve made an enormous investment in signing some of the biggest names in the sport to play their golf balls. The Tour line is entirely new this year, the most significant difference being the amount of “impact modifiers” in each golf ball. Bridgestone offers four tour-level golf balls, the X, XS, RX, and RXS. X and XS target players with more than 105 mph swing speed. The RX and RXS target those that fall below 105 mph. In 2022, each Bridgestone model will have a unique amount of impact modifiers. The previous versions all shared the same formula for impact modifiers. The impact modifiers are an additive to the urethane that acts as a shock absorber on slow-impact shots, thus delivering more spin.
The most remarkable thing about Bridgestone being at the show was that they brought their new fitting kiosk. These kiosks can be set up virtually anywhere, the range and indoor simulator. Highly mobile and highly effective. In less than 3 minutes, Bridgestone can fit you for your ideal golf ball.
Golfzon
If there were an award for the best exhibitor booth at the PGA Merchandise Show, it would have to go to Golfzon. They took tons of room and set up a bevy of simulators. Now the Golfzon simulator is among the best I have ever seen. They make various models, and some of them could cost you well over $75,000 when all is said and done. If you had the money, it would be well worth it!
What was unique about this year was they had several bays set up with their upcoming new simulator more designed for the average Joe. The cost of this one is only $3500. It’s still in the final R&D stage, but overall worked great and was very impressive. It used a minimalist setup where you wouldn’t even need a projector or screen. Hook up to an iPad and immerse yourself with the iPad while dialing up the shots into any net.
Dundonald Links
Nothing gets us more excited than destination golf! We sat down with Kevin Paver to learn about all the changes and improvements they’ve made at Dundonald Links. Always known for having a stunning golf course designed by Kyle Phillips, Dundonald Links has hosted the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Kevin was showing us the new clubhouse and accommodations they have built to go along with the golf course. 5-star accommodations don’t do justice for the work and elegance that has gone into creating what has to be one of the best play and stay possibilities in the UK.
On The Rocks Premium Cocktails
Wow, one theme of the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show was that there were many alcoholic beverages to go around! We stopped by On The Rocks Premium Cocktails to try out their lineup of premium ready-made golf course-designed premium cocktails. These were a huge hit, and people kept coming back for more! Our favorite was the Old Fashioned using Knob Creek Bourbon Whiskey, bitters, cane sugar, orange, cherry, and lemon flavors. Hopefully, golf courses around the country will take note and begin offering On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.
Golf Carts, Golf Carts, Golf Carts
The show featured miles and miles of golf carts. At one point, I started to wonder if I had strayed into an auto show. Unlike the club manufacturers, every prominent golf cart manufacturer was out in full force at the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show. Yamaha, EZ-GO, Club Car, Star, Pilotcar, and Tomberlin packed the show with all types of crazy cool golf carts. 1 seater, 2 seaters, 4 seaters, 6 seaters, and even a few 8 seaters. My personal favorite was the High-Performance Shelby Golf Cart Line introduced at the show by DSG Global. These things were “Hot” with a capital H!
Honorable Mentions
A few cool and unique items we came across, WILD WIX CANDLES. They take whiskey glasses, wine glasses, etc., fill them with wax candles, and logo the glass. You get two gifts in one, a great smelling candle that you’re encouraged to use so that you can get the real gift at the end, a logoed whiskey glass. The perfect his&her gift combo!
Putter/Wedge Stand by HD Products. We’ve all done it on a wet day. Stick a tee in the ground and rest your putter or wedge on the tee to avoid the grip getting wet. HD products have developed an attachment for the end of your grip that eliminates the need for a tee. We picked a few samples and will be trying this simple idea out on the course.
The new apparel company Moonshine Golf showcased a fantastic logo and fresh design concepts. They were surprisingly based out of Denver but with some southern roots for sure. We will be looking forward to checking out some of their new design concepts, which can be worn on the golf course or out in the woods.
Last but not least, the Corkcicle exhibit was a big hit. Appreciate Corkcicle giving out a 16oz tumbler to all those who stopped by. My favorite was their new Marvel collection. If anyone at Corkcicle read this, we could use a HULK canteen!
Not So Hot!
OK, we saw a few foolish things, but the top one among them had to be the Golf Ball Plucker! Oh my god, this has to be one of the worst ideas ever to grace the PGA Merchandise Show. It looks like a golf ball retriever but wait. It’s not! With a reach of about 4-feet, it’s designed to be the ultimate tool for golf scrambles when you’re picking up the 3-balls you’re not going to use. Run over to golfballpluckers.com to get yours today!
Final Score
So, it’s Saturday morning, and I’m at home putting the finishing touches on my PGA Merchandise Show Recap. While the show was back to in-person attendance, it still has a way to go to recapture the glory of years past. The golf industry has seen an incredible boom. Golf rounds are up, and golf merchandise is selling like crazy. It would be nice if major manufacturers returned to the PGA Merchandise Show in 2023. All-in-all, it was a good show, smaller and easier to manage. While I missed all the big names, I was glad we got this thing back on track. Here’s to a bigger and better show in 2023!