In 2024, the PGA Show was back in full force and undoubtedly was the best PGA Show since COVID-19. As a reminder, the 2021 PGA Show was virtual, and the 2022 PGA Show was the weakest in history as most name-brand manufacturers stayed home due to lingering concerns around COVID-19. 2023 was a much better year, but the energy wasn’t there. I’m happy to report in 2024, the PGA Show has finally recovered from the impacts of COVID and is as strong as ever!
I find it funny. For the past three years, I’ve said countless times that COVID has been the best thing for golf since the arrival of Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour. So it’s interesting to think about the PGA Show and how COVID-19 had such a disastrous impact. I remember last year, I was still hearing rumors the show might fold. This year, there was not a peep. It was all smiles and laughter.
I’ve been writing this article for six years now. At the end of each PGA Show, I sit down on Friday night, review my notes, poll my peers, and put my fingers on the keyboard. Every PGA Show has a theme. The 2024 PGA Show will be known as the Year of Excitement and Technology.
I’m a technology guy, so this year’s show was music to my ears. First off, the golf industry’s health is at an all-time high. So many exhibitors showed off new merchandise that it made my head spin. The traditional brands you know and love were all there and showed off their latest investments in technology. The big buzzword is AI or artificial intelligence for those who live under a rock.
You might be scratching your head, wondering how AI will impact golf. Most of it will be focused on golf course management. Let’s face it: golf agronomy is complex, and most agronomists are under-trained and under-budgeted. Imagine AI helping them feed and care for the course, cutting down expenses by letting them know the areas that need water, fertilizer, maintenance, etc. Imagine predicting if a group will play behind or ahead of pace after the first hole. All these things will dramatically improve our golf experience.
Another area you might start to see AI develop is with coaching. As more and more golfers enter the game through Top Golf or other virtual golf venues, they might be more willing to take that next step at home in their living room or garage following the advice of a virtual AI-powered coach. Imagine a coach that can analyze every swing and provide immediate feedback on improvement. Imagine the next-generation golf simulators all having a virtual coach!
Things We’re Excited to Try This Year
Cobra DARKSPEED Irons & Woods – Function & Form
OMG, probably the most beautiful driver I have ever hit. The club face on the DARKSPEED Irons and Driver isn’t only hot; at the address, you can’t help but admire the beauty of this design. DARKSPEED is the culmination of meticulous attention to detail and precise integration of Cobra Golf’s most advanced technologies, using space-grade materials and the expertise of aerospace engineers to develop the fastest driver they have ever built. The technology theme continues…
All-In Golf Guard
I met the All-In Golf Guard in the new exhibitor area. They are a new company with a product designed to keep you from leaving your wedge at the back of the green. Having lost a club before, I can appreciate this product. They still have some development work, but the concept is sound. Imagine having an air tag on your wedge and a device on your bag that will alarm you if the club isn’t returned to the bag before you drive or walk off.
Featherie
I was surprised to learn the backstory of Featherie, a new apparel company founded by Kate Korngold, a remarkable 14-year-old entrepreneur. Kate was frustrated with the lack of appealing apparel options for teen and tween girls passionate about golf. Featherie fills this void by combining functionality with fashion, offering a range of performance apparel that not only meets the technical requirements of the sport but also reflects the unique style and personality of its young customers. Kudos to Kate and her family for taking on this huge endeavor!
Sun Mountain Kube Bag
When you travel with golf clubs as much as I do, you stand up and take notice when you see something innovative in the travel space. The new Kube Bag from Sun Mountain got my attention. The Kube design makes it easy to store the travel bag in the garage when you aren’t traveling, but once you reach your destination, the Kube Bag will take up 70% less space than your traditional travel bag.
PAYNTR Golf Shoes
There were tons of golf shoes to check out at the show this year, but PAYNTR was the brand that stuck out. PAYNTR is known for providing superb comfort while not sacrificing stability. If you like spikeless golf shoes, this is the brand for you. Not only are they comfortable and perform on the course, they just flat-out look damn good!
Honorable Mentions
Mizuno STG Driver
I was crushing the new STG driver, and I am tempted to replace my existing driver with this beast. It’s the best Mizuno driver EVER!
Ahead Rope Hats
Expect to see more rope hats this year. Ahead has freshened up this vintage style and had some of the best-looking hats on the show floor.
SimSpace Golf Enclosure
I’ve seriously considered putting a simulator in my house, but I’ve struggled to get started. SimSpace makes it easy to install your simulator by providing enclosure kits that help you create the perfect space to pair with the simulator of your choice.
Not So Hot!
We love to highlight awesome new products, but our subscribers love seeing the not-so-hot products year after year. Taking first place this year is ZoomBroom, the portable leaf blower that fits in your golf bag. Not only does it take up a ton of room in your golf bag, but you have to charge it, and I don’t see anyone being proud to pull out a leaf blower from the golf bag.
Next up is Shoo Doo, the unique invention that allows you to store your shoes in a horizontal position. They took two golf balls, made a bracket, and expect you to have a peg board or slat wall to hold the bracket. It takes a ton of room, and the shoes end up sticking way out from the wall. I wear a size 12, and I couldn’t imagine using this gadget to store my shoes.
Last but not least is HUNKAF protective headwear. The HUNKAF design isn’t awful. It’s a protective hat designed to protect you from being hit in the head by an errant golf shot. At first glance, it looks like a regular golf hat but provides protection similar to a construction helmet. The biggest problem is the price tag: $350 per hat!
Final Score
Golf is in the best place it’s ever been. I believe we’ve surpassed the Tiger Woods era—golf Companies are using technology in ways never dreamt of to improve equipment and the golf experience. With easy entry points to golf like PGA Junior Golf League, Top Golf, The First Tee, etc., there are more ways for people to learn the game of golf than ever before. Now three years removed from COVID-19, the PGA Show has regained strength and caught up to the success the golf industry is currently experiencing. I can’t wait for 2025!