In 2025, the PGA Show was alive and well; the convention center was packed and, more importantly, full of fun and energy. It’s safe to say that the PGA Show is now fully recovered from the impacts of COVID-19, and the show built upon last year’s great success.
I’ve been writing this article for seven 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 2025 PGA Show will be known as the Year of Pickleball.
On a personal note, I didn’t publish my article on Friday as I usually do, but I have a good reason for that. After spending the day at the PGA Show with our fashion editor, my wife, who was 8 months pregnant, went into labor that night and delivered our beautiful son, Cypress Steven Spellman, a few hours later.
So, the 2025 PGA Show will forever be known as the Year of Pickleball and Cypress. Pickleball and golf, what are you talking about here? Well, we’re talking about Pickle Golf! At this year’s show, you had a lot of space dedicated to traditional Pickleball; they even had a monster-sized pickleball court setup featuring live-action demos, lessons, etc.
Pickleball and golf tend to complement each other. I know at my home club, the most recent capital investments revolve around pickleball and building more courts. There is no denying that pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and I predict it will soon become an Olympic sport, further enhancing its credibility.
Even last year, when I visited The Yards, a hip and trendy golf club just outside of TPC Sawgrass, they’ve made pickleball a big part of their image. Like it or not, pickleball is here to stay, and now, golf and pickleball have a baby called Pickle Golf!
Pickle Golf is a hybrid sport that combines elements of golf and pickleball. It is designed to be a more accessible and faster-paced version of golf, appealing to a broader range of players. The game uses supersized golf clubs and softballs, which travel a maximum of around 100 yards. Par-3 golf courses are all the rage right now. I see Pickle Golf fitting into this category while incorporating a more casual and less intimidating way for people of all ages to get introduced to the game.
Pickle Golf aims to blend the social and strategic aspects of both sports, creating a fun and engaging experience that can be played in various settings, from traditional golf courses to modified short courses or indoor facilities.
I’ve only played pickleball once, and I rather enjoyed it. It’s just been a struggle to coordinate a game amongst friends. I did receive a pickleball set for Christmas this year, and I gave one as well, which made for a funny moment at the Christmas tree. Regardless, we can all agree pickleball has a bright future and is here to stay. We’ll see if Pickle Golf can get some investment behind it and develop similar success. Remember, pickleball was invented in 1965 and didn’t gain popularity until 2019. So Pickle Golf has a big mountain to climb!
Things We’re Excited To Try This Year!
Uneekor – AI Swing Trainer
So, in my PGA Show article last year, I discussed the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology. A year later, I saw the remarkable work that Uneekor had put into its AI Swing Trainer. Their technology can integrate with any simulator using a swing optics camera. I’ve always wanted a simulator at home, and when I do get to that point, I’ll include a swing optics camera and the Uneekor AI trainer.
Bushnell ProX3+ Link
Again, more technology and AI are entering our golf equipment and everyday life. Soon, we’ll be shocked when we purchase anything that doesn’t include an AI capability. Bushnell has taken their top-end rangefinder, the ProX3, and introduced Link, which will sync with data from any ForeSight launch monitor or the Bushnell Launch Pro to calculate a club recommendation and provide the standard yarage, slope, etc.
Golfzon Twovision NX
Okay, I’ve talked about the in-home golf simulator, and I’m not convinced you can put one in golf with Golfzon and their Twovision NX. Their technology is first-class, but they’ve thought of so much to try and mimic the real on-course golf experience, from the different bristles used to simulate the fairway, rough, greenside, and fairway bunkers to their multiple hinge platform, which will simulate a shot with the ball above or below your feet. This setup is the next best thing to being on the golf course!
Eastside Golf
Eastside Golf made a bold statement at the 2025 PGA Merchandise Show, continuing to bridge the gap between golf and street culture. Known for redefining golf apparel with a fresh, urban-inspired aesthetic, the brand showcased its latest collection featuring premium materials, modern fits, and its signature logo—a swinging golfer in a sweatshirt and chain.
This year, Eastside Golf introduced a limited-edition sneaker collaboration and elevated lifestyle pieces, further cementing its influence on and off the course. Their presence at the PGA Show reinforced their mission: making golf more inclusive, stylish, and representative of diverse communities.
Bownet Awards
If you’re a football fan, you see it on the sideline of every big game these days; after a turnover, the defense has some crazy chain or award they give the person who made the interception or recovered a fumble. Bownet brings that bling to the golf course with their closest-to-the-pin bling chain. It is over the top, but 10 out of 10 on the fun meter. Who wouldn’t want to dawn the closest to the pinch at the end of a tournament?
Little Links
We were impressed by the Big Swing Driver by Little Links. It’s a fun, creative design that makes it five times easier for kids to hit the golf ball. Created by Golf Dad Jason Streiff, the Big Swing Driver is designed to give kids a head start in golf. For kids aged 2–6, it allows them to hit actual balls, build confidence, and fall in love with golf. You can bet we’ll get a Big Swing Driver for our little Cypress!
Honorable Mentions
Ben Sherman Sport
Ben Sherman Sport is new to the golf apparel world but has extensive experience in the industry. Its quality and classic designs were a standout at the show.
KANDI
Kandi, a Korean brand that builds electric vehicles, impressed us with its lightweight, contractable golf cart. It only goes nine mph, but the form and function are really eye-opening. They also introduced their first golf cart, which had a beautiful design and was one of the best-looking golf carts at the show, all at an unbelievable price point of only 9k.
Caddy Bar
A whole line of accessories makes CaddyBar appealing to me. It’s a rail system you can install in your golf cart and mix and match accessories based on your preferences. The design was modern, and the function was next-level; check these folks out if you’re looking to reduce clutter and improve the layout of your golf cart.
Not So Hot!
We love to highlight cool new products, but our subscribers love seeing the not-so-hot products year after year. Taking first place this year is Minghong, the ugliest golf cart you’ll ever see. The Minghong golf cart looks like a poor knockoff of the Tesla Cyber Truck. When you think the Cyber Truck is the ugliest vehicle you’ve seen, check out the Minghong Electric Golf Cart. It’ll leave you thinking, maybe the Cyber Truck isn’t that bad after all!
Next up is Tally Tumbler, a unique invention with a Yeti-style drink tumbler that allows you to track your score, number of fairways hit, greens in regulation, penalties, etc. The thing looks more complicated than the Rosetta Stone. This thing would make the perfect gag gift, but besides this, I don’t see anyone using this contraption. They ruined a good tumbler and made any golfer using it look silly.
Last but not least is the practice glove! It’s a regular glove with some straps attached. The website looks much better than the prototype in the inventor’s area at the PGA Show. Their website describes it as a game-changing training aid designed to help golfers lock in the correct grip, build muscle memory, and improve swing mechanics. The adjustable straps and a secure wrap guide your hands into the ideal position for a consistent and effective grip. Regardless, I’m not buying it!
In Closing
It was another great year at the PGA Merchandise Show, one I will never forget, as my son was born Wednesday night. Golf is in a great place, and technology and AI are quickly being introduced across all parts of the game. Also, watch out for Pickle Golf. I think it’s an idea that could take off. After all, golf and pickleball are basically kissing cousins at this point.