ORLANDO, FLORIDA | As a golf writer, I have two favorite events on the calendar each year. One is the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, for the beauty of the setting as well as the drama and excitement of the tournament and how it brings together the leading figures in the golf world. And the other is the annual PGA Merchandise Show, which was staged last week in this Central Florida city.
The many things that make the Masters great are well known to the general golf public due to its being a very high-profile major championship. But the PGA Show is a trade-only exhibition that opens its doors to a much more select audience – and receives only minimal amounts of publicity. I feel privileged to attend the show each year, and hereby offer a Divot-sized glimpse inside.
The show traditionally kicks off with “Demo Day†at the Orange County National Golf Center in nearby Winter Garden. Dozens of tents are arrayed around the circular, 42-acre practice complex there, and I enjoy taking an unhurried stroll around that complex. I stop to talk to technicians at Callaway, Ping and Titleist about recent product releases and then road-test the new gear by hitting a few shots. I relish the chance to watch tour professionals like Lexi Thompson crush drives at the Cobra/Puma station, and listen to the wedge master himself, Bob Vokey, discuss his most up-to-date creations. By the time I am done, I feel as if I have walked, and played, a full 18 holes.
The show then moves for the next few days to the Orange County Convention Center, where more than 1,000 exhibitors set up booths across roughly 600,000 square feet of floor space. There is lots more walking, to be sure. To check out the newest grips from Golf Pride and Lamkin. Next-generation footwear from FootJoy and Ecco. The latest styles from Peter Millar and Kjus. I stop by to see what my friends from Ireland and Scotland are offering in the way of golf tours in 2020 and beyond. And I take in various presentations. Greg Norman speaking on course architecture and the competitive game, for example, and PGA of America and USGA chief executives Seth Waugh and Mike Davis laying out their views on the state of the game. My favorite this year was broadcaster Jim Nantz moderating a discussion with PGA professional Eric Eshleman and his former student, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the former Secretary of State, who is a noted golf nut and member of Augusta National.
While affording opportunities to explore what’s new and hear from notable speakers, the show offers those in the golf business a chance to enjoy the fellowship of colleagues from across the industry and around the globe. In my view, there’s no better way to start the new year.
John Steinbreder
