2003 PGA Show Wrap-up – Best of Show

The event this year was an ode to the creativity and innovation of those who love golf, are continually searching for the perfect club and for the best way to become a scratch golfer.

In attending and identifying the best products at the PGA Show in Orlando, one faces a major hurdle. Time. Four days at the Show is simply inadequate to see everything, as there is a total of 1300 exhibitors and over 550,000 feet of exhibition space. If one considers that the Show is open for 8 hours per day, one has an appointment every 10 minutes including travel time; one person can only see a total of perhaps 200 exhibitors. Only then can you grasp the enormity of the Show. Identifying new and beneficial products is a daunting task to say the least.

This year, in a super stroke of creativity, the Show organizers scheduled a demo day for retailers and club manufacturers as a prelude to the Show. Over 3000 attendees came to visit 45 manufacturers. Both the retailers and manufacturers raved about the single most important benefit: getting product into people’s hands.

Unfortunately this year, Titleist, Ping, Adams, Kasco and Cobra were amongst the 200 exhibitors that did not participate at the show.

So what’s really exciting, different and useful this year?

Without doubt, and in absentia, Titleist’s new ProV1x was the talk of the Show. Retailers, though unable to see the ball at the show, are expecting this to be the “hottest” selling golf product in 2003, more so than the original ProV1. The new ProV1x has 60 dimples less is the major difference between the models. Additionally, newer models of the ProV1 are also due out soon. The new ProV1x is scheduled for delivery to retail on March 1, 2003.

The new 983 K (350cc) driver and the 983E(365cc) driver will feature “plasma welds” which produce more consistency throughout the face of the club in addition to raising the C.O.R. to the USGA maximum of .83. (Previous Titleist drivers were below the USGA maximum). These two new Titleist drivers are due for retail delivery in April 2003.

Coupled with the phenomenal success on the Tour of the new Titleist 983K driver, Titleist seems to have a good year, irrespective of the current lethargic state of the golf industry.

Offering a close race will be Maxfli’s M3 Prototype ball, which according to Maxfli, is now the longest ball on Tour surpassing even the new ProV1x.

 
Balls:

Nike introduced their new TA2 in both long and spin balls (MSRP: $40). The TA2 features Nike Golf’s proprietary Snap Velocity Core. This innovative blend of Neodymium-catalyzed Polybutadiene results in a faster core and longer distance. The long version has already captured two victories on Tour. The total number of anticipated Nike Golf Tour Staff players switching to the TA2 in 2003 has increased from 60 to 70 since January 10, 2003. The current number includes the confirmation that 36 of the 2002 Tour Staff players in the U.S. and 15 of Nike Golf’s 2002 international staff representing Europe. www.nikegolf.com

Spalding/Strata/Hogan: With numerous balls available from the Spalding Company, the new Hogan Apex Tour (Premium), STRATA Tour Ultimate + (Mid-Level) ($45.00) and Top Flite Tour (Value) $19.95 continue to garner market share.
Caps:

For a change innovative caps and visors will be available later this year that offer a new look. O’Connor Cap will offer caps with pewter logos. These caps are classy, well made and stand out significantly from the tired embroidered logo caps currently available. www.occaps.com

 
As for visors, unequivocally the Sovis sun visor is both functional and stylish and off

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his current book, “How to Build Business Relationships Through Golf” is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s best seller list.

He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net