1.23.2012
10tiME;for;golf’s;big;shoW
a confluence of factors—including marketing strategies
that bow to a want-it-now mindset—some time ago altered
one of the long-lasting lynchpins of the pga merchandise
show. new equipment is now routinely rolled out at different points on the calendar instead of in one fell swoop at
the orlando trade gathering, which will be held for the 59th
time this week. but that’s far from saying the show, where
the pga of america expects more than 40,000 folks a day
to peruse the offerings of about 1,000 exhibitors (from
equipment behemoths to mom-and-pop companies with
a new-fangled accessary and a dream), isn’t still a very big
deal. it is the de facto summit of the golf industry, celebrities still make appearances and new products are unveiled
among the 10 miles of aisles that make comfortable shoes
a requisite for any attendee. in fact, the show has made a
bit of a resurgence the last couple of years. all the house-hold-name companies have returned with at least some
kind of presence. and this year marks the 10th anniversary
of outdoor demo day, a popular equipment preview and
hands-on testing session that kicks off the show wednesday at orange county national golf center and lodge.
indoor demo days follow at the convention center, where
250,000 balls were hit last year, making sore hands almost
as likely as sore feet. —B.F.
david walberg /sports illustrated/getty images
cover // contents // 10 things // pga tour // champions tour // european tour // equipment// tim rosaforte
