Golf Industry Online Equipment Reviews

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The 2002 PGA Fall Show at Reno……. Small, Cozy and Successful to a Point.

By: Dr. Barry Lotz

This year’s show in Reno was approximately one third the size that Las Vegas used to be; yet the majority of both exhibitors (320) and attendees (no official attendance figures available at date of publication) apparently felt their hard earned dollars spent on the event were justified. This show could actually be covered in depth in one day as it took just an hour to walk the aisles. The outdoor demo facilities at two golf courses were well attended and beneficial to both the retailers and exhibitors.

Though only NIKE Golf, one of the larger equipment makers was in attendance, there were numerous smaller manufacturers such as Tour Edge, Golf Gear, Srixon and Dunlop.

Apparel makers such as Tommy Bahama, Izod Club, Roche and Imperial Headwear felt that there were a steady stream of serious and qualified buyers and most importantly, orders were being written over the two-day exposition. What was missing were that the “non-involved” people who walk around with buyers, who were not at this event.

While not delving into the pros and cons of having a regional golf show, next year’s event in San Diego is going ahead and rest assured, with the proliferation of golf companies in San Diego, this show will definitely produce a significantly larger audience.

There were many interesting, new and innovative products that are worth mentioning amongst the many booths stocked with the usual complement of novelties, gift items, putters, golf bags, magazine publishers, massage machines and booths, course management software, really ugly shoes, memorabilia and national tourist boards.

So what was new, exciting and innovative?

Nike had a field day with their introduction of their new fairway woods, the stainless steel T-40 featuring a 40-gram plug in the sole to achieve proper trajectory. The woods are available in three tour models, which feature small heads (13 and 15 degree 3-woods, together with a 4- wood) and five regular fairway woods (3,5, 7 and 9).

Nike also introduced its new collection of apparel, bags, eyewear, gloves and footwear in addition to their new and excellently designed junior golf system. The highlight was their softer EZ Distance ball that really caught the attention of many attendees. www.nikegolf.com

Opti-Putt is a new company devoted to putting aids. Their premier products are the Putting Scope and the Putt Ranger, both of which calculate the distance to the hole on putts. The former is a hand held mini telescope and the latter a coated card, that accurately measure distances from five to sixty feet, on and around the greens. I was amazed by their accuracy. www.optiputt.com

Clarus Products Inc, makers of the QLink, debuted their new gold pendant, to compliment their current sport and silver models which are extremely popular on all the Tours. www.QLinkGolf.com

C-Thru Grips, made famous by John Daly and Annika Sorenstam had a continuous stream of buyers for their putter grips. The grips are manufactured by Precise Grips of Riverside, California; use a variety of proprietary and special order bumper stickers as the underlying wrap. This is covered with a clear tack and water repellent grip made of vulcathane that has exceptional feel and texture. The grip sells for about $10. www.c-trugrips.com

Roche Golf had really exceptionally well-designed vests and insulated full zip jackets in wind resistant microfiber that sell for less than $85. www.rochegolf.com

For the young at heart, SPL has created a wide array of brightly colored golf accessories. Iridescent tees (in multiple lengths), divot tools and ball markers as well as unique towels and umbrellas with a distinctive tee pattern design, highlight the collection. www.golfcool.com

Scientific Golfers AB of Sweden, introduced their short 28 inch one-handed putter named “The One” which is designed to be used with a one-arm stroke with the ball being positioned sidesaddle outside the golfer’s shoe. www.scientificgolfers.com

Golf Gear introduced their new line of “forged faced insert technology” Tsunami drivers, fairway woods and irons. The set is visually attractive and their driver has been ranked by RankMark as being the “longest”. www.golfgearint.com

Euro Socks introduced their new golf sock that is most definitely going to challenge DeFeet as makers of the best and most comfortable golf socks available. These socks feature breathability, padded heel and arch supports. Great colors are available and the quality is excellent.

La Jolla Club, the country’s premier junior golf club manufacturer and producers of the “hottest” driver of 2002, introduced their steel and Tungsteel fairway woods to complement their driver. The company is having major success with their driver, which is available with 13-shaft options. www.lajollaclub.com

KineSys Sport’s oil and alcohol free spray-on sunscreen was in big demand. This sunscreen is water and sweat resistant thereby enabling it to dry quickly and leave no residue to affect you grip and it is not sticky or messy. www.kinesys.com

Tee-Zel makes a pretzel snack in the shape of a golf tee. A new cheese cracker munchie in the tee shape was just released at the show, although the packaging was not yet ready. The new cheese tees should be available in the next few months. www.tte-zel.com

Toon Art, featured a local hero, the Phillies Jay Johnstone at their booth. The company promotes a line of licensed images including golf cartoons. They are heavily involved in working with charity tournaments, which is where Johnstone fits in. On his own, Jay works with dozens of events per year. www.toonartinc.com & www.sporthings.com (Jay)

Also extremely popular with all attendees were two booths in particular, that of ClubGlove and Skins Clothing Company.

ClubGlove makes arguably the very best golf bags and travel bags in the golf industry. They also produce the Scheyden line of eyewear that is extremely popular especially on the Major golf tours. www.clubglove.com

Skins Clothing Company of San Diego was consistently the busiest booth. Their small booth and their small line of men’s shirts and Callaway licensed “slip-on” shoes generated many compliments and orders. Watch this company grow! 888.2375467

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and the California Golf Writers Association and a Mediator for the golf industry. He is a contributing writer to numerous national magazines. He can be reached at drlotz@cbsgolf.net.