| 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
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