It’s golf’s biggest industry event of the year, with more than 40,000 attending the PGA Merchandise Show. With nearly 18 kms of rows of booths at the Orlando event, you’ll find everything from the tried and tested (tons of booths featuring every conceivable variation of the golf polo) to the strange and wonderful, especially in the new products area where inventors show up to try and capture attention for their often bizarre and unique creation. Want a golf cart tricked out to look like a classic sports car? Get a training aid shaped as a golf shirt? You’ll find them in the rows of booths at the massive convention centre in Orlando.
Here’s a few of the coolest concepts and products we saw at the PGA Merchandise Show:
1. Club Booster eWheels by Alphard Golf
A product that emerged last year, this allows you to turn virtually any 3-wheel push cart into a remote-controlled version. It’s easy to set up, and simple to use, and is already available in Golf Town stores.
2. Volvik Golf Vivid XT Marvel Hulk
Who doesn’t want to hit it like The Hulk? Volvik, known for their bright colours, go all Marvel on us with this cool logoed ball.
3. Dormie Headcovers
A great Canadian company run out of Nova Scotia, Dormie’s artistic and spectacular leather headcovers continue to wow everyone who sees them.
4. Beer Pong Golf
Golf pong. Sign us up! #pgashow pic.twitter.com/WueQodFsvk
— Golf Town (@GolfTown) January 24, 2018
Yes, a concept as simple as it sounds—and it had people lined up to (ahem) test it all week. Their slogan: Beer Pong + Corn Hole + Golf = Awesome.
5. Street Rod Golf Carts
Who doesn’t want their golf cart pimped out to look like you could burn rubber down Main Street? Especially one with Bluetooth and back up cameras built in.
6. Full Swing Golf
A simulator that can be used for both golf and hockey? Pure genius. Cool to see some merch show attendees pulling out a stick to demo this one.
7. GolfBoard
Built just for you! Choose your putter head, face, shaft, loft and colour with these custom built putters. #PGAShow pic.twitter.com/j3Ff5OwuiZ
— Golf Town (@GolfTown) January 24, 2018
A putter that can be customized through 14 different features and set literally millions of ways, there should be no excuse when you miss that 3-footer, now should there?
9. Quick-Up Golf Range
An easy way to practice using real golf balls and full swings, and the ball is even returned to you. Your perfect backyard training aid.
10. Swing Shirt
The guys in the strange orange shirts have been around Orlando for a couple of years and keep getting attention for their odd-looking training aid. Padraig Harrington and Bryson DeChambeau dig it, so maybe it isn’t as unusual as it first seems.