Inside The Ropes With Joe The Pro – What’s New At The PGA Merchandise Show

Welcome to the first of many timely stories from around the world of golf. Including tour event news, players, equipment and teachers. Today’s article will surround this year’s 2019 PGA show and some highlights and perceptions.

For those of you who do not know, the PGA Merchandise Show takes place annually at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The general public is not invited as the show is for PGA pros, media and manufacturers to display their wares. At one time this was the largest convention in the U.S. But with golfs decline the show has probably been reduced by 1/3.

One of the most enjoyable days is “Demo Day” at Orange County National Golf Club’s 360° range.

Maybe it’s because it’s outside in glorious yet windy sunshine or that you get to try all of the major golf club manufactures along with some not so well known. Kicking that rust off on the first few swings always brings fear, as the swing feels awkward. I’m just hoping that I don’t Sh#%k the ball. (I never say that word.)

First stop: Callaway and Sean Toulon, local guy who has made it big designing putters. This year his newest engineering feat is the shaft. Sean found out that if you combine a composite shaft with 6-8 inches of steel near the head the result is a much more balanced and fluid feel and more precision. I tried it and it felt fabulous! I then moved on to attempt the highly touted Callaway Epic “Flash” driver. Luckily I found the face on all my shots and the new improved face on the “Flash” certainly lived up to the hype.

Next stop: Cobra Golf. I got to listen and gaze at Lexi Thompson for a bit (she really does strike the ball well) before I ventured to try the one-length irons that Mr. DeChambeau uses. Apprehensive at first, I became less skeptical and will boldly try a complete set this summer! Although not for everyone, I see the reasoning, heck Bobby Jones did it some 70 years ago. Cobra’s driver caught my eye with their milled face, which causes the ball to really pop off it. And according to the rep Ron Eskierka, the face also helps with dispersion. So your miss hits go straighter.

Next I found the Ping and Titleist wedge chipping areas. Both now feature many variations of bounce and lofts. I personally like less bounce especially on the heel. Both wedges felt solid and I even got a great tip that’s working for famous Canadian Tour player Kelly Murray; who traveled with the famous Mo Norman – more with Kelly later this year.

The final highlight from Demo Day’s range is a visit to one of the many putting greens. The cool new thing was Ping’s adjustable length grip! It adjusts the shaft length with a wrench up to two inches. While at the green I also found my friend Vlad Gribovski with the putting stick. I swear by it. It’s a 4-foot by 1” plastic training aid that has a mirror for eye alignment, a bubble level and adjustable bumper for your backstroke. It gives you immediate feedback. 160 Touring pros use it! Use it just ten minutes a day. It works!

After 5 hours and 4.5 miles of walking, (I went around twice), it was time to rest for the show.

Orange County Convention Center was awash with a sea of golf pros, manufacturers reps, some celebrities and even a few NFL footballers made the trek from the Pro Bowl practice.

Walking into the 600 yard long by 80 yard wide room, that includes a driving range so you can try those clubs again, all the manufacturers were there except one: Taylormade was recently bought by a Chinese company and was noticeable absent.

The leaders in range finders have better lenses and stability functions. Bushnell added a new feature that includes your elevation and temperature adjusted yardage!! What will they think of next?  Prices for many newer range finders companies have dropped considerably, since the patents recently expired, to $120 albeit with limited whistles and bells. Another cool item I saw was from TecTecTec, who unveiled their ULT-G satellite GPS watch. It gives you quick and accurate measurements to the front, middle and back of greens, as well as hazards and doglegs. Easier for me than trying to remember to grab the rangefinder from the cart!

Golf balls are coming out with better, longer lasting and whiter covers. Colored balls are still hot. One newcomer being promoted by “Mr. 59” Al Geiberger is Oncore. Oncore incorporates steel shavings into the inner ring for a soft feel and length. But what they are going to introduce are balls with chips in it to give you feedback to your phone or computer like Trackman.

Simulators are still the rage and prices are slowly coming down. Now you can get a turnkey “kit” for under $6,000 net and mat included. The best ones including Trackman run near $60k upwards to $200k, but the graphics and feedback like spin rates etc. are spectacular!

Golf car companies now offer more efficient models with extended battery life and now over 60% have USB ports installed which comes in handy when charging your phone, playing music or my favorite new item – heated portable seat covers from Joe Pro Products http://joeproproducts.com, which works well on crisp mornings and the synthetic lambs wool keeps you cool when it’s hot. Flip it over. Waterproof! Brilliant.

A few years ago the industry was all the rage over electric boards for getting around the course. This year FinnScooters introduced the new golf cycle, called FinnCycle. It promises to add exhilaration and to speed up pace of play while being stable and easy to ride. I see an accident or two during the learning process!

Soft goods take up half of the floor. My fashion take away was colors are muted, yes it was mostly the fall line showing, but it seems fluorescent bright colors may have peaked. Don’t tell that to Rickie Fowler though! Peter Millar’s line was my favorite along with Under Armor.

Fabrics, especially high tech performance, were the buzz. Shorts and shirts that breathe and wick that are very shear. Even Pukka headwear is incorporating high tech fabrics into their hats.

The Adidas woman’s line was great. Priced right and a variety of styles that suit today’s youth along with classic looks and again with high performance fabrics!

No one could have missed the Loudmouth booth. With John Daly himself in the booth signing autographs, taking pictures and sporting his new Hooter’s patterned shorts. Oh and yes….the Hooter’s girls were there as well.

Even golf shoes are getting into high performance. Lighter weight, better soles and more support – featuring breathable waterproof fabrics in numerous colors and patterns.

New gadgets are always fun to see at the show also, from cigar holders that double as a club holder for those dewy mornings.

New “improved” ball repair tools, healthier food snack options, and hemp oils for pain management. (100%THC free!)

Finally retro is becoming sheik; from golf bags and head covers to alignment sticks. One local company Bubba Whips makes the sticks out of hickory with a classic look and hand painted stripes.

So here’s my conclusion after 28.6 miles walked in 4 days. Golf’s demise seems greatly exaggerated. With the help of technology, we now have better fabrics, fun and informative simulators, fitted equipment for kids and adults all helping make the game more enjoyable than ever. The game, it seems, has weathered the storm. Now if we can figure out all the new rules!

You can listen to Joe the Pro on 1500 ESPN and at www.skornorth.com/shows/tee-time.