PGA Show Report The Latest in Game Improvement, Goodies and Gimmicks in 2008 |
|
|
|
While you were either shivering in the January cold or (hopefully) out chasing around the little white ball in our warmer climate, the golf industry was trying to figure out what you want NEXT, and showing it off to retailers, golf shop owners, and our intrepid reporters at The Golfers Guide. With over 10 square miles of show space hosting 1250 different golf-related companies, thousands of people in the golf industry from all over the world visited Orlando in mid-January. Our regional publishers have their Top 10 list of interesting products worth a look: ClubsAdjustable shafts They're all the rage now with the new USGA ruling allowing you to change shafts between rounds of play. Most of the major clubmakers will be out with some form of adjustable shafts in '08, the most extreme being TaylorMade’s kit, featuring three shafts, all the weights and tools, and yes, the driver head, goes for $999. Visit: http://www.tmag.com/ Pelz Wedge Renowned clubmaker Jesse Ortiz and short-game guru Dave Pelz have collaborated on what they say is the first really “new” wedge technology in 50 years. The launch date is set for March 2008. Information is available at http://www.bobbyjonesgolf.com/. Fybrids What? Well, if there’s one hole in the clubmaking market these days, it’s that stick somewhere between the 3-wood and the hybrids. Tiger hits a 5-wood, but Wilson and Adams are two of the leaders in the fairway-hybrid or “fybrid” market. Go to: www.adamsgolf.com ($199) or http://www.wilson.com/. AccessoriesSun Mountain's ClubGlider We all have to travel with our clubs, which are bulky to say the least. ClubGlider may have hit on the biggest thing in club transportation since the wheel. Wheels that allow you to steer your clubs around airports, then fold away. ($299.99) http://www.theclubglider.com/ EEZ-Read Putting Aid This little dandy won the PGA Show’s Golf Innovation Award. It’s not really legal in competition, but it’ll help you learn to read putts better. It works on the same principle as the bubble-level you use around the house. Drop it on the green and it’ll read the breaks. $14.95 http://www.ezz-read.com/ 4-Yards More Golf Tee A new low-friction plastic tee barely touches the ball and has been “field tested” in two different independent tests to go 4 yards further than conventional tees. $5.99 for a four-pack. www.4yardsmore.com Smaller Rangefinders Now that everyone’s comfortable using them, the optical companies are making rangefinders smaller and smaller. Bushnell’s new fits-in-your-palm Tour V2 is the smallest yet. $349 www.bushnellgolf.com Adidas LST Lenses Many of us don’t wear sun protection because we can’t read the greens with shades, right? Adidas has developed a golf-specific tint that intensifies the subtle variances of green and white to allow for better reads on the green. They’ve now got a whole line of sunglasses featuring the LST lenses with frames that offer a customized fit through adjustable Tri-Fit temples and Double-Snap nose bridge. www.adidas.com/Eyewear ApparelProQuip Rain Gear 17 of the last 26 Ryder Cup captains on BOTH sides have used this rain gear featuring tops that can double as windshirts, yet are also water repellent. It’s not cheap, but guaranteed for 3-5 years. www.proquipusa.com Loudmouth pants Taking the outrageous pants of the 50s, or the 70s, and going a step farther. If you want to be the center of attention at your next event, check these out. $84.95. www.loudmouthgolf.com IZOD Golf & Tehama Apparel pioneer and design maven Nancy Haley, is the owner of both Tehama and IZOD G. She was named the recipient of the PGA’s prestigious 2007 Ernie Sabayrac award for lifetime contributions to the golf industry at the PGA Show. With more than 20 years in golf design business, she’s always cutting edge. Both companies introduced a new GREEN collection for men and ladies, supporting consciousness of body and health. The collection is comprised of Vitamin C dipped polos, that actually release nutrients into the wearers skin, and provide SPF30 sun protection. Clothes made of Bamboo, Cocona Recycled Polyester and Organic Cotton and Organic Polyester/Cotton are part of the GREEN collection. Cocona™ was named by Time Magazine as one of the most amazing inventions of 2005. Cocona/TrapTek’s fiber and yarn is infused with activated carbon from coconut shells and provides moisture management, odor management and UV protection (SPF 60). www.izodg.com, http://www.tehama.com/ |
| Next > |
|---|
