Demo Day, PGA show 2010

Demo day: a day of exploration in the equipment field.

The Demo day was a creation by the folks that put on the merchandise show about 8 years ago. The idea was to spruce up the show quality and get the PGA weenies outside (if you are PGA I apologize early) to try out the product. The Rule of engagement was,,, the first few hours belong to the PGA  people alone and then the remaining unworthy get to look at the offerings for the year. However in years past that rule has largely been nothing more than lip service. I have seen people jump fences to get to the demo day without a pass. These are the same golfers that believe that because they golf they have some god given right to butt in the one time people in the business can relate. These same people slice a ball into the next hitting both and immediately start grabbing their back. I digress. This year shuttle buses and local sheriffs made the visit much more enjoyable.

I firmly believe this is where the component companies can compete with the OEM on equal footing.  Before the sponsors jump on me, I understand about the cost of the space and the marketing material needed to look good against the “big boys”. BUT the shaft companies are there with multiple heads, to a point Nippon is sporting old Infiniti 422 heads instead of latest Taylormade irons or driver. Grip companies are there, shaft companies are there, launch monitors companies are there. Why not the rest of the component groups sporting their wares with some of the aftermarket shafts and stock offerings? This will not turn the tide immediately but at least give folks like me a chance to see what you are offerings are in store for 2010 and get the name out in the main stream.

The day was a breezy 70 degrees of pure Florida weather. Balls were flying and by the opulent displays it was easily detected which companies are out for a market share.

A list of the OEM present include,

Ping (and their fitting program) I saw Karsten there too!.

Titleist had the largest area by far along with Cobra.

Cleveland and Srixon,

Adams (by the way the component is no longer on the table),

Callaway,

Nike,

Wilson,

Mizuno,

Aldila, Fujikura, Golf Pride, Lamkin,

Clique gear,

Hireko with Jeff Summit in the booth as a single in 50 degree breezes and no coat. Go Ohio guys!!!!

Pure grip was there with a crowd the entire time I was roaming,

Expand a sign, Skilz, UST, Orange Whippy and Heavy Wedge, Yep I just typed Wedge, Power Built and Sky caddie.

I took a couple of swings with the Air force one from Power built and was impressed. The marriage of the Fuji shaft and the Nitrogen filled head made for a ball that zips off the tee. The fairway wood is another animal altogether. The FW was dead sounding but a good flight when struck well. The profile is low and the sole is wide.

I approached the Wilson booth with two objects in mind. One to see if a lefty model is available (YES) and if the stinking fat shaft now named wide tip is still in the line up. Unfortunately the “wide tip” is in the game improvement models and if it breaks, THEY will be happy to fix it.

Then to Ken Recca and the Heavy Wedge. The heavy wedge is made with the same concepts as the putter. A heavier head with a back weight making for a heavy club with a regular swing weight the heavy wedge may be the next logical step into the industry. That remains to be seen. The ball does goes high!

I was asked to look into the fairway pro and I got to use the unit there. The fairway pro is a movable section of turf made to be secured under a hitting mat. The hitting area slides forward on impact. The feel is actually very nice. The cost $199, There is a hitting unit that is full sized with a much larger hitting area and ball holder. That unit goes for about $700. The hitting area mat is replaceable at $30 each time. All in all a pretty good unit if you only have a stance mat or go to a range with a mat and no hitting areas.

The demo day is not a place to sit down with the vendor and start talking business; it is time for the sales people to bone up on the sales pitch when the show moves inside and put clubs in hands. I think the demo day was probably the better of the ones I have attended in the past

We are staying in a new hotel from years past and I am getting used to the “area” where these articles are written.  So far the margaritas are good and the area is quiet. .Attached is some long shots of the demo day area.