It's that time of the year when golfers are experience severe cabin fever. The Professionals are teeing it up in luxurious destinations like Hawaii and Palm Springs while most of America is scraping ice of their windshields in the morning. Such is the life of an average golfer who can't wait for Spring.
It's this time of year when golf retails stores get the window shoppers, anxious to talk about equipment, learn of new product making it's way into golf shops in the coming months. Over the past decade golf manufacturers have changed their approach and timing of how new product gets introduced to the mainstream golf consumer. Years ago, golf professionals and golf shop buyers would spend their time in Orlando at the PGA Merchandise Show learning about the new product and place advance orders for their respective shops. Today, new product seems to be trickling into the market at all times of the year. Some companies prefer to get ahead of the early season rush in positioning their new line of product. Taylor Made adopted that approach this past year.
One of the more fascinating aspects of the PGA Merchandise Show is the new products, new inventions looking to carve their niche in the golf industry. Small mom and pop operations, hoping to hit it big through a new relationship or positive feedback from buyers make their way to Orlando and spend their four days in their 10x10 booth. Walking by their booth one might think they are in Mexico with street vendors peddling their wares and inviting you into their store. But for every 20 new products that won't make it, there's one or two that finds their place in the market.
So over the next few weeks we'll be talking with many of the Gateway Section PGA Professionals who are making their way to Orlando for this year's merchandise show. We'll highlight the products they found to be interesting and useful. We'll also be interviewing representatives from these companies to learn more about their vision and the demand they hope to fill.
