PGA Merchandise Show - Day 2

January 25, 1997

Orlando, FL

After barely missing my shuttle, I was late for the amazing Denny Dent. Dent, who paints with three brushes in each hand, evidentally completed work on Tom Lehman and Michelle McGann today. However, I don't know if he really did them today or not, as the paintings were gone when I went by.

The previous day's work was hanging on the wall - portraits of Jack Nicklaus and Barry Manilow .. no that must be Greg Norman.

Overall, the second day seemed to have fewer visitors, but more actual purchasing.

After spending the previous day looking at the smaller exhibitors, today was time to venture into the battleground of the big boys.

Palmer had one of the most talked about products - the Extreme Gripless PHD Titanium Driver. By moving the balance point toward the club head, the club feels lighter. Your wallet will be to, after shelling out $499 for the "leader of the move toward gripless clubs."

Two powerhouses introduced new versions of their best sellers, that were bigger and lighter. The Biggest Big Bertha has a 15% larger clubhead, and was listed at $600. The club felt good in my quick swing test, but the rep didn't seem to like my inquiry about possibly leasing the club instead of purchasing it.

In a counter-move, Taylor Made brought out the Burner Bubble II, with a 20% larger clubhead.

Instead of bigger clubheads, Wilson is focusing on the Staff Fat Shaft. They mentioned something about a larger tip diameter (0.5") that is really supposed to help the high handicapper. Not knowing much about tip diameterics, I took his word for it.

While their display was not as large as some of the others, Goldwin always seemed to have an interested crowd when I was around. The AVDP Drivers do have an unique, high tech look. If I had to wager, I would think they will be a hot line of clubs this spring.

Not much seemed to be happening at Hogan, as more people were in line for Tom Kite's autograph, than were looking at clubs. Two legends, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson, also made appearances at the Show on Saturday.

After viewing most of the latest best selling equipment, it was time to look elsewhere. Working my way past about 25 of those indoor golf games where you smash a ball into a screen 10 ft away, I believe I began to see double.

No ... wait, that putter has two grips, and two shafts that join together at one head. The Pendulum Putter. "A true pendulum stroke," informed the eager salesman. Not far away was the putt-see ball. Well, make that balls. Two balls attached in the middle ... "a great training aid," I was told. Maybe it would go good with the two shafted putter.

About that time, a Scottish Bagpipe started blaring in the direction of the MacGregor exhibit. I made it over there just in time for their 100th Anniversary celebration. The Founding Father, Young John MacGregor made an appearance, talking briefly about the differences in clubs over the last 100 years, before the champagne bottles began popping and a giant cake was wheeled in.

Running out of time, I thought I would make a trip over to the Apparel section to see what was happening. On the way, I saw the latest shoes from Bite. After making the mistake of not wearing tennis shoes the day before, my feet approved of the look of one pair Bite golf shoes, that were in fact sandles. An attempt to target the hip golfer that may hit the jackpot. Three different spikes are available with it, including metals.

Entering the apparel mart, I noticed they were checking bags of those entering and exiting the exhibit hall. This must be good stuff.

After walking in, the show quickly lost the feel of golf ... this was high-end apparel, complete with fashion shows and appointment books.

While the section of the show definitely was populated by a number of very good looking, well-dressed women, I began to look for something to do after a while. Then I realized straight ahead was a large man with the thinning, short black hair, spiked-up ... former Chicago Bear linebacker Dick Butkus.

Butkus informed me that he was part-owner of Avid, and was there to promote their new lines. His answer to my request for a Super Bowl score was that he had no idea, but that "the Packers will win, and will cover." "The Patriots might stay in the game for a while if they score first."

Butkus has been playing golf for the last 10 years, mostly at celebrity tournaments. "I am a 10-12 handicap," he said. "Golf is the one thing I can still do with my knee. I will eventually have to replace my knee with an artificial one."

I am glad I got to visit with Mr. Butkus; it was quite a long trek over to, and back from the apparel section.

Overall, the show is very impressive, yet mind-boggling. I don't see how a golf professional or buyer can possibly take it all in, and evaluate the new products, even if they are there the entire time.

After a grueling day of exhibiting their products, I learned many flock to the Peabody hotel across the street. This is where the after-show parties are, for those able to pick up a special invitation.

Even without an invite, the lobby area on two floors awaits those looking to network and enjoy the happy hour atmosphere, while watching out for the Soldheims.

I was able to attend the affair hosted by Petersen's Golfing, a magazine that will be reintroduced in April. Golfing is targeted to the young, hip golf market. Unfortuntately, not too many of the invitees met that description.

However, after a long day of walking around the convention center, the buffet lines were a welcome site. I managed to sample both the sliced turkey and roast beef sandwiches, after making my way through the mexican appetizer line. They also threw in a free t-shirt and a CD entitled Double Bogey Blues, which features such titles as Arnie's Army and Hey Moe (Norman), on my way out.

Searching for transportation back to my hotel as my trip to the Orlando Golf Show comes to an end, another of those quick evening Florida rain showers fell on my heavy bags of information packets and samples acquired during the day's activities.

Now its time to figure out how to get all that stuff back on the plane. I guess I'll visit Mickey on another trip.

Don Dowell, Editor/Publisher, Golf in the SouthWest
(Jan. 25, 1997)©