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Time To Kick Open The Doors – 2010 PGA Merchandise Show

Published

16 years ago

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Each and every year the pulse of the golf industry can be measured in one week and it has arrived. As more than a 1,000 exhibitors prepare to display their wares in Orlando’s voluminous Orange County Convention Center, thousands of people who work in the business around the world wait to see how the week plays out.
 
I view this 57th PGA Show as the calm after the storm. Last year the golf industry was in full panic mode as the world’s economy began to erode at a frightening pace. There was much concern about what the future of golf would be.
 
What most found out was that the game was not disappearing, but simply transforming to a new reality. Golf is still here and there is still a new market for fresh golf gear, clothing, and so much more.
 
Some 40,000 attendees including 1,000+ media members are expected to be at the PGA Show. It kicks off with a massive Demo Day at Orange County National Golf Club on January 27th and then runs through January 30th at the Convention Center.
 
As I prepare to cruise the show myself along with other media colleagues I look forward to keying in on a number of companies, products and storylines.
 
Clothing
Still one of the strongest parts of the PGA Merchandise Show, apparel continues to flourish. With margins more attractive than what is typically earned on hard goods, this sector has not suffered quite as much damage in sales in the past couple years. 
 
Fall/Winter 2010 products will be the ones on display in Orlando with a few companies revealing product options for 2011. Performance wear is still a big trend with lifestyle brands also pushing to the forefront. 
 
I’ll be watching for lines from Dunning, Quagmire, Travis Mathew, Lija, SunIce, Phreshwear, and the new looks from Ashworth.
 
Reinvention
New and sudden economic realities mean “calling an audible or two” and it will be intriguing to see how retailers and golf professionals react to the new marketplace, especially for the people based in the United States and United Kingdom where the economy has been particularly affected. 
 
With so many of the pros and retailers in one room it will be interesting to speak with them and see what their business strategies will be moving forward. How will they maintain and grow sales and what technologies and techniques will they use to do that? That alone can change the face of golf as consumers see it.
 
The Price is Right?
As much as they need high sales numbers, will this be the year that manufacturers start to realize that not everyone who wants top equipment is willing to pay $600 for a driver?  While most pricing strategies for 2010 have been set I would not be surprised to hear of some tweaks and bonus programs – not only to get shops to take on more inventory but also to attract consumers with at least a few dollars to spare for new gear.
 
Missing In Action
Who will be at the show, back at the show, or gone altogether? The mix of exhibitors at the show is testament to who has survived the year past and who is ready to take on the season ahead. Each year there are casualties, as well as unexpected success stories, and it is at this show that all is usually revealed.
 
Innovation
For 56 years the world been introducing new golf technology at the PGA Show and I don’t expect this year to be any different. It is the star of the show. 
 
Adjustability, new materials, and unique designs – it all comes into play here and it leads you to wonder what comes next?
 
After the next few days run their course and the 57th PGA Merchandise Show plays out, we hope that the answer to that question will be a lot clearer.
 
And, of course, you can expect to see coverage of all the action of GolfWRX.com!
 
—
 
This report to GolfWRX.com provided by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
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Equipment

Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping

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3 weeks ago

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Jun 1, 2026

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Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.

That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.

On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”

On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”

“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.

Check out Shipley’s full what’s in the bag and the rest of his wedge stampings here on “Inside the Ropes” from Colonial.

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Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover

Published

4 weeks ago

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Jun 1, 2026

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear.  All prices include shipping. 
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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Whats in the Bag

Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)

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4 weeks ago

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Jun 1, 2026

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Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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