The 65th PGA Merchandise Show: The MAJOR of Golf Business

Opening Ceremonies With The Past 5 PGA Champions. (PGA Golf Exhibitions/Montana Pritchard)

(Lisa Vlooswyk/iG) — The 65th PGA Merchandise Show, was just held in Orlando, Florida January 23-26, 2018.  It is affectionately referred to as the "MAJOR of Golf Business".

Anything and everything to do with the game of golf is found at the show from representatives from bucket list golf courses and destinations, equipment manufacturers, golf apparel, trophies, power carts, pull carts, jewelry, head covers, golf nutrition, golf art, range finders, golf related fitness equipment and much more. 

Nearly 40,000 golf industry professionals from 87 countries attended the show. Many companies tend to launch and display their newest products for PGA Professionals and other buyers.  There was a great buzz at the show this year and positive growth with 225 companies new to the event.


Show Floor (PGA Golf Exhibitions/Montana Pritchard)

The show kicked off on Tuesday January 23rd at Orange Country National Golf Center with line ups at every gate with golfers anxious for the 9:00 am start.  The unique circular driving range offered 200 hitting bays for guests to test and try all of the latest goodies from over 100 different golf companies.  3 hour waits were seen at some of the popular equipment manufactures as everyone wanted to test and try the latest and greatest. 


Circular Driving Range (PGA Golf Exhibitions/Montana Pritchard)

On Wednesday January 24th it was time to hit the 1 million square feet of show floor, exhibits and meeting spaces at Orange County Convention Center.  The 3 day event is the world’s largest gathering of PGA Professionals.  Typically a celebrity professional golfer is on hand to officially open the show.  This year, in celebration of the 100th PGA Championship being played this August in St. Louis, 5 former PGA Champions took to the stage.  The crowd was thrilled to see Dave Stockton, Hal Sutton, John Daly, Steve Elkington and Davis Love III.

Once inside the show floor, there are miles of aisles to navigate.  All the products and services are grouped into consecutive rows starting with golf apparel, moving through the Travel Area, to the equipment manufactures.  Other speciality areas included the Equipment Test Center, New Product Zone, PGA Forum Stage, Inventors Spotlight, Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction, Adaptive Golf Center, Performance Textile Fair and the Technology Pavilion.


Vlooswyk Running Into Jesper Parnevik. (Photo/Lisa Vlooswyk)

The best part of the show though is the networking and informal meetings that happen down all the aisles of the show floor.  You will be walking down the aisle and run into current and former LPGA and PGA Tour players and legends such as Adam Scott, Greg Norman, Jesper Parnevik, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Michelle McGann and Annika Sorenstam.  You will bump into CEOs of every major manufacturer and club designers and engineers.  You will strike up conversations that lead to future business and connections.  It is the place to be if you are in the golf industry.

As each day ended cold drinks and treats were often served at many booths.  In the evenings several companies hosted parties for customers and clients.  The Travis Matthews party was one of the hottest tickets at the show. 

As a Canadian the best night of the show is always the Thursday night when the PGA of Canada annual awards are handed out. This year was no exception.  It was full of great conversation, celebration and connecting.  Like any good Canadian Party the wait staff needed to turn on the lights and fold up the tables to get the Canucks to leave.

The PGA Show is a must attend for anyone in the golf business!

 Look for my piece on Top Canadian Companies at the PGA Show in the Spring Issue of Inside Golf Magazine.   


About the Writer
Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is the reigning 8-time Canadian Long Drive Champion  for Women. She is a Keynote Speaker, Golf Journalist, Golf Entertainer and just launched a new Instructional Video.  Lisa can be reached through her website
www.lisalongball.com or through Twitter @LisaLongball.