I first heard about the PGA Show last fall while on a golf writer’s trip along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. I was traveling with a bunch of golf writers (all guys except two other women), and in case you’re wondering what golf writers talk about in the van, it’s… golf equipment, golfers, golf news, golf courses, and golf rounds. And at dinner? More golf.
As a newbie to these trips, I was quiet, soaking it all in.
Then my writer friend Fred asked me, “Abbey, are you going to the PGA Show?”
He said it like he was talking about the Super Bowl or another known event.
Instead of waving my green golf flag even higher, I replied, “Not sure. Tell me more.” Clever, right? Unclear whether I just wanted details or had no idea what he was talking about.
Obviously, Fred knew I was clueless but kindly explained, “It’s this big, annual golf show in Orlando. All the golf writers come to see what’s new in golf.”
Then my friend Phyllis added that practically everyone in the golf industry attends – PGA & LPGA professionals, golf equipment manufacturers, golf coaches/instructors, students and entrepreneurs, and a TON of exhibitors ranging from fitness to tourism.
I thought it all sounded great, but I put the show out of my mind until a couple of weeks later when a client asked me if I was going. Two PGA Show mentions in a month? I took it as a sign and booked my trip.
Let the (golf) games begin…
My rookie PGA Show tour began with Demo Day, where PGA professionals and golf media head to Orange County National to test the latest equipment. It’s basically Disney World for golfers, but instead of mouse ears, you see golf hats and golfers trying the newest drivers, clubs, grips, bags, carts, and everything in between. I checked out new-to-me things like a special Japanese mat designed to help golfers improve performance by hitting while barefoot. I was drawn to the booth because the mat had a beautiful pattern that made me think it could double as a cool home rug and reminded me of the wellness practice of grounding. It took a few swings to get used to hitting barefoot, but I could see how it might help my swing and technique.
After being interviewed for Japanese TV (still trying to get my hands on the footage because that doesn’t happen every day), I checked out the latest in putting technology at Break7eventy. This company designs smart insoles and putting sensors to “help you find success every time you’re on the green.”
I also investigated new motorized carts, sunglasses (like female-founded, veteran-owned EPOCH) and grips (thanks for the sample SuperStroke).
But the booths that really hit home were Folds of Honor, the Veteran Golfers Association, and First Tee. Folds of Honor uses golf events to raise money for the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders. The Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) focuses on using the camaraderie and sportsmanship of golf to help the lives of Veterans and their families. First Tee gives kids access to golf, teaches life skills, and builds confidence. Additionally, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf featured at the show with Site Directors from across the world coming together to plan for new ways to empower girls through golf. These organizations use golf to do good in the world and welcome more people to the game.
Awesome.
I left Demo Day feeling so lucky to be part of the world of golf. And this feeling would only intensify over the next few days
We Love This Game
The next day, I headed to Orange County Convention Center for the PGA Show – three days of educational seminars, exhibitors, and special events. Wednesday’s events began with the opening ceremony and reminder of the PGA slogan, We Love This Game. The minute I walked into the exhibition hall, I could feel that love.
I mentally divided the territory I was to cover in the exhibition hall. One side featured apparel, shoes, accessories, travel, and fitness information, while the other had the game’s equipment, course management, and technical aspects. I focused on apparel, as I’ve really been working on “zhushing up” my golf look. I found every style of golf apparel at my fingertips, which I categorized as “classic, old school, rad, casual, resort, retro, hip, floral, and preppy golf.” I discovered that many of the brands were female-founded, and all of the exhibitors I talked with had one goal – helping women find “their look” and feel good while golfing. I also found a plethora of options when it came to shoes, socks, sunglasses, accessories, and bags. It was as if a room full of my BFFs got together and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll hook you up with a golf look that’s right for you.”
Pirdie Golf
After seeing a lot of booths, I had a few favorites including Pirdie Golf, an apparel company started by three female friends during the pandemic who used golf as a means to get through. During their rounds, they decided the only thing missing from golf was clothing they felt good wearing, so they created Pirdie. Their fun clothing easily transitions from the course to the clubhouse or the sidelines of your kid’s soccer game.
Next, I stopped by Birdie & Ace, another favorite. The founders of this female apparel company wanted to make fashionable performance apparel so women could look, feel, and perform their best. (Sign me up for that.) The name Birdie & Ace came about because they make apparel for both golf and tennis.
Featherie gets the “WOW” award in my book because the founder and president is 14 years old! While most kids just complain to their moms when they “don’t have anything to wear,” 14-year-old junior golfer Kate did something about it. From age 10, Kate felt there weren’t enough options for girls in the golf apparel space. So, of course, she created a clothing brand catered specifically to female junior golfers who wanted style and performance. Kate’s creations have all the features you’d want in golf apparel – beautiful details plus features like UPF 50+ protection, tee holders, and ball holders built into the clothing. All of this from a 14-year-old!
Two other standouts include the family-owned Smith & Quinn – their clothing was beautiful, and I loved the fact that almost all company roles are fulfilled by family (or family friends). Next, I explored shoes and found classic styles from the Portuguese company Lambda and Italian Duca Del Cosma and some great options from Skechers. Finally, I found companies like The Klow Golf Company, founded by a woman named Katre, who learned the game so she could spend more time with her husband and friends. New to golf, she wanted to find a way to change the narrative that sometimes intimidated and prevented women from trying the game. Her lifestyle brand has the motto “for fun golfers only” and the Golf Bracelet Stroke Counter is the signature product.
The Klow Golf Company
So Much More to Discover
At one point, I took a break from touring the booths and listened to, “Grow the Player” featuring Roger Steele of the KemperSports #MakeGolfCool initiative, Abby Liebenthal of Fore the Ladies, PGA professional Joe Smith, and Cameron Dinkins of PGA WORKS. Each organization attracts a different demographic – including young people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, women new to the game, veterans, and future employees in the golf industry. The message from all four speakers was: golf is for everyone.
Moving from everyone to everywhere, I next headed to the golf tourism section where travel representatives from around the globe were promoting their golf resorts and courses. Golf as a way to see the world? You bet – grab your clubs (or rent them abroad) and head to Italy, Spain, Ireland, and so many other destinations. This is a great example of how golf allows us to meet new people and explore new places.
Other highlights of the show included the Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction Pavilion, an Adaptive Golf Center, and the Career Zone – all targeting various areas of the golf industry. Personally, I checked out a number of fitness and wellness-oriented exhibitors, all aiming to get golfers – of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels – ready to play golf. I learned that fitness equipment from companies like Technogym is becoming commonplace at club and golf simulator facilities, an exciting trend in the world of golf and wellness. In addition, some non-traditional, new technologies, such as Katalyst, offer shorter workouts through targeted muscle stimulation and workouts specifically designed for golfers. I tried one of their workouts, wearing their special vest that hooked up to sensors, and did a workout that mimicked golf motions. It was intense physically and mentally, and I can definitely see how it could help improve my game and overall well-being.
Women’s Network contributor Abbey Algiers experiencing a Katalyst workout
After my Katalyst workout, I headed to the nearby Hyperice booth, where I tried out their Normatec compression boots and learned about their other recovery tools – massage wraps, massage guns, and other tools to help sore muscles.
The last product I want to mention is one of the more important ones – an all-terrain mobility rider that elevates golfers into a standing position. This means that golfers who previously couldn’t play the game due to mobility issues can now play a round independently. VertaCat is a game changer for physically challenged golfers – not only does it help golfers stand up and position golfers on the ground so they can swing a club as they normally would. This is an amazing mobility option for those golfers who may have thought their golfing days were over.
Golf is for everyone. Period.
After a week in Orlando, I could write volumes on all the great things coming to golf in 2024. That’s because golf is having a moment. A big one, and that moment isn’t going to end anytime soon. There’s data supporting it. A new study from NBC Sports Next revealed survey results from The New Era of Golf, stating that, “Total U.S. golf participation eclipsed 40 million for the first time in 2022, while more than a third of the total U.S. population played, watched, read about, or engaged with golf content on social media.” (Source National Golf Foundation)
The world is finally catching on to the fact that golf is for everyone. The PGA Show demonstrated this at every booth, demo, and seminar, welcoming golfers of all genders and ages, athletic and physical abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. There are opportunities to play, and resources and people available to help one get started.
All of this means that…
If you’re a scratch golfer reading this, golf is for you. (And please call me with tips.)
If you play five times a year just for fun, golf is for you.
If you’ve always wanted to golf but think you’re too old… you’re not, and golf is for you.
If you watch golf on TV, golf is for you.
The possibilities and opportunities in golf are as big as the PGA Show.
And that, my friends, is why WE LOVE THIS GAME.
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