The PGA Show roared back in a big way this year.
Nearly 30,000 PGA Professionals, golf leaders, industry executives and retailers from more than 86 countries came together to meet with more than 800 golf companies at the 70th PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 24–27, 2023. Following two years of business disruptions by the global pandemic, the PGA Show was a clear sign of a bullish year ahead for the continued growth of the sport and the $84 billion golf industry.
The PGA Show, organized by PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America, began in the trunks of cars at a winter golf tournament in 1954 and has grown into golf’s longest running and largest global business gathering. Among the tens of thousands of attendees were nearly 7,000 PGA, LPGA and international PGA Professionals and more than 800 media reporting from the annual event.
“The PGA Show is annually the largest gathering of PGA Professionals and industry leaders, and it has certainly lived up to that billing this year,” said PGA President John Lindert. “It was the epicenter of golf business with more than 800 companies conducting business and remains the largest stage in golf for networking, education and career development. We met with innumerable allied golf associations and organizations to develop strategies to grow participation in the game and business strategies for the months and years to come.”
“The energy on the PGA Show floor was fantastic,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “I grew up on a trading floor (on the New York Stock Exchange) and this reminds me of the energy and enthusiasm of a busy trading day. It is reflective of the (golf) industry, basically booming. We played defense for a couple of years during the pandemic, but we’re on the verge of being all the way back now. If the PGA Show is a barometer, 2023 is going to be a great year for golf.”
“An expansive mix of companies combined with strong participation across the international golf business community at this year’s PGA Show created an industry reunion unlike any other in recent years,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “The in-person connections and vibrant business on the Show Floor resulted in an optimistic outlook that has momentum to drive the golf industry to new heights in 2023.”
PGA Show Week officially began with the golf industry’s annual professional demo day, the PGA Show Demo & Fitting Day, returning to the massive circular range of Orange County National Golf Center (OCN) in Winter Garden, Florida, on Jan. 24. The sunshine-filled, day-long Demo & Fitting Day, produced in partnership by the PGA Show and PGA Magazine, provided important education and product testing of the latest equipment and technology, and opportunities for PGA Professionals to learn from experts in coaching, clubfitting and range operations.
“The gates opened at 9 a.m., and our bays were full by 9:05 and stayed that way all day,” said Alex Goodman, National Sales Director, Toptracer. “Coaches are especially excited to see what we’re doing with our new software. Having the chance to show it to them in person is the perfect way for them to learn about it. We’re excited by what’s going on today.”
“Demo & Fitting Day is a great way to see how OEMs are using their new fitting technologies and how we, as PGA Professionals, can use them to better fit our players,” said Paul Ferrone, PGA Owner, Downtown Golf, Stamford, Connecticut.
“There’s really great energy this year, a real buzz out here. Our tee sheet is full of appointments, and we have all our fitters out here helping attendees see our full line of equipment. There’s no replacement for swinging it and seeing it when it comes to golf clubs,” said Tom Olsavsky, Vice President of R&D, Cobra Puma Golf.
PGA of America President John Lindert and PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh opened the 70th PGA Show on Jan. 25 with welcome remarks to a crowded lobby packed with PGA Professionals and golf buyers ready to take their first step onto the massive Show Floor, full of the newest golf innovations. Following the ceremony, the doors opened to more than 800 companies, from emerging ventures and veteran manufacturers to the games’ most recognizable brands, to create the world’s largest business-to-business golf event. Golf’s top companies and market-leading brands, along with more than 250 exhibitors new to the PGA Show, introduced thousands of new products and services to drive golf retail in 2023.
Callaway Golf’s new Paradym clubs, PING’s G435 clubs and Cobra Golf’s new Aerojet clubs attracted attention, similar to the new Titliest ProV1 and ProV1x golf balls, Scotty Cameron putters and Mizuno ST230 drivers and the Club Car CRU golf cart. Bushnell Wingman and Full Swing KIT launch monitor, among thousands of exciting products were also among products that can positively impact the game experience. Fashion companies such as KJUS, Dunning, Peter Millar, FootJoy, PUMA Golf, Ralph Lauren and some 300 additional apparel and accessory companies introduced their newest collections for Fall 2023.
“I don’t think I’ve ever talked as much in my life as I have this week at the PGA Show. We’ve had non-stop traffic in our booth, and it’s been a lot of fun walking buyers through our expanded line,” said Brandon Wallach, Vice President of Marketing, TRUE Linkswear.
The PGA Show roared back in a big way this year.
Nearly 30,000 PGA Professionals, golf leaders, industry executives and retailers from more than 86 countries came together to meet with more than 800 golf companies at the 70th PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 24–27, 2023. Following two years of business disruptions by the global pandemic, the PGA Show was a clear sign of a bullish year ahead for the continued growth of the sport and the $84 billion golf industry.
The PGA Show, organized by PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America, began in the trunks of cars at a winter golf tournament in 1954 and has grown into golf’s longest running and largest global business gathering. Among the tens of thousands of attendees were nearly 7,000 PGA, LPGA and international PGA Professionals and more than 800 media reporting from the annual event.
“The PGA Show is annually the largest gathering of PGA Professionals and industry leaders, and it has certainly lived up to that billing this year,” said PGA President John Lindert. “It was the epicenter of golf business with more than 800 companies conducting business and remains the largest stage in golf for networking, education and career development. We met with innumerable allied golf associations and organizations to develop strategies to grow participation in the game and business strategies for the months and years to come.”
“The energy on the PGA Show floor was fantastic,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “I grew up on a trading floor (on the New York Stock Exchange) and this reminds me of the energy and enthusiasm of a busy trading day. It is reflective of the (golf) industry, basically booming. We played defense for a couple of years during the pandemic, but we’re on the verge of being all the way back now. If the PGA Show is a barometer, 2023 is going to be a great year for golf.”
“An expansive mix of companies combined with strong participation across the international golf business community at this year’s PGA Show created an industry reunion unlike any other in recent years,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “The in-person connections and vibrant business on the Show Floor resulted in an optimistic outlook that has momentum to drive the golf industry to new heights in 2023.”
PGA Show Week officially began with the golf industry’s annual professional demo day, the PGA Show Demo & Fitting Day, returning to the massive circular range of Orange County National Golf Center (OCN) in Winter Garden, Florida, on Jan. 24. The sunshine-filled, day-long Demo & Fitting Day, produced in partnership by the PGA Show and PGA Magazine, provided important education and product testing of the latest equipment and technology, and opportunities for PGA Professionals to learn from experts in coaching, clubfitting and range operations.
“The gates opened at 9 a.m., and our bays were full by 9:05 and stayed that way all day,” said Alex Goodman, National Sales Director, Toptracer. “Coaches are especially excited to see what we’re doing with our new software. Having the chance to show it to them in person is the perfect way for them to learn about it. We’re excited by what’s going on today.”
“Demo & Fitting Day is a great way to see how OEMs are using their new fitting technologies and how we, as PGA Professionals, can use them to better fit our players,” said Paul Ferrone, PGA Owner, Downtown Golf, Stamford, Connecticut.
“There’s really great energy this year, a real buzz out here. Our tee sheet is full of appointments, and we have all our fitters out here helping attendees see our full line of equipment. There’s no replacement for swinging it and seeing it when it comes to golf clubs,” said Tom Olsavsky, Vice President of R&D, Cobra Puma Golf.
PGA of America President John Lindert and PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh opened the 70th PGA Show on Jan. 25 with welcome remarks to a crowded lobby packed with PGA Professionals and golf buyers ready to take their first step onto the massive Show Floor, full of the newest golf innovations. Following the ceremony, the doors opened to more than 800 companies, from emerging ventures and veteran manufacturers to the games’ most recognizable brands, to create the world’s largest business-to-business golf event. Golf’s top companies and market-leading brands, along with more than 250 exhibitors new to the PGA Show, introduced thousands of new products and services to drive golf retail in 2023.
Callaway Golf’s new Paradym clubs, PING’s G435 clubs and Cobra Golf’s new Aerojet clubs attracted attention, similar to the new Titliest ProV1 and ProV1x golf balls, Scotty Cameron putters and Mizuno ST230 drivers and the Club Car CRU golf cart. Bushnell Wingman and Full Swing KIT launch monitor, among thousands of exciting products were also among products that can positively impact the game experience. Fashion companies such as KJUS, Dunning, Peter Millar, FootJoy, PUMA Golf, Ralph Lauren and some 300 additional apparel and accessory companies introduced their newest collections for Fall 2023.
“I don’t think I’ve ever talked as much in my life as I have this week at the PGA Show. We’ve had non-stop traffic in our booth, and it’s been a lot of fun walking buyers through our expanded line,” said Brandon Wallach, Vice President of Marketing, TRUE Linkswear.