The Best of the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show

I attended the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, in part, to search for equipment to help my game as I pursue my quest to play on the PGA Tour. After combing the 10 miles of aisles inside the massive Orange Country Convention Center, I am happy to share the best new products from the industry event:

Drivers: I saw some nice looking drivers, but I did not find any new driver that would replace my Bobby Jones Workshop Edition Driver by Jesse Ortiz, who may be the finest club designer in the game.

Fairway Woods: Tour Edge Exotics CB3 Tour is a refinement of the company’s popular CB2 fairway woods, which are the longest fairway woods that I have ever played.

Hybrids: With a slight offset, the Adams Golf Idea Pro Black is built for the better player and is the fastest growing hybrid on tour.

Irons: I hit the Fourteen Golf TC-550 — a great looking and feeling forged iron from the Japanese clubmaker — at the Equipment Test Center, aka the largest indoor range in all of golf.

Wedges: Scratch Golf, with custom fitting and grinding available, has attracted players like Ryan Moore and Cristie Kerr and must have other top wedge makers looking over their shoulders.

Putters: STX ProFIT 6 is part of a new line of the company’s soft face insert putters, which offer better control, less skidding, and truer roll than metal face and other insert putters.

Balls: For the last few years, I have played the Bridgestone Golf Tour B330-S after my original evaluation by the manufacturer’s Ball Fitting Challenge, and I am looking forward to trying the new Tour B-330RX, which will be available in March of this year.

Training Aids: The SKLZ Practice Pod provides a simple and lightweight solution to establishing a consistent practice station with proper alignment and ball position, and now, with the addition of a reflective mirror, the new Practice Pod Pro also allows monitoring of shoulder alignment.

Accessories: Cleatskins are designed to slip over shoes and take golfers quickly and conveniently from the golf course to the street and will become part of the daily wardrobe for someone like me who wears golf shoes, every day.

Video Analysis Software: For several years, V1 Pro has been the industry leader in golf swing video analysis, and the new version of the software offers even more capabilities for your local golf instructor to communicate valuable swing keys to you.

Photo Memento: Going beyond the shadow box design, the Ballkeeper is a patented three-dimensional memory holder that includes fitted spaces for a golf ball, photo, and signature card and will be an instant hit for memorabilia collectors and tournament committees looking for unique tee favors.

You may notice that I have not included products from the major manufacturers. When my nephew looks through my golf bag, he jokes that I am loyal to indie brands. As an entrepreneur, I am drawn to smaller ventures with interesting stories and innovative products. To be fair, Titleist, Callaway, Nike, TaylorMade, and other big companies make some great golf equipment, too.

Until next time, enjoy golf America!