By Len Ziehm
Every year the giant PGA Show, held in Orlando, is the same thing – only different. The 71st rendition, held in January, once again showcased the newest must-have golf gear and attire.
More than 1,000 golf companies and brands enticed approximately 30,000 industry members who gathered for the traditional Demo Day, and at the Orange County Convention Center for three days of total golf immersion.
The golf industry is in a very good place at the moment. The 41 million Americans playing golf generate $22.6 billion dollars to the total economic impact in this country alone.
We always find it interesting to check out all the new products and here is our list of the Top 10 for 2024.
Popticals Sunglasses
Popticals sunglasses are hand-made in Italy and are specifically designed for various sports and needs.
“Our most popular is our golf line,’’ said Gary DiSalvo, chief executive officer for the company’s headquarters in Ellisville, Mo. “These glasses are specifically made for golf. The lens focus is on green and golf courses are overwhelmed by green. We wanted them to focus more on the ground, and the green color will help you see better. As soon as you put on a pair on a golf course you’ll see different shades of green. They delineate miniscule differences in the grass, elevation changes and where the break might be.’’
Click HERE to find out more at their website.
Perfect Hands Golf
Perfect Hands Golf is billed as “the world’s first ever swing and strength trainer.’’ The training aid comes complete with a belt, four acceleration bands in 10, 20, 30 and 40-pound increments, gloves for both hands, plus a handy carry case.
If used as suggested, this device helps a player get his swing on plane, increase strength and range of motion. In short, Perfect Hands can develop proper technique and increase swing speed.
Click HERE to visit their website.
Wheel Pro Stride
Zero Friction introduced their newest innovation, the Wheel Pro Stride electric bag trolley. The Stride is an update of the Wheel Pro, which won industry honors at this year’s PGA Show.
The Stride’s 35-pound bag has a pocket-sized remote control that uses Smart Technology to follow within three feet of the golfer. It’s a versatile product, though, as you can push it, carry it or put it on a cart.
It comes with an umbrella holder, a cooler that can hold up to six cans or bottles, two invisible magnets to secure a rangefinder or Bluetooth speaker and a built-in USB port.
Click HERE to visit their website for more information
Omnix Golf Bags
Omnix specializes in customized golf bags and some of their creations were the most eye-catching items at the show. They had an interchangeable outer shell, seven multiple pockets, 14-way club dividers – and a distinctive appearance. The company calls their bags “revolutionary’’ with their combination of advanced technology, functionality and edgy style.
The models that caught my eye the most were in the company’s Rainbow Series. The Black Vodka and Sex on the Beach models in that series are both priced at $540.
“Omnix bags will illuminate the course and feed free spirits,’’ according to the company’s website. No argument there.
Find out more about Omnix Golf Bags HERE.
Zigit Beer And Drink Dispenser
This Phoenix-based company touts their features:
- Provide golfers with immediate, gratuity-free access to the alcoholic beverages
• Generates larger margins for courses because it requires less overhead and staffing headaches
• Upholds compliance controls, including drink limits per day, per user
• Tracks real-time inventory
• Reduces alcohol inventory shrinkage which often reaches 30%
• Speeds up pace of play
“We’re targeting golfers because they could use it year-around,’’ said Zigit’s Chris Hurry.
Golf course management decides which beverages are offered, plus Zigit has technology that can screen out under-age buyers and limit the daily intake of others.
You can find out more at their APP.
One Club Training Device
The One Club Training Device provides instantaneous tactile, audible and sensory feedback to promote correct swing consistency.
Alcides Deschesnes, a Canadian-born mechanical engineer, developed the One Club Device designed to increase golfers’ swing speeds.
“It’s more than a weighted club,’’ said Deschesnes. “It combines the principles of dynamic inertia resistance with instant feedback and can be used as an exercise tool.’’
Click HERE to find out more.
Dial Ball Marker
Toweltag, a Canadian company that also manufactures popular golf towels, intrigued me with their ball marker. It helps golfers draw straight lines on their balls for identification purposes but is more valuable after play begins.
“It can be used as an alignment tool,’’ said Craig Holub, who introduces himself as TowelTag’s “founder and visionary.’’
The ball marker comes with a dial that can help line up putts, either on the practice green, or on the course.
Order online at TowelTag.
Lagmaster
A training aid shaped like a drainpipe under your kitchen sink can accomplish big things for golfers.
The Lagmaster is said to “teach movement that gets the body, arms, hands and club synced correctly and trains the power swing, weight shift, sequence, low point and finish.’’
And, according to promotional material, “it keeps it simple.’’
Click HERE to learn more.
Golf Breeze
Designed by Randy Kuckuck, the Golf Breeze is the golf version of his popular Zoom Broom.
This battery-powered gadget fits nicely in your golf bag and quickly removes leaves, or other debris from your line on the green.
Learn more about Zoom Golf Breeze at their website.
