2009 PGA Golf Merchandise Show 

Everything new and many things old were at the 2009 PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL (Jan 29 - 31).

The newest equipment, golf training aids, clothing, golf course management tools, and swing analysis equipment and software were on display and demonstrated.

Of primary interest from our golf training and improvement point of view were new artificial putting greens, golf swing and distance improvement devices, mats, nets, tees, putting and ball striking analysis software, and quality golf equipment for juniors and youth players.  We thank Sports Sensors, Inc. (Swing Speed Radar™) for letting us help and participate with them at this year’s PGA Golf Merchandise Show.   

One important device that was demonstrated at the show has been well proven as a golf training aid for over 40 years. The “SwingRite” can be used to help you learn to release your golf club at the perfect time as well as improve your swing path and approach angle.  

This training aid is a good tool to use with our swing instruction course and the “Get More Distance” training course. A short training segment, with video, on how to best use and benefit from this device will soon be available and included with the SwingRite when purchased from this website. 

A unique putting mat called the KC Track Putting Mat leaves a ball track where your putt rolled. You can see if you are skipping your ball the first few feet, if you are pushing or pulling your putts, or if you have a good roll. By lightly brushing the mat in the opposite direction of the ball roll the tracks disappear. 

The speed of this practice green can be quickly decreased or increased by simply stretching the length of the mat. These putting practice greens will soon be available on our golf instruction courses . com website.  

There was a number of very good practice hitting mats at the show. One that we liked was the 5-ft X 5-ft “Real Feel” golf mat. These golf mats are already in use by many top golf instructors and at numerous golf clubs and academies.

The mat has a density and thread thickness that lets the golfer take a normal divot-producing swing without a bounce-back from the mat. The contact with the ball followed by contact with the mat provides for “Real Feel”.  You can also use real tees.  These mats will also soon be available from our website.  

From a fitness perspective a set of devices from Smart Body Golf helps increase strength of the muscles used during the golf swing. The weighted SONA Core Trainer combined with the Swing Fit Elite stretch bands golf system helps you to parallel your strength training with your golf swing. 

In addition to all the new clubs from the major manufacturers, demonstrated at the show were many high end golf swing analyzers, swing plane devices, and golf simulators that are typically seen in golf stores and golf schools, and are often used by sponsored professionals.  

These analyzers and devices are excellent and provide outstanding information but they are beyond the financial recourses of most individual golfers so I won’t discuss these items. 

We will continue our focus on the use of specific products that can help the average golfer improve their ability at an affordable price.  We were able to initiate agreements with several equipment manufactures and are making arrangements for their products on our website. For some of these products we will include our own training that will help you best utilize the products to improve your golf ability. 

We are very excited about the equipment that we will have available for juniors and young golfers. 

Hit ‘em straight. 

Phil Lawrence