2017 PGA Show Recap

on

More in Bag Chatter:

2017 PGA Show Recap

A Refreshingly Cold Take

If this is the only PGA Show recap that you read (kudos for your good taste), let me tell you what you’re missing: a bunch of hot takes about how the show stunk.  I won’t try to give you alternative facts that say the attendance was great (it wasn’t) or that they show floor was buzzing with energy (it wasn’t), but I will tell you this: there were a lot of good and interesting new products, and the industry stalwarts delivered solid performances.

Best New Products

A handful of new or improved non-club products stood out to me as being particularly good.  Here’s the list:

arccoscaddy-1200x835

Arccos Course Analyzer – The single best thing I saw at the show.  I read the press release prior to going to Orlando and, despite my love of Arccos, shrugged.  When I saw the app in person, however, my jaw hit the floor.  Arccos and Microsoft have figured out how to take your personal data, combine it with the data of all Arccos users, and create optimal strategies for you for any course in the world.  Explaining this app does it no justice, this is something you’ll need to see to understand, but take my word for it that you should be excited.

PuttOut – This simple putting trainer could be found in nearly every putter maker’s booth.  They almost sold out at the show, and their Amazon site for US sales is sold out.  These gents need to get home and start cranking out more product.  Full review coming soon.

Blast Golf 360 – Consumer grade swing analyzers exploded a few years ago, but the category has leaked oil ever since.  This year, Blast Motion reversed the trend by showing the most polished, useful analyzer yet.  I just received a unit to test, and I can’t wait to bring you the results.

2017 PGA Show_4485

Edel Single Length Irons – Comparing Edel’s single length iron system to those from other makers is akin to running next to Usain Bolt: in theory you’re doing the same thing, but the reality is that you exist in two different galaxies.  Edel has partnered with Paderson to create proprietary graphite shafts that address the major problems of single length iron sets.  Look for an in-depth discussion of the fitting system to hit PluggedInGolf in the coming months.

Bushnell Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder – Bushnell has combined everything you could want into one laser.  The Pro X2 will have black and orange displays plus slope and tournament modes.  Combine that with a solid metal housing and you have the makings of the best rangefinder to date.

2017 PGA Show_0345

Pick Up Ultra Slim Golf Bag – The most interesting take on a golf bag that I’ve seen since I’ve been coming to the show.  When the legs are extended, it looks fairly conventional.  However, when you pick it up, it folds into a flat rectangle that holds all the clubs still and fits under your arm.

String Rods – There is no shortage of companies doing things with alignment rods, but this is the best iteration I’ve ever seen.  This sturdy trainer creates perfect parallel lines, plus it has strings that can establish swing paths that are precise to one degree.  While it’s not the most exciting product, it was one of the most useful ones that I saw.

2017 PGA Show_0327

The Beautiful Booths

Yes, this is the part where I tell you that for another year no one could beat Edel and Seamus for killer booths, though this year a new company entered that upper echelon.

2017 PGA Show_0311

Edel brought out an all new booth that showed off even more of their too-beautiful-to-game wedges, putters, and irons.  They also displayed the aforementioned single-length iron system which could deliver on the promise of improved consistency and ease of play.

2017 PGA Show_0326

Once again, Seamus put together a booth that made me want everything in it.  From the leather Sunday bags to their signature wool headcovers, these handmade gems might not make you play better, but they will certainly boost your style.

2017 PGA Show_46262017 PGA Show_4628

The booth itself at Itobori was nothing special, but the clubs inside it were so unique and eye-catching that it didn’t have to be.  This relative newcomer has every club hand ground by the same master builder for maximum consistency.  I also learned that there’s a function to the unusual look.  Shaping the sole to a smooth finish requires having it on the grinder for an extended period of time.  This heats up the metal and makes it harder.  By taking off a little bit at a time, the metal stays soft, preserving the softest possible feel.  The company also claims that this rough sole moves through the turf more easily than a smooth sole.

2017 PGA Show_0297

The Big Boys

Among the major OEMs, Callaway made the biggest impression.  The Great Big Bertha Epic driver was unquestionably the talk of the show – you could hear people chatting about it in practically every booth.  Callaway didn’t rest on the driver story, however.  In addition to touting the Toulon Design and Odyssey O Works putters, they also quietly displayed a TP Mills staff bag with Odyssey-branded TP Mills putters.  Details on this partnership were sparse, but it’s something for putter lovers to keep an eye on in the coming months.

2017 PGA Show_0307

While not as massive as previous efforts, TaylorMade’s booth was one of their best ever.  Much of the focus was on new TM staffer Tiger Woods, but their hardware display was even more impressive.  Packed into the booth was Dustin Johnson’s US Open trophy, Justin Rose’s Olympic gold medal, and more.  They’re also releasing a torrent of new equipment: new M1 and M2 woods and irons, two forged irons, new wedges, new putters, and new golf balls.  Personally, I’m as intrigued by the performance claims around the new golf ball as anything.

2017 PGA Show_0073

Srixon and Cleveland continued to build the momentum they created off their spectacular fall club launch.  Golfers lined up to test the Srixon irons and woods and Cleveland wedges, as well as to score a testing pack of the new Q STAR TOUR and Z STAR TOUR golf balls.  I tested the new Z STAR TOUR XV at Streamsong and was very impressed with the performance in the wind and the short game spin.

2017 PGA Show_0175

With new clubs for players in every category, Wilson Staff had a great show.  Their demo day section was packed with golfers looking to try out the new, ultralight D300 line up, the Triton DVD driver, and the FG Tour V6 irons. How good are the new Wilson Staff drivers?  For the first time in years, Wilson’s PGA Tour players will have them in the bag.

2017 PGA Show_0265

While not equal to last year’s enormous G series launch, PING did have a solid show with a lot of new products.  The i200 irons are going to be favorites among players who want traditional looks but still need forgiveness.  The Glide 2.0 wedges promise enhanced spin, and the new Sigma G putter series offers 16 models to fit any golfer.  Finally, for the ladies, the G Le series promises improvements from tee to green.

2017 PGA Show_0005

Notes, Trends, & Oddities

Random musings on the things that happened between the giant booths and the New Products area.

Shaft Makers Pump the Brakes

While there were some new shafts that generated a lot of interest – Fujikura’s ATMOS line being the most notable – overall buzz around shafts was minimal.  A couple of major players skipped the show altogether, and those that were there kept announcements to a minimum.  Nippon revealed new graphics for their Regio shafts but otherwise stood pat with their line.  KBS showed a prototype iron shaft plus the already-announced graphite hybrid shaft.  On balance, I think smaller, targeted releases is probably a good thing in an already-saturated segment.

2017 PGA Show_0277

New Players In Graphite

Two new companies are jumping into the very high end of the shaft market.  Seven Dreamers and TPT Golf unveiled graphite shafts costing well over $500.  The justification for the cost is technology and manufacturing techniques that claim to fix the problems currently plaguing graphite shafts – namely inconsistencies.  I will be very interested to see if these two are able to get any traction in a crowded marketplace.

2017 PGA Show_0282

Ogio Impresses

Ogio has been off my radar for a few years, but their 2017 gear really wowed me.  Their new bags boast legitimate performance upgrades like Silencer Club Protection and Fit Disc Technology – a strap system that has the potential to be the best on the market.  The Ace Collection apparel that they unveiled feels great, looks solid, and has legitimate on and off course wearability.

2017 PGA Show_0348

Fewer Apparel Companies, Stronger Showings

It seems to me that in years past, you needed a scorecard to keep track of the new apparel companies at the show.  This year there were fewer apparel booths, but those that came brought strong line ups that showed a great sense of brand identity.  Among our favorites were Galvin Green (shown above), newcomer Bradley Allen, and Carnoustie.

2017 PGA Show_0370

Rickie Fowler to Use CRU Headcovers

Our friends at CRU Golf used the show to make the very exciting announcement that Rickie Fowler will be sporting their Major Collection headcovers this year.  You can see the four new designs above, and there are close up images in the slideshow below.

2017 PGA Show_0366

Canoos – More Than Meets the Eye

I noticed Canoos on social media recently and was intrigued by “the inventors of the boat golf shoe.”  When I came across their booth at the show, I learned there is more than style at work here.  Each shoe takes advantage of five patents including a featherweight insole that shapes to your foot over time.  Look out for their lace up shoe (above) coming soon.

2017 PGA Show_0132

Golf Motorcycles, Golf Bikes, and Putting with Ice

Demo day brought with it three products that stood out simply for being unusual.  The IceBlock Putter stands on its own thanks to its huge size and weight.  It feels pretty solid, too.

I also spied a golf motorcycle (below) and a golf bicycle.  I’m not sure I see the bike catching on – people who want exercise will probably just walk – but the motorcycle looked like a lot of fun.

2017 PGA Show_0114

On a Personal Note

There’s a truth that applies to golf as it does to any other pursuit: it doesn’t matter so much what you’re doing as who you’re doing it with.  A round at Augusta could be miserable in bad company.  A round at a local muni can be heaven in the right company.

This was the most fun I’ve ever had at a PGA Show, and it was all thanks to the great friends with whom I was able to share it.  PIG’s own Matt Meeker, Ryan from IGR, and Fernando from South Florida Golf made for the best traveling party I could ask for.

Finally, huge thank yous to: Streamsong for a great round of golf on Thursday.  Ryan Ballengee for being my token University of Maryland friend.  Ian Gilley and the Sugarloaf Social Club for your infectious passion for the game.  The Zimmerman (Karaoke) Agency for your unparalleled taste in dive bars.

I can’t wait to see you all again.  I hope I don’t have to wait until next January.

All the PGA Show Pictures You Could Want:

Matt Saternus
Latest posts by Matt Saternus (see all)

5 Comments

  1. James
    January 30, 2017 at 11:24 am  ·  Reply

    Nice recap, Matt.

    Quick question… Did you see anything interesting in the launch monitor space? Units under 5K?

    Thanks!

    • Matt Saternus
      January 30, 2017 at 5:32 pm  ·  Reply

      James,

      Flightscope teased a $500 launch monitor that’s supposed to come out in March. We’ll keep you posted.

      Best,

      Matt

  2. Chris Viducich
    January 30, 2017 at 3:40 pm  ·  Reply

    Great review Matt! I will keep any eye out for the Arccos Course Analyzer and I’m looking forward to your review on the Blast Golf 360.

  3. Steve
    February 2, 2017 at 8:38 am  ·  Reply

    Thanks, Matt – interesting read. Can’t wait to hear about the Edel “single length” clubs. The single length club concept is one I have a hard time buying into since I really don’t want a wedge or 9-iron as long as a 7-iron, but I’ll keep an open mind. The pic makes these look really attractive. And lastly, I almost choked on my morning coffee reading about a $ 500 golf shaft. Nice. Don’t tell Mr. Parsons of PXG, but now his clubs are a value brand, LOL !

  4. History
    April 29, 2023 at 10:42 pm  ·  Reply

    This was onee of the moѕt funn I’ѵe haⅾ witһ the game of sports
    betting in a wһile.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *