It’s a sensory overload.

Rows upon rows upon rows —  as far as the eye can see — full of sights… sounds… and, of course, sales pitches.

Yes, I’m talking about the PGA Merchandise Show.

Dubbed “the largest global gathering for the business of golf,” according to the PGA…. “The Show,”  which is what the tens of thousands of attendees call it, makes you feel like you got called up to the big leagues. Well over a thousand vendors, inventors and brands put their products on display inside the seven million square foot Orange County Convention Center in sunny and warm Orlando, Florida… where there was a major shortage of sun and warmth, but that’s a story for another day.

And when I tell you they had anything and everything a golfer would want or need, I mean it.

You need a new driver? They got it.

Swing aids… yup.

Travel bags… putters… putting mats… irons.. wedges… balls… hats.. shoes… shirts… shorts… ball markers… tees… Checks all around.

Heck… you need a golf cart with monster wheels or a whiskey bottle dispenser or some golf course bling — THEY HAVE IT ALL.

It really is incredible… and the layout is insane.

The show floor is split into multiple sections which almost feel like neighborhoods because of the sheer size of the event.

To the far left… the equipment testing area.

To the far right… the apparel preview area — and don’t worry, they get along (sorry, that’ll be my one and only political joke).

In between the donkey and elephant (ok that was my last one, I promise) there’s the putting green, adaptive golf, fitness and health, the clubhouse, golf travel, career zone, new products, the inventors spotlight and… pickleball. Yes, pickleball.

As I journeyed through the golf labyrinth, there were so many cool and exciting gizmos and what-dats that caught my eye.

Like the Tumi booth, with their upscale luggage and stylish golf travel bags. A booth tailored to those who like the best of the best. And to those who want to make sure their clubs and gear are in one piece when they make it to their final destination because, did you know, airline companies will not insure soft-shell golf travel bags BUT they will protect hard-shell cases… much like Tumi will make sure your $600 driver and $500 putter are protected.

Another booth that really caught my eye was “Little Links.” As a father or three, including two little girls, I’m always looking for products that make golf fun and easy for them. So when I discovered this grip training, light weight, kid-sized clubs with MASSIVE driver heads… It was like discovering a future D1 golf scholarship.

But I’m also always on the lookout for cool things that can help improve my game, as well. And, as you can image, the Show was littered with cool golf aids. However, this was one (technically two) that I cannot stop thinking about: 

Now this thing is cool. It’s a 7-iron with an EXTREMELY TINY face. And it serves two purposes:

1) To have fun and make a fool of you and your pals

2) To teach you how to hit the sweet spot every time, because if you can flush a golf ball with this baby-faced iron (which it is perfectly capable of hitting golf balls) then you will be able to take your iron game to the next level. 

I am very much looking forward to reviewing this product.

All in all, my first trip to the Show (did I mention this was my first ever PGA Merchandise Show? If not, my bad… like I said, my sensors were overloaded) was an experience that I will never forget.

The connections I made, products I tried and friendships I developed will be something I never forget. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience that I hope to experience many more times in my lifetime. 

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As far as the other guys from the WiscoGolfAddict team go… We were all there on the lookout for different products and experiences. What did they find most exciting? Let’s hear from Paul, Troy and Brian.

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Paul’s Favorite Products & Brands

More than anything, the PGA Merchandise Show for me is about catching up with folks across the industry who I am in touch with throughout the year but rarely get face-time with.

This year was no different. Whether hanging out in the media center or walking the floor, it’s a thrill for me to run into so many old and new friends, like Mark and Ross from Stewart Golf, Paul from BatCaddy, Tad with Redvanly, my old friends from Vessel, Tyler and his team from The Prestwick Companies and The Club at Lac La Belle, Akbar from Seamus Golf, Glen and Steve from Geneva National, Daryl Boe from The Quest for 3,000 Courses (who has played more unique courses than anyone in the world), the guys from Vibez Golf Club, great folks from KemperSports and other PR and Communications firms across the country and fellow Wisconsin golf media friends like Gary D’Amato, Brian Weis, Caitlyn Moyer, Sam Van Galder, Chuck Garbedian, Gary Van Sickle and so many others.

It’s a networking event for me, and while networking I do my best to check out as much new gear as I can. Among my favorite products from this year’s Show, here are the standouts:

Vessel Golf’s New Lineup

Every year my favorite golf bag brand debuts new, beautiful products, and this year is no different as Vessel launched its Lux Stand, Lux Air Stand, Lux Looper Stand, Player V and Player V Pro.

My eyes are all over the Player V this season. It’s a beautiful golf bag that’s perfectly designed.

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BatCaddy’s New Evo II Electric Cart

The new Evo II from BatCaddy (10% discount with link) takes my favorite remote-controlled electric cart on the market today and brings it to a whole new level, especially with features like an improved battery support setup (my only complaint about my X8R and X4R), quick breakdown to less than 3″ height for easy storage (“smart pack”), advanced stability and intelligent auto-tracking, downhill speed control and improved auto-distance.

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Precision Pro’s New Titan Elite Rangefinder

My number one overall recommendation for rangefinders, PrecisionPro (if you’re looking for the perfect starter rangefinder, I cannot say enough great things about the NX10 Slope!) now offers a top-end option with the Titan Elite.

This is a 100% dust and waterproof, aluminum-shell model that promises quickness and accuracy at least on par with the NX10 Slope, which to be honest would be tough to improve on. It’s a great-looking distance tool that I hope to review this coming season.

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Other Show Highlights

Another highlight of this year’s Show for me was the KemperSports press conference with David McLay Kidd announcing the Central Florida resort’s fifth golf course (to be named later – not necessarily the “White Course” as some are reporting early).

The team and I had a chance to spend about an hour with DMK in the Rooftop 360 bar at Streamsong a couple nights before and let me say it was an absolute thrill for a golf nerd like myself.

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Troy’s Hunt for New Technology

With over one thousand vendors and one million square feet of everything golf, the PGA Show can be an overwhelming experience.

Each year I try to focus on one key theme during my wanderings and 2025 ended up being the year of technology.

Golf seems like a sport where performance shouldn’t be governed by having the latest and greatest equipment or gadget, but I feel it is trending that way. There are so many advantages to be gained by keeping your bag up to date and there are a few standout products I want to highlight this year:

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Brian’s Favorite Products from the PGA Show

Cappai Designs

While I have steadily grown my collection of golf artwork and prints, I’m currently looking to spruce up my home décor in new ways to remind me of the game I love.

Showing off exceptional craftsmanship and exquisite taste, Cappai Designs’ kitchenware comes printed with custom logos that can proudly display your favorite golf courses or home club in style.

Cappai Designs caught my eye in last year’s PGA Show, and after visiting its booth again this year, I know it will be a priority add to my collection in 2025.

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Shot Scope

I sorely need a high-performing rangefinder. The models I use today are okay but perform inconsistently across the wide range of golf courses I visit each season.

The cure I found at the 2025 PGA Show: Shot Scope’s new Pro X.

This rangefinder combines the excellent performance you can expect from Shot Scope (WISCO for 15% discount) with some extra bling, as customizable design plates are available that implant on the side of the model.

I look forward to checking out the Pro X this year to solve my rangefinder woes while also enhancing my personal brand on the golf course.

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Southern Shirt

I’m constantly on the lookout for great multi-purpose wear, and on vacations it’s especially important to wear versatile clothing to minimize the hassles of packing extra and constantly changing outfits.

This year’s PGA Show featured a row of apparel booths specializing in multi-purpose summerwear, ranging from golf/pool combo plays to shirts that can adapt to nearly any vacation setting. The brand that caught my eye the most was Southern Shirt. In particular, its impressive shirt designs come with smooth fabric that could easily translate to the course.

I’ll certainly explore Southern Shirt’s offerings further this season to see if it’s the ticket to enhance my vacation look.

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Note from Publisher (Paul)

The PGA Merchandise Show is the early highlight of every golf season for the team at WiscoGolfAddict, and this year’s event was no different. It’s a chance to get out of Wisconsin and play some golf at spots like Streamsong Resort and Cabot Citrus Farms (new articles and reviews coming soon), spend time together and meet with people we don’t get to see often enough and… usually… find a little warmth and sunshine while the weather back home is at its worst.

While the sun and heat did not cooperate for this year’s event – it was in the 30’s and 40’s all week with rain and heavy cloud cover (seriously, every year there seems to be un-Florida-like weather for the PGA!) – the event itself keeps growing.

Golf is still an industry on the rise and the PGA Show is a terrific harbinger of the state of the game’s health.

2025 should be a fantastic golf season, and we’re excited to start seeing new advances in the industry’s technology and product lineups hit the scene here in Wisconsin.

Just a couple months to go… Are there any products or brands you’re most excited about this season?