Orlando in the golf headlines, and not because of Tiger Woods; Sneak peak at new products
Orlando will be under the golf spotlight this week, and for once it is not because of Tiger Woods’ secret life sagas.
The PGA Merchandise Show, the golf industry’s largest gathering of the year, takes place at the Orange County Convention Center Thursday through Saturday. On Wednesday the equipment manufacturers display their wears at Orange County National’s spectacular practice facility during Demo Day.
Both of these events attract a virtual who’s who of the golf industry, PGA professionals and retail buyers, and media from all around the globe.
Bad news is, the PGA Show is not open to the public. If you’re not on the list, or don’t know someone who is, you’re locked out no matter how much you tip the Door Man.
Good news is, the Orlando Golf Examiner will be there, pen and camera in hand, to bring you news of the latest, greatest and goofiest from the golf industry.
Here is an early peak:
POWERBILT IRONS GASSED UP: A year ago PowerBilt introduced the Air Force One: drivers, fairway woods and hybrids with club heads filled with nitrogen gas. Many thought it was just another golf gimmick. Then they tried it.
Now, PowerBilt is hoping to build on that success by introducing nitrogen-charged irons. And they are “ballistic,” says Ross Kvinge, president of PowerBilt. “By filling the iron head with nitrogen gas, we’ve been able to thin the face and create a much bigger sweet spot.”
NIKE HITS WITH HYBRID: Nike engineers believe that opening up is the best strategy, at least in their new Nike VR Hybrids.
To optimize workability and distance, Nike Golf has slightly opened the face angle and shifted the center of gravity. To achieve longer distance, the VR Hybrids feature a 455 Ultra Thin Face with Nike’s distinctive Split Compression Channel that also exists in the VR STR8-FIT fairway woods.
INTEGRATION WORKS FOR ADAMS: Adams Golf is launching a line of integrated sets for women and seniors, highlighted by the technology of Idea a7OS hybrids and irons. The Idea a7OS set includes a state-of-the art aerodynamic driver, three low-profile fairway woods (3, 5, 7), the Idea a7OS Hybrid Irons (4-SW), a mallet-style putter and a fashion-forward cart bag in a choice of three different designs: Bronze, Mist and Pinwheel.
