A short beginner’s guide
My first PGA Show is one I will remember for a very long time.
I’ve played golf my entire life and it’s always been my number one passion, so to be amongst over 1,100 golf brands and over 30,000 people that share that passion is something special.
The PGA Show has been on my radar for the past five years and since starting The Pure Golfer, I knew that it was something I wanted to attend. It’s going to be difficult to not go now. It feels like one of those events that as a founder of a golf business you really have to be at. The connections that are forged are priceless.
I went as a friend of Dormie Workshop, one of my favourite golf brands. They specialise in creating handcrafted Italian leather accessories and are well known for their headcovers. We send client gifts made by Dormie. Everything is top quality and wildly creative.
Also, a shout out to my friends at Bonnie Wee Golf whom I spent a lot of time with, discussing the future of golf travel, the history of golf and ways to collaborate. They have been great supporters of TPG from day one.
The Experience (OCCC, Concourse West)
The busiest days at the show are Wednesday and Thursday. This is when you need to bring your A-game. I was invited to The Hagen 54 event on Monday and the Visit Scotland/St Andrews Links Trust party on Wednesday. Both were excellent networking opportunities. I am keen to sign up to The Hagen 54 in 2027 – anyone keen to join me?
I’d strongly recommend attending the demo day on Tuesday – it’s a great way to see all the new clubs and technology. The driving range is also one of the biggest I have ever seen, with a 360 degree outside range you hit into. All of the exhibitors are around the outside. It took me 4hrs to walk around. There’s a shuttle bus from the Orange County Convention Center, which takes approx 25 mins each way.
Don’t fill up your diary. Leave space for conversations to happen organically. Have business cards and a pen/notepad on you. For me, there was no need for a laptop. Hands free was the way.
The concourse itself is split into sections, such as Travel, Apparel, Equipment, Technology, Driving Range – so even though the scale is huge, there is some method to the layout.
Overall, I suggest being clear on your goals and intentions for the week. Be organised and don’t go too hard in the evenings as it’s important to be full of energy throughout the day.
Insights
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- Golf is booming. No matter what part of it you’re in, it’s growing and will continue to do so.
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- The role of autonomous machinery is real and growing. How General Managers of clubs utilise this to the benefit of their P&L and member/guest experience will be a high priority.
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- Each startup and scale up is first and foremost about the founder, then the quality of the product/service and their ability to connect with their audience in a consistent and engaging way (Think Malbon. Think Dormie Workshop. Think YETI.)
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- Whilst the golf industry is massive, it feels small in some ways. When I see familiar faces, brands, founders and content creators under one roof it feels like a very connected group.
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- Golf travel is a big part of the golf industry and it’s only going to get bigger. Opening up new markets and offering new value for the customer is where the opportunity is. Whilst it’s highly competitive, there is space for everyone.
Logistics, Food & Beverage
In case you’re thinking of going next year, here are a few reflections and learnings:
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- International Drive is the main road that runs parallel to the OCCC. It’s full of chain restaurants and some good independent restaurants such as Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. Because it’s so busy you’ll need to make reservations, otherwise it’s easy to fall into sub par options.
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- I ended up at ‘The Market’ inside the Hyatt Regency each morning and for lunch, then ventured further to Whole Foods in Bay Hill as I was craving some healthy options. For anyone that cares (I do), they have a La Marzocco coffee machine and well trained barista.
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- If you have the budget, then stay at the Grand Hyatt, Orlando. This connects with the West Concourse via a footbridge and is where all the networking happens, especially inside at the Rocks and Descend 21.
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- My hotel was further afoot, and the saving grace was the Uber Lime electric scooters. Make sure you test your app first before leaving your home country and that you have your business card synced to it.
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- Download the Lead Manager App. This allows you to scan the QR code on people’s lanyards and save all the necessary information. I felt like the digital communication via The PGA Show was excellent; there was never a worry about missing something.
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- I suggest picking up your pass as early as possible as queues on Wednesday morning are huge.
Looking ahead to 2027
I’m looking forward to attending the show again next year, collaborating with other brands where it makes sense and generally contributing to the game of golf, which has given me so much.
Next time I plan on taking my clubs and playing some of the great tracks in the area, before and after the show. The ideal situation would be to stay on a golf course and play in the evenings and early mornings before heading into the show. Somewhere like Bay Hill.
I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of my experience, and if you plan on heading to Orlando for the show next year, feel free to ask me any questions.
Cheers,
Gavin
#thepuregolfer
