At next week’s PGA Show in Orlando, there will be more than 1,000 companies showcasing their golf products and services across 1.1 million square feet of exhibition space.
This is the golf industry’s equivalent of the Masters Tournament and Super Bowl.
Here’s your birds eye view of four of the hottest wares on the golf planet which will be on full display:
BOAST – Tennis, Anyone?
Out of the chute, a quick departure from golf: Clubs and resorts with strong tennis programs are carrying BOAST. The tennis-lifestyle line of men’s and women’s apparel promotes lighthearted irreverence and effortless style. Its meticulously crafted, clean and elevated look meets ultra-comfort thanks to Peru-originated Pima cotton, performance mesh and whisper knit fabrics. BOAST polos, quarter zips, hoodies, pants, shorts and accessories all display an iconic Japanese maple leaf logo that represents balance, excellence, integrity and individuality. The brand likely sounds familiar as it was one of the most prevalent tennis labels during the Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg era. Notwithstanding, BOAST’s comeback is here and now, and its longstanding mantra, “sport is part of the well-led life, but not the only part,” remains. The 1973 Tipped Pique Polo is among our favorite classic, timeless designs and a signature piece in the BOAST line.
LOHLA SPORT – The Very Pant
Without comfortable clothes over nine or 18 holes, what should be a fun round becomes an annoying round. Coming to the rescue, golfers swear by LOHLA SPORT for its luxe fabrications and flattering fits. Popular in more than 600 top-tier pro shops across America, the ultra-fashionable, golf-lifestyle apparel brand recently unveiled The Very KNIT Pant as part of its top-selling The Very Pant lineup that continues to transform the way ladies dress on and off the golf course. Made of Viscose, Polyamide and Elastane, The Very KNIT Pant is especially “pajama-like” soft, four-way stretchy and country club sophisticated, and follows The Very Pant silhouette. The Very KNIT Pant is available in navy and black, and The Very Pant is in too many colors to list. Lady golfers are wearing LOHLA SPORT in droves.
Noteefy – The Cancellation Solution
Golfers only have certain times when their busy calendars permit them to play. Unfortunately, those slots are often taken. But why should it be up to golfers to constantly refresh a course website or call the pro shop to see if there is a cancellation? Well, one of the hottest companies in golf, Noteefy, has the solution. For golfers, it’s simple, free and takes 30 seconds or less: If the tee time they’re looking for isn’t immediately available, they click the Noteefy link on a course website and complete a short form informing the program when they want to play and how many players in the group. When the desired tee time opens, golfers are alerted in real time by text and e-mail, then book per the normal process. In the event the desired time does not become available, Noteefy alerts golfers of openings on other days within the time window they favor. Noteefy is ostensibly the OpenTable and Resy product for golf and a six-figure annual moneymaker for golf courses, resorts and country clubs. It’s genius!
ZIGIT – Coolest Tech Ever
The company is quenching members’ and guests’ thirsts by getting them the can and bottle beer and mixed drinks when and where they want it. There is no excuse for waiting 30 minutes for a beverage cart to finally arrive on holes No. 5 or 13, for example. That’s why golf course operators are turning to ZIGIT to solve this problem. ZIGIT dispensing stations are positioned across courses, and within these “boxes” lies software that uses facial recognition tied to a federal database to determine golfers’ eligibility to purchase alcohol. Upon approval, they get their drinks in 30 seconds or less. Now that’s technology that increases golfer satisfaction as well as revenues. Operators love ZIGIT not only for providing convenience; this super-cool mousetrap mitigates staffing headaches, liability, shrinkage and overpouring.