At The Forefront
Each year, the golf industry gathers for the PGA Merchandise Show. And when it comes to innovations, the 2020 edition didn’t disappoint. This year, keeping cool and out of direct sunlight seemed to be top-of-mind, so to speak, with three types of hats taking honors.
That starts with David Terol. After his father’s skin cancer diagnosis, Terol went looking for sun-blocking accessories that could be attached to caps. When he couldn’t find the right design, he developed CoolNES (coolnes.com), a two-in-one UV protective neck and face mask, which won the Best Product Award. Meanwhile, the German brand SafeTee (safeteegolf. com) took home Most Innovative Concept honors for its breathable caps, which feature a protective layer that provides up to 80 percent more shock absorption.
Headwear also shined in the Buyers Choice category. This year’s prize went to VimHue (vimhue.com), an athleisure brand that has re-engineered the traditional baseball cap to better suit female athletes. These moisture-wicking caps are specifically designed to fit various women’s hairstyles (think: ponies, messy buns) and feature more fashionable styles that appeal to women.
The other big trend? Toting your gear around the greens in comfort. WizPak Golf’s (wizpak.myshopify.com) bags won in the New Product Zone, the first luxury golf pack that offers true premium sound. That includes a 30-watt, 2.1 stereo speaker system with 3D surround-sound technology, with two auxiliary USB ports to charge mobile devices—crucial when you’re streaming off Spotify on the links. Better still, WizPak’s battery life offers a claimed six hours of playback. Meanwhile, in the Inventors Spotlight area, adaptability won out, as the Pinnacle Award (Best in Show) went to Logan Golf Ltd. (logangolf.com). The brand created the world’s first patented golf bag that can convert from a traditional bag into a bag-and-push-cart within seconds.
All incredible gear. But, of course, the promise of improving your game holds major appeal. Hence, Tour Striker’s PlaneMate (tourstriker.com), winner of the 2020 PGA Show Best New Product. This clever, first-of-its-kind tool uses Velcro belt (worn by the player) tethered to resistance bands, which are attached to the player’s golf club.
This guides the player to maintain slight tension throughout the swing—except during the backswing/downswing phase—providing the feeling of a pro-level takeaway and transition. The result? An improved swing in as little as one week.