PGA Merchandise Show 2011: A Lot Of Good Stuff and "That Thing"

The PGA Merchandise Show was its usual, overwhelming self last week in Orlando.

Got a good look at that thing that's not like the other things—you know, the R11 driver—but there was so very much there, with 1,000 exhibitors that ranged from the marketing monster that is TaylorMade-Adidas to the guy who had a small table and his golf gloves that have a pouch on the inside to insert hand warmers for cold weather golfers.

He had no website, no email address, just the gloves.

The feeling around the golf industry last week was upbeat; there was a buzz to this show, things are getting better, no doubt and all the big guys were there—no one's skipping out on this show.

Good guy golfer Graeme McDowell was signing pictures at the Srixon area, golf guru David Leadbetter was pimping for Golf Pride grips. Paula Creamer was smiling for Bridgestone, her golf ball of choice and Sundogs, her eyewear maker.

There were more, but the star of this show was "that thing," that white whale, the TaylorMade R11, that makes its debut in a golf shop near you on Thursday.

It was there to behold and hit. It was the Hope Diamond of TaylorMade's "compound." The company took over the entire north end of the Orange County Convention Center. Had its own concierge desk, it's own hitting area, it's own lounge furnished with expensive leather chairs and coffee bar that later would turn into a cocktail bar.

It put Callaway, Titleist, Ping and the others to shame.

This show was a TaylorMade world, for sure.

But enough of the big guys. We hiked for more than seven hours non-stop in attempt to find some neat, affordable stuff for golfers everywhere; things that were new, simple, affordable.

So without further delay, these PGA Show offerings for the everyman and woman golfer:

Be The Ball: Tired of forking out major dollars for quality sunglasses? Looking for something perfect for golf or anything else?

Forget Oakleys, you have to take out a small mortgage to afford them these days. Sundogs used to be nice looking and affordable until they decided to pay Paula Creamer and Hunter Mahan; now glasses that used to be $24-$40 are now $60-$150.

We found a company called Be The Ball out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Great glasses, great prices, super stuff, very affordable.

They also have a line of clothing that is made with recycled products. You can check this company out at their site: www.betheballinc.com.

PutterCups: Let's face it, nothing's more important than putting and practice can be a bit tedious.

This company has a simple plastic cup that you insert into the hole on the putting green. The neat thing is that it has four different sizes that reduce the target, which is really neat and makes for a more fun practice session.

You can check it out at www.puttercups.com.

AimPro: We've all seen the lines on golf balls. There are nifty little molds to draw those lines, but this is a simple thing that works quite well.

AimPro is a marker with an alignment line on it. You place it on your line then when you remark your ball, you align the golf ball line with the market line for an even better site.

The company also has a small, easy to carry putting training aid that sells for only $6 and is a no brainer. Simple stuff, affordable.

You can check them out at www.AimProGolf.com.

The Cover Guard: Had a friend who lost the cover to his Scotty Cameron putter on the course and the bad news is that it would cost $35-$40 for a new one. Ouch!

Fortunately, someone found it, but this little device can prevent the angst of losing that putter cover or any other cover that costs too much.

It's a simple tether that attaches the cover to your bag. How's that for simple?

Check it out at www.VisioneeringSports.com.

The Spin Gym: There's the age-old debate that golfers are not athletes. Most weekend golfers don't work out enough so for the lazy golfer, and there are millions, found this really neat little device called the spin gym.

It's the brainchild of fitness guru Forbes Riley and this little workout device will wear you out. You can use it while you watch golf on television, which is a good thing. Simple, easy, effective.

You can check it out at www.MySpinGym.com.

Air Sports Watch: If you're one of those who has to wear a watch when you play, then you might as well make it a very light one.

Air Sports Watches made their debut here last year and they've been a success with their simple, sporty ionic technology watch that you can wear everywhere.

You can check it out at www.airsportswatch.com.

Spotless Swing: Okay, okay, it's just a towel. But this was a nice one with a micro-brush fabric inside the towel to clean the grooves of a club while outside is for your hands and face. Looks like a giant head cover.

You can check it out at www.SpotlessSwing.com.

Just a few things for you. There was so much equipment, so many training aids and lots of clothing no one can afford. It was all there together, miles and miles of aisles, Golf Toyland.

So many things, so little time.

Best moment of the trip was meeting J.B. Ball, founder of Tee It Up For The Troops. Great organization, great cause. Please visit his site: www.teeitupforthetroops.com.

There you have it. It's an industry like no other with a show like no other.

It's a $30 billion pie with a lot of players just trying to get their own little slice of the action—the PGA Merchandise Show, 2011 version.