GolfSpy Matt’s – 1st PGA Show (Highlights)

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My First Show!

To say that I was eagerly anticipating going to my first PGA Show would be an understatement.  I eagerly anticipate the arrival of a new club; I was desperate for the calendar to turn to January 24th so that I could get on a plane to Orlando.  Having been a golf forum junkie for a number of years, I’ve seen more pictures of the show than I can count, but I never thought I’d see it in person.  Even when I came aboard at MyGolfSpy last year, I didn’t expect that my role would include a trip to the mecca of golf equipment.  When “GolfSpy X” told me that I would be part of the MGS team covering the show, I was thrilled, and I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things I’d get to see.

Meeting The Other Spies

When I finally arrived in Orlando, my anticipation became more acute.  I’d never met the other MyGolfSpy team members in person, and it gave me flashbacks to the first day of junior high: What will they be like?  Will I like them?  Will they like me?  My fears were quickly put to rest: the spies I met in Orlando make me extremely proud to be a part of this site, and there’s no one I’d rather cover the show with.

We were up late on Tuesday getting prepared for the week, but I knew that waking up early on Wednesday would not be a problem.  I was up well in advance of my alarm eager to get to Orange County National for Demo Day, the first day of the PGA Show.  The set up of the range is unlike anything you’ve seen: a giant circle, roughly 400 yards in diameter, ringed by tents large and small.  While there were a handful of smaller companies, Demo Day is really dominated by the large OEMs.  Though I’d seen most of the clubs before, it was a good opportunity to see everything in person and hit a lot of it.  The clubs that stood out to me were the i20 line from PING and the new Adams XTD Super Hybrid and Super Fairway.  In addition to hitting some clubs, the MGS crew also shot about 1,500 pictures.  After being on the range for over 8 hours, the crew went back to our hotel for another 8 hours of uploading photos to MyGolfSpy.com.

PGA SHOW – Aha Moment!

source: bleacherreport.com

Despite another short night of sleep, I was up with the sun on Thursday to get over to the convention center.  We walked in the doors, up an escalator, and then, from above the convention center floor, I could see the PGA Show spread out below me.  For hundreds of feet in every direction, there was every imaginable golf product: clubs, balls, apparel, training aids, simulators, and more.  My first day consisted of a handful of meetings with various companies and a lot of time wandering the show floor looking for great new golf products.  As I walked up and down the aisles, one of the things that really struck me was how many people are out there taking a chance with a new company, new invention, or new idea.  I can’t say that all of these new ideas are winners, and odds are most of them won’t succeed, but it was a little humbling to see all these people taking their shot.  Speaking of taking a shot and missing, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention TaylorMade’s “VIP” party on Thursday night…

After another day of well over 1,000 photos, we once again returned to the hotel for uploading and sushi until the wee hours of the morning.

I Thought I Had Seen It All…

The late nights and early starts finally caught up to us on Friday, but we were still at the show by about 10.  Again, the MyGolfSpy crew stalked the show floor looking for products that our readers might like and discussing ways that we can improve everything we do.  While I don’t want to get ahead of myself, I will say that if everything falls into place, MyGolfSpy.com is going to be bigger and better in every way this coming year.  Those discussions were actually every bit as exciting as the show itself.  Back to the show, the thing that amazed me was how many really cool products that were there that I’d never heard of before.  As a MyGolfSpy writer, I like to think that I’ve seen it all, but the show definitely proved me wrong.  The list of new products that we’ll be reviewing for you, dear readers, is extensive.  I will be a very busy spy, but hopefully you will all find some products that will help your game among my reviews this year.

Though we had made our best effort to wrap up our photography on Thursday, the show proved too much to conquer in one day.  Friday was a third straight day of heavy pictures, so once again the MGS crew burned the midnight oil uploading pics for your viewing pleasure.

By the time Saturday morning rolled in, the excitement of the show was starting to be overtaken by fatigue.  The MGS crew did return to the convention center to talk to a few of our favorite folks like Martin Chuck (Tour Striker), but it’s evident that by Saturday everyone there is ready to pack up and head home.

One Of My Best Experiences….

Overall, I have to say that the PGA Show was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a member of the MGS team.  Getting the chance to spend time with the MGS crew was probably the best part: I left totally energized about being a part of the best website in golf, and excited about where the site is headed.

The only thing I can’t decide now is this: am I more excited about all the cool things that are going to happen for MGS in 2012 or for PGA Show 2013?