2022 PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW

THE 2022 PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW was a terrific experience and though I was only there for a couple of days, I certainly got a lot out of it.

Before stepping into the exhibition center, I was amazed by the sheer size of the convention center. It is massive.

When I first stepped into the main exhibition hall, I was a bit overwhelmed as I looked at the thousands of vendors surrounding me as far as my eye could see.

The vendor booths were a blend of golf apparel, ball tracking systems, practice devices, latest clubs, golf media companies, and of course golf cart manufacturers, which is the reason for my attendance.

The “big three” manufacturers were there in all their glory in Club Car, E-Z-GO and Yamaha, but many other brands had

a presence. These include Evolution, Star EV, DSG Global, Tomberlin and PHAT tire scooters to name a few.

It seemed that every manufacturer had one thing on their mind, LITHIUM. It seemed every new cart was promoting lithium power and for the right reasons. Let’s face it, this technology is the future.

Speaking of batteries, my next stop was to visit my friends at Relion battery to see the latest in their impressive product line. I am amazed at how well constructed Relion batteries are. From the highly intelligent internal BMS system to their innovative heatsink technology, in my opinion, they are among the top contenders in the battery game.

And of course, right up there with Relion is Trojan Battery, and their new drop-in lithium replacement is very

similar to Relion’s. Their drop-in units are sure to replace the big bulky lithium packs.

Relion has even launched a portable lithiumbased power station that offers electrical power in an emergency backup or for recreational situations. Very nice to have!

Nevertheless, Relion and Trojan are both at the forefront of the transition from the soon to be antiquated lead-acid batteries to the lithium future.

Moving along, I met with several other golf cart part companies including audiophile favorite ECOXGEAR who were proudly showcasing their all-new Bluetooth enabled weatherproof subwoofer (which rocks by the way).

Next, I met with Eagle Products who were busy displaying their enclosure systems. They were also touting their full cab designs that can transform a standard golf cart to a full utility vehicle in a matter of hours. They have many other products including windshields, seat kits, brush guards, and so on.

I was a little disappointed that I couldn't meet with Nivel or Doubletake as they opted out of the show this year. They are perceived as the industry leaders in aftermarket bodies and custom parts.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the 2022 PGA Merchandise show and was certainly impressed with all the vendors.

Whether you like golf or not, the PGA Merchandise show is a spectacle that is worth experiencing. As a golf cart industry professional I was grateful to see how much this industry is thriving and astounded at the rapid pace of innovation and technology in the world of Golf Carting. -GCM