2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap Part 1 of 4: Titleist Presentation, New Era Ryder Cup (New Era and Polo Ralph Lauren), Sunice, Adidas, Galvin Green, and J.Lindeberg

When the PGA Show moves indoors to the Orange County Convention Center prepare for an all-out assault on your entire being.  It's not quite a cell block riot, but you need to develop a sixth sense on how to get around, or you'll plunge into meltdown quickly. 

You're bombarded with overwhelming amounts of new equipment, new apparel, new gear and accessories.  Everything gets unleashed.  Every isle leads to something cool.  More than 1,000 companies and brands showing off their new merchandise in a 1 million square foot area bursting at the seams. 

 

Yes the Show is packed with big budget marketing and dripping with hype.  Yes there's a definite commercial flavor to it.  But as I wandered the floor for three days in search of magic and mystery, I learned that PGA Show 2018 also delivered some of the best new products I've seen in years.  If you're a certifiable golf nut, these are exciting times.  In this recap we take a look at new wares from New Era and Polo Ralph Lauren (2018 Ryder Cup uniforms), Sunice, Adidas, Galvin Green, and J.Lindeberg. 

I took in the Opening Ceremony where PGA champions John Daly, Hal Sutton, and Davis Love III helped kick off  the festivities and open the doors.  Then I made my way over to the Titleist presentation where Jim Nantz and Masters champion Adam Scott were guest speakers. 

 

 

Nantz walked in to The Masters theme song and my man is smoother than the cream cheese on your bagel.  Nantz and Scott talked about the new 2018 Titleist line (which as you already know from my Demo Day recaps impressed the hell out of me).  

Titleist video to open their presentation at the #pgashow. @titleist #ap3 #pgashow2018 #golfers #golfing #golfshot #golfswing #golfaddict #golfaddicts #lovegolf #golfpro #teetime #golflife #golfislife #pgapappas #golfstagram #pgatour #golfirons #golfclubs #golfequipment #golfball #golf #golfcourse #golfswagger #golfgear #golfdriver

A post shared by Pete Pappas (@pgapappas) on Feb 18, 2018 at 7:56pm PST

Equally interesting however, was the raw emotion of Adam Scott talking about his 2013 Masters victory, acknowledging how it changed his life, and not hiding his burning desire to get back to that level again. 

Jim Nantz dropping “a tradition unlike any other” as he walks out to #TheMasters theme at the #pgashow. #pgashow2018 #golfers #jimnantz #golfing #golfshot #golfswing #golfaddict #golfaddicts #lovegolf #golfpro #teetime #golflife #golfislife #pgapappas #golfstagram #pgatour #golfirons #golfclubs #golfequipment #golfball #golf #golfcourse #golfswagger #golfgear #golfdriver

A post shared by Pete Pappas (@pgapappas) on Feb 18, 2018 at 7:54pm PST

Call it a gut feeling, but my impression was Scott has battled something very personal the past few years that no one knows about, and he came across like a man who's overcome a significant obstacle in life.  Scott seems completely renewed - and I'll be watching him closely this year. 

 

 

 

 

The 2018 Ryder Cup will be held in continental Europe for only the second time in history, and New Era and Polo Ralph Lauren have made sure the American boys will look spectacular.  Check out Team USA's uniforms you'll see over in France with new logos and fabrics.  The actual Ryder Cup was also on display. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thermal pullovers and waterproof jackets from Sunice.  A perfect blend of versatile performance and classic design.  These pieces are highly breathable, extremely comfortable, and ultra-lightweight in construction.  You simply can't go wrong with Sunice. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not surprisingly, Adidas Golf had one of the most athletic looking apparel collections for both men and women.  Colors were lively but not over the top, and materials were top-notch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new Tour 360 Boost 2.0 golf shoes combine Boost technology and the latest 360 wrap design for extreme comfort and stability.  The waterproof shoes feature 10 cleats, upper leathers, and a new heel shape and contour for better fit.  They're available in lace and BOA versions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Galvin Green showed off their multi-layer approach to high performance apparel with shell, base, cool, and warm layers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shell pieces were developed for  maximum protection against the rain and wind. Base is your moisture-wicking inner layer.  Cool and warm pieces are as you'd expect, to keep you cooler in warm temps, and more insulated in colder weather respectively. 

J.Lindeberg was one of my favorite collections at The Show.  Top of the line attention to detail and abundant craftsmanship make it the ultimate fusion of luxury fashion and performance sportswear. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All J.Lindeberg pants are cut the same from the waist to the thigh, which means you know what kind of fit you're going to get regardless of style.  Timeless colorways and contemporary designs will easily slot into your current rotation both on and off the course.  I was seriously impressed by everything I saw from J.Lindeberg. 

READ MORE: 2018 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap Part 2 of 4.