2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Day 1 Recap (Part 1): Floor Set Up, Opening Ceremony with Jimmy Walker, Byron Nelson, Chase 54, Ping Golf Apparel, Galvin Green, J Lindeberg, and Sunice

Day 1 of the PGA Merchandise Show means we're leaving the outdoor 42-acre Orange Country Golf  Center and heading indoors to the 1 million square foot Orange Country Convention Center. 

 

We already saw a lot of new gear in my Demo Day recaps, and now we're going to see even more.  These PGA Show recaps will be picture and video driven, with short titles or narratives where they might be helpful or interesting.  I'll also spotlight certain companies in these sections since they earned these spotlights at Demo Day, or on the Show floor over the next three days. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 5): Cobra, Puma, Yonex, Titleist, FootJoy, Fujikura, Aerotech, and Ping

Every golfer wants to play better, and the new club and shaft technologies in 2017 will definitely make a difference in your game and help you build a better bag. 

 

New gear from Cobra Golf, Puma Golf, Yonex, Titleist, FootJoy, Fujikura, Aerotech, and Ping are the focus in this fifth part of the Demo Day recaps. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 4): Game Golf, Oban Shafts, Epon Golf, Honma Golf, Cleveland Golf, and Srixon Golf

I've been to Demo Day and the PGA Merchandise Show three consecutive years now.  And each year I've been more energized and intrigued than the previous year. 

 

But this year had something more.  This year I saw new products and new innovations that basically came right out and knocked me over the head. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 3): Skechers, Soft Spikes, Orange Whip, Adidas, and Sky Caddie

As you can probably tell by now, there are going to be multiple parts to all recaps, including Demo Day and the three days of The Show.  To make it easy for you to find new gear from the companies you're curious about, I've put the company names in the titles, and you can also search for them using the search box on my blog's main page. 

 

In Part 3 we take a look at new products from Skechers, Soft Spikes, Orange Whip, Adidas, and Sky Caddie.

2017 PGA Merchandise Show Giveaways - Jimmy Walker, Bryson DeChambeau, 2017 Titleist Pro V1 Pro V1x, CRU Golf, Travis Mathew

Well I'm finally home from the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show.  And am starting to upload the thousands of pics and videos I took starting tonight and all next week.  As well as impressions, recaps, and of course what stood out to earn my Best in Show. 

 

I brought a few things back for you as well.  And will try to get those giveaways officially started tonight.  Up for grabs are a Jimmy Walker signed PGA Championship Baltusrol flag, a Bryson DeChambeau signed Bridgestone golf ball, a Travis Mathew Golf Tour Cap, CRU Golf Reserve Classic Leather Headcovers, and the new 2017 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x Balls.

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 2): KBS Shafts, TaylorMade, Odyssey, Callaway, and Bryson DeChambeau

Moving along now with new gear from TaylorMade, Odyssey, Callaway, and a little goofing around with Bryson DeChambeau. DeChambeau is a really enjoyable person to be around. 

 

And I have to remind you, I did tell you in a post prior to The Masters last year that DeChambeau would have his Tour card by the end of 2016, be ranked in the Top-50 in the World by the end of 2018, and win his first major by the end of 2020.  To put it simply, his time is coming. 

2017 PGA Merchandise Show - Demo Day Recap (Part 1): Bettinardi, SuperStroke, Wilson, Bubba, and Volvik

Yesterday at the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day, I went kinda nuts.  I hit as many clubs as I could for about seven straight hours (feeling it this morning), took tons of pictures and videos (about 1,200 to be exact), did some interviews, and of course picked up a few things for you as well. 

Last year I did the same thing, but came home sick as a dog, and wasn't able to share everything with you until much later.  So this year my number one goal is to share as much as I can with you, as fast as I can. 

I'll be uploading everything I have each morning and evening during the Show, so check back frequently for updates.  Anything I can't get to I'll finish when I return home.  And be sure, I'll also answer all your emails and messages, it just might take some time.

Titleist Introduces New Scotty Cameron Select Newport 3

Scotty Cameron has added a new teardrop-shaped, heel-shafted mid-mallet to his iconic Select line of putters – the Select Newport 3. 

 

Trusted by many of the world’s best players, Select putters blend precision milled Scotty Cameron craftsmanship with advanced multi-material constructions and innovative face inlay technology to deliver tour-validated performance with unmatched feel and feedback.

Titleist Introduces New Scotty Cameron Futura Putters

The new line of Scotty Cameron Futura putters, available in golf shops beginning March 17, offers seven high performance mallet-style models that provide golfers at every level of the game with stable, forgiving putter setups. 

 

From rounded mid-mallets to high-tech, high-MOI larger mallets, the 2017 Futura family melds the best design characteristics of the previous generation GOLO and Futura X lines with Scotty Cameron’s continued innovation in multi-material putter constructions. 

Driver vs. Driver: Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson Swing Comparison - Which Style Is Better For You?

Every few weeks this season I'm going to look at the swings of two players on Tour, and show you why one swing might be better suited for your game versus the other. 

 

The player swing comparisons will at times surprise you.  Like this week, when we look at Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson off the tee at the SBS Tournament of Champions at Kapalua.

Top 10 Moments of the 2016 PGA Tour Season

The 2016 PGA Tour Season was a coronation.  Not of any particular player, but of the sport itself.  We didn't just see amazing golf.  We saw a full blown attack of golf at it's absolute and untranslatable best. 

 

We lost ourselves in the stunning combination of shots, epic back-and-forth performances, and chilling displays of raw emotion that all make up the "you know it when you see it" aspects of sheer greatness. 

PGAPappas Costco Kirkland Golf Balls Giveaway

It's the hottest golf item on the market right now. Well actually, scratch that.  It's more like the insanely popular, sizzling holiday craze of the year.  And it's still picking up steam. 

I'm talking of course about Costco's new $1.25 Kirkland golf ball, which is seemingly flying off the shelves at speeds faster than light.  And at a price of $29.99 for two dozen balls, that shouldn't be entirely surprising. 

 

I put them in play a few times last month, and they were definitely solid performing balls at a great price.  But they didn't exactly blow me away or make me want to switch from the brands I normally play.

3rd Annual PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway

I'm watching the clock writing this, as I rush to get ready for my 3rd Annual PGAPappas 12 Days of Christmas Golf Giveaway, but I have to share a quick story with you first.  Because I gave unsolicited advice to a Tour player earlier this summer, and am chuckling now thinking how ironic it is that maybe I should have given similar advice to myself. 

 

 

Many of you know I'm a huge Rory fan.  You probably saw my 1Rory17 license plates.  And I watched Rory closely at a number of tournaments early on this year.  I wasn't concentrating on his mechanics so much as his demeanor while he was struggling.  A few times Rory looked so angry you'd have sworn his head was about to explode.  Other times he looked so sad you might have mistaken him for the last player picked in high school for dodgeball.

PGAPappas Holiday Golf Gift Guide - 2016 Gear of the Year

Stuck on holiday gift ideas for that golf obsessed friend or family member?  No need for guesswork or to stress out this year. 

I’ve hand-picked, and play-tested every item in this guide.  And not coincidentally, everything here has also earned a spot in my “Gear of the Year” for 2016. 

 

These no fail gift ideas will delight everyone on your list.  And are sure to put huge smiles on their faces this holiday season and on the golf course throughout the New Year.

Wilson Staff 2017 Triton Driver Preview: A Technological Marvel

I'm not a big fan of reality television.  But I have to say Wilson Golf really knocked it out of the park with Driver v Driver. 

The program was immensely entertaining, sometimes out-and-out hysterical, and above all, uncommonly revealing into what went into the design and development of Wilson's newest driver, the Triton.  (If you missed it the first run, I strongly recommend watching reruns on Golf Channel). 

 

The name Triton was chosen because it represents power, speed, and strength.  Triton also happens to be the name of a mythological Greek god.  And I'm not joking, if it winds up being even half as good as it looked during Driver v Driver (some guys looked like they were launching surface to air missiles off the tee with Triton), it's going to have a place in the Wilson pantheon of the best clubs Wilson's EVER made.

Safeway Open Giveaway: Scott Piercy Silverado Course Record Signed Titlist Ball

The 2015-16 PGA Tour season ended with a rousing Tour Championship, followed by one of the most exhilarating Ryder Cup competitions in recent history.  You might have thought the fireworks for the year were done. 

But yesterday Scott Piercy began the new PGA Tour season by setting the course record at Silverado (first set by Johnny Miller in 1976), shooting a blistering 10-under par, 62 in the first round at the Safeway Open. 

 

And I'm starting the new Tour season by giving away a Scott Piercy signed Titleist Pro V1x ball to a lucky winner on twitter. 

The Best Pictures from the 2016 Ryder Cup - Tuesday Practice Round

If you're still one of the few golf fans who think the Ryder Cup isn't that big a deal, all you have to do is check out pictures from Tuesday's practice round. 

 

We saw larger crowds than some Tour events this year, and I'd venture a guess that every single man, woman, and child on the Hazeltine grounds wouldn't have wanted to be any other place in the world.

New Titleist 917 F2 and F3 Fairway Woods: Preview

Setting the standard for complete performance from both the tee and turf, new Titleist 917 fairways provide more distance and forgiveness with the most precise adjustability available to dedicated golfers of all skill levels. 

 

Titleist 917F2 and 917F3 models, like their 917 driver counterparts, are designed using new patented Active Recoil Channel 2.0 and SureFit CG technology to produce an uncompromising combination of distance, forgiveness and trajectory control with tour-preferred looks, sound and feel.

2016 BMW Championship FedExCup Playoffs Giveaway

I'm live from the BMW Championship this week for the third of four playoff events in the FedExCup playoffs.  And you guessed it, I've picked up some things for you again.  Actually, a lot of things. 

 

I'll post pictures and videos from the tournament over the weekend of players like Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, and Jordan Spieth (you can find some already on my twitter and instagram).  But for now let's get into the giveaway. 

This week I'll be giving away signed swag from players in the field for three straight days.  Each day we'll have new winners.

First Look Preview: Titleist Introduces New Cameron & Crown Putters by Scotty Cameron

Life is short and sweet.  And so is the new line of Cameron & Crown putters by Scotty Cameron, offering four of Scotty’s most-trusted models precisely crafted at 33 inches, and specifically weighted for players whose setup demands a shorter putter. 

 

Available in U.S. golf shops beginning Sept. 23, Cameron & Crown putters deliver the craftsmanship, quality and tour-proven performance that have made Scotty Cameron putters the choice of many of the world’s best players for more than two decades.