Published study by Sports and Leisure Research Group shows 90% of all golfers may be playing with clubs that do not fit them properly; TGIF TourTM, golf’s largest grassroots consumer retail tour, to feature 60 weekend events showcasing club fitting for an expected 50,000 golfers
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., February 9, 2011…On the heels of launching its THINK GOLF IT’S FRIDAY TOURTM, the golf industry’s largest grassroots consumer retail tour, Edwin Watts Golf Shops, LLC, (EWGS), one of the world’s largest specialty golf retailers, has announced that performance club and ball fitting will be a major focus of the 60 market tour taking place at Edwin Watts Golf Shops in the south and southeast.
While equipment fitting is one of the major activities slated for the 2011 TGIF TOURTM, which includes new product testing, par 3 challenges, grip and cleat changing and much more, Edwin Watts Golf is placing special emphasis on custom fitting for golfers, in light of a recent study by the Sports and Leisure Research Group that shows 90% of all golfers may be playing with clubs that do not fit them properly. As a result, from drivers to putters to golf balls, Edwin Watts Golf is partnering with leading equipment brands and will utilize the Company’s in-store launch monitors and swing analysis software to conduct performance fitting sessions at all TGIF TOURTM events.
Among the findings published from the Sports and Leisure Research Group’s study, in which nearly 6,000 avid golfers across the country participated, 80% of custom fit golfers hit the ball more accurately and consistently. In addition, of those golfers who were custom fit, 22% were more likely than those who were not fit to notice a significant improvement in their scores.
“Edwin Watts Golf has long been a proponent of performance equipment fitting and we applaud the Sports and Leisure Research Group for initiating this study and showcasing the importance of proper fitting for all golfers,” said John Watson, CEO, Edwin Watts Golf. “The purpose of the TGIF TOURTM, since its inception, was to bring golfers into our stores to have the game’s leading equipment brands conduct proper fitting of drivers, irons, putters, wedges and golf balls. With tens of thousands of golfers expected to visit our stores during the 60-market TGIF TOURTM, we can’t think of a better way to promote fitting and help golfers improve their game on a widespread level.”
The 2011 THINK GOLF IT’S FRIDAY TOURTM will debut at the Edwin Watts Golf Shop located at 1200 Yamato Rd., Boca Raton, FL – directly across the street from the Allianz Championship – on Friday, February 11 & Saturday, February 12. Edwin Watts Golf and its stable of leading golf industry equipment manufacturers and partners will interact with an estimated 50,000 golfing consumers throughout the TGIF TOURTM, which will be supported by the 2011 “Watts IS Golf” advertising campaign.
The two-day events, which are free and open to the public, will provide consumers with the opportunity to test out the latest product innovations from all leading brands, and tune-up their game with performance club & ball fitting, short game clinics, cleat changing, customized swing analysis, and much more. PGA TOUR stars will make appearances at pre-determined locations throughout the year, while leading manufacturers will support the events with their Retail and TOUR vans on-site, and all customers will have the opportunity to win an assortment of prizes, including equipment and foursomes of golf at local courses.
The inaugural TGIF TOURTM includes 14 events that will take place at EWGS locations on the same weekend that a professional tournament (PGA Tour or Champions Tour) is visiting that respective market, providing an exciting complementary event for golf aficionados. The remaining 46 events will take place in conjunction with Edwin Watts Golf’s popular tent sales. Thus, in addition to the incredible deals that have become synonymous with the annual tent sales, golfers will enjoy a stable of interactive activities and have the opportunity to win great prizes.
For more information on Edwin Watts Golf Shops, along with a complete schedule of TGIF TOURTM events for 2011, consumers can visit www.edwinwattsgolf.com/tgiftour.html.
About Edwin Watts Golf
Edwin Watts Golf Shops, LLC (an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.), headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is one of the world’s premier specialty golf retailers. The company operates as an integrated, multi-channel retailer, offering the freshest assortment of brand name golf equipment, apparel, and accessories through its 90+ domestic Retail Locations, eCommerce Internet site (www.edwinwattsgolf.com), Telephone/Catalog/Direct Mail sales (1.800.874.0146) and Digital Catalog (www.edwinwattsgolf.com/catalogs). Edwin Watts Golf touts a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable sales associates, “The Watts Guys,” who can assist customers of all skill levels with lessons, performance fitting, special orders and repair services. The combination of the highest level of customer service, price match guarantee and reputation as the most trusted retailer in golf for over 42 years has earned the organization the right to be known as America’s Golf Club.
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