“Tony’s Top Ten” List of Products From PGA Merchandise Show Announced
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – (January 27, 2020) – For almost 20 years, veteran golf writer/broadcaster Tony Leodora has concluded an exhausting week of research at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando by announcing “Tony’s Top Ten” – a list of products that caught his eye during golf’s business extravaganza.
This year’s list is one of the most diverse – covering just about every facet of the golf industry. And it also may be one of the best – shining the spotlight on companies, big and small, who achieved the highest level of quality and ingenuity.
“Some years there seems to be a sameness to the products on display at the Show,” says Leodora, who has attended the PGA Show every year since 1992. “This was not one of those years. There were a number of products that stopped you in the aisle.”
Innovator of the Year
The No. 1 show-stopper – given the coveted title of “PGA Merchandise Show Innovator of the Year” – was Robo-Green.
Using the technology developed by Jim Stracka in producing his StrackaLine Green-Reading Guides, the Robo-Green is a space-age putting green that can be installed in a home or office … or installed in a movable trailer and taken for use at different remote sites. It uses laser technology, projectors, simulators and a unique system that changes the contour of the green. www.robo-green.com
Tony’s Top Ten
Antigua – A leader in the apparel industry for men and women, Antigua’s new line of Red, White and Blue golf shirts and outerwear is a patriotic approach during the year of Olympic golf, the Ryder Cup and the presidential election. www.antigua.com
Copper Tech gloves – After producing a quality golf glove, interwoven with copper fiber to aid in blood circulation and pain relief, Copper Tech has added fashion to form. The new line of bright-color golf gloves has been designed to match just about any golf outfit. www.coppertechglove.com
First Tee High Protein Bar/First Tee Jerky – The First Tee energy bar company always has tried to focus on nutrition. A few years ago, when golfers asked for gluten-free products, they responded. Now, with an emphasis on more protein and less sugar, they responded with two new products. www.golfenergybar.com
Greenkeepers – The Philadelphia-based manufacturing company has produced a number of successful golf accessories over the years. Now, they have gone a step further but packaging some of the most successful products, such as the Survivor Tee, in a handy Combo Pack. All sizes of the Survivor Tee come in one package. www.survivorgolftee.com
High Heat Turf Glider Sole – The best fairway woods and hybrids for the amateur golfer just got better. The addition of the new Turf Glider Sole technology virtually eliminates the possibility of hitting a “fat” shot. www.highheatgolf.com
Nexbelt – The “belt with no holes” – Nexbelt – continues to bring new innovation to a product that already is a market leader. This year’s focus is on texture – as the high-style alligator belt has been re-designed, while a new suede belt, in a number of colors, has been added to the line. www.nexbelt.com
Sacks Parente Putter – The collaboration of golf industry veteran Steve Sacks and Rich Parente – both skilled and heralded in golf club design – has produced a high-end putter that is getting rave reviews. With the lightest grip/shaft and lowest balance point, the putter has quickly become the favorite of Tour players and amateurs. www.sacksparente.com
Strike Absorber Mats — The 21st Century of golf practice mat technology has arrived with the introduction of the Strike Absorber Mat. Filled with an inflatable bladder under the hitting surface, these mats produce the most true-to-life hitting conditions, while reduce trauma and stress on golfers’ joints. www.strikeabsorber.com.
Total Golf Trainer – This visual, easy-to-use swing trainer helps golfers feel what the pros feel and practice like the pros practice. The Total Golf Trainer lives up to its name by helping golfers practice everything from full shots to pitches and chips. www.totalgolftrainer.com.
Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 – The fastest growing equipment company in golf, Tour Edge has forged its success through research and development. The new line of EXS 220 drivers, fairway woods and hybrids builds on the success of last year’s EXS line … and does so by maintaining is affordable price point. www.touredge.com
The “Tony’s Top Ten” list will debut on the syndicated GolfTalk Live radio show this Saturday (2/1). The award-winning radio show picked up another Outstanding Achievement Award during the ING Media Awards at the PGA Merchandise Show.
In March there will be further exposure of the “Top Ten List” when it is featured on the award-winning Traveling Golfer television show. The show was judged to be the No. 1 Golf Television Show in America by the International Network of Golf for the fourth time in five years at the PGA Merchandise Show. The Traveling Golfer airs on NBC Sports and the Fun Roads Network, as well as online through a number of websites, including the Golf Director Network.
Product reviews of “Tony’s Top Ten” also will appear in GolfStyles Magazine, as well as a number of other regional publications in the spring. Plus the reviews can be found during February in the Blog section of www.golftalklive.net.
For more information about the Traveling Golfer television show go to www.travelinggolfervideo.com. For more information about the GolfTalk Live radio show, go to www.golftalklive.net. Or call TL Golf Services at (610) 721-8186.
