PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – For more than 20 years, veteran golf writer/broadcaster Tony Leodora has conducted an exhausting week of research in advance of the PGA Show in Orlando, qualified the candidates, then announced “Tony’s Top Ten” – a list of products that caught his eye during golf’s business extravaganza.
This year, walking the miles of aisles at the mammoth Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, produced one of the most innovative and diverse lists ever.
“From the moment that the PGA Show opened it was evident there was new energy throughout the golf industry,” said Leodora, who started attending the PGA Show in 1992. “The National Golf Foundation’s news that one million new golfers had entered the game in 2023 – the most in any year since the Tiger Boom of 2001 – seemed to spark the excitement.”
And that excitement was evident in an extremely strong list of Top Ten products, as manufacturers continue to take advantage of the golf boom to launch a number of innovative items.
This year’s winner are:
Tony’s Top Ten
American Fit – This new golf apparel company is on the cutting edge of the industry in both style and performance. All styles are designed in America, while all fabrics are produced in Peru, recognized worldwide as a leader in quality materials. The polos, for men and women, are a high-tech blend of synthetic and natural materials. The outerwear is made using the highest quality Pima Cotton. While American Fit many styles are designed for the golf course, they also are perfect for everyday casual wear.
Bridgestone Tour B MindSet ball – A leader in the golf ball wars of recent years, Bridgestone’s new Tour B MindSet golf ball was the talk of the PGA Show. It is the first ball scientifically designed to help golfers separate analytical thoughts from athletic performance. MindSet is a visual cue on the ball to remind of the three-step process: Identify the Target, Visualize Shot Path, Focus on the Dot. PGA Tour star Jason Day helped develop the process. At the same time the construction delivers increased ball speed for maximum distance off the tee and increased spin on approach shots. MindSet is available in XS for swing speeds over 105 mph or RX and RXS for slower swing speeds.
CertiFresh Cigar Four Pack – The CertiFresh Cigar system, now in its 25th year, has revolutionized cigar sales in golf shops. Thanks to the patented humidor packs, cigars stay fresh for up to a year. Now CertiFresh has developed a Four Pack that provides the perfect after-round smoke for a foursome. Designed to feature a smaller cigar to accommodate those quick pit stops, the pack includes four different extremely popular brands – Rocky Patel Disciple Half Corona, Ashton Half Corona, Romeo Petite Bully, and Oliva Serie O #4.
Copper Tech Training Glove – Copper Tech president Lloyd Cohn is constantly expanding his line of copper-infused golf gloves. He has built a reputation for producing the highest quality golf glove on the market … at the same time his products help golfers with their everyday aches and pains. Now players who use the Copper Tech glove while playing golf, can use the new Copper Tech Training Glove on the range, then take the lessons learned to the golf course for an improved game. The training gloves feature reminders for grip, alignment, aim and posture.
Dri Mark by Greenkeepers — The Philadelphia-based manufacturing company, has produced a number of successful golf accessories over the years, most notably the Four Yards More performance tee, used by top amateurs and professionals. Now, they have gone back to the drawing board to produce a refinement for their industry-leading Line M Up tool that is used for marking golf balls. The Dri Mark marking pen is the best way to put a smear-proof line on a golf ball. It can be purchased separately, or in a two-pack, or in a combo-pack along with a Line M Up tool.
GolfForever Training System – Golf-specific training has just taken a huge step forward. GolfForever is a digital golf fitness and wellness system created by PGA Tour doctors and trainers. More than 200 PGA and LPGA Tour pros, including Scottie Schefler, use the system. Using the training bar and resistance bands, the GolfForever system helps build strength and speed in diagonal, rotational patterns that apply to the golf swing. Hundreds of strength, mobility and stretching routines can be followed by using the GolfForever app.
LagMaster – Hundreds of swing training aids have hit the market over the years. They usually can be found buried in the closets of golfers. Part of the problem is they are too complicated to use, without someone providing constant direction. Now, the simplest, easiest swing training aid of all addresses the greatest fault of most golfers – building lag in the swing. The LagMaster is an incredibly simple training aid that attaches to your own golf club – or their shorter, weighted club for safe use indoors. It then measures the length of your backswing, maintaining the proper width, then keeps that width to create lag during the downswing. The aid was developed by top golf instructor Mike Dickson, who spent 15 years at famed Congressional CC.
Makefield Putter Home Fitting System – The putter market is about as competitive as any in the golf industry. So, when the Makefield Putter came along and immediately stood above the crowd, people took notice. Even more impressive was their unique fitting system that created an immediate bond between golfer and putter. Now, that fitting system allows golfers the opportunity to find the perfect fit, without the pressure of a putting green setting … and on their own timetable. At the same time, the new Home Fitting System comes with the ability to get the same high-level expertise that made Makefield Putters so popular from the very beginning.
Tour Edge Hot Launch C524 and E524 Drivers – Tour Edge Golf, the company that continually gains market share in the highly competitive equipment market, grabbed an exalted spot at the top of golf’s hierarchy with its Tour Edge Exotics line of premium clubs. The best professional and amateur players have discovered the quality and performance. Now the company is bringing a bit of that technology to their line of Hot Launch drivers. Adjustability, in addition to high tech materials, in an affordably priced driver is not found anywhere else in the market. The new Hot Launch drivers are available in the C524 model, for a lower, boring trajectory, or the E524 model for a high launch angle. And, as with all Tour Edge clubs, they are covered by a lifetime guarantee. Best feature is the $249.99 retail price.
Zoom Broom – The Rules of Golf may stipulate a maximum of 14 clubs in the bag, but the Rules of Mother Nature sometimes demand a 15th club. That club is the Zoom Broom, a rechargeable, club-shaped device that fits in the golf bag and can be brought out when help is needed on the green. When that green is covered, by leaves and other debris from the trees – no problem. Just pull out the Zoom Broom and flip the switch. A powerful blast of air easily will clear a path to the cup. After golf, just hang the Zoom Broom in the garage for easy recharging … or for use in keeping that garage floor spotlessly clean.
The “Tony’s Top Ten” list debuts in February on the Traveling Golfer website, www.travelinggolfer.it, as well as a number of other websites.
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 has won national awards ten straight years in judging by the International Network of Golf. The Traveling Golfer airs on NBC Sports, the new WingDing Network and the Fun Roads Network, as well as online through a number of websites, and at www.travelinggolfer.tv.
Product reviews from “Tony’s Top Ten” also will appear in upcoming issues of Golf Central Magazine and Golf Pennsylvania/Golf Northeast Magazine.
For more information about the Traveling Golfer television show go to www.travelinggolfer.tv. Or call TL Golf Services at (610) 721-8186.
