The half mile circle of a demo day

January 29th 2008

If you’ve ever been to a demo day, you probably know what to expect. They’ll let you swing the new clubs, analysis your swing, and give you recommendations on what would work best for you. It’s always been this authors opinion that any time you get to swing a club is a good thing, and demo days allow you to try before you buy allowing you a more informed buying decision.

It was my first visit to the demo day that proceeds the opening of the PGA Merchandise Show. I had expected something on a larger scale than your typical single or even multiple manufacturer demo day that you often will visit. No, this was something different from the outset when we walked to the shuttle to take us to the range at Orange County National Golf Club and Lodge.

The crowd at the gate checking in was massive, a wall of people trying to get their badges and hit the latest gear. We were there early, and yet there was the crowd. As media, we were allowed in without much trouble, a quick scan of our badges and we were in the door. This was an event specifically geared and only open to PGA Golf professionals and invited guests, so we felt privlaged to get to see what has to be the biggest demo day I’ve ever seen.

A half mile in circumference circle, with booth after booth of the latest clubs and analysis equipment. Clubs pros and guests hit drive after drive into the center of the abyss, with golf recover vehicle’s roaming the open ground collecting balls as fast as they were struck. Questions flew almost as quickly as the balls into the range, with pros and guests alike asking all matter of questions to the club designers and sales staff at each booth. “Can I try this in a stiffer shaft and can you put this grip on it,” asked one pro. Within minutes the task was done and he was driving again, noting the difference in his swing to the sales rep.

 

It was a day of sales and trials for sure. You could talk to your share of sales reps, which would be very happy giving you the breakdown and pitch, but at the same time, you could also talk to many of the people who designed the very club you were holding. It was no sales pitch with them; it was just the nitty gritty details of how they designed that club. It was grand.

It was a scene of chaos mixed with beauty. Over 6,000 people attended the demo day, and by midday the pace was quickening. The weather appeared to be turning, as the winds begin to blow and it appeared rain would not be far off. From the driving range to green, people tried, banged, and bought their share of gear, not to mention took home their share of freebies as well.

After eight hours, the day was done. To see a full array of the equipment, hitting, and other curiosities of the demo day, check out our Flickr pool of images from that day.

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