The team from Morton Golf is back in Orlando this week for the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show. Our team of fourteen is dedicated to providing LIVE blog coverage for the entire four days of the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show, including the Demo Day on Wednesday, January 23rd. We’ll be walking the convention showroom floor to see the 1000+ vendors representing all the major manufacturers in golf, including Titleist, Nike, TaylorMade, Cobra, PUMA, PING, Cleveland, Callaway, Odyssey, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, Sun Mountain and more.

This is YOUR chance to get an insider’s look in the world of golf as we constantly update this blog throughout the week of the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show with pictures from our smartphones, videos from our Flip cameras, user commentary, celebrity encounters, prize giveaways and much more! Learn what the hottest products are going to be in the world of golf for 2013 and check out new trends in fashion too.

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Enter to Win a Dozen Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls ($40 value)
We’re giving away 4 dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls, 1 dozen for each day we run show coverage of the PGA Merchandise Show (Wednesday, January 23rd – Saturday, January 26th, 2013). Want to win? To enter, simply leave a comment below and include your email address so I can contact you. It’s THAT easy! I’ll pick a new winner every day! (Enter up to three times every day to increase your chances)

CHECK OUT OUR MORTON GOLF YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Meet the team:

Ken Morton, Sr. (KMS) – Morton Golf CEO and Haggin Oaks Director of Golf
Ken Morton, Jr. (KMJ) – Morton Golf VP of Retail Marketing
Tom Morton (TM) – PGA Director of Player Performance for Morton Golf
Jennifer Morton (JM) – Director of Social Media  (ie – the “blogger”)
Mike Woods (MW) – Haggin Oaks PGA Head Golf Professional
Bill Dixon (BD) – Haggin Oaks Super Shop Store Manager
Matt Young (MY) – Haggin Oaks Super Shop Store Manager
Marlene Kawaguchi (MK) – Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop Men’s Apparel Buyer and Soft Goods Sales Manager
Heather Hadley (HH) – Haggin Oas Golf Super Shop Women’s Apparel & Footwear Buyer
Mike Pompei (MP) – Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop Accessory & Glove Buyer
Frank LaRosa (FL) Morton Golf Advertising / Marketing Consultant
Cheri Morey (CM) – Haggin Oaks Merchandiser
Andrew Wilson (AW) – Bing Maloney General Manager
Roger Clark (RC) – Green Fee Manager
Don Pottle (DP) – Teaching Professional at Haggin Oaks

Saturday, January 26th, 2013

PGA Merchandise Show in the Orange County Convention Center

2:50pm – Time to pick yesterday’s winner for our Titleist Pro V1’s. Congratulations to Dan in Medina who wrote, “I think its only appropriate to post something on the day the 2013 ProV1s come out. Who knows? Maybe I’ll win a dozen of the balls. That would be as cool as your Show coverage.” – We have one more dozen Titleist Pro V1s to giveaway. Will you be next? Entering is easy – simply leave a comment below on this blog. If we pick your comment, then you win! Good luck! – JM

1:48pm – Hex Hot Pro and Hex Hot. These balls are so hot the display was smoking. – MY

1:45pm – Brian Gay PUMA Shoes – These are autographed shoes from last week’s PGA Tour winner Brian Gay. One staff with another company but hooded to wear Puma shoes – MY

1:42pm – Designed for 2013- Titleist clubs – prototype heads – AW

 

1:41pm – Nike Convert – Irons and woods with technology so good yet so “covert” that you can’t see it looking down at the ball. – MY

 

1:41pm – High Speed Cavity Back Technology – MY

 

1:30pm – As things start to quiet down here, I’m going to keep filling in the content that I had to skip due to time constraints from earlier in the week! Everything was time stamped so if you think you’ve seen it all, think again! Keep watching as I add more pictures and commentary from the show! – JM

1:00pm – Congratulations to our own Tom Morton, PGA Director of Player Performance for Morton Golf at Haggin Oaks for being awarded a U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Master Kids Teacher. “This award honors elite professionals who have dedicated their careers to developing junior golf in their communities and are known for their overall excellence and commitment to serving youth.” – JM

11:38am – FootJoy M:Project Shoes – minimal construction = maximum feel. – MY

11:33am – WrisTRAINER – The tool to cure breaking your left wrist. It’s more comfortable than some of the training aids in the past and you can put your glove on over it. – MY

11:14am – How about a few holes of golf or a skills challenge and putting contest at Haggin Oaks on a warm summer night? Now you can with Laser Glow Golf – this is going to take night time fun to a whole new level! – BD

10:51am – Michael Breed and panel are on stage talking about “Tee it Forward” and how to get golf courses to think outside the box to make the game enjoyable by moving the tees forward. We’ve incorporated the “Tee it Forward” program here at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. Click HERE to find out more!

10:48am – Got myself a pair of Vibram shoes. They are pretty good. Haven’t swung in them yet but ready to hit the course barefoot. – MY

10:26am – “Blunt” the elements with the new G1 Super Umbrella from Blunt Golf – BD

 

10:20am – New Combo collection cart and bag combination start shipping towards the end of summer. What do you think? Would you buy this? – KMJ

10:17am – Make a fashion statement and wear your favorite NCAA, Major League Baseball and coming this fall – your favorite NFL team colors and logos with the Golfers Skin Wrist Band and Magnetic Ball Markers – BD

10:15am – PGA Show Announcement –  New format for 2014 PGA Show. Get your calendars out and mark down the new Tuesday-Friday format for 2014 – January 21st – 24th. Once again, the event will kick off with the Outdoor Demo Day at the Orange County National Golf Center on Tuesday, January 21st and then the show will continue indoors Wednesday through Friday, January 22-24 at the Orange Country Convention Center.

“The new weekday dates of the PGA Show allow PGA Professionals to return to their facilities as needed and our attending industry members to return home for valuable weekend time spent with family and friends,” said PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Senior Vice President Ed Several.

9:18am – Salty Putter Grips – A putter grip made out of cork. Some manufacturers are going to offer this soon. It stays softer longer by absorbing the oils into the grip and will not harden like a typical grip. – MY

9:16am – The Salty Grip was a big find and generated a lot of interest at last night’s “round table” meeting. This grip has been played with for a year. The top half is the normal wear, the bottom is after it has been lightly sanded. Which do you think you would like? -MY

9:12am – The Mantis putter. The green color reduces rapid eye movement and helps you stay more focused on the ball instead of watching the putter- MY

 

9:11am – Bill trying out the Mantis putter. – MY

 

8:47am – Here is the ‘up close and personal’ picture of the new Titleist Pro V1x golf ball as requested in our comments section below. This is a high performing golf ball from titileist. Better than before. “Performance is for every player!” – MY

8:46am – We had some requests in the comments section for pictures of the new Titleist Pro V1 golf ball and Matt delivers! Better cover, softer feel, greater shot control and lower spin. – MY

8:40am – Do you have a “craving” to make more putts? Try the Peanut Putter… the heel and toe sit flush on the turf on every single stroke. – BD

8:00am – Good morning! Today is the final day of the show and it promises to be a big day! We will shop the show until the showrooms close at 3pm and then have our final “Round Table” meeting before heading to the airport. We fly back to the west coast tonight too – so we are all excited for a fun filled day and then returning home to our families and loved ones! – JM

Friday, January 25th, 2013

PGA Merchandise Show in the Orange County Convention Center

9:00pm – Lizzie Gets Punked – She had no clue it was her birthday… The best part was when the entire restaurant at Tommy Bahamas started to sing, stand up, and cheer for her. It couldn’t have got any better than that. Instant celebrity. Welcome to the team!!!

5:30pm – Introducing our 2013 PGM intern from Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC, Lizzy Blomgren. We are excited to have Lizzy be a part of the team this summer where she will focus on coaching junior golfers and beginning adult programs as well as dabble in the super store. She plays on the Methodist women’s golf team who have won the last 15 division three national championships‏. – TM

5:07pm – New white crown on the US Kids Tour series woods. – MY

5:00pm -Our team is meeting for our daily “Round Table” where we talk about our show finds and what we are seeing and hearing that is new and exciting at the show. There is a lot of discussion around our “table” about the Totem tee and the Vibram 5 Finger Shoe – both of these products are substantially unique. Check them out in our pictures and commentary below. What are your thoughts on these products? – JM

4:30pm – Here is a picture of our group right after we accepted our 2013 AGM Platinum Awards. – JM

 

4:30pm – The Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop team was awarded one of the Top 10 Golf Shops in America at the 2013 AGM Platinum Awards in a ceremony on the PGA Merchandise Show Floor. – JM

4:15pm – The place you call home and get your golf products from is in the top ten of all golf shops across the country. Very cool to see the Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop honored at the PGA show. Congrats to all the people who make our golf shop one of the greatest in the country. – MY

3:42pm – Our team at Tour Edge. – HH

 

3:34pm – Scotty Cameron is making his customers happy by signing their custom head covers.- MY

3:13pm – Tour Edge Exotics Bag – Great clubs at an unbelievable price. You have to try them and you won’t believe it doesn’t cost you more. – MY

2:56pm – Gladiator Balm… all natural organic relief for muscles and joints in a “take anywhere” stick applicator… use before or after your round. – BD

 

2:50pm – Skechers shoes now entering the golf shoe market!‏ – TM

 

2:49pm – Another look from up above! – TM

 

 

2:48pm – A look from above the showroom floow – TM

 

2:31pm – Heather Hadley and Andrew Wilson with Nancy Lopez – HH

 

2:18pm – HELLO KITTY is as cute and pink as ever – adding shirts, shoes and hand bags to their clubs and headcovers. – BD

2:16pm – Wow! Not only Star Wars headcovers, but putter covers and a new Darth Vader Golf Bag too! “May the fore be with you!” – BD

2:15pm – Matt tries on the Vibram 5 Finger Shoe – so comfy and your toes can grip the turf. It’s like playing in your bare feet! They make them in a sandal version and water resistant too! – BD

2:10pm – Here is half of the showroom floor of the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show on the Orange County Convention Center.. Looking for something in the world of golf? You’ll find in here… or there… or maybe over there… – AW

 

2:09pm  – Ever wondered what a million square feet of retail space looks like? I sent our General Manager of Bing Maloney, Andrew Wilson, out on the task of walking the breezeway to snap a few pictures from a bird’s eye view at a center point out on the floor. Pretty impressive view from the top, isn’t it? Oh and just remember – this is only HALF the show! – JM, compliments of AW

1:42pm – PGA Championship Belt – And the new Champion of the World is…. This was a pretty awesome belt. – MY

1:32pm – Where’s Waldo? I mean Matt… – MY

I think Puma is missing out on an opportunity by not hiring Matt to be a walking fashion model for them at the show. He is a great ambassador for the brand! – JM

12:34pm – The “girls” (Marlene and Cheri) with clothing designer Jamie Sadock. – KMJ

11:50am – Heather working hard sitting through many clothing lines here at the PGA Merchandise Show in her effort to bring our ladies only the best fashion lines. – MY

 

11:49am – Sporty look from Adidas. This is what you have to look forward to Waterworth… – MY

11:45am – Adizero – New light shoe from adidas. So light, it’s like wearing nothing at all – MY

 

11:41am – Test the new clubs inside and get the real feedback on the spot. Where else can you do this?? Oh yeah… Haggin Oaks Super Shop. Come demo the clubs for free on our driving range. – MY

 

 

11:40am – Inside Adidas, Ashworth and Adams. Life is good in the Kingdom… – MY with BD

11:36am – Hey Adams Golf fans – we already know they make one of the best hybrids available – the Super Idea S is no exception – share your opinion and get a free hat. Visit www.OneMillionYards.com to learn more.

 

11:34am – Sorry Cobra Puma… Taylormade just added me to their R1 promotions. A cool interactive experience in their booth – MY

11:31am – The TaylorMade R1, RBZ Stage 2, RocketBladez… Golf Expo, here they come! – BD

 

11:21am – Inside the TaylorMade booth, 80% of golfers are playing a driver with the wrong loft. Are you? – MY

11:21am – Have you left a comment on our blog yet? You can leave up to 3 comments a day to be entered to win a dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. It is time to pick our winner for Thursday. Ready? Drum roll please…. Today’s winner is Rich! Rich wrote, ‘Looks like you’re all having a great time. Keep up the good “work”!’ – Congrats, Rich! We still have two dozen golf balls to give away – keep leaving your comments below for your chance to win too! – Jen

11:20am – Now entering the Kingdom of TaylorMade… BD

 

 

 

11:19am – Here’s one of Matt’s cool panoramic pics of the TaylorMade booth. – MY

10:59am – The GARB (“Clothing for young people”) Truck with interactive games, merchandise and prizes for kids.. traveling to a location near you (and hopefully to the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo!) – BD

10:51am – We had a question in the comment section (yesterday??) about retrievers and so our accessory buyer, Mike Pompei, shot this picture of a couple of retrievers he found while shopping the floor. Do any of these strike your fancy? – MP

The MAX Hide-Away Retriever measures 22″ when collapsed and 18′ extended and is available in 2 head styles. Fit it in the side pocket of your golf bag.

10:42am – Check out these classic hand made shoes from LANDAGOLF. Can you guess which pair Marcus Judge would order? – BD

10:32am – Lambda Golf Shoes feature a classic look, waterproof design, and stylish colors. Want to order a pair or check out more information? Go to their website at www.lambda-golf.com

10:31am – Golf apparel from Germany. “Fashion is what you buy…. Style is what you do with it.” – MY

 

10:30am – Human Evolution. We are all golfers. Who wants to wear these cool lifestyle pieces? – MY

 

10:29am – Play your own tour at Hellion Golf – MY

 

 

10:28am – Awesome lifestyle fashion from Germany based company Hellion Golf – BD

 

10:27am – Bob P. – I found the perfect cap for you… – BD

 

 

10:26am – Check out the new colors coming this summer for ladies. This is Swing by Bette & Court. – HH

 

10:26am – Here is another picture of Swing by Bette & Court. – HH

 

 

10:23am –  Haggin Oaks just ordered 24 pair of the limited Edition Ecco Biom Zero men’s shoe here at the PGA Show and they will be arriving February 15th! They will only be available once, so don’t miss out!!!  They’ll be available for $190.

The epitome of maximized minimalism, BIOM Zero is the lightest, most flexible and low profile ECCO golf shoe ever created. Offered exclusively as a limited edition, it takes comfort to the next level.

FEATURES
Ultra Lightweight – At less than 10 ounces, this is the lightest golf shoe ECCO has ever produced.

Exceptionally Low Profile – Zero heel drop brings players closer to the ground than any other ECCO golf shoe.

Extremely Flexible – Direct Injection, a process unique to ECCO in golf, ensures maximum flexibility via a one-piece shoe built without glue or stitching
BIOM Technology – A perfect anatomical last, designed using scans of feet from 2,500 athletes, promotes a natural foot position, provides full-length foot support and ensures unrivaled comfort

Caldera Leather – This unique full grain material is stain resistant, durable and exceptionally easy-to-clean

Second Skin Leather Lining – Wicks moisture while remaining remarkably soft and creating a rich, supple interior – HH

10:15am – Bill still hasn’t given up on his lovable mini pets. Who wants to put one on their golf bag? – MY

 

10:11am – Silver Certified SeeMore Instructor and Bing Maloney General Manager Andrew Wilson and the SeeMore Team with Pat O’Brien, Zach Johnson’s Putting Coach, at the putter instruction training seminar – AW

9:46am – Golf Pride introduces the Niion grips. Very similiar to the Ionic grips with a great feel and an even better value at about half the price! We will definitely be carrying these in the spring at the Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop in Sacramento. – MW

9:40am – Matt Young gives the Totem Tee a try on their TrackMan Launch Monitor. The verdict?
Regular tee = 3300 spin rate
Totem tee = 2300 spin rate
Wow! This is a product that could move to the top of the “Totem Pole”… – BD

9:33am – The new Totem Game-enhancing eco-neutral golf tee – Legendary distance due to significantly reduced spin. This could be big!! – BD

9:25am – Our own Ken Morton, Jr., Vice President of Retail for Morton Golf, stops for a photo op with the legendary Chi Chi Rodriguez – KMJ

9:13am – Use the GoPro for any videos you want to capture. Totally awesome man!! – MY

 

 

 

9:11am – The Neo X GPS Watch from Bushnell… now preloaded with 30,000 courses, features auto course recognition and battery saving auto shutoff. – BD

 

9:04am – Our accessory buyer, Mike Pompei, is trying the new Bushnell V3 and waiting for the Jolt. – MY

 

 

8:50am – This one is for all the bikers out there who also like to golf. Now you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone… – AW

 

8:50am – Get excited about Oakley! Can anyone say, “Bubba?!?” – HH

8:30am We took the vans over to the Convention Center and grabbed an early breakfast. Several of the team members answered a few of your questions before heading off to various meetings. There is quite a bit on the schedule this morning and most of the team cleared out right before 8:30 to make it to their appointments on time. I’ll try to update the items I didn’t get finished yesterday before things start rolling in this morning. It should be another busy, fun-filled day! ~Jen

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

PGA Merchandise Show in the Orange County Convention Center

11:21pm The hour is late and once again I was not able to get all the fabulous content updated from our team fully loaded on the site today. Crossing my fingers that I’ll have more luck tomorrow. Thank you for all of your questions, encouragement and feedback too. At breakfast tomorrow morning, we’ll gather around and try to answer as many of your questions as we can or we’ll try to start tracking down a few answers as well! If you haven’t left a comment, then please do so! We are giving away a dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls EVERY day of the PGA Merchandise Show and all you have to do to enter is leave a comment. Good luck (and good night!) We’ll be back bright and early tomorrow morning! ~Jen

3:46pm – Looks like Izod is back. Our men’s apparel buyer, Marlene Kawaguchi, is going in the booth to see what Golf Digest’s fashion editor, Marty Hackel, is all excited about! – MK

3:43pm – Iconic, youthful and colorful is how the rep describes the Izod line. MK

 

3:35pm – And here I thought Rodney had left us… – MP

 

3:35pm – Check out the Loudmouth Rods to improve alignment, eye and ball position, stroke path and length and helps square putter face. It is a 2′ x 40″ ruler with highly visible markings that will store easily in any golf bag. – CM

 

3:25pm – A special edition of Family Feud (or Golf Feud in this case!) Cobra Puma style. Tom Crow founder of the Baffler, Lexi Thompson, Blair O’Neil, Ian Poulter, Jesper Parnevick, Diego Velasquez, Anna Nordqvist, and Holly Sonders.

3:05pm – Find your Tour Edge products at Haggin Oaks. Especially the new HD 45 and Exotics line up. – MY

 

3:05pm – The Exotics XCG6 irons featuree four tungsten sole weights in the heel and sole that have been placed their for added forgiveness and stability.

3:05pm- The Exotics XCG6 driver has the adjustable hosel that is found on many of the clubs on the floor this year. Their Shot Control Technology lets you adjust the face-angle/loft settings to maximize the distance for your game.

3:02pm – Tom Morton attends a seminar with Titleist Performance Institute’s Dave Phillips and Dr. Greg Rose. – TM

 

 

3:01pm – Who can’t wait to see all of the new styles and colors of the Lady Classic golf glove? Raise your hand! – BD

2:45pm – Nike belts – Customize your belt. Start your own trends… – MY 

2:26pm – Mike Pompei brings us this teaser from the PGA Merchandise Show. This 4 wheel cart/bag combo is from Alphard and retails for $330. Give us your feedback – what are your thoughts on this combo? – MP

1:27pm – David Leadbetter explains how to improve your slice. – MY

1:20pm – There are two new hat styles from PUMA. Look out for Rickie Fowler wearing the patch hat this year. – MY

1:20pm – There are two new hat styles from PUMA. Look out for Rickie Fowler wearing the patch hat this year. – MY

 

 

1:15pm – Looking over the hard goods area from the top of the Cobra Puma booth – MY

 

1:10pm  – New grips from Golf Pride. Nice feel and durability. – MY

 

1:05pm – Bomb-It! A weighted golf club that will train you to increase your swing speed and therefore increase your distance. – AW

 

 

12:22pm – Here is a fall fashion group from Under Armour for women. -HH

 

 

12:22pm – Check out the fun fall colors in the Under Armour booth. What do you see that you like? – HH

 

12:22pm – Okay Ladies, these next few photos are for you. Want to know what to expect for fall? Neon is IN! Here are some pictures showing a few of the lines that we saw today. Here is JoFit.  – HH

12:20pm – Here you go, ladies. Walk right up and take your pick of one or all of the Sport line from Isaac Mizrahi. – MP

 

11:56am – This booth keeps going and going and going… – MK

 

11:55am – CELEBRITY SIGHTING – Annika Sorenstam gives putting tips at the Odyssey putting green. She really is a great ambassador for golf. – MY

 

 

11:53am – They are having a good time in the Adidas/Adams/Ashworth/TaylorMade booth. Anyone care for a game of Skeeball? – MK

 

11:50am – The new “recoil” iron shaft from UST Mamiya… revolutionary carbon fiber iron shaft that makes steel obsolete! – BD

11:46am – Our newest member of the Morton Golf team, Heather Hadley, brings us some great photos of her finds on the showroom floor for the ladies!

 

11:46am – New for EP Pro, the ladies Fall 2013 “EP Sport” – HH

 

 

11:46am – Expect to see beautiful Tech fabrication (polyester, spandex), slimmer fits, vibrant colors, ruching details, and fun prints! – HH

 

 

11:41am – Bubba was here… Oakley will be making a strong push with Bubba Watson wearing their gear this year. – MY

11:40am – CELEBRITY SIGHTING – LPGA Player of the Year, Stacy Lewis. Lewis won four tournaments in 2012 to secure that title. – MP

 

11:28am – “The Goal” putting teaching aid – line up the hole through the goal posts to make more putts. Tom Morton tests it out. – BD

 

11:15am – CELEBRIY SIGHTING – Natalie Gulbis and Butch Harmon sign autographs for fans inside the Winn grip booth. – MY

11:10am – Have you ever wondered what the true scope of the PGA Merchandise Show is like? I think it can be hard to fathom in pictures or on television and video. It is massive. The show features nearly 10 miles of show aisles and one million square feet of interactive exhibit, product demonstration and industry presentation space. Now you can see why we bring so many people to shop the show – there is no way only a few of us would be able to see the 1,000 manufacturers in only a few short days. This is the ultimate playground for golfers!

11:10am – Matt brings us another panoramic view of the show – this time he shows us inside Callaway. – MY

11:04am – Baseball season is coming. Display your team colors proudly on your new golf bag with TEAM GOLF products. – BD

 

11:04 – Haggin’s Hulk – Here’s a challenge for you! Which one is Andrew Wilson and which is The Incredible Hulk? Tricky, isn’t it? – AW

 

11:03am – Andrew Wilson, General Manager at the Bing Maloney Golf Complex in Sacramento, models the new Scotty Cameron putters. – AW

 

11:01am – Titleist staffers, Andrew Wilson and Mike Woods, are looking at the new golf balls for 2013 – AW

 

 

10:55am – Abacus is introducing bright colors for fall in mens and ladies. – MK

 

10:48am – Sir Nick Faldo with “Faldo by Edel” (of Edel putting fame) explaining his new wedge with conforming grooves that can reduce side spin – BD

10:40am – CELEBRITY SIGHTING! – Nick Faldo checking out his new clothing and club line up for 2013 – MY

10:30am – Kronos Putters – Custom hand milled putters. Quality, feel, and style is second to none. Their philosophy is to “maintain purity and simplicity” where each putter head is milled from a single solid block of carbon steel. – MY

10:07am – Matt Young… Is that you?!? – BD

 

10:05am – Davis Love III and Lee Trevino are in the Bridgestone booth speaking about the Bridgestone golf balls. – MY

 

10:02am – New custom color options on the KBS Tour iron shaft – MY

 

10:01am – X Hot Drivers from Callaway… “13 yards longer… you’re welcome” – BD

 

10:00am – Who enjoyed Golfer Aid at the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo last year? Would you like to see us sell this at Haggin Oaks? – MY

9:51am – The new Odyssey White Hot Eye Fit line from Odyssey. Find the putter that best suits your stroke based on your eye position. Find it in stores in March 2013. – BD

9:47am – Club Crown – Here is a novel idea – Decorate your clubs with these custom covers or make your old clubs look brand new. – MW

9:45am – Can you say Tigers fan? It’s no secret that Roger Clark is a huge LSU fan – I wonder if they were able to pry that bag out of his hands??? – MW

9:17am – SkyCaddie Gimme – This is the basic version of the SkyCaddie – it has all the information that you really need in a unit and it is smaller than your average cell phone. – MY

9:15am – The new compact SkyCaddie Aire – MY

 

 

9:12am New training aid and teaching tool from SkyCaddie. Track all your swing stats. You can see your swing, “groove” your perfect swing and improve your swing with “perfect practice”.- MY

9:10am – There is a new product line from SkyCaddie. They are offering a brand new watch for 2013. – MY

9:07am – What do you think of the new visionary high contrast alignment putter, better known as the Versa from Odyssey? This putter is now available at the Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop in Sacramento. -BD

I was talking to Chip Brewer, the President of Callaway, yesterday and he mentioned that this Versa putter is one of the products he is most excited about this season. This alignment putter will improve the putting game for two-thirds of the golfers out there who simply don’t line up their putter properly. This putter also features a White Hot insert. If you haven’t seen it before, then be sure you put one in your hands and try it out soon. You won’t be disappointed in the results.

9:03am – It is time to pick our first winner of the Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. I would like to congratulate Stefan Touhey who commented on Wednesday’s coverage of our outdoor Demo Day. Congratulations Stefan! Would you like to win? Simply leave a comment below – ask a question or tell us what item you want to see or you like best from our coverage – it is that easy! AND, you can enter up to 3 times every day! 

9:02am – Matt came to the show with his panoramic camera and shot this picture of the FootJoy and Titleist Experience. I think this camera angle gives a better view of the size and scale of the PGA Merchandise Show. It is spectacular.

9:01am – Found this cool driving range divider complete with GPS on the divider itself to measure your distance. Takes the guesswork out when practicing your game on the range. – MW

 

 

9:00am – Check out the hot new Cobra PUMA gear for men coming out soon. – MY

8:55am – Here is a sneak peak at the fall/winter fashion for PUMA ladies. Leave a comment on what you think of the look and styling to be entered in our daily drawing for a dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. – MY

8:50am – The Cobra Puma Booth – There isn’t a slide this year (and I think Matt is disappointed by that too ~Jen) – MY

8:45am – Callaway Comment Wall – Don’t just take their word for it. You have to try it for yourself. Callaway has taken real customer comments and plastered their exhibit with quotes from real people who are excited to try to the new clubs, such as Jman who writes, “Have I mentioned I really like the look of these… because I do.”- MY

8:45am – Callaway X Hot Woods – MY

 

 

8:45am – Here’s the Odyssey exhibit – MY

With the team taking pictures of the impressive Callaway and Odyssey representation at the PGA Merchandise show, this is a good opportunity to mention our Callaway XHot Driver and Fairway Wood Launch at the Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop this Saturday and Sunday. The first 100 people who come in and try the clubs will get a free sleeve of the new Callaway golf ball so be sure to stop in if you are in the Sacramento region. – JM

8:45am – The Callaway Booth – MY

 

8:42am – Feeling “Blue” about your wedge game? Customize your Vokey with Titleist Wedge Works! – BD

 

 

8:41am – The wait for the Titleist 913 Fairway and Hybrid is almost over. Mark your calendars – they’re both launching February 8th‏ – BD

 

8:40am – The pictures are coming in fast and furious. I’ve had Matt, Ken and Bill all send me photos of the new Scotty Cameron GoLo Limited putters within the past thirty minutes. Normally, I would only show one picture, but since each picture shows a slightly different look, I thought I would provide all three pictures for our readers of this new show introduction. What do you think of this putter? – Jen – MY

8:39am – To all of our Scotty Cameron Afficianados – check out the GoLo Limited… – BD

 

8:38am – New Limited Edition GoLo putter from Scotty Cameron‏ – KMJ

 

8:37am – Get ready Titleist fans… the new Pro V1 golf ball is almost here! In fact, it is shipping THIS week! Are you ready? – BD & KMJ

 

8:31am – CELEBRITY SIGHTING! The Great Chi Chi Rodriguez- MY

8:30am – The 2013 Merchandise Show is officially opening is doors to the 40,000 people expected to attend over the next three days. Can you find the Morton Golf Team in the crowd?- MY

8:25am – Ryder Cup Captain, Davis Love III, and PGA of America President, Ted Bishop, kicking off the Opening Ceremonies this morning. – MY

8:12am – As I wait for some fun photos to roll in this morning, I’m going to update more content from yesterday. I wasn’t able to keep up with all the great content sent my way yesterday from the team. So if you were following us yesterday, please scroll down again as I update yesterday’s activities with additional photos that were submitted. – JM

7:00am – We loaded up into the  vans and headed over to the PGA Merchandise Show for an early morning meeting held  in the Channel Leader Lounge with our entire team before Opening Ceremonies kicked off at 8:00am with Davis Love III and PGA Officials in the central lobby. – JM

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

Outdoor Demo Day at Orange County National Golf Center

Today’s Agenda: Half of our team is headed to the Outdoor Demo Day at the National Golf Center today while the other half plans to attend the Association of Golf Merchandisers Retail Conference.

The Outdoor Demo Day: There are 200+ hitting bays out here on this 42-acre circular range, and I must say that the Orange County National practice facility is very impressive. No need to worry about hitting your ball into the stalls on the other side of the range – not even the long drive champions and PGA and LPGA Tour Players out here today can make it that far! This is the place to be today to test the hottest new golf equipment and accessories that will be out on the shelves in golf shops across the country this season. All major manufacturers are here, including PING, TaylorMade, Nike, Callaway, Titleist, Cleveland, Wilson, Mizuno and many, many more! – JM

8:15pm – It’s Tom’s birthday. Celebrating the first of “many” birthday celebrations.- MY

5:30pm – Some of the team broke off for “research” with a break to go play the mini golf courses at Disney World, they finished before the rest of the team and had a chance to explore Downtown Disney before our dinner reservations.  Stay tuned – we are exploring a putting course out by the driving range at Haggin Oaks this year – wouldn’t that be a fun addition?

5:20PM – Would you wear this? I sure would. stylish and classic. – MY

 

 

3:40pm – They will be at the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo again this year too! Mark your calendars for “America’s Largest Demo Days” – April 26-28, 2013. Go to www.HagginOaksGolfExpo.com for more information.- MY

3:30PM – Feel like you are barefoot while playing golf with Vibram Shoes. Feel has never been the same.- MY

 

 

 

3:00pm – Demo Days are for the kids too. Look for the New US Kids line up this year. -MY

 

 

 

 2:50pm – The Tour driver from Cleveland gives you the adjustability feature that we haven’t seen from them before. -MY

 

2:30pm – If Cleveland can get this fit cart out I think they could have a strong product line. -MY

2:20pm – The NEW Cobra Amp cell pro irons. They look SWEET!! – MY

2:15pm -While in the Cobra PUMA booth, Matt caught this photo of  Holly Sonders from the Golf Channel. The Cobra PUMA booth had their CUBE up again this year and they do a great job of creating an “experience” where people just want to come and hang out. They had a bar set up, grandstand seating out on the range and several fun games that you could play for prizes . – MY

2:13pm – Out on the driving range at the Titleist booth. There is lots of excitement surrounding the new 913 fairway and hybrids coming out soon. – MY

2:11pm – Looking down at the Demo Day, I am a kid playing on the ultimate playground! – MY

 

 

2:10pm – The new M:Project shoe is for the player seeking a minimalist-type shoe on the golf course. Look for them soon in the Haggin Oaks Shoe Shop or online at MortonGolfSales.com– MY

 

2:10pm – Jesper and Jesper – Don’t call it a comeback… – MY

 

 

2:08pm – Ian Poulter making his get away from the fans at the Demo Day. -MY

 

2:07pm – Roger Cleveland explaining the secret to his wedges at the Callaway booth. -MY

2:05pm – The Cobra Experience = Fun in the sun. Not many booths provided a club fitting, a DJ, “drinks” and a bean bag toss. – MY

2:05pm – Hit what Bubba and the rest of the Ping tour players are hitting – MY

 

 

 

 

 

2:01pm – The TaylorMade booth was buzzing! – MY

2:00pm – New Wilson clubs. Pair them with the Duo golf ball and see the great results. -MY

 

 

1:55pm – TaylorMade’s Hot New Drivers! R1 or RBZ? Or perhaps another adjustable driver? I’m not sure, but these do look good I must say! -MY

 

1:53pm – New shoes from Adidas – Are these as good as they look? They kept them in the glass so I couldn’t try them on. -MY

 1:50pm – Who wants to reach a million extra yards? Do you know about this new promotion from Adams? -MY

1:45pm – World Long Drive Champion Ryan Winther will be at the Haggin Oaks Golf Expo which is coming April 26-28, 2013. He just set a NEW Guinness Book of World Records Ball Speed record today! For more information on our own demo days experience, go to www.HagginOaksGolfExpo.com! -MY

1:40pm – The Nike booth is very crowded at the Demo Day with lots of people out here participating in ball speed challenges. -MY

1:35pm – The Swing Shirt: Can you see yourself taking a swing in this? It keeps you very restricted, but it also provides the right feedback to improve your swing. What do you think? -MY

11:46am – During the AGM’s Tour of Clubs at the Grand Cypress Golf shop, this is a cool way to hide, yet still display shoes – MY

11:23am – Here is a panoramic view of the Grand Cypress Golf Shop from the AGM’s Tour of Clubs. – MY

10:40am – The new NIKE VRS Covert Driver is the first cavity back driver. It has increased ball speed on center and off-center hits. You can also adjust the loft and the face angle independently of each other which is a bit unique from the other drivers out on the market, although “adjustability” is the big move among all the major manufacturers this year. You will have the power to transform your club in your fingertips! – JM

10:39am – Celebrity Sighting! – Ken Griffey, Jr. spotted in the NIKE Golf booth. – JM

 

 

10:36am – The Dead Aim Putter features a removable laser device that snaps onto the putter.. The laser forces the player to putt while keeping the putter in the proper putting stroke. Most people don’t aim correctly – I heard anywhere from 67% – 80% of people don’t aim correctly as I wandered the range today. Most of these people aim right. This putter gets people to aim and retrains you with the proper putting stroke in a consistent fashion. For $199.99, you get the putter, the laser, a target and a headcover. I thought this was a pretty cool value. -JM

10:30am – Mike is getting into the swing of things! Here he is trying a putter designed from MXV Golf. This putter is designed off Newton’s Cradel and features Center-Strike Technology. The putter promotes forward pressing and promotes hitting down into the ball. This is not something that Mike has considered before when it comes to putting as it is a more commonly considered theme for iron play. -JM

 

 

10:23am – Oakley Golf was one of my first stops once I stepped off the bus and I checked out their super cool new CarbonPro golf shoe. According to Oakley, it is the lightest golf shoe on the market. According to Oakley, it is their “lightest, lowest, most advanced tour show ever” – JM

10:15am – The other half of the team arrives at the Outdoor Demo Day at the National Golf Center via bus. Our group includes Mike Woods, Tom Morton, Andrew Wilson, Don Pottle, and Roger Clark. This is my first time attending the Demo Day and I was surprised at how far the drive was to get to the range; however, the driving range at the Orange County National Golf Center is spectacular. It is massive in size and it is 360° – so you simply walk at your leisure around the entire circle.  Over 100 manufacturers were there with the latest golf equipment on hand. We saw Nike, Callaway, Titleist, PING, Mizuno, Wilson, TaylorMade, Cobra PUMA and more. Many of the manufacturers also brought PGA and/or LPGA Tour Professionals to do guest appearances or exhibitions throughout the day. There were also a handful of other athletes – I know that I saw Ken Griffey, Jr. in the NIKE booth which was very cool! ~JM

10:12am – Here’s a picture showing our team that is attending the AGM Conference today. Let me point out the team (from left to right – Mike Pompei, George Steffes, Matt Young (kneeling), Heather Hadley, Bill Dixon, Marlene Kawaguchi, Cheri Morey, Ken Morton, Jr. – MK

10:06am – Ken Morton, Jr., former President of the Association of Golf Merchandisers, spent his day at the AGM Conference today. They switched the format up this year and offered a Tour of Clubs. At 10:06am, their bus pulled into their first stop, the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club.

9:42am – The entire team (all fifteen of us) headed over in three minivans from our resort to the Convention Center where we split up. Matt captured us bright and early as we got ready to start our day. -MY

7:21am – From the second story balcony of our hotel. Good morning, Florida! – MY

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013

Travel Day from Sacramento, CA to Orlando, FL

8:58pm – Our team has arrived in Orlando after a long day of travel for a delicious meal at Miller’s Ale House – MY

6:50am – Leaving Sacramento, CA – MY