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This year's Trade Show was again held at the Convention Centre in Orlando, which is a very grand complex capable of hosting this type of major event in the golf world.

I made my annual pilgrimage over to Florida with two of golf's finest teachers, EGTF Professionals, Stewart Craig and Frank Scott, to check out the latest new equipment and golf ideas for 2008.

The week started with the very popular Demo Day in the practice ground of Orange County Golf Club.  A massive 360 degree area was utilised by many of the major golf equipment companies, allowing the public and trade to have the opportunity to hit some of the new toys on the market.

There was the usual buzz of excitement on the first day as we were waiting for the show to start, then finally the doors opened and thousands of people poured into the main hall to start the 2008 PGA Show.  The Show has been cut from four days to three after people agreed that the last day was a bit of a non-event, with most companies wanting to get their stands packed up.

With so many people exhibiting, you can sometimes get a little confused as to which way to go, but with a bit of planning you can definitely see everything you want. 

The golf club manufacturers had equipment stands as well as hitting bays to try the new stuff out, and as always they are trying to push the boundaries of technology as far as they can.  I found some of the video analysing technology fascinating, with new versions from V1, GAASP, SAM, and QUINTIC, and probably most impressive was the 6 D motion software from the Titleist Performance Institute.  This really does take video teaching to another level.

It was great to see EGTF Professional, Dr Paul Hurrion, and certainly one of the top teachers in the World today, exhibiting two different products this year.  Most people will know the stuff he has done in developing the Hi Tec CDT Power golf shoes, worn by Padraig Harrington to win last year's Open Championship.  He was again using his force platform technology to show people the benefits of the shoes when you swing.

Paul is also involved in a new company producing putters called Gel Golf.  He has a new signature range coming out this year which should prove very popular amongst Pro's and Amateurs alike, as he has taken all his knowledge of groove technology and incorporated it into these new putters.  I am just trying them out at the moment, but they feel very nice.

There are many great innovations to see at this Show, but more importantly it is a great place to network with people from within the industry, as most of the important people from the golf world manage to get along at some point during the Show.

If you have never been, it is worth a trip as it takes place in January when for most people things are quiet, and you can combine it with some golf on some fabulous courses around the Orlando area. 

Bill Abbott