North Coast Golf and Travel Shows

[gprubes]

Anyone going to the Philly (1/13-1/15) or DC (2/3-2/5) show in the coming weeks. I'm going to try and make it to one of them, most likely Philly, but we'll see.

 

Anyone been to one in the past? Just wondering what I'm getting myself into...

[cristphoto]

I usually go to the one in DC each year. If nothing else you recoup the ticket fee with the free Golf magazine subscription. No real equipment on sale that can't be beat by shopping eBay. Don't fill out any applications to win prizes or you will be soon getting tons of junk email. Do walk up and down the aisles where the golf resorts are represented. You can get lots of discount (or free) rounds of golf from the reps.

[ani5009]

I've gone to the NJ show the last few years (I think its usually 2/10 or thereabouts) and I plan on going again this year. As the previous poster said, there hasn't generally been a lot of great deals on clubs but you can find good deals on clothing and on accessories like bags and shoes. I would also second the idea to not fill out any applications as I still have people emailing and calling me to this day from the show 2 years ago. Aside from that, they usually have a "guest speaker" of sorts (David Leadbetter was there 2 years ago and Michael Breed was there last year) which is kind of cool.

 

I think as long as you don't go in expecting to find crazy good deals on certain things its a good way to spend a day in the winter where you wouldn't be on the course anyway.

[snoilr1]

I've gone to the show in DC a few times. I'll echo the other posters. There aren't really any deals to be had on clubs, but you may find good deals on clothing or other accessories. There are lots of booths with info about courses, local golf organizations and golf related products (synthetic putting greens, etc). And there are some skills contests that my 6 year old loves, but are only mildly interesting to an adult. The presentations can be interesting, but with my son in tow, there was no chance to watch them last year.

 

I only live 20 minutes from Dulles Expo Center, and I wouldn't drive much farther to attend.

[eagles1]

Only worth it if the temperature outside is forecasted to not get above 20 degrees and the electricity is your house is down.

[Bonneville85308]

I don't go to these anymore. 15-20 years ago it was mostly discount golf merchandise and was great, but now it's all resorts in warmer states, non-golf merchandise, etc. and very little golf merchandise other than used golf balls, etc. No thanks.

[wobgon]

I don't go to these anymore. 15-20 years ago it was mostly discount golf merchandise and was great, but now it's all resorts in warmer states, non-golf merchandise, etc. and very little golf merchandise other than used golf balls, etc. No thanks.

I'm not a real fan of these shows, but to say there is very little golf merchandise other than used golf balls is just not even close to being accurate.

[aabcuue]

Schedule:

http://northcoastgolfandtravelshows.com/

 

philly past

nj 2/10-12

dc 2/2-5

 

I've usually gone for the cheap ball $ and resort/course deals.

Some deals beat GolfNow, et. al.

 

Golf mag is good if you want to give gifts or for special groups.

 

If you sign up for raffles/deals, use a separate email account only for signing stuff.

[cristphoto]

I just got back from the DC show at Dulles Expo. Be aware that its cash only to enter so come prepared. I thought in previous years I could pay with plastic. Seems silly in this age. All the vendors inside were more than willing to take plastic however.

[philsRHman]

I noticed on the NJ site that admission is $12 this year. I swear it was never more than $5 in the past. Anyone remember?

[wobgon]

I noticed on the NJ site that admission is $12 this year. I swear it was never more than $5 in the past. Anyone remember?

I never remember it being less than 8$.......I vever saw it close to 5$......I think last year it was 10......Keep in mind tht a lot of things you had to pay for in the past are free this year......Demo range, contests etc.........

[philsRHman]

Went today. It continues to slide year after year. I'd estimate about half as many vendors selling clubs. Rock Bottom seemed to take half if not a third of their past space. The whole vibe was dead. You could tell the vendors had very little interest being there. At one point one shouted 58 MINUTES! to another as closing drew near. In the past There were tons of shoes, lots of decent clothing to stock up, and enough used clubs to spend a few hours, like a real-life BST or eBay. It was never great but a way to scratch the golf itch in Feb. To be honest I could have left after 15 minutes, there was that little to look at.

 

As for "free" contests; was I supposed to get excited hitting 5 balls into a net as "long drive"? There was a little buzz around the long putt but even that was about 5 minutes of entertainment.

 

Not even sure what they can do to liven it up. Maybe a better stage show. The long drive guy couldn't hold my attention for 5 minutes. Not too exciting watching a guy hit a ball into a net and seeing 365 pop up on a launch monitor. They did have Topgolf there which makes me think some kind of partnership with something more game oriented. Maybe more local courses and fewer travel destinations. I know it's a business and they can only sell stalls to people who see a business value in it, but the entire thing is just flat.

[aabcuue]

I noticed on the NJ site that admission is $12 this year. I swear it was never more than $5 in the past. Anyone remember?

 

Its been more than $5 for last ten years. $9 was common for many years.

 

Most discount other than industry deal was $1 offer if you got a mailer sent to you.

[aabcuue]

Went today. It continues to slide year after year. I'd estimate about half as many vendors selling clubs. Rock Bottom seemed to take half if not a third of their past space. The whole vibe was dead. You could tell the vendors had very little interest being there. At one point one shouted 58 MINUTES! to another as closing drew near. In the past There were tons of shoes, lots of decent clothing to stock up, and enough used clubs to spend a few hours, like a real-life BST or eBay. It was never great but a way to scratch the golf itch in Feb. To be honest I could have left after 15 minutes, there was that little to look at.

 

As for "free" contests; was I supposed to get excited hitting 5 balls into a net as "long drive"? There was a little buzz around the long putt but even that was about 5 minutes of entertainment.

 

Not even sure what they can do to liven it up. Maybe a better stage show. The long drive guy couldn't hold my attention for 5 minutes. Not too exciting watching a guy hit a ball into a net and seeing 365 pop up on a launch monitor. They did have Topgolf there which makes me think some kind of partnership with something more game oriented. Maybe more local courses and fewer travel destinations. I know it's a business and they can only sell stalls to people who see a business value in it, but the entire thing is just flat.

 

Did we pass each other? Was next to the guy that yell 58.

 

It was quiet but it is 1st yr friday was open beyond 4or5p. Maybe everyone is still recovering from the snow or went away for presidents and/or valentine's w/e. I'm expecting Sat to big attendance day.

 

What surprised me was one vendor said except for opening rush it was quiet to dead. At least I got better deals as vendors wanted to move product.

 

Yes, there are fewer clubs fs. There are still same or better balls, accessories, golf passes and travel deals. A few areas were no bargain and probably will have to wait till closing or bst.

 

Most of the local courses and Somerset/ Middlesex Counties were present. However, Mercer and Union County were missing ad they were present last year.

 

Top Golf was worth a look. Spin wheel for stuff. eh...

Seems nice for beginners, retired and non-serious golfers. Membership is free play before noon. Disappointed range is only 215yds. Can't even hit my 2nd hybrid, only mid irons and wedges. :(

At least hours are good, open to 2a on w/e and midnight on wd.

 

For better vibe, the show has tried almost everything. Name pros/instructors (haney, ledbetter, et. al.), local pros, other subjects (this yr), long drivers (pavlet hit 425 a few times) and trick shot artists.

 

Fyi, in past you had to pay $5 or $10 for same amt of balls to win the hot driver of the yr. In 15 it was a M1 w/ your version.

Think idea this yr wasn't the long drive but free hit the new 2017 clubs. That used to cost $10.

Meanwhile, take advantage of the high-end Nike & TM balls being cheap. Enjoy the deals while they are present. I stocked up w/ 10doz chrome soft & 8 gloves. :)

[philsRHman]

Actually I think there is a way to make it worthwhile, but not sure if it's feasible. With the right retailer it might be. But my issue is there's no point pounding balls into a net. But if they set up 5-6 simulators, a la PGASS, you could put on a mini version of the Orlando PGA Show. It's still indoors but getting a little simulated ball flight would be beneficial and worth paying for. Especially now that the GG and GS in the area are gone, there's a vacuum to go browse the new stuff as it rolls out in winter. I would be willing to pay for that. Also, Golftec was there and doing mini demos, I would love to see more of that, even if they were charging a few bucks for certain things.

[aabcuue]

Actually I think there is a way to make it worthwhile, but not sure if it's feasible. With the right retailer it might be. But my issue is there's no point pounding balls into a net. But if they set up 5-6 simulators, a la PGASS, you could put on a mini version of the Orlando PGA Show. It's still indoors but getting a little simulated ball flight would be beneficial and worth paying for. Especially now that the GG and GS in the area are gone, there's a vacuum to go browse the new stuff as it rolls out in winter. I would be willing to pay for that. Also, Golftec was there and doing mini demos, I would love to see more of that, even if they were charging a few bucks for certain things.

 

There are several simulators setup.

Royce Brook, GolfTec and one other had simulators. It would be hard to get lots of people on simulator. Didn't see any bigger line @Golftec vs. free 10minute lesson. Think GolfTec & Royce Brook benefited from being next to the stage events.

 

What would work is a par3 contest. It was rl popular @2016pga @Baltusrol.

Tent was always crowded, maybe having an on-site bar and sports bar theme helped esp during the rain.

 

There was a sizable crowd watching the long putt all day. Only 1 person made 2putts. 3rd was a few ft away.

 

It was a small to no crowd for long drive.

Pavlet came over at least 2x. They changed comtest from daily to 1 winner for entire show.