The First Call 01-25-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

The PGA Jr. League may never reach the level of popularity as Little League Baseball and Softball, but it continues to trend positively. In 2021, a record 64,000 boys and girls participated in the league. Also, year-end feedback resulted in a 73 percent Net Promoter Score, a standard consumer satisfaction metric that measures the degree to which people would recommend a company to others. The percentage is considered to be in the highest quartile.

> Question of the Week: When buying new golf equipment, how much do you factor 'hot lists' and online reviews into your decision-making process?
Send replies on this question or other topics to shall@morningread.com. To be considered for publication, your response must include first and last name, along with city and state of residence. Read last week's responses.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> 'The industry is ready to come back:' Q&A with Marc Simon on the 69th PGA Show
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Patrick Reed, back to defend his Farmers Insurance title, is still golf's best 'bad guy'
[Dan O'Neill | Morning Read | Read]

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

In a recent survey of recreational golfers, 20% of female golfers who have been playing three years or less spend $1,000 or more in a typical year on green fees, carts and membership dues. This compares to 28% of males who have been golfing three years or less.

Source: Longitudes Group Golf Course Walkability Database

THE INDUSTRY

Tour Edge adds 4 new driver users on PGA Tour Champions

Manufacturer totaled 6 drivers in play at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, tying for 3rd in that category

L.A.B. Golf launches mid-mallet Mezz.1 putter

Putter stays square on its own, features patented Lie Angle Balance technology that allows putter to have a smaller grip

Club Car gears up for PGA Show

To showcase its second-generation Tempo Lithium-ion vehicle, Tempo Walk autonomous caddie and connectivity solutions

Golftec sponsors Fire Pit Collective’s new series

Club fitter to be presenting sponsor for media group's episodic series, 'The Grind'

Malcolm DeMille creates new trophies for LPGA's opener

Manufacturer collaborates with Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions to create new trophies, gifts for the inaugural event

Branson (Mo.) earns high TripAdvisor ranking

Readers vote Branson as No. 3 in the 'Top Trending U.S. Destinations’ category

PGA of America offering MSR credits for WGD participation

Beginning with the PGA Show, PGA of America will give Member Service Requirement credits to PGA professionals who participate in Women's Golf Day initiatives

Golf Live exhibiting app at PGA Show

Company will demo its mobile app that provides instant virtual golf instructional lessons

Terravita G&CC to begin renovation project on April 1

Scottsdale, Ariz., club will undergo a 7-month golf course renovation and enhancement project led by golf course architect Phil Smith

Desert Fox Golf to exhibit at PGA Show

Company touts Phone Caddy, a top-selling golf cart accessory

Lean Lock putters exhibiting at PGA Show

Brian Tennyson, a former PGA Tour player, designs putter with forward-shaft lean, slightly rotated grip

Galvin Green advances its eco-friendly Upcycle Edition

Company crafts new apparel range using surplus fabric from its main production runs to cut down on waste

Mistwood GC ranks No. 2 GolfPass' list for off-course amenities

Romeoville, Ill., club chosen for Golfers' Choice 2022 rankings; Amenities include a Ray Hearn-designed course, a Performance Center and 26,000-square-foot clubhouse

PGA Tour rookie Paul Barjon earns 1st top-10 finish with TPT shafts

Barjon plays a matching set of TPT Red Range shafts — a 14 Lo driver shaft, a 14 Lo fairway wood shaft, a 14 Lo hybrid shaft — to finish solo 10th at The American Express

BatCaddy introduces new custom color offering

BatCaddy's X4 to X8 Series of electric push carts are available in more than 2,000 colors; Company exhibiting at PGA Show

BallenIsles CC to renovate East Course, add learning center

Nicklaus Design selected to lead renovations of the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., club

Rebranded: By American Golf Industry Coalition, the organization formerly known as We Are Golf to better represent the partnership among golf’s leading organizations. A primary area of focus centers around helping to facilitate the industry’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, known as "Make Golf Your Thing."

ICYMI

PGA Show returns in person with 'boutique feel'

With numerous big-name companies sitting this week’s 69th edition out, others are viewing the Orlando gathering as an opportunity

How to improve the golf experience

The First Call readers offer suggestions for making time spent at the golf course — from the bag drop to the 19th hole — more enjoyable

#QOTD

"This present moment used to be the unimaginable future."

— Stewart Brand

CALENDAR

JANUARY
25-28: PGA Merchandise Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

FEBRUARY
5-10: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, Calif. | Info
18-20: Toledo Golf Show, Toledo, Ohio | Info
19-23: CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo, San Diego, Calif. | Info
20-22: Carolinas PGA Super Show, Greensboro, N.C. | Info
25-27: Colorado Golf Expo, Denver, Colo. | Info
25-27: Chicago Golf Show, Rosemont, Ill. | Info

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.

LAST CALL

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