Future Stock

ou can't have all of it just yet—but here are some hints from the golf products industry's major players about what you can look forward to selling next spring.

by Jamie L. Scheppers (editor@clubandresortbusiness.com)
December 2005
 

Sure, the PGA Merchandise Show is coming up in January—and C&RB will be there to report on what’s new for 2006, if you can’t make it yourself. But we know everyone is already getting eager to hear about the new things you could be selling in your pro shops next year. We talked to several of the major golf equipment companies to see what we could find out about their plans for next year’s new product liness. And while we don’t have exact details on everything that will be available, here are some hints of what the future may hold for your store. Nike Enters Women's Golf Ball Category Taking note of the tremendous potential in the women’s golf market, as demonstrated by its women’s apparel and footwear lines, Nike is making its first forays into women’s golf balls.

The Power Distance Lady has a low compression core and a softened ionomer cover, resulting in the softest women’s ball on the market. Although the product was announced in October 2005, it is sure to be a hit as the 2006 selling season picks up.

The Super Lady is a member of the Power Distance family that includes the Super Far, Super Fly and Super Soft. This new ball is designed to produce a higher trajectory and optimize velocity and distance for women, who generally have a slower clubhead speed than most men. The suggested retail price is $20 per dozen.

Nike’s One Platinum and One Black golf balls will benefit from new packaging that will be available March 1, 2006. http://www.nike.com/nikegolf/

 

 

 

Cobra's Speed Drivers and Fairway Metals

These products were released this past fall, but like many other fall releases, their novelty won’t have worn off by the spring selling season. The 460cc King Cobra Speed Series driver is available in four models: X/Speed (for players with extreme ball speed); F/Speed (for players with faster ball speed); M/Speed (for players with moderate ball speed) and XX/Speed, which is the Cobra Long Drive Team’s choice. The M/Speed is also available in women’s and seniors models. Complementing the drivers is the King Cobra Speed Fairway line. It comes in the X/, F/ and M/Speed models, with additional women’s and senior’s M/Speed models.

Titleist to Expand Current Lines

If you’ve been watching the pro tours closely, you may have noticed that some players have been using a new 460cc driver prototype: the Pro Titanium 905R. Retailers can look for it to hit the consumer market soon. This would add to the current 905T and 905S products already on the market. The 905R is a larger size and will produce a little more spin than the S and T, to make it more forgiving than past Titleist drivers. The 735.CM irons, which were introduced this past fall, are pictured below. But following on their heels will be the 600 series of Titleist forged irons, designed for the game’s better players. Titleist’s line of Vokey Design wedges, will have a new oil-can finish for its spin-milled wedges (so far, it’s only been available in tour chrome). Also, Scotty Cameron is testing a number of putter prototypes on the pro circuit, and can be expected to have something new in 2006 for the consumer market. http://www.titleist.com/

Callaway and Odyssey Roll Out New Clubs

Callaway will be showing off a new X460 driver at the PGA Merchandise Show. It will complement the current Fusion FT-3 drivers. The X460 will be alltitanium and replace the 454. Its primary feature will be a sole plate that orients the clubface square at address. This will aid the masses, but all skills levels will benefit, depending how they coordinate the various lofts and shafts available.

And don’t forget about the recently released Big Bertha Heavenwood Hybrid 6H and 7H clubs that extend the previous offering of 1H through 5H Hybrids. Each of the hybrids is designed with a loft that corresponds to the iron it replaces.

Odyssey, a sister brand of Callaway, is going to release two new putters to add to the 2-ball putter, its all-time biggest seller. The 2-ball SRT introduces Saturn Ring Technology. It will utilize a heavy metal to surround the two balls on the back side of the club, for added stability. The same SRT technology will be applied to a new tri-ball putter. www.callawaygolf.com

 

Nike's Club Introductions Nike isn’t talking about its 2006 club releases yet, but it recently introduced several clubs that will continue to sell into next year. The SasQuatch 460 gives players three advantages—forgiveness, distance and accuracy—with its wide and tall sweetspot, resistance to twisting, and further-back center of gravity. The Slingshot OSS Irons also utilize placement of the center of gravity, to improve shotmaking. www.nike.com/nikegolf/

Nike Golf Apparel This past year, Nike introduced new golf shoes to its lineup. The popular Nike Shox line of running and basketball shoes are now available in golfer-friendly models, complete with Scorpion Stinger Spikes and Q-LOK system.

And for golfers who seek a more traditional look, the SP7.5 (pictured below right) also has Scorpion Stinger Spikes, as well as the same 2-year limited waterproof warranty and 45-day limited comfort warranty as the Shox.

To further expand on Nike's apparel offerings, a licensing agreement with Sprit Leatherworks, which designs Bill Adler Design Belts, will allow Nike to begin offering belts in 2006. The line created for Nike Golf and Tiger Woods emphasizes comfort, flexibility and support. The Nike Golf PGA Tour Staff will wear them next season, and retailers can get them in April 2006. www.nike.com/nikegolf/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleveland Golf Expands Offerings

 

Even though everything is under wraps until the start of 2006, it’s clear that Cleveland Golf will be extending some of its product lines, based on new research it has conducted. According to Mark Christensen, Senior Marketing Product Manager, there will be some new follow-up to the ladies’ line of woods, as well as some new irons in the carbon metal matrix line of products. A new wedge also wouldn’t be out of the question.

The company is likely to update all of its product lines once it completes its research on the sole bounce of a wedge. There is also some new face technology that the company is working on to increase accuracy and stability, but no word yet on whether that will be ready in the spring or fall of 2006. www.clevelandgolf.com

Lija by Linda Hipp

 

The Canadian designer of women’s golf and active apparel has created 170 new items in four different collections for Spring 2006. The retail prices range from $60 to $290, and the offerings are available for retailers to view.

Featured looks include argyle and tropical prints, old stripes, preppy plaids, and appliqués. The fabrics range from bamboo knitwear and linen to light-weight cotton-spandex and more technical fabrics.

The four collections are:

Island Escape, which will include tropical colors and a refined resort feel. A floral and plaid print will tie the collection together.

Set Sail uses orchid and tangerine tones with navy and white for a twist on a nautical theme.

Urban Playground has more primary colors and uses more technical fabrics.

Safari Sunset moves away from the technical fabrics to natural-toned linen and cotton. http://www.lijastyle.com/

 

Lija by Linda Hipp

Danish shoemaker ECCO is introducing four completely new styles for men and five new styles for women. Some old favorites will also be returning. The shoes are made with a direct-injection process that is unique to ECCO in the golf industry.

For Men: World Class Wing Tip GTW - Includes overlays and a stitched, perforated trim, water repellent leather outsole and GORETEX membrane to keep feet dry.

 

Casual Cool Hydromax - Draws inspiration from street shoe fashions and has an athletic fit. Hydromax leather provides water repellence and perspiration resistance.

Casual Cool GTX - A low-profile, allweather shoe in subdued color combinations.

Sport Saddle Hydromax - A water resistant shoe with aggressive styling and the ECCO Swing Stabilizer.

For Women: New Classic Wing Buckle - smooth and crocodile-printed high grade leathers, color-contrast piping and a stretchable buckle with a moisture-wicking liner.

Sport Tempo - Combines off-course style with on- course performance and is available in a wide range of colors.

 

New Classic Saddle GTX - A modern take on a saddle shoe, with a GORE-TEX membrane and molded teeth for traction.

New Classic Hydromax - A lightweight, water resistant shoe with a slimmer midsole than previous collections.

New Casual Hydromax - Water-resistant Hydromax leather and an external wraparound shank for stability. http://www.eccogolf.com/