Orlando, Florida — The post-pandemic golf boom is no longer a question mark. It is a full-fledged movement, and nowhere was that more evident than at the PGA Merchandise Show, held January 21–24, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center.
The four-day industry gathering drew more than 33,000 golf professionals from over 90 countries, marking the show’s largest attendance in 15 years. More than 1,100 international exhibitors filled the sprawling halls with new equipment, technology, apparel, travel concepts, and lifestyle innovations, reinforcing golf’s renewed cultural and commercial momentum.
Drawing on our perspectives as golf technology editors and lifelong players, we bring a combined 25 years of experience at the PGA Show to this report. After walking miles of aisles, several exhibitors stood out for The 19th Hole Magazine for their unique creativity, practical utility, and forward-thinking approach.
Precision meets intelligence with R2G’s MATE HYBRID, combining laser accuracy and a full-color GPS display. (Courtesy R2G)
Precision meets intelligence with R2G’s MATE HYBRID, combining laser accuracy and a full-color GPS display. (Courtesy R2G)
R2G (Road to Golf): Reinventing the Rangefinder Conversation
The rangefinder category has officially reached a boiling point. Once dominated by a handful of legacy brands, the distance-measuring device market now reflects intense competition, with 17 companies exhibiting at the 2025 PGA Show alone.
Among them, R2G emerged as one of the most compelling challengers. Short for Road to Golf, the Korea-based company dominates its home market and is now making a focused push into the U.S.
R2G’s standout feature is triangulation technology. From the cart path, a player can shoot the ball’s location across the fairway, then the flagstick. The device instantly calculates the remaining yardage. The same concept applies to lay-ups, allowing golfers to preview the distance left from a chosen landing zone. While not exclusive to R2G, the company claims faster data capture than competing systems.
For golfers who want flexibility, R2G delivers options. Its flagship MATE HYBRID combines laser accuracy with GPS functionality, displaying green contours, front-and-back distances, and pin positioning via an internal compass. Looking ahead, R2G is preparing to launch MATE X, a compact mobile phone attachment paired with an app that delivers deep, data-rich course insights.
GOLF DI adds on-course fun by turning each hole into a randomized mini-game. (Courtesy GOLF DI)
GOLF DI: Adding Games Back Into the Game
For players tired of the same skins format every Saturday morning, GOLF DI offers a refreshingly simple solution.
Invented by Nate Bridges, the GOLF DI is a lightweight, eight-sided cube that clips onto a golf bag. Each face introduces a different on-course challenge, from Closest to the Pin to Pick a Partner and First in the Hole. Before each tee shot, roll the cube and let the game decide the action.
Constructed from durable plastic with etched lettering to prevent wear, the GOLF DI includes a sturdy S-clip carabiner for easy access. It is simple, social, and effective, reminding golfers that fun is still the point.
COOL SPRAY delivers instant cooling relief with a light mist applied directly to clothing. (Photo courtesy Cool Spray)
Cool Spray: Relief When the Heat Is On
Summer golf can test even the most patient players, particularly in high heat and humidity. Cool Spray was created to solve that exact problem.
Inspired by similar products encountered on golf trips in Asia, Cool Spray delivers a fine mist that can be applied directly to clothing for immediate cooling relief. Developed with cosmetic chemists, the formula works in a manner similar to cooling muscle patches and is safe for repeated use throughout a round.
One less excuse for a wayward drive.
Fairways to Heaven crafts seamless, custom golf journeys across the U.K. and Ireland. (Photo courtesy Fairways to Heaven)
Fairways to Heaven: Custom Golf Travel Without the Stress
Demand for golf travel to the British Isles continues to surge, and securing tee times at iconic venues has become increasingly difficult. Fairways to Heaven exists precisely for that reason.
Led by partners David Reid and Michael O’Toole, Fairways to Heaven has spent more than 20 years crafting bespoke golf journeys across the U.K., Ireland, and beyond. Rather than pre-packaged group tours, the company specializes in fully customized itineraries, supported by an on-the-ground team in Scotland.
From tee times and accommodations to dining and logistics, Fairways to Heaven removes the friction from bucket-list golf travel.
Golfasian specializes in bespoke golf travel and amateur tournaments across Asia. (Photo courtesy Golfasian)
Golfasian: Asia’s Premier Golf Travel Specialist
Across the Pacific, Golfasian has been welcoming international golfers to Asia for more than three decades. Founded in Thailand in 1997 by Mark Siegel, Golfasian now operates in over a dozen countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, and the UAE.
Known for its custom itineraries and large-scale tournament experiences, Golfasian blends championship golf with cultural exploration. In 2023, the company was named World’s Best Golf Tour Operator by the World Golf Awards.
Perhaps most surprising to American golfers is the value. A premium golf trip to Southeast Asia can often cost less than a journey to Scotland, making it an appealing winter escape with world-class cuisine and hospitality.
