A Weekend at the Golf Show and Why it Sucked

For the past couple of years, I have grown increasingly more obsessed with the game of golf. Currently, I can’t explain why my delicate condition, I fear that it has grown to an alarming proportion. My mind constantly wanders and thinks about anything and everything golf. It is like a deep, deep sickness. My family and friends often grow annoyed by my constant chatter of the game.

This past weekend, the annual greater Cleveland Golf Show came and went. I made my annual pilgrimage, a 15-minute drive of anticipation and excitement that I wait for all year long. It is a trip that I have made only for the past three years, but a memorable at that on every account. Only, this year I did not attend with my wife, as is my usual custom, instead I ventured with three gentleman whom I seemingly have some connection with.

Needless to say, at days end, I was let down on several fronts.

The Traveling Pack Factor
Problem: It was quite routine for early man to travel in packs. They relied on each other for assistance in hunting, gathering, and all other prehistoric necessities. However, the practice of men traveling in packs today only hinders our own performance.

If my buddies and I wandered through the golf show as four separate entities, I along with my counterparts would have had a better overall experience. Instead, we traveled as a pack, weaving in and out of a multitude of people, all the while trying to stick together. This early cave man instinct handicapped our primal urges to try out every club we saw fit to swing and purchase whatever frivolous item of necessity we deemed worthy.

Solution: Pick a place and meet there at a designated time. Repeat this process until all urges and needs of every man in the group have been met.

The Cost Factor
Problem: Parking was $7 and admission was another $8. Thankfully, the four of us traveled in one car. We used our 21st century wits when it came down to this detail. But never mind that, those pesky little items are just the tip of the iceberg.

When I go to an annual golfing extravaganza such as this, I expect a certain level of equipment bargains. I however was let down in this instance. Please, don’t misunderstand me, a lot of booths had a plethora of new and used clubs. Unfortunatley, the clubs that were available were not priced at a reasonable price point. I could have gone to Golf Galaxy or the 2nd Swing and found something that was just as comparable. I will say this though, Rock Bottom Golf did have quite a large number of deals. They were the one vendor who seemed to have the whole concept of what a golf show should be, down to a science. They had a vast array of new and used clubs at great prices. In fact, I bought my new Adams Tight Lies fairway club there.

Solution: Admission and parking? These are two factors that are tough to get around no matter what event you are attending. However, to the vendors out there who travel around and do these shows, keep in mind that a dollar here in Cleveland really does not have the purchasing power as it may have in other states.

Also, you may even be able to negotiate the price on something that has caught your fancy.

The Limited Space Factor
Problem: The interest in golf is growing at a insurmountable pace. More and more people of all different ages are buying sticks and other equipment needs every year and playing the game on a scheduled basis. I have seen a huge jump in attendance at this particular golf show here in Cleveland over the past three years. Yet, even though the building that houses the event has more than enough room, it does not enlarge the allotted floor space.

This creates some severe problems, especially when you have a high attendance rate and one is trying to maneuver through the crowds with three other fellows behind him who are trying to keep up.

Solution: Duhhhhhh, open up some more floor space.

Denouement
I realize that this little shindig of mine may seem quite small in scale to those of you who were able to attend the PGA Merchandise show, but it’s all I have so give me a break. In any event, man and or woman has evloved. Heed my helpful tips and tricks fro the next time you find yourself at you frindly neighborhood golf show. What you don’t know may make the difference between a good time and a crappy time.

Furthermore, one last helpful hint to throw in. Save all your loose change and dollar bills for the whole year. That way, when the next golf show or event comes around again, you’ve got some extra cabbage to thrown down on your new club or clubs of choice.

Peace, I’m out!