As the golf world prepares once again for the PGA Show in Orlando, it’s worth stepping back to appreciate the event’s long history and influence on the business side of the game. What began in the early 1950s has grown into the largest and most influential golf industry gathering on the planet, shaping trends, technology, and networking opportunities across the sport.
Now in its 73rd year, the PGA Show isn’t just about carts and clubs; it’s where the golf world converges to see what’s next in equipment, apparel, instruction, course management, and more. Its evolution mirrors the sport itself, reflecting changes not just in technology but in how golf is played, taught, marketed, and experienced.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Hub
The PGA Show traces its roots back to the early days of organized professional golf in the United States. When the event first launched in Dunedin, Florida, in the early 1950s, it was a relatively small gathering focused on merchandise and community for golf professionals and enthusiasts. Over the decades, that seedling of an idea grew in scope and ambition.
Before finding its long-term home, the Show moved between Florida cities including Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach Gardens, and Miami, reflecting both the sport’s regional popularity and the evolving needs of exhibitors and attendees. By the mid-1980s, Orlando became the permanent host city, anchored at the Orange County Convention Center–a venue that could support the growing footprint of exhibits, demos, seminars, and networking events.
Over the years, the PGA Show has steadily integrated new elements that reflect the sport’s expanding culture and business footprint. Today, it showcases demo technology, educational sessions, live broadcasts, fashion shows, and much more, turning it into an annual celebration of everything golf.
Milestones and Innovations Through the Years
As golf equipment evolved, so did the PGA Show. The introduction of Demo Day, where attendees can test the latest clubs and gear in real conditions, became one of the show’s standout features, giving professionals first-hand exposure to innovations that would soon hit the broader market.
Similarly, specialized zones like the New Product Zone and the Golf Industry Stage turned the Show floor into a learning ground for business operators and a trendsetting stage for brands large and small. Rising participation from global exhibitors helped the Show grow into a true nexus for international golf professionals.
In recent years, the PGA Show has broadened its scope even further by including unexpected elements like racquet sports showcases and entertainment experiences, reflecting golf’s connections with broader active lifestyle markets.
What to Expect at the 2026 Show
The 2026 PGA Show, returning to its trade-only format, is set to provide one of the most engaging and interactive experiences yet. The schedule kicks off with Demo Day at Orange County National Golf Center on January 20, allowing attendees to test the newest gear in real conditions before the main show floor opens.
Following Demo Day, the Orange County Convention Center will host over 1,000 exhibits, education sessions, and networking opportunities through January 23. It features a range of specialty areas that highlight the diversity of the golf business. There’s an Innovation District focused on cutting-edge technologies, a Golf Travel Pavilion spotlighting destination experiences, The Range for hands-on equipment testing, and even a Career Zone to support professional growth and networking within the industry.
“Every year the PGA Show leaves us energized and inspired, setting a positive tone for the new golf season,” Don Rea Jr., PGA of America President, said in 2025. “With more than 33,000 in attendance, including over 6,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, this is our ‘Member’s Major.’
“The Show offered a wealth of business opportunities, but equally important were the mentoring, networking and career development moments. I love seeing our younger professionals at their first PGA Show walking side-by-side with their seasoned mentors. The true essence of this week are the relationships and collaboration within our industry to advance the game of golf and leave it better than we found it.”
Beyond the business floor, the 2026 PGA Show includes Winter Jam, a social event featuring country music star Dustin Lynch, and the ongoing fashion shows and live broadcast spaces that have become staples of the modern event.
Brands to Watch on the PGA Show Floor
One of the reasons the PGA Show continues to matter year after year is the mix of established powerhouses and emerging brands sharing the same floor space. The event has long been a launching pad for companies looking to break into the golf conversation, while also serving as a checkpoint for industry leaders setting the tone for the season ahead.
Among the brands drawing attention this year are Scott Golf, Zero Friction, and TITE Eyewear. These companies represent the kind of innovation the PGA Show has increasingly leaned into, whether through alternative equipment approaches, performance-driven accessories, or lifestyle-focused eyewear designed specifically for golfers.
Scott Golf
Scott Golf is expected to debut The Woody, a handcrafted putter featuring a patented wooden face inlay that gives each club a distinct look and feel. Built using a proprietary process that embeds real wood directly into the putter face, no two versions are identical, with natural grain patterns creating a unique identity for every club. Beyond aesthetics, the wooden inlay is designed to deliver a softer, more responsive feel at impact, emphasizing touch and control on the greens while reinforcing Scott Golf’s focus on craftsmanship-driven performance.
The Payson, Utah–based brand is also introducing a customization program aimed at pro shops and golf facilities, allowing wood from a course or club to be incorporated directly into the putter face for a personalized finish.
Check them out at Booth 2458.
TITE Eyewear
TITE Eyewear is officially making its industry debut in Orlando. Based in Glens Falls, New York, TITE is unveiling what it describes as golf’s most advanced performance lens technology, engineered specifically for how golfers read greens, assess contours, and make decisions on the course. Developed with input from elite players and Tour caddies, the company is positioning its product not as an accessory, but as a performance tool.
At the core of TITE’s launch is a patent-pending lens system designed to filter precise wavelengths of visible light to reduce visual noise while enhancing contrast, depth perception, and surface detail. Rather than darkening the view, the lenses amplify the green spectrum to reveal subtle breaks and contours, helping golfers process more visual information while maintaining natural color balance. The lenses also exceed standard eye protection benchmarks, offering UV415 UVA/UVB coverage for long-term eye health.
“We set out to break the mold of what sunglasses mean for golfers and build precision tools to sharpen how players perceive the course, make decisions, and execute shots,” Scott MacGuffie, founder and president of TITE Eyewear, said. “We know players ask a lot of their equipment and are looking for any advantage to shave a stroke wherever possible. With the launch of TITE, we bring a real-world, course-tested performance advantage to players, in ultralight comfort frames for all-day play.”
The debut collection includes three performance lens options–Pro Golf, Core Golf, and Photochromic–spread across five frame models (TITE 01 through TITE 05). Each lens is tailored for different lighting conditions, from maximizing usable light and contrast to adapting dynamically as sunlight changes throughout a round. All models are designed for lightweight comfort, stability during the swing, and an open field of view, with a proprietary fit-adjustment system that keeps lenses optically centered during play.
TITE Eyewear will be available for hands-on viewing during Demo Day and throughout the show at Booth 3802 in the New Product Zone.
Zero Friction
Zero Friction is arriving with a mix of new product launches and established innovations that continue to push the boundaries of golf equipment. The brand will debut two premium additions to its lineup: the Victory golf glove and the Victory 3-piece urethane golf ball, both aimed at players seeking high-level performance without sacrificing feel or consistency.
Beyond its newest releases, Zero Friction will showcase a wide range of its existing products that have helped define the brand’s reputation for functional innovation. That includes its lineup of golf gloves, advanced golf balls, and specialty tees, along with its growing presence in electric golf bags. Among those is the Stride, an autonomous electric golf bag that highlights how technology is increasingly reshaping the on-course experience beyond clubs and balls.
“The PGA Show always provides the perfect start to the new year for Zero Friction and we look forward to connecting with the golf community there,” John Iacono, Founder and President of Zero Friction, said. “…These additions reflect our commitment to creating innovative, high-quality gear that helps golfers play better. We can’t wait to share them with industry professionals and show how we continue to deliver products that make a real difference on the course.”
Visitors can view these new and existing products at Booth 1101.
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