Accessories are, or should be, the life blood of all pro shops.
Whether you have a full-service pro shop that includes clubs and clothing or are just a basic mom and pop operation that has a counter and not much more. accessories are what you really need to pay attention to.
Remember that the vast majority of golfers regardless of whether they are members or green fee players, are only in your pro shop for just a short period of time.
And they are impulse buyers.
They will check in, pay their green fee…”and oh, give me a sleeve of balls, oh and I’ll need some tees as well.”
They might not remember they need those items unless they are front and centre on your counter.
If you are a resort course or a high-end destination public course, make sure that you have some balls as well as souvenirs like divot tools with your logo on them.
Merchandising is the secret to any successful pro shop and part or your merchandising strategy has to include accessories from the small items like to tees to larger items like GPS systems.
MKRAK
There’s little doubt Mark Krakower is excited about the future of Garmin.
“For 2021 Garmin revamped all their products, the S12, the S42 and more importantly also launched their new R-10, a launch monitor rich in features but at a low cost,” says Krakower, president of Saint-Laurent, Quebec based distributor MKRAK.
The Garmin Approach R10 is a first-of-its-kind launch monitor. Using radar-tracking technology the R10 tracks key details on both club path and flight trajectory.
This small portable launch monitor features a built-in camera to video and stores swings for future analysis.
“It’s a fantastic unit and it’s going to change the whole launch monitor category because of the features that are packed into the unit for the price that it is,” said Krakower.
“As a company we are excited about the new product line and we are very excited about the direction Garmin is taking and we think it’s going to be very successful. We’re having huge orders on it already.”
For more information or to order you can visit MKRAK’s website at wp.mkrak.ca.
GOLF Supply House
The news just keeps getting better for RZN golf balls and their Canadian distributor Golf Supply House.
When Nike got out of the golf business the factory that was making their resin core golf balls, the ones that Tiger and Rory used to win a number of tournaments including some majors, bought the patent.
Now call RZN golf balls they are continuing to grow in popularity.
“We started distributing them in Canada last year and we are continuing to grow that business,” says Dan Pardy of Golf Supply House.
“The big news with them is that one of their balls, the RZN Distance won Golf Digest’s Hot List this year. And they also have a new ball coming out, the RZN Pro, which is four-piece ball.”
Pardy says the Puttout training aid collection continues to grow and they have several new products this year including a new version of the Puttout Classic Trainer called The Premium Trainer.
“Our training aids that we developed for Dave Pelz and Gareth Raflewski also continue to sell well,” he says.
For more information go to gshCanada.com.
G&G Brands
For more than a hundred years Imperial Headwear has been the leader in men’s headwear on and off the golf course.
Imperial, which is distributed throughout Canada by G & G Brands, is committed to style, functionality and perfection. They are known for their expert craftsmanship and they feature customizations that are practically innumerable.
Imperial also stands for environmental excellence, waste reduction and energy conservation. With initiatives centering around the use of solar energy, 100 percent recycled polyester and Oeko-Tex certified cotton, their sustainability story is impactful.
Their headwear lines for 2022 feature nine new styles and many new colours.
Meet the Oglethorpe. A knit performance fabric hat in tonal camo, the Oglethorpe has all the lightweight breathability and popular moisture-wicking features and has structured mid-crown profile and is available in five colours.
Certainly not new but ever popular is the Tour Visor. It’s the high-profile visor that has been worn by golf professionals for decades.
Imperial headwear is always well represented at Tour events like the Masters and the Ryder Cup.
For more information www.gandg.ca.
Golfing Buddies
“We used to just distribute accessories but about five years ago we decided that in order to give the customers real value we had to start manufacturing our own,” says Paul Greenglass, president of Golf Buddies.
“It’s from the same factories that make all the major brands but we’re able to price it 20-30 percent off of what everyone else is selling for.”
Golfing Buddies carries all the training aides like Tour Sticks as well as golf brushes, divot tools, hats and ball markers.
Because of Covid restrictions and the fact that many courses are turning off their fountains water bottles are becoming a big seller.
“The standard items we bring in, in container loads and inventory them and sell as we need them,” explains Greenglass.
“Some of the customized items we engrave in-house so they have a very low minimum and quick turn-around time.”
Golfing Buddies picked up Major League Baseball last year and this year took over management of Caddy Pro which has all the NHL accessories.
For more information visit golfingbuddies.ca.
JLC Golf
From China to the world, from factory’s door to your door, JLC Golf International Canada will help you build a more successful business.
“We supply promotional items for golf courses and for companies and their tournaments,” says Frank Lee, manager of JLC Golf International Canada.
“Our key items are tees, pencils, towels, headcovers, bag tags, poker chips, hat clips, ball markers, tee markers, divot tools, money clips, pin flags and gift packs. Those are product lines that we have developed and we know pretty well and now we have added logos on those products.”
Lee said all of those products provide added value to the golf course or any company if they have their name or logo on them.
He noted that many companies prefer smaller orders and that’s no problem for JLC Golf International Canada.
“We deal directly with a couple of factories in China and because of that we can put in smaller orders and still keep the cost down,” he says.
For more information and to order visit JLCINTL.com
GDF Leisure Sports
“We carry a complete range of golf accessories except clothing, clubs and balls,” says Kevin Woods of GDF Leisure Sport.
“And our core principle has always been customer service.”
New this year is a plastic tee call Mitee that will be a hit with every golfer but especially seniors.
“The unique thing about it is that is has a four-pronged head so the ball sits securely on it and the space between the prongs is significantly larger than what’s on the market now,” says Dennis Woods.
“It adds to the ball stability when you’re teeing it up so it’s easier to tee up and the four points of contact reduces friction.”
Friction from the tee can impact the flight of the ball and potentially reduce distance.
The Mitee, which was developed by GDF Leisure Sport, comes in three different sizes, 1 ¾ inches, 2 ¾ inches and 3 ¼ inches and is available in white, orange, yellow, citrus and pink as well as a mixed colour box.
For more information go to www.gdfleisuresports.com
Hathway Stewart
Weather worries are over with STORM TOWEL, the all-weather Player’s Towel and Rain Hood combo from Hathway-Stewart.
Use the cotton terry towel inner side to wipe grooves clean when the sun is out. Then, when the skies threaten, just flop STORM TOWEL over the top of your bag for instant protection from a sudden downpour, shielded by its water-blocking nylon shell.
There are no snaps or zippers to fuss with, just a strong marine-grade stainless steel grommet and carabiner clip providing lasting durability.
A marketer’s dream, STORM TOWELL, provides an impactful marketing billboard for corporate branding, making the perfect tee gift that fits any golf bag.
Likewise, varsity teams will love the flexible decoration options available to celebrate their team colours.
Match with new STORM COVER all-weather custom head covers to make an impactful statement on course. STORM COVER head covers slide on and off with ease helping pace of play. Plus, they’re over 60 percent lighter than leather and vinyl covers eliminating excess carry weight.
Multiple colours available.
Made in Canada by Hathway-Stewart. www.hathway-stewart.com/storm-towel.
Cole + Parker
If you are looking for accessories that provide your shop with a quality product that produce high profit margins, carry Cole + Parker – Bold Premium Socks for Leaders + Legends.
Cole + Parker designs bold, colorful, premium quality men’s and women’s socks. Offering over 60 exclusive sock designs, including crew, ankle, no-show, and low-cut versions.
Maximize pro shop merchandising space and provide your golfers with bold premium socks or a unique premium prize or a gift your customers won’t forget and will come back for more.
Cole +Parker socks can only be found in Greengrass pro shops and specialty independent golf shops.
For more information about Cole + Parker visit: coleandparker.co
Golf Trends
Bag Boy is celebrating 75 years in the golf business and they’re doing it by continuing to win awards.
For the third consecutive year Bag Boy’s Nitron push cart has received the Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Award for Best-3-Wheel Push Cart.
It’s an amazing achievement for a company that created its first pull cart all those years ago, made from two lawn mower wheels with flat tires mounted on an up-and-down folding, spring suspension chassis.
Since then, Bag Bay has continued to be a leader in innovation and technology, holding multiple patents. Of particular note, in recent years, is the Nitron Auto-Open Push Cart and the introduction of Top-Lok Technology in all Bay Boy golf bags and push carts.
The Nitron push cart, with its innovative Nitro-Piston Technology is engineered to be the easiest opening and closing cart in the industry.
“We’re thrilled that the Nitron is being highlighted and recognized as an Editor’s Choice Award winner,” said Lynn Sage of Golf trends which has been distributing Bag Boys push carts, golf bags and travel covers in Canada for more than 20 years.
“The one-step opening feature is unrivaled by any other cart on the market and we’re excited to see consumers enjoying its simplicity and ingenuity.
The Nitron’s unique nitrogen-powered auto-open feature is what makes the cart repeatedly stand out year after year. The cart’s ability to open using air pressure creates an effortless unfolding experience that takes place in just a matter of seconds, ensuring golfers can get on and off the course as quickly as possible.
The Top-Lok technology is an innovative bag to cart attachment system designed to securely lock a Bag Boy golf bag onto a Bag Boy push cart. This patented design prevents the bag from twisting or turning, eliminating the need for cart straps.
This unique feature is not only very user-friendly and functional for the consumer but also a selling feature for pro shops to pair the same of both golf bag and cart.
“As a retailer, a Bag Boy bag can go on any cart, and a Bag Boy cart can accept any golf bag but you have an opportunity when you are selling to not only sell a cart but a bag as well,” said Sage.
“It’s always interesting to see the new products they’re working on. I really think they are the industry leaders.”
Another great accessory that all shops should carry for 2022 is Corkcicle. This is a product that is all about making sustainable stylish.
Style and sustainability shouldn’t be trade-offs. Corkcicle believes in creating products that enhance personal style while reducing personal impact on the planet.
Their Canteens, Tumblers, Stemless Wine Cups, Mugs and Tumbler Straws are completely reusable so you can feel good about making them part of your every-day activities.
Corkcicle is a stylish addition to any pro shop and is very popular for tournament and corporate gifting. Give something players will use every day, both on and off the course.
Corkcicle’s 16-ounce tumbler is made of stainless steel, is vacuum sealed and triple insulated and it has a wide mouth to accept ice cubes.
It will keep cold drinks cold for 24 hours or more and hot drinks hot for 12 hours or more.
Looking to reduce waste at the club? Consider Corkcicle canteens and tumblers for your members in place of single use plastic bottles.
Corkcicle is distributed in Canada by Golf Trends.
Learn more about Corkcile as well as all of Golf Trends other products at their website: www.golftrendsinc.com.
