PGA EXPO 2013? SMALLER VENDORS = A HOLE IN 1

Just to warn you - this review of the 2013 PGA Expo in Las Vegas is a long one.  But what would you expect?  It's about shopping - just at a trade show...not a mall!

The good, with Whitney : Walking in to the 2013 PGA Expo in Las Vegas, I was unsure of what to expect.  How would the vendors respond to bloggers, and more importantly, how would they respond to three young women?  We immediately sought out the clothing and accessories.  After all, women's golf fashion is our thing!  The first booth that we stumbled upon was the Navika Golf Gifts.  The bling caught my eye immediately! 

They were selling ball counters and ball marker necklaces, and most of the pieces were accented with Swarovski crystals.  The representative was very helpful, and also interested in our suggestions and what we had to say about women's golf fashion.  I purchased one of the ball counters and will provide a review of it once I take it on a test drive!   

The next booth we visited was the Catherine Wingate Golf Apparel booth.  Her functional dresses are what immediately caught my eye!  In bold navy and bright white, the dresses looked comfortable and versatile.  They even had a one piece dress with built in shorts - a rarity in women's golf dresses.  Catherine's wearing it below, right.  Looks versatile, doesn't it?

I definitely hope to give Catherine Wingate dresses a try!  I felt immediately drawn to this booth and both representatives did not disappoint with their welcoming and informative nature.  In fact - at many of the more 'boutique' expo booths, the story was the same : females in the golf industry, feeling like there just aren't enough cute, functional and fashionable golf clothing choices out there.  Yet.

This was definitely true for GolfHER Girl as well.  While the patterns at GolfHER were not necessarily up my alley, owner Sarah Schultz's  passion for golfing and the desire to create great clothing for women was refreshing and exciting! 

Last but not least, Lizzie Driver was a great booth to stop by.  The representatives had us sit at their ordering table and view all of their spring pieces.  For those of you who've never attended a trade show, the ordering table is prime realty!  Even though both reps knew we did not have plans to order from their line, they sat with us showing each piece with pride, discussing the fabrics and patterns. 

Being a female golfer, I would be remiss in not discussing shoes!  By far, ECCO had the most exciting new collection of spikes at the show.  Bright pinks, yellows and teals plus great details make their spring collection the one to watch!

Skechers also presented a well-priced, versatile golf shoe line they're introducing this Spring 2014.  I'm looking forward to trying on the slip-on variety and their lighter golf shoe options...

With great golf shoes, you need a great belt, right?  Druh Belts had the cutest butterfly buckles in pink, purple and rainbow colors... 

The belts were made of premium leather and look like they would really withstand the Vegas heat.  The inner side of the strap has no color so it doesn't bleed onto your shorts when you sweat.  A plus!  I really hope to be able to provide a review on these fantastic accessories in the future!  ;)

Several of the bigger name vendors ignored us completely - but a clear and outstanding exception to this rule was Ping.  The representative from Ping, Jeff Knapp, was very friendly and recognized the value of amateur women golfers and our opinions.

Jeff was willing to show us some of the women's clothing (which was very cute and had great feminine details) even though he was with a buying customer.  He was a shining example of being able to value his product and the needs of the customer. 

The somewhat bad, with Dawn : Amongst the 100 apparel exhibitors occupying half of the expo floor, I must say I was most excited to visit the Puma and Adidas booths. After making my way through rows of clothes and accessories, we finally arrived at space 135 - Cobra Puma Golf.  For a moment, I thought that we were invisible because of the 5 representatives working the booth, we were acknowledged by only one.  As I scanned the merchandise, I was confused because I couldn't find any ladies golf apparel.  

Then, I looked down.  Behind the counter, hanging on a rod no higher than my hip was a four foot section of ladies golf clothes dragging on the floor hidden from public eye.  Disgusted, I just walked away.  Perhaps this is why I was not greeted as I entered their booth, they couldn't find the ladies golf clothes either!  Sure would have liked to see the skirt below...

After exploring all of the ladies golf booths, the story was like a broken record; women are designing golf apparel because they are tired of complaining about everything wrong with the selection currently available.  Although some of the designers don't even golf, evident in their fabric selections, they have a passion for golf fashion and that is exciting!  I invite them to play 9 holes with me someday in 114 degree heat in their designer non-breathable threads, or send me a sample and I will let them know it performs.  For example, we were super excited about the patterns on a few of Haute Shot Golf's skorts, but the fabric was a bit scratchy and way to heavy for playing in warmer weather.

Overall - most of the ladies presenting their product or designs were very creative and enthusiastic about their line.  I was pleased with the turnout of female golf apparel vendors this year at the Vegas PGA Expo, I am still in shock as to how most of the leaders in the golf apparel industry seem to dismiss the female golfers.  I realize this was not the LPGA Expo, but some of the big name exhibitors won't even make eye contact with you!  Confusing. 


However, Ping Golf has figured it out!  With a booth crammed full of people, the Ping representatives were all welcoming and helpful.  Not only were they interested in our golf game, they were curious to know how we liked their clothing.  Let's face it, golf is a male dominated sport.  From golf expo representation to golf course pro shops, men typically hold these positions.  However, golf is also a profit driven industry from golf tees to golf clothing...and women love to shop!  If the golf industry can figure out how to become more female friendly, they may actually see their profits increase!  I'm going to give all the men in the golf industry a free clue; communicate and pay attention to what the lady golfers want, and we will buy it!

Last but not least, Adidas Golf.  I was happy to see there were two sections of apparel, nothing very exciting, but at least it wasn't hidden behind a counter like Puma's!  It would have been helpful to have the dude sitting at the hightop come over, say hello, show us the collection and perhaps give us a catalog, but he was busy on his smart phone, maybe texting his girlfriend?

...and the not so ugly, with Shelley : Okay, I lied.  Boo-hiss to the larger vendors mentioned above that flat out ignored us!  For all they knew, we could have been a pack of Tony Hsieh's Zappos minions - scouting for new golf lines, the next Win McMurry, or one of Stacey Lewis's new stylists (Love your guts and your game, girl.  Would just love to see you in something besides colored khaki's and a plain button up!).

My favorite of the show?  Lizzie Driver - they have my heart!  From their insanely soft fabrics to their attention to detail - Lizzie Driver is almost there!  

The only criticism I could muster would be the price point.  The sad fact is clothes get ruined quicker when you're exercising in them.  That means they're somewhat more disposable, and I feel their price should more accurately represent that.  $98 for a top, $136 for a skort, or $200 for a dress like this?  Yikes.  Perhaps a review of their golf clothing is needed to justify the price (wink wink) but I'm still on the fence!

I loved the fact that there were so many small companies at this expo based in the USA and handcrafting accessories for golf.  One of my favorite was Stitch Golf - they had the coolest retro handmade head covers and drawstring bags for tees and such...

 

Although not made in the States, I also love these handcrafted golf shoes from Lambda.  To somewhat quote that scene in Jerry Macguire - you had me at wingtip!  It would be hard to choose a favorite pair, that's for sure.  The only thing I wasn't so sure about was the thickness of the leather.  Seems like they would be hard to break in...

Sarah Schultz’s GolfHER line

Sarah Schultz from GolfHER Girl deserves a ginormous shout out - we were walking down the aisle, she spotted our name tags, and steered us all into her booth.  Loved her outgoing personality and her obvious commitment to the game and the women that play it.  I agree with Whitney, some of her fabric choices felt too 'old' for my taste - but I did appreciate her attention to detail.  For example - the flattering darts and unique collar on her 'Little Black Dress'...

Sarah Schultz’s GolfHER line

That's (pregnant) Sarah above - sporting a t-shirt that read 'golfing for two' and meeting Marty Haskell, the man behind Golf Digest.  Apparently Marty's a huge fan of GolfHER's lbd!

Summing it all up...

It's unanimous : smaller businesses with  women at the helm really know how to cater to their female constituents!  While some of the vendors aren't getting it right with fabrics and details, it was refreshing to see a few really dedicated to and working toward that direction.  PING?  You made yourself 3 new fans by showing not only your excitement about our project - but your obvious excitement about your golf clothing.  That attitude is precisely what is needed to promote the game of golf to all players - especially amateurs and non-golfers interested in getting started.  

Also unanimous?  The bigger vendors, such as Puma, Adidas, and Callaway were huge disappointments.  Not only were the males representing their booths unfriendly, they didn't even greet us as we looked around.  While we understand that their primary goal is to get orders at this show, they didn't even effectively display their women's gear.

Overall - the PGA Expo was a validation of the fact that there are better golf clothes available, even though the selection at Dick's Sporting Goods would never make you think that!    It was a truly enlightening and exhausting day that made all three of us want to go out and immediately play 18 holes, testing the clothes we had just been introduced to at the show!  

Since it was dark, however, we had to settle for dreaming about the expo and our future plans.  That, and  enjoying delicious drinks and dinner at She in Las Vegas's amazing Aria Hotel.  What a perfect way to end an inspiring day!

Whitney, dreaming of becoming Zappos first female Chief Golf Officer.  Shelley, coveting Win McMurray's job (but not her boyfriend Michael Phelps), and Dawn - brainstorming about transforming Stacey Lewis's look (but nothing else!)...

LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING...

Drawn together by a love of the game of golf and the many peripheral gifts it brings to their lives, these friends and Gals Who Golf aim to bring a bit of function to the world of women's golf fashion... 

Have a question for the Gals?  Click here!

SAVE THIS GOLF ROMPER FOR THE SLEEPOVER.

 

The Golf Outift : Adidas Retro Golf Romper 
The Golf Gals : Shelley and Dawn, hanging out on the driving range...

THE PURCHASE

DAWN : Shelley found this romper and decided to purchase one for me too.  Thanks Shelley! 

SHELLEY : You're quite welcome!  While shopping at a local Adidas outlet store, I came across my purple version and had to try it on.  I was so overwhelmed by it's retro comfortable-ness and $27 price tag that I purchased it.  In hindsight, I should have stopped for a moment and thought about it's playability! 

THE PROS

DAWN : The fabric is magical! It's so breathable and perspiration marks are hardly visible.  When these photos were shot, the later afternoon temperature on the range was 103+.  Unable to sweat enough for it to be visible, we resorted to dousing our backs in bottled water.  Our backs were dry in about 20 minutes.  Amazing.

SHELLEY : Even if this isn't the ultimate golf outfit, you'd have to try hard to convince me that this isn't the ultimate golf fabric.  It's tag reads 100% polyester, but it has a more crepe-like feel to it than other, more silky 100% polyester pieces I own.  The second thing I must give props to is the romper's retro style and attention to detail.  The drawstring waist trapped sweat way less than the sash on this golf dress, and I love the cute racing stripes and button-up front.  Nice bright color choices.

THE CONS

DAWN : There is only one pocket on your rear - and it is huge.  In the picture below, we were able to stuff 5 Titleists into the rear pocket!  The drawstring waist does not improve the fit or make it any more flattering, it does the opposite by making you look bigger on the top.  In the wind, I felt like I had bat wings!  Way too roomy, I could cinch a handful of fabric behind my back. The buttons could have been more interesting.

SHELLEY : Way too short, as confirmed by the top, right photo below.  I didn't realize how large the romper was up top until Dawn literally bunched up half of it behind her back.  The difference was amazing!  

THE SUMMARY: 

DAWN: In my opinion, this is too short and I don’t feel it meets the criteria for the dress code at a private country club. Although this garment is branded for golf, there is a difference between what is appropriate and what is approved. I will never wear this again for golf, perhaps a pajama party with a pair of cute sandals, but not for golf!

SHELLEY : A dress made out of this material with a better fitting top and longer length would be killer!  Love the signature retro Adidas style.  But I agree with Dawn - sadly, this golf romper is better left for...romping around the house!  

DAWN : I give this 1 out of 5 balls

SHELLEY : I give this 2 out of 5 balls

MEDICUS PRACTICE CLUBS? AMAZING.

Dawn says : I am having a love/hate relationship with the Medicus!  Shelley let me try it for the first time and I was in awe with what this training tool actually does. I am now swinging this club in my living room, out by the pool, and anywhere I can find a place that I won't hit anything! 

I love it because it is heavier than my irons (another good training method) and it actually teaches me, but I hate it when it "breaks"! The goal is to swing the club without "breaking" the club, which ultimately means your swing is out of whack or your speed is off.  In my opinion, this is the greatest training tool for any golfer at any level. However, my husband purchased and returned this product because he could not get it to "Break".  Gee, must be nice to have a perfect swing every time!

DAWN'S GOLF SWING ANALYSIS

I decided to have my golf swing analyzed with a golf pro at Golf Galaxy.  The golf pro recorded a few of my shots and then was able to play them back in slow motion.  This was a great learning experience!  As you can see, he was able to draw and point out all the things he noticed - good and bad.  Constructive criticism is always a good thing, and taking advantage of today's technology is an excellent way to improve your game.  

In my golf swing analysis, the tech taught me the importance of several categories he was able to see such as my:

- swing speed
- distance
- launch angle
- smash factor
- ball spin rate 

I was given tips for improving in each category and he also made a few equipment recommendations.  That was especially helpful - since golf is such a mental game, knowing I have the correct equipment allows me to feel more confident and play better.  Overall, I found having my swing analyzed at Golf Galaxy to be a pleasant, non-intimidating experience!

GOLF GAME ETIQUETTE 101 : MARKING YOUR BALL

Golf course etiquette is one of the most important things to learn about the game!  You never know what interesting situations you'll find yourself in when playing a round with friends.  Take the example above with Dawn and Shelley : if the other player's ball is in the way of your shot, you may ask the player to please mark their ball.  In the photo above, Shelley marked her ball first - as hers was slightly ahead of Dawn's.  Kudos to both for avoiding the sand trap!

Above?  All three balls end up in the same place around this drain.  Some of the strangest things happen on the course!  The rules and etiquette imply that the player with the ball farthest out from the hole is to go first.  In the event the other player's balls are in the way, you cannot touch their ball, but you may ask them to please mark their ball.  In this case, if the drain (as pictured above) were impeding our swing or stance, we are allowed a free drop (not closer to the hole).

EAT THIS, NOT THAT!

Eat this : Apples or fruit, water, coconut water or aloe juice.
Not that :  A burger and beer* at the turn and a sugary sports or energy drink for the back 9.

Dawn says : Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!  A professional golfer once told me you should drink 8 oz of water after each hole.  Yes, that equals 18 cups of water or approximately 9 bottles of water!  Intermixing with all natural coconut or aloe water is extremely beneficial to replace electrolytes lost through perspiration and a much better choice than synthetically sweetened sports drinks.  For a snack, if you happen to roll past a bucket of complimentary apples at the turn, it’s not a bad idea to grab a few to sustain your energy levels as well!

And if your course carries them, energy bars created specifically for golfers on the 1st or 10th tee...

* Beer exception - it's o.k. to consume if you've played horribly on the front.  It might calm your nerves!

HAIR SCHOOL WITH DAWN!

This reverse french braid hairstyle for golf keeps hair out of your face and makes a great place to stick extra tees!  If you can french braid your own hair : tip your head over, braid from the bottom up, and secure it at the top with an elastic band or hair tie.  

This hairstyle also works well for more formal events - just add a bit of sparkly hair jewelry and long dangly earrings like so...

DAWN'S CURRENT GOLF SHOE FAVORITES?

DAWN :  I love fun golf shoes! Here are a few of my favorites! The pink Adidas “Paula Creamer” was my splurge purchase.  Not only are they comfortable but so darn cute! The laces are ribbons and the color goes with most of my wardrobe, so that justifies the price.   The black and white old school Footjoy wing tips caught my eye when I made this purchase.  I couldn’t resist!  Again comfortable and classy - look how cute they are paired with my Tommy Hilfiger backless dress... 

GOLF SHOE TIP: One important thing to note when purchasing golf shoes is the thickness of the heel or sole.  If you own multiple pair of shoes like me, try to be consistent with your thickness as the height may affect how you hit the ball.  For example, if you typically wear a flat golf shoe with a minimal heel, and switch to a golf shoe with a thick or chunky heel, you are now standing possibly ½” higher than you were before.  The smallest things can make a big difference so be sure and practice at the range with your new shoes!

NEED A GOLF VISOR FOR HOT WEATHER?

The Golf Visor:  Hot Pink Nike Golf Visor

The Golf Gal:  Whitney

The Golf Course:  South Shore Golf Club, Henderson NV

Whitney Gives this visor :  read until the end of the review and see!

Whitney : What's a gal to do when she doesn't have a visor to match her outfit?  Borrow one from a fellow golf gal of course!  This hot pink Nike golf visor was just the thing I needed to match my black and hot pink outfit that day.  I borrowed the hat from Dawn, and it was a great choice!  Light, cool, stylish and comfortable.  It didn't even leave any marks on my forehead and I was able to take it off when we were done with our round.  However, when I began to sweat it showed through on the hat - which wasn't very cute.  Functionality?  Definitely a great functional hat.  Style that lasts through all 18 holes, definitely not.  I might suggest a white visor of this variety to mask the sweat ring or perhaps a pattern on the band.  

Whitney gives this golf visor : 4 out of 5 balls

A comment from Dawn : We put this Nike golf visor to the test in 106 degree temps for about 3 hours.  As with most ladies hats and sports visors, you will always notice two things; perspiration or makeup.  Dark fabric tends to show the white perspiration marks bleeding through while light fabric shows makeup bleeding through.  The good news is that this visor cleaned up beautifully after a cold water gentle cycle in the washing machine.  It is lightweight, 100% polyester and fitted for women.  A great purchase!

I LOVE SAND!

Dawn says : I love sand - on the beach that is.  Not as part of my golf game!  If you find yourself in a sand trap, just remember two things... 

1. Don't let the club head touch the sand prior to your shot or you'll receive a penalty

2.  Keep your eye on the ball and BE AGGRESSIVE!    

KEEP IT COOL...

 

Shelley says : One of my most favorite things to do when playing on a particularly hot day is to keep a spray bottle of this Heritage Store rosewater and glycerin facial mist in my cart cooler.  The spritz of cool, sweet smelling (and tasting!) rosewater truly helps me feel refreshed, centered and calm.  If you're not a fan of rose scents, I also spotted lavender spray by the same company at my local Whole Foods.  It smelled nice too, but I still prefer the rose!

Another strategy for keeping cool on sweltering days?  Neck wraps that expand and become cool as they're stored in your cooler.  You can buy these at your local sporting goods store or possibly at the pro shop.  If you don't want to spend money on a gadget like that - then opt for a towel that's been dipped in your cooler, then wrung out.  It works just as well when wrapped around your neck, draped over your legs, or worn on your head.  Seriously!

GOLF SHOPPING + MALL BRAIN = A BIG NO NO.

The Golf Outfit : 100% Polyester Orange Golf Shirt with White Pinstripes and Geometric Print Golf Skirt for women by Slazenger 
The Golf Gal : Shelley 
The Golf Course :  Southern Highlands, Las Vegas NV 
Shelley gives this shirt : read the review and see!  Her rating's at the bottom...

THE PURCHASE :

When I shop in a mall, I get mall brain.  That involves a glazed eye paired with a total inability to focus or form an opinion.  Obviously the coolness of the golf skirt made me overlook the - lack of style - the orange shirt has.  A big departure from what I'd normally purchase.  Mall brain.

THE PROS : 

Polyester is a huge plus when playing in warmer temperatures.  Love the bright geometric pattern on the skirt.  And skort or dress with attached undershorts?  I'm a fan.

THE CONS :

The skirt tended to stretch out the more I played and the more I sweat.  The undershorts were veeeery warm.  The shirt?  Total lack of style.  Very boxy fit.  The zipper at the neck felt very...masculine.  I'm 5'9" - the length of this shirt totally rode up when swinging :

SUMMARY :

Don't shop when you have mall brain!  There is such a lack of style among women's golf clothing that when you find a piece with a small amount of style, you tend to jump and make a purchase.  Case in point?  I've worn this Slazenger golf skort and shirt combo once,  it's hung in my closet ever since.  Looks like it will wind up in the Goodwill pile when this post is finished!  

Shelley's rating?  2 out of 5 balls
 

ANATOMY OF A GOLF LOCKER...

New to the game and wondering what to keep in your golf locker?  Here's a peek inside each of ours - just to give you a few ideas for what to keep in yours!  What, no locker?  Then consider packing a small golf bag containing the items below:

DAWN : My golf locker is about the size of one you'd find at a spa.  It measures approxitely 12" wide x 36" high x 20" deep.  It has a rod, hook, and built in safety key.  I have a secret code to access my locker, and a lovely gold name plate with my name on the front!  Yes, it is small - but luckily I was able to choose a top section instead of a bottom section.  Here's a look at what's inside my locker:

- 2 pairs golf shoes

- clean socks (and some dirty ones that need to be washed!)

- a small purse

- extra golf balls, tees and ball markers

- candy

- mittens for the winter

- sunscreen, a cooling towel, and neck wrap to chill when it's extra hot

- extra chap stick / lip gloss

At this point, my locker is full!  I've got things stacked, hanging and thrown in there.  If a full height locker was available, I would take it!  That way I could hang a change of clothes for post-golf dinners and several more pairs of golf shoes!

WHITNEY :  I like to keep things tidy, so I prefer not to have too many things in my locker at once.  However, there are some definite necessities that I always keep stocked.  First and fore-most (see what I did there!) I keep snacks.  Protein bars, granola bars, something to snack on between the front nine and the back nine.  Low blood sugar and playing golf do not mix well for me.  I also keep sunscreen so that I can make sure to keep my skin safe and unburned.  Last but not least, I keep my golf shoes in my locker.  I own 2 pairs - one to keep at the club, and one pair stored at home.  That way I don’t have to take my shoes everywhere with me! 

SHELLEY : Well, I guess you could say I'm a minimalist!  The certificate from my first couple's tournament (3rd place!) puts me in the right mental space.  Those positive swing thoughts last until my first breakdown...usually around the 4th hole!  Other than that, there's my current pair of Nike golf shoes and the same keep-cool neck wrap as Dawn's (thanks Whitney!).  I do carry a small golf bag to and from the course with extra tees, chap stick and lip gloss, extra hair ties, and a bit of cash for tipping.

GOLF? STUFFY? ONLY IF YOU LET IT BE!

...so it was Whitney's birthday.  We conspired.  Carts were decorated (a).  Putters were adorned with 'Happy Birthday!' streamers (b).  The dashboard (c)?  Can't think of a better place for yet more flare!  Who says golf can't be fun!  If your course allows for cart decoration, then by all means go for it!  Nothing helps you loosen up for a full 18 than laughing your pants off before you even begin the round.

For Whit's birthday celebration, we invited our good friend (and token male) Travis along for the round, and we think he was impressed with our skills...

 

He definitely became more impressed with our game after consuming more 'swing lube' (see evidence to the right of white arrow above).  

Looking for ways to make golf more fun?  Take it from us.  Use any excuse for celebration, head to your local party store, decorate your golf cart, and hope for a sunny day!  Enjoy your round!

GET TO KNOW THE LINGO!

SAVE THIS GOLF DRESS FOR THE PICNIC!

The Golf Dress : Tommy Hilfiger Red White & Blue One Piece Backless Dress
The Golf Gal : Dawn
The Golf Course :  SouthShore, Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada
Dawn gives this dress :  2 balls out of 5

THE PURCHASE :

This dress shouts "I'm preppy!". It has pockets, a collar, and is oh so cute!  Let's see how it did on the course...

THE PROS : 

The style was extremely comfortable.  The skirt was roomy and the open back was great for full range of motion.  No restriction. The length was comfortable and overall was a comfortable fitting dress.

THE CONS :

The fabric is 94% cotton pique/ 6% elastic.  Enough said? It was extremely heavy.  By the 9th hole I was ready to take it off!  It felt like I was wearing a blanket and it clung to me like a wet towel.  As a result of the fabric, and the 100+ degree temperature, this dress stretched out and grew to the next size while allowing all of my perspiration to show through.

SUMMARY :

I was tempted by how cute this dress was on the hangar.  Form follows function and I should have known better with the fabric.  Better save this one for the picnic...