NEC Golf Show

[haplesshacker]

Well I went today, and I have to say that you guys were pretty much spot on with your thoughts on previous shows.

I actually spent longer driving there than I realistically spent there! Let alone the drive back.

Over-all I guess that I was a bit disappointed really.

It's a shame really, as it could be a really good show if it was supported better by the manufactures, retailers and the public. It's a sign of the times I guess, what with internet shopping an'all.

My recolection of it was that N-Power (or someone similer) trying to flog me electricity and gas, had one of the larger stands. The AG stand was very disappointing for such a large national retailer. It looked like no thought had really been put into it, and even compared to my previous industry independent retailers with large stands at exhibitions, it was really quite shocking.

No Mizzy, Callaway, or Ping presence, TM there in force, as were Nike. A small presence from Orka and Benross. Bearing in mind the recent new product launches, it would have been great to see them there. I guess that they leave it up to AG to try and flog some stuff.

Talking of which (again), sorry Bob, I couldn't see a V-Easy there at all.

FWIW, IMHO, it could be a really good show, it's just not there yet. Though I do have some ideas to enhance it, some probably workable, some probably not.

 

[SammmeBee]

The people that go have no interest in anything other than getting as much free stuff (Todays Golfer mag mebe?) and buying a load of old tat from AG at cheapo prices....is it a suprise half the manufacturers can't be bothered to pay for their presence to be there?

 

[haplesshacker]

I did get the impression looking at some of the stock on the AG stand, that's it's nothing more than 'let's clear out the crap from across the country. £10 Drivers (of no discernable make). I did look, but the name escapes me.

No Footjoys either, but loads of cheap Stuburt shoes. Just a large car boot sale! Visitors moaning about the price of some of the wedges, ie. near enough full rrp. I guess the visitors expect quality kit at bargin prices.

It's surprising that the number one shoe in golf (probably) aren't there. They should be able to sell loads. But maybe it's just that it's got the wrong clientele visiting this show for Footjoys.

 

[SammmeBee]

We're now down to the not selling direct rules....hence why AG 'control' what the idiots buy.....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its the same deal with the London show. A rip off and a chance formost retailers to try and shift old stock. OK if you are prepared to queue for the simulators, range bays etc but as a casual visitor there isn't much to get excited about

 

[Up_Point_1]

Went to this event 3 years ago at the NEC, never again.

Too many crap stalls selling useless golfing gadgets. Not enough "big name" representation. Has been said before but AG also use this event as an opportunity to flog off end of season shite. Oh and I almost forgot the "tarts with too much makeup" trying to flog you the must have timeshare in some non exotic location.

UP1

 

[Largsgolf1974]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the posters in this thread and the previous thread we had on the Nec Golf show, I was thinking of driving down from Ayrshire (more for the time away with the wee man than anything else) but your comments helped me avoid what sounds like a complete disaster.

Cheers lads.

 

[David_L]

I nearly went (it's close for me) but I dislike exhibitions anyhow (I have to do them for work) so avoided but sounds like I didn't miss much at all.

I went to my local AG yesterday and I am totally gobsmacked that what could be so good is so bad. Rightly or wrongly golf is a male dominated sport and for most things males tend to be lazy buyers. If AG made it simple to buy I am sure most of us who step over the thresh would end up parting with some hard earned but no the stuff is just chucked on the rails with no style.

Poor them

 

[Dodger]

If it is that bad what the hell is the point in it?!

 

[SammmeBee]

If it is that bad what the hell is the point in it?!

Beacause the people who run it make some money out of it....it suits some people who play golf but not really those who would call themselves 'golfers'.....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It panders to a captive and guilable audience who are wowed at a supposed bargain for what is often old and outdated stock. Think all the gars and no idea merchants and you'll get the idea. That and time share salesmen trying to flog you an unfinished apartment on a Spanish pay and play (ok maybe a tad cynical)

 

[intherough]

it took me 1½ hrs to drive down yesterday and 30 minutes to realise I'd made a mistake. I did read all the comments before I went but I thought I would try it out. What a complete waist of bloody time. Far too much crap and people with nothing to do with golf trying to sell you something. One stand was trying to flog 15 yes 15 bags of long wooden golf tee's, that was 15000 golf tee's. Who the bloody hell is going to buy 15000 golf tee's

Never again.

 

[LordSunnyhurst]

Agree!
From the website..

"If you love golf, The Golf Show NEC Birmingham, is the place to be, bringing everything a golfer could want to the Midlands."

Not sure about you, but I don't want a massage, a placement on a US University, A Subaru, Npower energy, a bamboo Gazebo ??!! when I am visiting a Golf Show...

Where are the "big guns"?

I think that the Golf Show can be a real good thing , but not with the crap they had on...

I will carefully check the exhibitor list next time the show is on...

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Agree!
From the website..

"If you love golf, The Golf Show NEC Birmingham, is the place to be, bringing everything a golfer could want to the Midlands."

Not sure about you, but I don't want a massage, a placement on a US University, A Subaru, Npower energy, a bamboo Gazebo ??!! when I am visiting a Golf Show...

Where are the "big guns"?

I think that the Golf Show can be a real good thing , but not with the crap they had on...

I will carefully check the exhibitor list next time the show is on...

A bamboo gazebo you say..hmm..a must have for any garden!!

 

[LordSunnyhurst]

LOL , sounds a bit better then;

A Bamboo Gazebo, a must have for every golfer!! (Now also available as trolley version)

 

[USER1999]

Damn, a bamboo gazebo, wish I'd gone now. Will it still be there next year?

 

[bobmac]

Has anybody been to the NEC AND the London golf show?
How do they compare?

 

[USER1999]

They are miles apart.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I prefer the London one although the problems with too many people queuing to use the range, putting green or the few and far between testing bays is an annual occurrence. I'd love to get access via press day (are you reading this Mike) and go around it at a leisurely pace without all the hassles as I'm sure there is a lot of good stuff there. The few times I've been I've had a reasonable time but always felt rushed once I got to try anything out on the range etc and that the stuff I saw and liked is usually cheaper on the web

 

[bobmac]

They are miles apart.

Miles and miles?
That's too far. Not going.