Imagine the golfer's equivalent of Santa's fairy grotto and you will have an idea of what it was like to take part in the world's biggest demonstration of golf equipment.
The first monster demo day of its kind, at Orange County National Golf Centre, near Orlando, was a complete sell-out yesterday of nearly 2,000 representatives from the industry and media.
Nearly 40 equipment and golf product manufacturers, from Callaway to Yonex, from Aldila to Zevo and including other major brands like Nike, Wilson, Cleveland and Dunlop put their latest clubs and balls on the line.
Significant by their absence were Titleist and Ping.
PGA Golf Exhibitions chief Chris McCabe said: "Response was tremendous. We had 120 hitting bays where manufacturers were able to demonstrate their products and allow buyers to be better prepared in making important purchase decisions."
The giant demo day was on the eve of the 50th four-day PGA Merchandise trade show in the city's convention centre where more than 1,300 exhibitors displayed their products over an indoor area pf about a square mile."
Commented one visitor to the unique, circular, 42-acre range: "What a fantastic day, six hours of trying new clubs and balls. It was like visiting a candy store where you could try as much as you like for free. The only difference was that at the end of the day, you didn't feel sick, but confused!"
