A down year but in line with expectations.
December sees the end of a difficult trading year for retailers in general. The final three months, often referred to as the Golden Quarter, saw minimal growth for retail in general of only +0.4%. Sales for the month saw a growth of 3.2% compared to the same period last year, which on the surface looks good for the retail industry. H owever, digging down a little reveals that a part of this relates to the re-positioning of Black Friday from the 24th last year to the 29th of November this year there by splitting sales between both November and December. So, sales for the entire year grew by only 0.7% compared to the year’s inflation of 2.5%, putting pressure on profitability.
From a golfing perspective we cannot blame December’s weather. It was generally better than last year with most of the country experiencing temperatures above average. Economic concerns are perhaps highlighted by the fact that October (budget month) saw the biggest drop for many months. While November was -0.9 and December just broken even compared to last year at +0.8%.
Look in a bit more detail three out of the four product groups performances showed growth from +0.8% for apparel to +15.3% for light durables. Only clubs failed to break even at -5.8%. Probably being affected by their higher price points and some anticipation of next years launches.
Year to date figures over the last three months showed a similar pattern with things picking up after October. The year finally finishing at -1.9% - almost exactly in line with our prediction of 2% down at the start of 2024.
Golf Datatech is a Circana Company and the leader in golf industry research. It provides the trade with specialised market research covering retail sales, inventory, pricing, distribution, along with strategic sales and marketing consultancy.
Golf Datatech research is based on millions of transactions per month, all recorded by EPOS systems at the point of sale.
For greater detail contact John Hassett on 07976 797081
Retail News
New PING G440 family optimised for speed and distance
Foremost Golf continues 2025 growth with new Business Development Consultant
Foremost Golf, the UK’s largest golf retail and marketing services group, is delighted to announce that James Hare will join the company as a Business Development Consultant for the North East of England, Scotland and Ireland.
James began his career in golf alongside Mark Rogers at Seaton Carew Golf Club, gaining initial industry exposure and knowledge which expanded to teaching and custom fitting. He completed his PGA training during this period, establishing a strong foundation for professional development.
“I have used a variety of Foremost services in my professional career, each contributing immensely to our operations and allowing better and more consistent communication with customers,” commented James Hare.
Hare was appointed Head Professional at Richmond (Yorks) Golf Club, serving for five years, before moving to Dinsdale Spa Golf Club in Darlington as Head Professional. He was promoted to Director of Golf following a change in the club’s ownership, and then joined Hunley Golf Club in 2020. In 2023, Hunley transitioned their golf retail operations in-house, moving away from a franchised model.
“Foremost Golf’s Central Invoicing and EMP Premium services were essential for me to drive income, enhance the club’s reputation, and establish Hunley as a premier destination for golf equipment.” added Hare.
Currently responsible for supporting PGA Professionals and golf clubs in the North East of England, Scotland and Ireland, James’ responsibilities range from Hull, England to Brora in the Highlands, with several accounts to manage in Dublin and the surrounding area; leveraging industry experience to help them grow their businesses.
Andy Martin, Managing Director of Foremost Golf, added “James joins us to add yet another layer to the new role of the Foremost Business Development Consultants, who will be armed with reports from the group’s Foremost POS system to help them identify opportunities to support member retailers improve their business and increase their sales.
“We’re thrilled with his decision to join us to represent the North East of England, Scotland and Ireland, and we’re confident that his two decades of experience in the golf industry will allow him to successfully navigate such a large part of our business.”
Golf Pride Unveils ALIGN MAX: The Next Evolution in Raised Ridge Grip Technology
Golf Pride, a leading innovator in golf equipment and maker of the world’s most popular golf grips, introduces ALIGN MAX, revolutionary grip technology designed to help players of all skill levels maintain consistent hand placement throughout the swing.
ALIGN technology debuted in 2017, with the first raised ridge design pulling in a number of players on Tour and a strong amateur fanbase. Since 2017, ALIGN has become one of the most successful grip technologies in Golf Pride’s history. Even with these accolades, the brand heard feedback that some players wanted an even more pronounced ridge. This inspired the creation of ALIGN MAX, a second generation design that supplements the original by offering an alternative that features a ridge 25% higher to achieve the maximum desired feel and consistency. It also includes a longer ridge that runs from top-to-bottom of the grip, providing players flexibility to adjust their hand placement for any shot.
“Our brand purpose is to design grips for the hands of all golfers that will inspire a feeling of confidence so they can perform their best,” says James Ledford, President of Golf Pride. “With ALIGN MAX we reached new heights of what is possible in grip design, resulting in breakthrough technology that provides golfers the confidence their hands are in the right place every shot, for unparalleled consistency.”
Over the past seven years, ALIGN has acquired a worldwide following, including at the highest levels of professional golf. It has been part of numerous victories and major championships across all major global Tours. Following in its footsteps, ALIGN MAX recently won its PGA Tour debut at the Farmers Insurance Open.
ALIGN MAX will not replace the original ALIGN, rather it is an additional option for players who prefer to maximise the benefits of raised ridge technology, which include:
Consistent Hand Placement: Fits into the hand’s natural contours, promoting consistent hand placement and alignment.
Clubface Awareness: Enhances face angle awareness at set up and throughout the swing, promoting a square clubface.
Player Confidence: Consistent hand placement helps facilitate a more repeatable swing, which helps build greater confidence.
ALIGN MAX is now available in MCC and MCC Plus4 grip models in both standard and midsize at all major retailers and online stores.
For more information on ALIGN MAX, ALIGN Technology and the entire 2025 Golf Pride product offering, please visit www.golfpride.com, and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.
PING unveils advanced insulation technology in new AW25 women’s range
PING’s Autumn/Winter 2025 women’s apparel collection continues to push the boundaries of golf innovation with new insulation technology designed to optimise performance in varying conditions.
The latest collection introduces Clo® Insulation technology, designed to provide more breathable insulation, warmth and comfort, to some of the key pieces within the range. This innovative approach offers an incredibly soft, lightweight and stretchy feel, providing female golfers with superior thermal insulation that elevates flexibility and warmth.
The whole collection is focused on three colour stories, each offering golfer’s versatility and style to transition seamlessly from the course to everyday wear. Frozen Glacier, the first of the three colour stories, brings a crisp, icy freshness with frosty pastel tones to create sophisticated, season-ready outfits with a cool, modern edge. The Pink Haze palette offers a soft and elegant look, blending shades of pink with a shadow floral print to add a refined touch. Finally, the Succulent Greens story captures the essence of natural freshness with soothing tones, soft sage and eucalyptus, elegantly framed by the timeless versatility of black and white, for a refined aesthetic.
One item that benefits from Clo’s Vivo Extreme insulation is the hybrid jacket, Casey - the warmest jacket in the women’s collection. Designed for performance and comfort, this jacket combines exceptional warmth with a lightweight feel, featuring insulation across the front, back and sleeves. For enhanced mobility and comfort, stretch fleece panels feature on the side body, underarms and lower back, ensuring unrestricted movement during the swing.
The Clare fleece jacket combines performance and elegance in one versatile design. Featuring printed front panels, including sophisticated floral patterns, the Clare offers a refined aesthetic that truly sets it apart. Crafted with Clo’s Eco Pluma insulation, the jacket provides exceptional warmth and comfort across the upper front and back body panels. Its brushed-back fabric and stretch construction delivers enhanced comfort and freedom of movement.An exciting new stand-out is the Samantha - a soft, lightweight reversible vest with Clo’s Eco Pluma insulation, offering a warm synthetic alternative to down. Available in three colours, this versatile vest features a printed design on one side and solid colour on the reverse, allowing for a magnitude of different looks. Hidden front pockets preserve its sleek clean lines, while the lightweight insulation ensures optimal warmth and comfort, making it the ideal layering piece for cooler conditions.
In addition to the Samantha, the Seren Vest offers an alternative vest option for those seeking a longer length garment and added flexibility. With stretch fleece panels on the sides, shoulders and lower back, the Seren allows for enhanced freedom of movement, catering to players looking for both performance and style.
Layering is key during the colder months, so PING has introduced the Jasmine, a versatile long sleeve printed top designed for year-round wear. This athletic, sportier looking garment is crafted with SensorCool® technology, making it incredibly lightweight and breathable, ideal for both on and off the course and can be paired perfectly under the Samantha and Seren vests.
PING is also introducing two new sweater styles, Melodie and Lockett. The Melodie Sweater is a lined half-zip crafted with SensorWarm® technology, ensuring protection against the cold. Featuring rib and cable detailing to the front and back armholes, this sweater combines style and functionality. The Lockett Sweater is a sophisticated roll-neck design that can also be worn as a versatile layering piece. Lightweight yet warm, its simple design provides maximum comfort and warmth.
Performance meets style as PING releases AW25 men’s collection, engineered to tackle the elements head on PING has revealed its AW25 men’s apparel collection, showcasing a fusion of authentic golf performance with innovative design. This range emphasises weather-ready functionality and advanced technology, while delivering a bold sense of style for the course.
PING has revolutionised its waterproof jacket lineup, by introducing three new standout designs, providing golfers a choice of performance benefits to suit their game. The Impervious Jacket provides golfers with an ultra-soft, quiet waterproof (20,000mm), thanks to its flexible 3-layer knitted fabric (breathable to 20,000 g/m2) – an alternative to a traditional waterproof fabric that can be noisier. It features innovative seam-free construction under the arms, ensuring enhanced overarm mobility and complete freedom of movement - perfect for tackling the elements on the course.
Engineered for highly breathable and ultra lightweight performance, the AquaDrive Jacket is crafted with a 2.5-layer performance fabric, designed for superior comfort and protection against the elements. Its highly breathable membrane feels smooth against the skin, helping to keep the wearer cool and dry as the body warms up and produces sweat during the round.
Another exciting addition is the AquaDrive Half-Zip Jacket, made from a 2.5-layer advanced performance fabric, designed to provide comfort and protection in wet and windy conditions. This half-zip waterproof jacket is extremely lightweight and highly breathable – the perfect waterproof pull-over for any golfer.
The AquaDrive Pant complements these two jackets, to ensure seamless flexibility and unrestricted movement. Designed with a reduced weight for added comfort, these pants offer exceptional performance in wet conditions without compromising mobility and are available in black or navy. All three ‘AquaDrive’ garments have a breathability rating of 30,000 g/m2 and are waterproof to 10,000mm, offering superior levels of breathability and waterproof protection.
PING’s renowned Norse Series sees a further evolution, with the all-new Norse Cocoon Jacket - a fully insulated PrimaLoft® jacket engineered for superior lightweight warmth and stretch in cold weather. With ThermoPlume® insulation in the front body and PrimaLoft® Silver Active insulation in the sleeves, back and side body, it provides golfers the perfect blend of ultimate warmth and lightweight freedom of movement during the coldest rounds. The Norse Cocoon Vest also joins this elite outerwear collection and is crafted with the same design elements as the jacket, making this style the ideal layering piece for winter golf.
Another standout piece in the collection is the Astbury, a half-zip hybrid fleece that features new technology for AW25. Engineered with Clo® Insulation, its zoned upper front body panel is constructed with Vivo Extreme, a patented perforation that offers extreme breathability and four-way stretch, perfect for comfort and movement in varying conditions. This versatile layering piece is a first for PING and can be worn with the AquaDrive Jacket for added warmth and waterproof protection.
For those looking for a hooded fleece, PING has added a new style to the collection this year, the Nexa. Designed for comfort and warmth against the wind, this garment also features a water-resistant finish for added protection. This hooded fleece is two-toned with a camouflage pattern that is knitted into the fabric for a bold contemporary look.
PING are also adding newness within their polo category with two new styles, both available at retail in July, offering retailers a bigger window for selling as an early Autumn/Winter release. The Julian Polo features three impactful print designs: a PING Eye Mark micro dot, a multicoloured mini flag, and a brush stroke camo. This SensorCool® polo is engineered for moisture-moving comfort in all weather conditions and is a classic garment to supplement this collection’s new mid-layers and jackets. Also new is the Creek Long Sleeve Polo, engineered for moisture-moving comfort in all conditions with its heathered SensorCool® fabric.