Buzzin Golf

The London Golf Show held at the ExCel Exhibition Centre last weekend was a great success. The exhibition was officially opened by Lee Westwood on Friday (25th April) and closed at 4pm on Sunday (27th).

Large crowds filled the hall which was full of new golf equipment from well known companies such as of Callaway, Taylor Made, Wilson, Cleveland and Nike, and new companies offering demos of new putters and other clubs.

Other stands included the likes of the wonderful Golf Punk Magazine (it was great to chat with the guys), cool and funky clothes designers such as Ian Poulter, SubSeventy, Urban Golf Gear and Funky Golf Gear.

American Golf, the biggest golf equipment retailers in Europe also had a large retail shop in the centre of the floor plan with plenty of special offers.

But the show had plenty of demos and fun competitions too. Free coaching, tips and even 15 minute lessons from top teaching pros were on offer; and best of all the queues were reasonable.

Outside a small green island floated on the River Thames while people queued to hit balls, more often than not, straight into the Thames. I only saw a dozen balls on the island itself. No doubt the exhibitors of the Lake Balls stand were the last to leave!

A driving range was set up on one side of the show for anyone to try out the latest clubs; and free custom fitting was available too. It also doubled up as a show area where I saw some great golf tricks and some impressive members of the British Junior Golf Tour.

The show was saturated with stands representing golf holidays, breaks and accomodation in more countries than I can remember.

A suggested £2 donation for each went to the event’s chosen and very worthy charity, Sparks - the Children’s Medical Research Charity.

In all, the fourth annual London Golf Show eventwas a great success. If you love golf and didn’t go, you most definitely missed out; and if you went this year, no doubt you will go again in 2009.