Scenes from the 2023 Chicago Golf Show
February 24, 2023
Today, Friday February 24th, was the first time the Chicago Golf Show was held since 2020.
It was great to be back at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center!
(Aside from the $15 parking fee.)
The place was packed with golf enthusiasts and there was energy in the air.
Well, honestly you do lose a little energy from the ~10 minute walk from the parking lot to the convention center.
But you don't really have a choice.
The usual elements were in place at the show.
The longest putt challenge was the centerpiece, with its super long entry line.
The show was jam packed with clothing, clubs, balls, and other gear.
CDGA's prominent role as the main sponsor was evident the moment you step into the show floor.
PGA teaching pros offered free lessons for golf swings and putting.
And delicious smells from the overpriced food wafted throughout the joint.
Fun was had by all.
I only waited about 15 minutes for the free swing lesson, which was given to me by Tim Govern, PGA Pro
from Glencoe Golf Club.
Great guy, really solid lesson, as much as could be packed into about 8 minutes.
Also had a putting lesson, where I somehow sank practically everything.
I think the main takeaway was that I need to bring that demo putter home with me.
All in all a successful day. Loaded up on merch and golf balls, and can't wait for warm weather!
The endless hallway from the parking lot to the convention center.
Follow these signs to the show.
Entrance to the Chicago Golf Show.
View of the show floor immediately when entering.
View of the show floor immediately when entering.
The CDGA Longest Putt Challenge.
This is one of the highlights of the show every year.
Spectators really get into it too.
When a putt looks good, you can hear the roars throughout the entire floor.
You get three tries. If you can sink that putt, you're basically a hero for the day.
One of the longest putt contestants.
Part of the line to enter the longest putt.
Big Moss Golf has a nice assortment of putting greens for the home with different sizes and surfaces.
A sample of the golf clothes you see at the show. This is from Maple Hill, an outfit near Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Golf clubs for sale at the 2023 Chicago Golf Show.
Discounted golf balls.
A Tourer electric golf scooter from Golf Skate Caddy will set you back over $3K.
Used golf balls for sale and other vendors at the show.
An assortment of CDGA trophies at the large CDGA booth area.
The main stage. PGA Pro Todd Sones was on stage providing instruction.
Main speakers for the 2023 show include Colt Knost and Paige Spirinac.
Another vast array of merch for sale at the show.
X-Golf had a simulator setup at the show to demo the product.
If used golf balls are your thing, you came to the right place.
I ended up buying a few dozen myself.
Sometimes I can't resist.
One vendor had pickle ball equipment for sale.
It seems to be taking over America.
How long until pickle ball has it's own convention here?
Bettinardi putter head covers for sale. Good to see the local outfit represented.
Golden Tee had a booth.
I've played hundreds of rounds of GT golf over the years, but it's been a while.
The graphics on this new machine look really nice.
The Illinois PGA Village area, with the First Tee.
I think this place will be swamped on Saturday and Sunday when the kids are out of school!
PGA teaching professions offer free 5 minute swing lessons.
NBC News was there to document the action.
Here's Todd Sones giving an interview to NBC.
The teaching pros also offer free putting lessons. The line was much shorter for these.
PXG is also a sponsor of the event, and you could demo their clubs.
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