Golf Forums - My Golf Show review

Obviously it is good to be able to see from the latest tech to teaching sessions on the stage, (I have to say I am going to look into the short game lesson a bit more)....That being said, I felt that despite being over two floors, the show was very cramped and needed a much larger floor space.

I went on the Friday, so assume there would be more people at the weekend. Trying to walk round the show, you were constantly trying to get round people or not bump into someone walking in the other direction.

There were only 2 places to buy drinks, 1 was a bar and the other an expensive tea bar, fortunately the venue was at Bluewater, so you could go outside as there was hardly any seating for customers of the two bars.

The time it took to queue for the competitions and the manufacturers, made this not worth the hassle of standing in line for 30 minutes or more per attraction.

Looking around the equipment for sale, it seemed all clubs etc were at full price, where you'd probably expect them to sell a bit discounted as they were meant to be promoting themselves, maybe that's just me!

As I pointed out at the start, more space required, trying to walk around in the centre stands was difficult, I feel the isles needed to be twice as wide as they were, especially as the booths were so small that you couldn't stand inside to chat.

As I have just done a Victor Meldrew on the show, I should add that the atmosphere as well as all the stall holders were very friendly, although a woman promoting Pedham didn't seem to appreciate that I didn't want to try and meet John Daly at their club, and that I thought £4.75 for a sausage in a baggette was rather over the top.

So as a round up, it was better than staying at home, but I wouldn't pay £15 to go to it to be honest, even if I had left my son at home and been with friends... but I did get some free pencils tees and pitch mark repairers.

:-)

 

I don't think you could be more wrong!

Having visited the show on Friday AND Sunday, I think the organisers should be applauded but jugding by your review they can't win....

If it's too busy (I consider this good as it adds to the atmosphere!) you complain, yet if the show is empty, the exhibitors will not support the show in the future?!

This is the only consumer we have for our sport now and given that we now only have ONE tour event per year in the south (Wentworth) where else would you be able to see so much under one roof?

In addition, your review focuses on ALL the aspects that the organisers have little control of:

- Drinks prices are set by the venue and you are free to purchase outside the show in the shopping centre
- The floor space was PLENTY big enough for most people - 2m+ (Health and Safety)
- Prices of equipment is set by the retailers/exhibitors and this is a 'show', NOT a fire sale

I think your review is totally mis-representaive of the show.

Personally, I beleive the show was excellent. The new venue was a huge improvement on Central London (Earls Court/Excel), there were lots of brands and golf venues on display, lots of new products, free coaching seminars from the likes of Gary Smith and Andy Gorman and devices to try, free parking, trick shot shows and freebies from Titleist, Golf Now and free lessons and rounds for all that attended.

I think that pretty damn good for £15 - although there were plenty of 2for1 deals available on the web if you care to look (including TSG) - meaning most would have paid only £7.50.

And given that I believe that you won your tickets in the TSG comp. I am reminded of the phrase, "There's no pleasing some people!"

#justsayin


 

Anyone who wished to strap another body onto their arm and walk around the venue, would have been buffeted about something cronic. Try standing at one of the various stands, (which were full of very polite and helpful as they could be people), with a body attached to you in the isle because you couldnt stand inside, would have been having all sorts of problems. A wheel chair user would most likely have had similar issues.

So from my qualifying statement, I wasn't wrong at all, you are just looking at it from a completely different perspective, and that makes my statement completely wrong, and the organisers couldn't win. Up to you Ian

As a review is a personal look and observation by an individual, I think your virtual attack on my review distasteful, and from meeting you numerous times on the course, I thought out of your usual charactor.

 

as you know we met as I was leaving the show, and you made a pointof saying you wanted feedback, yet when given you attacked it.
I think you, like the others have, should have given your own review of your own about the show from your perspective. I would have accepted that we are all individuals, and see things from our own perspective.

A review, is irrespective of ticket price, and if this is the space provided and having Mathew with me, I doubt very much I would go again, (free or not). This does not mean it isn't good for every other member of the social golfer and beyond.
The reason you saw us leaving so early in the day, was because it wasn't a good environment for Mathew. 
I think that shows in the review, from my perspective

 

I enjoyed my visit on Friday, leisurely looking around, upstairs, downstairs, chatting, listening, taking lessons, advice etc.... Plenty of gadgets, clothing, golf equipment, golf courses and some freebies too (some golf rounds, some Titleist balls, tees etc..)  

One missing thing though: "NO Left luggage/Cloakroom" available, so no where to leave one's coat, backpack or picnic !!!!

My highlights were: TOMTOM GOLFER GPS WATCH, the new state of the art golf watch, very sleek & attractive design (by Pininfarina, I think), and offered with a £20/£30 discount at the Golf show.

Then GOLFY, (sort of French version of Crown Golf) offering their card at a 20 per cent discount. Play 2 games and you recover your cost. Golfy covers nearly 150 courses in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Spain. Think I have played at least ten of their courses and they are excellent.

Tony Westwood, Andy Gorman and Gary Smith had excellent presentation, entertaining & offering golf tips.

As I was travelling there & back by Public Transport (why not ? when it is free), I had the pleasure to witness the truly spectacular fireworks display as the Christmas lights were being turned on that night in the 13,000 free spaces car park. Lasers were being used, all the trees are LED lights, it was enchanting. Essex has a lot to offer.

Bluewater is a huge complex and it is easy to get lost when you visit for a 1st time. I walked through M & S store and my bag get "beeping" as the gadget I bought at the Golf show had not been dis-activated but no security guard stopped me!!!!

PS: Andy, I am sorry you had a tough time, I understand how hard it is for you wherever you go with your son, you are an "admirable" Dad.

This is my own review of the day at the London Golf Show, Bluewater. THE END.......

 

I couldn't stop myself from spending too much (according to my wife) and took home a nice pair of golf shoes which were hugely discounted for the duration of the show, plus one or two other items and gadgets.

As my long iron game is no more, I have decided to buy a couple of hybrids, or rescue clubs, but needed advice from the pro's. I visited the Yonex stall which was almost empty, everyone it seems was fixated by TaylorMade or Ping..and the pro there put me through my paces and on his magic gadget which did everything except measure my inside leg measurement. I came away knowing at least what was best for me...so I'll be on eBay to see what I can pick up. 
I agree that refreshments were IMO, very expensive..£2.80 for a small cup of coffee is unreasonable, so a short walk to a cafe just outside the show was called for.
It did become a little tiring, but to sit and listen to those giving various, very interesting presentations, helped to alleviate that. The trick-shot boys were brilliant, as usual, and worth the entry fee alone.
All in all, well worth the visit, and as it is the only golf show in town, well worth the effort.