We continued to walk the flow of the 2009 PGA Show looking for the best new innovative products of the year.  Here are a couple notable items:

Once again this year there are several more performance tees to take a look at.  First from Evolve Golf, originators of the high performance tee category with the Epoch tee.  Now from Evolve Golf comes the release of the Vireo, which has marks to ensure that you have teed the ball to the ideal tee height so that you can consistently hit your drivers sweet spot.  Evolve Golf also has recommendation for the specific tee height for each driver model.  Vireo golf tees are made from recycled and renewable materials.

New from Excel Golf is the Zero Friction Hardwood Tee.  The Zero Friction hardwood tee has 3 prongs and is said to provide 66% less friction between the ball and the tee than standard tees. They are available in 2.75″ and 3.25″.

As always there were numerous new training aids and accessories.  The Big Putt training aid is a new and easy way to improve your putting.  The Big Putt is the perfect tool to practice those 2 tom 8 foot putts.  The practice ball provided with The Big Putt is 35% larger than a regulation golf ball, but has the same feel as a high quality golf ball.  Your mis hits will be magnified and provide immediate feedback.  The larger ball will promote a smoother accelerating stroke rather and decelerating at impact.   Due to the size of the ball, when you switch to a standard golf ball the cup will seem larger and improve your confidence.

The RoboCup is an ingenious automatic ball return robot. This is definitely one of those items where you’ll say,”Why hasn’t someone thought of this before?  The RonoCup gives you the convenience of practicing on any putting surface that has a standard or practice depth golf hole.  Simply place the RoboCup in the golf hole and balls that drop in are automatically returned to you to a maximum of 14 feet.  It is a very cool and fun device.

The Putting Game had one of the busiest booths of the entire show.  They were running a contest all day long and everyone wanted to give it a try.  The Putting Game is a unique putting training aid and game.  The Putting Game does not have an actual cup that you put into, instead the device creates a simulated virtual cup that you put to.  It will give you instant feedback on direction and speed of you putt.  It has several different games to play.  The game played during the show was 500, where playes were given points based on accuracy, 100 points for an exact putt, with a total of 5 putts trying to get as many points as possible.  The Putting Game is sure to be addictive, and what a better way to imporve your game and lower your scores.