Retail golf prices in the UK in February fell by just over 2.65% according to the latest figures from the Golfalot Price Index (GPI). With the exception of golf bags, which rose by just under 1%, every other sector of the market was down. The biggest fallers were fairway woods (down 6.5%) and trolleys (down 5.3%), with most other categories falling by around 1-4%.
As the new 2007 ranges start to appear in UK stores, prices for these items drove the GPI up, but this was offset by discounting on older models that have yet to be replaced. Feedback from retailers is that the market is tight, but with the UK golf season around the corner, they remain optimistic for a good start to the season.
In the USA the Golfalot Price Index fell for the fourth month running by 1.65%. Putters were the only positive category with a 1% rise, as new models from Scotty Cameron, Yes! and TaylorMade arrived in the stores. On the downside, the big losers for the second month running were trolleys, falling 6% as new budget models brought the average price down. Utilities, wedges, balls and shoes were the other main fallers, all down by around 2-3%.
The Golfalot Price Index allows the golf industry to compare price trends both within the UK and USA and between both countries. The Indices operate in the same way by tracking the prices of the latest models from each manufacturer are chosen as they reach the market. Therefore the models tracked always reflect pricing on what the serious golfer wants – the latest technology.
For more detailed information view the Golfalot Price Index graphs for the UK & USA online at www.golfalot.com/priceindex