The Golfalot.com Price Index held firm in June with small growth of 0.1% as small falls across the Golf Club categories were offset by the Golf Accessories sector continuing the upward momentum that drove the Index in May. The Golf Clubs Sector fell by 0.4% as the new equipment lines entering the Index in 2013 has increased competition across all categories as retailers battle to arm golfers for the height of the competitive season. Drivers (-0.3%), Fairways (-1.4%), Utility Clubs (-1.4%) and Irons (-0.5%) all fell in June as the weather and the competition heated up.
The short game categories were the best Golf Club performers in June with both categories offsetting some general price competition with high profile new entrants to the Index. Wedges grew by 0.5% as the new Nike VR Forged range debuted, whilst Putters performed even better, up 0.7%. They were spurred on by the arrival of the new Odyssey Tank putter from Callaway Golf, designed to offer golfers stability ahead of the putter anchoring ban.
With year to date growth of 1.2% the Clubs Sector remains strong with Drivers (+0.3%), Utility Clubs (+4.2%) Irons (+1.7%) trailing the stand out category Putters, which gained +3.5% over the last 12 months. In fact only Fairway Woods (-2.3%) and Wedges (0.7%) have lost ground since last July.
The Golf Accessories Sector enjoyed the fourth consecutive month of positive growth recording the best monthly figures since June 2011 with an increase of 0.9%. Three of the four categories were boosted by the arrival of new kit as only Golf Balls (-0.7%) failed to end the month in positive territory as retailers battled in this key high demand category. However analysis of year to date performance still shows solid growth of 0.4%.
Golf Bags were up +0.5% following the entrance to the Index of the Sun Mountain 4.5 Superlite Carry bag and new arrivals also drove performance in Golf Shoes and Golf Trolleys. Shoes finished up 0.1% with the arrival of the headline grabbing Nike TW 14, while Trolleys proved to be the Accessories Sector star performer with growth of 1.5% as the Powakaddy Freeway Digital made its debut.
As we enter summer the continued stability of the Golfalot.com Price Index gives reason to believe the return of the sun and the prospect of a headline grabbing battle at The Open Championship at Muirfield will give golf a continued boost in the second half of the year.
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