Following last month’s drop of -1.2%, stability was the watchword for the Golfalot.com Price Index with September’s figures revealing a drop of just -0.3% as the index continued its strong performance in 2010.
The Golf Clubs Sector recorded overall growth of 0.1%. Putters and Wedges led the way with both categories enjoying growth of 2.6%.
The Putters Category benefitted from the lifting of some earlier reductions in the Guerin, Heavy Putter and Cleveland ranges.
It was a similar story in the Wedges Category where the removal of some reductions, including in the Ping and MD Golf ranges, offset some small reductions on Cleveland models.
Both categories are now well on the way to recovering from the losses recorded in August.
The Fairway Woods Category enjoyed a second consecutive month of growth with a rise of 1.7%. Consumers again lost out as some tempting reductions on Nike and Callaway models were removed although there were price drops in the Cobra range to please bargain hunters.
An impressive 2010 means that the Fairways Category can now boast of its highest average price since August 2008.
After making up some ground last month, the Utility Clubs Category recorded the most disappointing results in the Clubs Sector with a drop of -2.9%. This brought good news for consumers in the shape of some attractive deals on Adams and Nike utility clubs.
The Drivers Category has now seen two consecutive months of falls after a very strong start to 2010 with a drop on -0.7% in September.
There was a larger fall in the Accessories Sector where average price drops across the categories contributed to an overall decline of -1.1%.
The largest fall came in the Golf Balls Category with a drop of -2.2%. Price drops on Nike, TaylorMade, Titleist and Callaway golf balls were the catalyst for the fall although the category continues to enjoy its highest prices and most consistent performance since 2006.
The Golf Shoes Category posted a drop of -2.1% although the average price of a pair of golf shoes remains more than £20 higher than in September 2009.
The Golf Trolleys Category fell by -0.9% as reductions on some Clicgear and Hill Billy models offset the arrival of the new PowaKaddy Touch in the index.
The Golf Bags Category rounded off a disappointing month in the Accessories Sector with a fall of -0.1%.
After a strong and consistent few months the Golfalot.com Price Index has now recorded falls in each of the last two months.
The brighter news for September is that the fall is much less dramatic and a number of categories displayed strong performances and growth.
Indeed the small fall in September is yet more evidence of the consistency and stability the Index has displayed throughout the year.
As the golfing world begins to shift its focus to the Ryder Cup in Wales and as new equipment from big name manufacturers including Ping and Mizuno begin to reach the shops we can expect to see the Golfalot.com Price Index continue to enjoy a splendid 2010 over the coming months. www.Golfalot.com