The Golfalot.com Price Index in January gave a boost to golfers looking for New Year deals as prices fell across the Index leading to a total drop of -1.0% with retailers competing for sales business in both the Golf Clubs and Golf Accessories sectors.
The Golf Clubs sector recorded the biggest drop, falling by -1.4%, with all categories coming under price pressure as seasonal sales dovetailed with the anticipation of new products in the first quarter of 2013. The Golf Drivers category fell by -2.5% with the average price dropping to its lowest level since April 2012 as sale offers in this very popular category tempted golfers with bargains available in a number of the top brands.
This picture was mirrored in both Fairway Woods, January’s highest faller down -4.4%, and Utility Clubs (-1.5%) as older models experienced significant discounting to tempt golfers looking for new clubs to start the year.
High profile hardware releases already announced for the first quarter of 2013 from manufacturers such as Callaway, Cobra, Ping and TaylorMade are set to replace the discounted lines in the coming months and we expect a boost to the Index as a result. The remaining categories in the Golf Clubs sector all fell, with Golf Irons (-0.7%), Wedges (-0.3%) and Putters (-0.2%) all witnessing small reductions across the board.
The Golf Accessories Sector held pretty steady in January (-0.1%) as small discounts were applied widely across manufacturers and brands in the post Christmas sales.
The Golf Balls category recorded the largest falls (-2.5%) as the market prepared for much heralded 2013 releases in the premium ball market with a new version of the Pro V1 from Titleist expected as well as the arrival of the Lethal golf ball from TaylorMade.
Golf Bags (-0.1%) and Golf Trolleys (-0.2%) saw small losses but the Accessories Sector was boosted by Golf Shoes up 1.4% with the Roma and AMP Cell Fusion Shoes from Puma Golf entering the Index.
January traditionally sees a drop in the level of the Index as pre and post-Christmas sales combine to depress prices. However the large number of high profile launches announced at the turn of the year see Golfalot heading to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando with great optimism for the year ahead.
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