The Golfalot.com Price Index remained unchanged in March as a small gain in the Golf Clubs sector (+1.1%) was offset by a similar drop in Golf Accessories (-0.9%). Closer analysis at category level however reveals a more interesting month than the headline figures suggest with plenty of movement across the majority of categories.
In the Golf Clubs sector, Fairway Woods (+3.7%) Drivers (+2.9%), Wedges (+1.2%) and Utility Clubs (+0.8%) all put in impressive performances as eagerly awaited new products entered the index. Golf Drivers welcomed the new Nike VR_S and the Cobra AMP ranges providing a boost to the category that offset some discounting across a number of older models as retailers prepared for more new products in the next two months. Golf Drivers continues to be a headline category for the Index and this month’s gain returns the average cost of a driver to its highest level since February 2008.
Wedges are amongst the most consistent performers in the Golfalot.com Price Index and this month’s growth of +1.2% represents a bounce back from February as the hotly anticipated Vokey SM4 Wedges entered the index for the first time. Utility Clubs continued last month’s positive growth with another rise of +0.8% as the Cobra AMP hybrids and Golf Irons also grew (0.1%) despite this still waiting for the flagship January launches to hit the shops. Putters (-0.4%) was the only category to fall in the Clubs sector as both saw prices fall slightly across the board with retailers discounting older models.
The Golf Accessories Sector experienced a mixed month with two categories, Bags (+0.3%) and Shoes (+0.5%), experiencing positive growth whilst Golf Balls (-0.2%) and Golf Trolleys (-1.8%) fell. Golf Bags welcomed new models fromSunMountainand Callaway whilst the Nike Dunk range gave a boost to Golf Shoes. The fall in the average price of Golf Trolleys can largely be attributed to the fall in price of a number of the ever popular Powakaddy golf trolleys.
With the focus of golfers building in the run up to The Masters and with the majority of club golfers starting to head back to the course as the weather improves, the continued stability of the Golfalot.com Price Index gives considerable reason for confidence for the months ahead.