The Golfalot.com Price Index fell -0.1% in September as retailers geared up for the anticipated big autumn releases from a number of leading manufacturers. In a month that saw performance fluctuate across individual categories the Index maintained the gains of recent months remaining +6% over the last 12 months.
The Golf Clubs Sector maintained its position this month with an overall fall of less than -0.1% however analysis of the individual categories highlights a more eventful month with Drivers, Utility Clubs and Wedges performing well whilst Fairway Woods, Irons and Putters falling back.
Drivers and Wedges grabbed the headlines in the Golf Clubs Sector with growth of +1.5% and +1.4% respectively as both categories saw new clubs enter the index for the first time. The new Ping G20 driver replaced the popular G15 in the Index driver and we anticipate that the G20 Fairway Woods, Irons and Utility Clubs will enter next month. Wedges were boosted by the introduction of the Nike VR Pro range and this category should be watched as we expect new releases in the popular Titleist Vokey and Cleveland ranges of wedges in the coming months.
Utility Clubs also experienced positive growth (+0.5%) as prices returned to former levels following some competition in this increasingly popular category last month. The remaining categories in the Golf Clubs Sector fell as Fairway Woods (-0.4%), Irons (-0.7%) and Putters (-0.3%) all witnessed small price falls as a result of both competition and discounting ahead of the new 2012 releases.
The Golf Accessories Sector also fell marginally this month, registering a drop of -0.3%, however as in the Golf Clubs Sector this has made little inroads into the steady growth in the year to date. Golf Bags (-0.4%), Golf Shoes (-0.43) and Golf Trolleys (-0.2%) all fell as the Accessories Sector witnessed price competition that offset new entrants to the market such as the Adidas Tour 360 ATV and Puma Cell Fusion 2 golf shoes. The Golf Ball category saw little movement with the index moving positively by less than +0.1%.
Looking forward we can expect the Golfalot Price Index move to forward in the coming months as the 2012 equipment begins to hit the shop floors. Ping, Nike, Mizuno, Titleist, Cleveland and FootJoy are just some of the major brands beginning to roll out their new products, many of which will debut at the Harrogate Golf Show, all of which should hopefully provide a timely boost for the golf industry.
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