The Golfalot.com Price Index for May experienced spectacular growth of +1.3% to close at a record level as new equipment entering the Clubs Sector fuelled four of the six categories to twelve month highs.
The Golf Clubs Sector witnessed some impressive performances in May with Drivers, Fairway Woods, Utility Clubs, Wedges and, the star of the show, Putters, up an amazing remarkable +4.2%, boosting the Sector by 1.2% to a record high of £918.99.
All of these categories welcomed new products to the Index as many of the new releases manufacturers have been showcasing in the early part of the year reached the shops. Putters saw the greatest influx with high profile entrants in the form of the Callaway Odyssey Metal X Range (No’s 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 as well as the Rosie, Dart and 2-Ball models) and the new 2012 range of putters from Yes! Golf that includes the Bella White, Jenny Black and Sophia Satin models.
For those looking for something new from the tee or fairway the Drivers category (+3.9%) welcomed the very popular Rocketballz and R11S models from TaylorMade whilst new Fairway Woods (+1.9%) included the Cobra Long Tom 2, the 2012 Mashie from Cleveland and the Callaway Razr X Black.
The Utility Clubs category has been the worst performer in the Golf Clubs sector in the last six months so the growth of +2.3% this month represents a welcome boost, thanks to the Callaway Razr X HL and Cleveland Mashie Plus models entering the Index.
Wedges continued some steady recent progress, up +1.0%, with the new Cleveland CG Black wedge making its debut. The only loser in the Golf Clubs Sector this month was the Irons category that experienced a quiet month falling by -0.7% as prices fell slightly across a number of ranges.
The Golf Accessories Sector also contributed to the positive month with an increase of +0.6% however thanks to a strong performance by Golf Trolleys. The Trolleys category grew by +1.5% with the introduction to the index of the new S1 Pro and S3 Pro models from the very popular Motocaddy.
This growth offset falls in Golf Balls (-2.0%) as retailers competed across a number of the recent newer high profile releases, Golf Bags (-0.4%) and Golf Shoes (-0.6%).
Innovation and new releases are the driving forces of the golf equipment industry with golfers keenly anticipating new products to the market. 2012 has shown the manufacturers to be on the top of their games with a number of new products being released and this optimism is reflected in the strong performance of the Index this month as the golf season hits top gear.