If you’ve been anywhere in the hard goods side of the PGA Show this week, you’ve likely heard the sound of golf balls continually being hit inside the Orange County Convention Center.
In case you somehow missed it, it’s coming from the 60,000-square-foot Equipment Test Center (ETC) — located at the far west end of the Show floor. For years, this gathering area — which used to be called America’s largest fully indoor golf range — has been the ideal place to test the latest tools and equipment in the golf industry right on the PGA Show floor.
Plus it’s a wonderful place for Show attendees to interact directly with manufacturer representatives from the likes of Cobra Golf, Bridgestone, Srixon/Cleveland, Mizuno and Yonex, right as they’re trying out the products.
Open during normal exhibit hall hours, the fully-netted and turfed ETC features 44 hitting bays and practice targets. And flanking the area is a 3,750 square-foot indoor putting green, where attendees can personally check out the latest putters from a slew of participating exhibitors. Not only are club manufacturers present here in the entire Equipment Test Center area, but also shaft, grip, launch monitor, accessory and turf brands, as well.
“We are thrilled about showcasing all of our new DS-Adapt woods and irons at the Equipment Test Center,” said Luke Epp, Marketing Director at Cobra Golf. “It has been really busy here yesterday and today, and it’s exciting to see PGA Professionals and other Show attendees getting a chance to hit our 2025 family of clubs and experience their performance. Plus, we get to show off our new FutureFit33 adjustability system that enables golfers to get dialed in. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive so far.”
Attendees are excited to hit golf clubs and be able to watch a significantly long area of the ball flight in a more controlled environment – without having to worry about the cold and wet weather outside.
David Melton, the Golf Operations Supervisor at The Lakewood Club in Fairhope, Alabama, stopped by early Wednesday to hit the new Mizuno clubs.
“I feel like I can see a really true ball flight, and this indoor range is a very good venue for hitting the ball,” Melton said. “The shots travel far enough to let you know what the flight is going to be. In many ways, it’s better than using a simulator. You get 25 or 30 yards to hit into the net and you really do see what you’re getting, with respect to direction and trajectory.”