Data compiled by SportScanINFO shows that 2007 proved to be a strong year at retail for the golf hardgoods market. Sales increased 7.1% to $1.33 billion for the year as the introduction of new products, particularly in Drivers, spurred consumers to change out old equipment for new. The warmth long into winter during the third quarter, helped to buoy sales then, which in turn also aided the strong year.


Driver sales jumped in the low-20s in dollars for the year with a mid-singles increase in average selling price as the new geometries attacking the high-MOI movement drove consumers across skill levels to the cash register. This category saw ASP rise as companies began pushing the envelope on just how high the upper limit of driver price points can be. Fairway Woods sales were softer as the consumer was lured to the driver rack instead. ASP increased in the high-singles, but sales were down in the double-digits. Irons sales were off in the high-singles for the year, likely also attributable to the focus on new driver technologies. Both of these categories will likely pick up in 2008 as the technologies introduced in drivers last year trickles down the chain. Hybrids as stand-alone clubs saw sales increase in the mid-single-digits, with a similar increase in average selling price.


For the year, Sets sold well, with Hybrids Sets leading the pack as dollar sales increased over 30%. The category, however, saw a decrease in average selling price as Hybrids Sets began to see the effects of more manufacturers getting into the game.


For 2008, the biggest question facing the retail market, and the industry as a whole, remains what effect an economic downturn will have on the game of golf. Though the new rules given by the USGA and R&A regarding club adjustability for 2008 will likely spur some sales, the large technology revolution occurred last year, and only evolutionary movement through the rest of the bag is likely for 2008. As such, SportsOneSource estimates that the golf hardgoods business will likely only improve in the low-singles for 2008 as consumers will remain wary of the unpredictable market forces.