Golf Datatech (GDT) reported that U.S. market sales for on- and off-course specialty golf equipment declined 0.9 percent in April, pushing the 2024 year-to-date (YTD) sales to a 0.6 percent increase for the four-month period but cutting into the first quarter sales trend.
First quarter 2024 golf equipment sales were up 1.4 percent year-over-year (YoY) for the golf equipment categories.
The best-performing category was Putters, which grew 14 percent YoY for April, followed by Wedges (+11 percent) and Distance Devices (+2 percent).
Golf Shoes reportedly continued its downward trend, with an 11 percent decline for the month and YTD periods acting as a drag on the overall golf equipment category.
On the latest results, Golf Datatech Co-Founder John Krzynowek said, “Equipment sales remain healthy through April of 2024. Overall, golf club sales in woods and irons were slightly lower, while the single clubs, wedges and putters offset their decline. The other major equipment category, balls, was virtually unchanged from a year ago.
Krzynowek said unit percent change and dollar change were relatively close across product categories, suggesting price stabilization at retail.
Compared to pre-COVID year 2019, YTD sales remained up at 36.3 percent, and April sales were up 33.7 percent compared to April 2019.
Image courtesy Callaway
