20 Tips for Going to the 2020 Cleveland Golf and Travel Show

Each year, thousands of golfers from all around Northeast Ohio shake off their cabin fever and descend upon the IX Center for the Cleveland Golf and Travel Show. Full of bargains, contests, presenters and more, the golf show is always a fun way to scratch that golf itch during the frigid winters in Cleveland.

If you are planning on going to the show or on the fence, we have you covered with all of the information and pointers you will need to know. From tips to industry insights, important information to maximizing your value, you will find it all below.

They say hindsight is 20/20, but a little bit of foresight never hurts either. Let’s dig into this year’s edition of the Cleveland Golf Show!

Unlimited Golf

1. Know what you are looking for and how much you are willing to pay

2020 Cleveland Golf Show

Before you go to the show, think about what exactly you are looking for. Whether it is time to upgrade the ‘Big Dog’ or to stock up on golf balls for the season, it is always good to go in with a goal in mind.

Also, spend some time looking at products you are interested in online prior to attending. This will help you know what is and what is not a good deal as you will have a mental benchmark.

Pro Tip: Think of it like a par 5. Begin with the end in mind and your experience will be much smoother.

2. Be sure to note the new equipment models (2020) vs. the previous versions (2019)

Cleveland Golf Show

Just like cars, it is easy to be fooled by marketing terms. Many signs with the words new, closeout special, and original price are designed to show you, the customer, value. Whether that value is true or just perceived is another story.

Overall, be weary of exactly what is being offered. For example: A 2019 model club may be new in that it has not been hit, but the 2020 model is the actual new club most golfers want. This is especially important if you are shopping for another golfer.

That is also not to say that a 2019 model of a club is much different or even inferior to the 2020 model. We all know that the technology doesn’t change significantly, just the promises of better golf with newly coined phrases of technology.

Pro Tip: Used demo versions of clubs that are in good condition offer a great value. The clubs having been hit prior likely will not affect how they play in your bag.

3. Always check to verify the product is genuine

2020 Cleveland Golf Show

It is rare to see counterfeit clubs at trade shows, but it is not unheard of to find products that are not genuine. When looking at clubs that you will be spending your hard-earned dollars on, there are some easy signs to help you spot real vs. fake:

  • Grips that are not standard size or smell overly rubbery signal the club may not be real.
  • For 2015 and newer models, the shafts should all have a holographic sticker.
  • The paint fill on the clubhead should be high quality and not bleed out of the area it is intended to be.
  • Serial numbers are also a great way to verify the club is made from the legitimate manufacturer.

For a full breakdown on what to look for, you can visit this great guide by Golf Club Brokers by clicking here. Golf.com also has a quick article to help you verify a clubs authenticity that you can check out by clicking here.

Pro Tip: Buying from a certified professional or authentic retailer is still the best method to get exactly the product(s) you want.

4. Take advantage of the various speakers throughout the show

2020 Cleveland Golf Show

With plenty of instructional speakers scheduled to speak, it is worth your time to take a few minutes and hear what they have to say.

While we all wish equipment could magically make us hit better shots and lower our scores, it is often not the case. But speakers will probably help your game the most and give you some meaningful insights to head into the 2020 golf season with.

Pro Tip: Understanding your golf game and course management is the best way to quickly improve your scoring.

5. The demo range is probably the best value

Cleveland Golf Show

The demo range allows you to test out all of the new equipment from major manufacturers for just a few bucks. Don’t buy something that you think you will like. Take it our for a spin first!

Fan of great driving range value? Purchase your 2020 Unlimited Range Pass today before prices increase!

Pro Tip: Don’t be like me and buy a brand new driver only to sell it for half the price a month later because you can’t hit the broadside of a barn with it.

6. Feel free to haggle, but be careful not to offend

Cleveland Golf Show

No matter what you are buying, you can always haggle to some degree. While there is surely some room to agree on a lower price than the sticker price, it is important to not low-ball your offer so much that the salesperson simply decides it is no longer worth it.

A good way to get more for a product that a salesperson may not be willing to lower the price on is to inquire about getting a second product for free or at half price. Remember, their job is to sell quantity and two is always better than one.

There’s a common myth that Sunday has the best deal to bargain with sales staff as the show is nearing an end. For a majority of the vendors, they are packing up and heading to the next city on their golf show tour. So don’t expect a firesale come Sunday afternoon.

Pro Tip: Cash helps here. When you pay with card, they’re automatically losing 2.5-3% of the sale to processing costs. So, for a $400 club, you should be able to at least get $10 off and maybe more.

7. Understand what is happening with your information

2020 Cleveland Golf Show

Among all of the products and booths will also be a ton of vendors asking for mailing or email addresses from you. Whether it is to potentially win a contest or to receive more information, your contact information will be a popular requestof you with most anyone working.

And it’s not all bad! As you are reading this, you likely enjoy reading about golf and don’t necessarily mind receiving marketing materials from golf companies. All in all, golf emails are way more enjoyable than those ones from major retailers who will not stop pestering you.

Business cards or return address labels can help you enter contests or give your contact information more efficiently.

Pro Tip: You’ve made it this far in our Tips for the 2020 Cleveland Golf and Trade Show article, so why not sign up to receive more of the great golf content you crave from us?


8. Tickets are $12 (Juniors ages 12 and under are free)

Cleveland Golf Show

You can save some hassle by pre-purchasing your ticket for $12 online at the Cleveland Golf Show’s website. Or, you can purchase your ticket when you arrive for $12 (cash only). Children ages 12 and under are free. Also, parking has historically been $10 in years past.

Admission does include an annual subscription to Golf Magazine.

Parking and day-of ticket sales are cash only. Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Apple Pay and Android Wallet are not accepted.

Pro Tip: Include the price of parking and your ticket into the price of the goods your buying. Saving $10 on a club while having paid $22 to park and enter may not be the best deal.

9. Check out World Long Drive Champion Brian Pavlet

2020 Cleveland Golf Show

In 1993, the golf world familiarized itself with a new prodigy in Brian Pavlet. After launching a 435 yard blast in Salt Lake City, Utah in a regional competition, Brian went to the National Long Drive Championship and won it all. Since winning he has not looked back. He has made a record eight “Final 8” appearances in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship and has been the LDA’s most consistent performer the past decade. He held the #1 ranked position for more than 20 months and was featured in Golf Digest for having one of the best power swings in golf. Brian has performed more than 1,200 shows worldwide and even entertained the troops in Iraq with the USO. His engaging personality and performance make him one of golf’s premier showmen.

Appearing all three show days.

Pro Tip: I’ve got nothing for this one. He’s the golf professional after all…

10. Consider where you find value when it comes to your golf game

Cleveland Golf Show

Consider where you want to get the most value in golf this season and beyond before you head to show.

If you only want to spend ‘X number of dollars’ yearly, weigh how much of that you want to put towards equipment, playing golf, traveling, etc.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to look into The 2020 & 2021 Fairways Membership. Membership includes Unlimited Golf at Mallard Creek, Pine Brook, Briarwood and Hinckley Hills for all of 2020 and 2021.

Plus, with payment options such as PayPal Credit and QuadPay, you can join today and pay over time with 0% interest. Discover Unlimited Golf at 4 Courses for 2 Years today with The 2020 & 2021 Fairways Membership. Spots are limited and will be sold out soon.

11. Think about going on a golf trip

Membership

Golf trips can be a ton of fun and provide all that go on the trip with a lifelong memory. From a tame weekend trip to Orlando to a lively getaway in Myrtle Beach, there are options aplenty. Representatives from many of the most popular golf trip destinations will be at the show and be able to showcase packages and available dates for you and your group.

Pro Tip: Think about activities beyond golf when considering where to go. For instance: where to eat, nightlife options, local tourist attractions, etc.

12. If you want it, go for it

Cleveland Golf Show

When it comes time to pull the trigger on buying anything at the golf show, it is your world. If the price is right and it’s a product you really want, go ahead and make the purchase – you will be glad you did.

If the price isn’t right for you, then just walk away. There are likely other sellers with the same product who may be able to beat another’s price. And, if all else fails, there is always the internet.

Pro Tip: While buying online can sometime be hard to trust, you can almost always use PayPal. With PayPal, you automatically have buyer protection and the ability to use PayPal Credit or QuadPay to pay for your golf items when and how you want.

13. Get a free lesson from a PGA Professional

Cleveland Golf Show

Available throughout the entire show, PGA Professionals will be on hand to give you a free lesson. Provided by the Northern Ohio PGA and their dedicated professionals, this is a great way to head into the 2020 season with something to work on.

Pro Tip: When you need some additional work during the season, Mallard Creek offers Free Tips from the Pros each Wednesday evening on the range. Learn more here.

14. Cash is (still) king

2020 Cleveland Golf Show

There are not a lot of pages I would take out of OBJ’s playbook, but he understands one thing: nothing works as well as cash!

We have already covered that cash is the only accepted way to pay for parking and tickets at the door, but there are still other reasons to rely on old-fashioned cash at this year’s Cleveland Golf and Travel Show.

Firstly, when you only bring what you are willing to spend with you in cash, it is easier to have some self-control in a setting designed to make you do just the opposite. Also, cash makes haggling and saving even more money all the easier.

Pro Tip: Always get a receipt and contact information with any purchase. Ask about guarantees or warranties for any product you buy.

15. Join Email Clubs

Join all of the email clubs you can. I repeat: join all of the email clubs you can.

If you enjoy saving money and learning about special offers and course news along with golf articles, you’ll find value in joining email clubs.

Pro Tip: Email is the best way to get discounts and offers directly from the course. And if it doesn’t help you, you can always unsubscribe.


16. Pay it forward

Cleveland Golf Show

It’s a gentleman’s game, right? If you are taking some time to grab a bite or a beer, there is nothing wrong with covering the food of the person next in line or the buying the guy over at the bar a cold one.

You never know… that guy could be a local course employee and there may be a free round of golf in it for you. At worst, you did something nice.

Pro Tip: I enjoy Great Lakes Dortmunder

17. Participate in the long putt and long drive contests

2020 Cleveland Golf Show

For just a few dollars, you can enter the long putt and/or long drive contests at the show. Not only is this fun and something for you and your friends or family to laugh about, but there is always the chance you could win something.

Pro Tip: The longest putt has been the same setup for a few years now. It double breaks right to left and then left to right at the end. Begin your putt along the fringe or just over it on the right-hand side and you should be close. Also, search Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for recent videos from the golf show and you might be able to learn from others.

18. Use that smartphone to make smart decisions

Not sure if the product you are thinking about buying is a good deal? Or maybe you don’t recall if the club in your hand is the new model or previous iteration. It only take seconds to Google it and gather some more information.

Pro Tip: Nobody has the time to go website to website. After you Google the item you need more info on, click the ‘shopping’ link in the top and you will see pricing for the same product across the entire internet.

19. Check out the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Booth

Bridgestone Senior Players Cleveland Golf Show 2020

The Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS will return to Firestone once again this year. Learn more and receive information regarding volunteering at the 2020 Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS, July 8-12, 2020.

Pro Tip: There are not a lot of opportunities to meet professional golfers and help make a difference while doing so. When you volunteer for The Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS, you will be a part of an effort that raised more than $825k for charity organizations in 2019 alone!

20. Enjoy it – golf season’s coming soon!

2020 Cleveland Golf Show

It may be cold now, but the golf show always signals the end of winter is near. Have fun and enjoy yourself at the show. If nothing else, it will get you excited for what is sure to be another great season of golf right here in Northeast Ohio.

Pro Tip: Make your 2020 and 2021 seasons great with The 2020 & 2021 Fairways Membership and an Unlimited Range Pass!

Here’s a to a great 2020 golf season!

Hopefully our guide has helped you before you head to this year’s Cleveland Golf and Travel Show.

Feel free to share any additional tips or opinions in the comment section below!

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