Balls Roulette in Vegas

Reed Exhibitions look set to upset golf ball manufacturers with plans to set up a special 'Ball Wars' area at the PGA International Golf Show in Las Vegas from September 11-13.

Reed will allow visitors to the trade exhibition to hit several different balls into simulators to determine feel, length, and spin. Each day, the winner, along with his or her favourite ball, will receive a prize and be featured in the show's newsletter.

But the demonstration may not go down well with manufacturers since most of the people will be hitting the balls in street shoes, off mats, without a warm-up and using unfamiliar clubs.

*Callaway, Cleveland and Orlimar are the latest equipment companies to decide against participating in the Las Vegas show. Others not expected to attend include Dunlop-Maxfli, Ping, Spalding, Taylor Made-adidas, Titleist and FootJoy Worldwide. Adams have not yet decided whether they will exhibit.