GREAT GEAR FOR THE NEW SEASON - PART ONE

As the dust settles after the recent Orlando show and our own Golf Expo, Dominic Pedler picks the 20 items of golf equipment set to make the biggest impression this year.

With the Hollywood Oscars a few days away, it struck me as strange that the hype-hungry golf market has never got round to a similar excerise in backslapping. At both the annual Orlando equipment show and its glitzy rival in Las Vegas, new golf gear is launched in a blaze of glory - even if genuine star quality only becomes clear during the season when golfers vote with their wallets.

Last year saw Barney Adams with his Tight Lies utility club, and Jesse Ortiz, with his exotic Orlimar alloy woods, strike a blow for the smaller entrepreneur, each shifting truckloads of clubs in a highly competitive market.

And as the lastest crop of golf gear hits the the streets, here are our nominations for the finest new items of golf equipment that should soon hit your pro shops for 1999.

With their high-tech stories, each selection represents a triumph for the marketing men - as well as the scientists who, once again, have come up with ever-more imaginative designs despite the inherent limitations of the simple golf club and ball.

But which of these will ultimately prove to be the hits at the golfing 'box office'? Well, that's down to you........

PART TWO..
Don't forget to tune in next week when Dominic Pedlar brings you the second installment. Another ten great new golf products that will include the £500 driver from Liquidmetals, the latest Titleist ball and a utility wood that could just rescue your game...

Dominic Pedler can be emailed at domuso@dircon.co.uk.