Indoor Golf Shows Kick-Start the New Season

By Terry Moore

Always striving to improve golf lover’s experiences, the 2025 West Michigan Golf Show at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids will make history this year for not being held on Sunday, that is, Super Bowl Sunday. 

Instead, the popular show—known as the unofficial start of the golf season in Michigan—will open its doors for the first time on Thursday afternoon, February 6, and end on Saturday evening, February 8. Does one hear a resounding “amen to that!” from NFL football fans, especially those faithful wearing the Honolulu Blue jerseys of the Detroit Lions?

“We wanted to do what’s best for our exhibitors and patrons alike, and they were torn between the Golf Show and the Super Bowl, both held on Sunday like last year,” explained Carolyn Alt, Senior Manager of the Golf Show. “By moving it off of the Super Bowl while still offering the Show on three days, people won’t have to decide. Our exhibitors have supported this change, and we’re confident our loyal patrons will feel the same.”

What won’t change will be the ever-popular attractions for the Show, now in its 37th year. Visitors will continue to see hundreds of exhibits, ranging from courses and resorts, including those in sun-belt locales, to sales of equipment, clothing, accessories and unique golf products. 

“In last year’s post-show surveys, our exhibitors reported on their success in sales, rounds booked, inquiries made and just an overall enthusiasm for the upcoming golf season,” Alt said. 

As ranked by exhibitors, the 2024 Show was rated 4.3 stars out of 5. One such happy exhibitor was Jim Szilagyi of Otsego’s Lynx Golf Course.“The West Michigan Golf Show is the best promotional value for our operation. There are great courses, a great marketplace and a great presentation at DeVos Place.”

Popular interactive areas returning include the $100 Hole-Out Challenge, the $10,000 Longest Putt Challenge, and a Closest to the Pin event using a golf simulator. Although these contests have an entry fee, all the money raised goes to designated charities like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Folds of Honor and Patriot’s Day.

“Giving back to the community is part of the business fabric of West Michigan, and the Golf Show has always been all in,” said Alt, now managing her 23rd Golf Show.

The future of golf rests with juniors, and they and their parents will enjoy the Family Fun Golf Zone, which has special features aimed at nurturing a lifelong love for the game. Note: All juniors aged 14 and under have free admittance to the Show. The First Tee of West Michigan will staff this busy area.

Another Golf Show tradition is free golf balls for ‘early birds’ arriving at the main entrance. Courtesy of Ferris State University’s Golf Management Program, the first 400 people on Thursday (only) will receive a free sleeve of golf balls.

Hours of the show are: Thursday, Feb. 6, 1 pm-6 pm; Friday, Feb. 7, Noon-8 pm; Saturday, Feb. 8, 9 am-6 pm. Tickets are $12, and juniors 14 & under are FREE. Your ticket gets you free re-entry all weekend. Tickets are available during show hours at the DeVos Box Office or online with no added fees at www.WestMichiganGolfShow.com

Sponsors included currently are the Golf Association of Michigan, Ferris State U’s Golf Management Program, ForeverLawn West Michigan, and LeafFilter.

More information may be found at www.WestMichiganGolfShow.com

For those who live in Southeast Michigan: the Toledo Golf Show takes place February 21-23 at the Sylvania-Tam-O-Shanter Center. The cost is $7 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. https://toledogolfshow.com/

Then the largest show in Michigan – the Michigan Golf Show – is scheduled for March 7-9 at its traditional location of the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Kids 12 and under are also free, but adult tickets are $12 each and there’s a $10 cost to park on site. https://michigangolfshow.ticketspice.com/2025-michigan-golf-show

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