Nation’s Largest Golf Show is in Michigan Each Year
By Tom Lang
The golf show season has come to an end, and golfers have already begun hitting the links.
The 34th annual Michigan Golf Show was yet again a major success, nearly setting a new record for attendance over last year’s if not for a water main break several miles away putting a damper on final day attendance at Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi.
In 2025, the attendance record was set at more than 51,000. Show co-owner and event manager McKenzie McLaughlin said the claim to be the largest consumer golf show in the country is based on three measurables: public attendance numbers, square footage of vendor space (290,000+) and the number of exhibitors (225 this year).
“One of our top goals is to make the show more of an experience,” McLaughlin said. “You could find a lot of the same items online. But you’re not going to find the same deals, and you won’t make a fun day of it. We have interactive and engaging elements like putting challenges, hitting nets so you can test out the products, our hole-in-one challenge for $25,000. We use these things to try to make the show better each year.
“We have a lot of our guests make it an annual event. The Michigan Golf Show in March; it’s their day to spend with friends and family. It’s where they’re stocking up on their for gear for the year, and planning their golf trips.”
Riley Stechschulte, who helps lead the team with McLaughlin, said the comments they receive on social media are often similar: “We see comments like I go every single year and I book my golf trip with my friends for the summer; or I go and I have to see vendor A, B, and C and they always remember me. I always get my gear; I book my trip. I just think it’s that community we’ve created within the show that brings people back every year.”
McLaughlin said partnering with unique opportunities in the golf industry helps keep the show fresh and new. This year they had the World Long Drive organization come in and host one of their qualifying events at the show.
Not only do golfers and vendors who attend benefit, but so do Michigan charity groups supported by the Michigan Golf Show community giveback approach, which this year provided over $20,000. Through premier sponsor Garland Resort, the golf show’s main charity is First Tee of Northern Michigan. But donated funds also go to the Folds of Honor and the Michigan Wounded and Returning Warriors, both in support of military and veterans alike.
Next year’s dates are March 5-7. More information found at: www.michigangolfshow.com
