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The GAME’s golf contributor give his thoughts on GolfCon 2026, where the local golfing community came together to check out the latest in the sport.
Last weekend, Manila played host to a golf convention that, in many ways, reflects where the sport currently is—and more importantly, where it’s headed. I had the chance to check it out this past Sunday, which was Day 2 of what was fondly called GolfCon 2026. It was my first time to visit the event which is on its second year and is organized by the Let’s Golf Pare group in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism.
Seeing the event for the first time, what stood out for me wasn’t just the scale, but the intent behind it. This wasn’t just a gathering of brands trying to sell equipment. It felt like a deliberate push to grow the game.
The convention was held in the Marriot Grand Ballroom in Newport City, drawing in a steady stream of golfers, enthusiasts, and even curious newcomers over two days. I felt the timing was strategic. Early in the year, when players are starting to ramp up their playing frequency again, and when interest in upgrading gear or refining technique tends to pick up.
Walking into the venue, I was greeted immediately by numerous retail and experience booths. Golf brands, both established and emerging, were well represented. Equipment manufacturers, apparel companies, accessory brands and a whole lot of golf carts were on display. You can find good deals as well with plenty of the brands giving discounts and exclusives.
But what I really wanted to do, aside from maybe getting a good deal on a pair of shoes, was to hit some golf balls. I sampled some of the new simulators in the market and gave serious consideration to upgrading my driver. Props to the sales guy who was this close to making me give up on my Cobra. Maybe next time, sir.
The hitting bays scattered around the venue were consistently busy. Players of every level were able to test clubs, compare shafts, and get immediate feedback. For golfers who don’t always have easy access to fitting centers or just have no idea what’s going on int their swing, you can definitely get a good glimpse of what you need to fix. Fixing it of course is a different issue. But they got you covered there as well.
Golf education in the Philippines is quite expensive. The top coaches command top peso, rightfully so, but if you attended GolfCon, for 500 pesos, you would have had access to numerous golf coaches and learn maybe a thing or two that can help you in your golf game.
GolfCon featured a series of special sessions and talks conducted by industry experts. The topics ranged from swing technique to even talking about the state of the game in the country. For players who are serious about improving, the technical sessions provided a different kind of value compared to the retail and demo areas. For those who are curious about new golf tech that they can take advantage of, there was a session for that. And there were also live podcast recordings where you could listen in to the voices of the game here in the country.
In the time that I was in the expo, I was able to listen to a few of the sessions scheduled for day two, walked around to window-shop (my only gripe is I wish more stores would carry size 12s), spoke to a few friends, marveled at the aforementioned golf carts (apologies, public golf course player, here only), and even got a drink in the bar they had set up. It was a laid back experience, similar I guess to walking the fairways.
Good signs for golf
From an organizational perspective, the event was clearly backed by a combination of sponsors and partners who see potential in the local golf market. While the exact lineup of sponsors varied across categories, the presence of multiple brands supporting the event was impressive. Companies don’t invest in these kinds of activations unless they see growth. And right now, all indicators suggest that golf—both globally and locally—is trending upward.
The fact that you can gather this many brands, coaches, and players in one space—and sustain engagement over several days—points to a healthy ecosystem. Golf in the Philippines has always had a strong base, but what we’re seeing now is expansion. More accessibility, more interest, and more willingness from both the private sector and organizers to invest in growing the game.
As for what’s next, there are already indications that this won’t be a one-off. The overall execution, turnout, and support from brands suggest that the organizers are looking at this as a yearly event. While official announcements on future editions are still vague, the momentum is clearly there. And if they build on what they’ve started—perhaps adding even more hitting bays and expanding on the competitive aspect, the educational component, and integrating even more competitive play—this could easily become a staple in the local golf calendar.
At the end of the day, what you have here is more than just a convention. It’s a snapshot of the current state of golf, and a preview of where it’s going.
More players are getting involved. More brands are investing. More opportunities are being created for both beginners and experienced golfers to engage with the game in different ways.
And from my standpoint, that’s the real story.
GolfCon 2026 is just more evidence that the game of golf is growing. When you see this level of participation from companies, coaches, and players, it tells you that there’s confidence in the direction the sport is heading. The organizers themselves seem bullish on that outlook, and rightfully so.
For local golfers, that’s a good sign. It means more access, more options, and more opportunities to improve and enjoy the game.
If this is the direction we’re heading in, then events like this shouldn’t be the exception—they should become the norm. And hopefully, this is just the start of something that continues to build year after year.
Banner images from Sid Ventura