OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Bushnell Outdoor Products announced that its golf sales eclipsed record numbers in 2006. Bushnell, a privately held company, reported sales figures up 344% through the end of the third quarter over last year to date.

Company executives have pointed to the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) rule change on January 1, as the primary driving force of the dramatic sales increase, in combination with the resulting introduction of the PinSeeker 1500 Tournament Edition ($399), launched in January.
Immediately following the new rule 14-3/0.5 – stating that a committee may establish a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure distance – Bushnell responded with the introduction of the PinSeeker 1500 TE, the laser rangefinder that has taken the golf world by storm.

“We have created a product that benefits not only the best golfers in the world, but players of all skill levels,” said Jordan Vermillion, Bushnell Product Manager. “The PinSeeker has emerged as one of the hottest new products and the sales success to date certainly reinforces that.”
Sales have been especially strong in green-grass and off-course retail shops because of the PinSeeker’s ability to be used right out-of-the-box, allowing it to be played at 100% of the courses around the world without the need for reflectors.

“While there may have been initial concern surrounding the legality of distance measuring devices, golfers now recognize the importance of using a laser rangefinder,” said Steve Claude of Edwin Watts Golf. “Without a doubt, the most popular device that we carry is the Bushnell PinSeeker 1500.”

According to the Darrell Survey, which is regarded as the golf industry’s official equipment tracking authority, Bushnell products represent a cumulative 93% of devices on the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tour.

“My caddy uses the PinSeeker at every Champions Tour stop to update our yardage book and provide me with the most accurate yardages available anywhere we go."