PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- In celebration of the third PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month, the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., will host a special "Free Fitting Night" this Friday, April 18, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. PGA Professionals on-staff will provide free 15-minute equipment fitting sessions to help golfers, regardless of skill level, trade-up to more distance by determining their proper fit.

Every golfer who experiences a free custom fitting session and sends in a PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Card (located in the April Golf Digest) will be entered into a nationwide sweepstakes for a chance to win an Ultimate Fitting Experience at the PGA Learning Center. Nine runner-up prize winners nationally will receive a set of custom-fit golf clubs and bag from one of the top brands in golf including: Adams Golf, Callaway Golf, Cleveland Golf, Cobra Golf, MacGregor Golf, Mizuno Golf, Nike Golf, PING, TaylorMade Golf and Titleist.

PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month targets golfers of all abilities and seeks to increase their participation, performance and enjoyment of the game, while at the same time raising the awareness, relevance and competence of PGA Professionals in the eyes of consumers as equipment technology and fitting experts.

More than 60 percent of golfers are not getting their clubs fitted nor are they trading in their old clubs that may be sitting in the garage or closet, which can save them money on the purchase of new equipment. Having the proper tools to play the game can help golfers improve their game and, consequently, better enjoy the game.

"Most people think of lessons when it comes to improvement, but being fit properly for clubs is just as important," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "Everyone wants to hit the ball farther and more consistent, and it can be as simple as having the right clubs in your hands."

Players who get fit by a PGA Professional have the potential to consistently drive the ball straighter and longer; hit all shots more accurately; have noticeably better distance control; and shave strokes through better short-game execution.

"We are proud to host Free Fitting Night at the PGA Learning Center as part of Free Fitting and Trade-Up Month," said Bob Baldassari, PGA general manager of PGA Village, which comprises the PGA Golf Club, PGA Learning Center and PGA Historical Center. "Having the right golf club is simply as important as wearing the right-sized shoes on your feet. If it isn't the proper fit when you buy them, you'll almost certainly wish they were in the long-run."

The PGA Learning Center is a member of the PGA Trade-In Network authorized trade-in facilities, allowing golfers to trade-up to new, fitted golf clubs more affordably by accepting their used golf club trade-ins at fair market values based on the PGA.com Value Guide, The National Standard for Golf Club Values. The PGA of America teams with Golf Digest, the PGA Trade-In Network and the PGA.com Value Guide to sponsor this equipment-themed consumer promotion during the month of April at golf facilities around the country.

About PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month
PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month is one of several programs designed to grow and stimulate participation in the game of golf under "Play Golf America," a national marketing umbrella campaign that is supported by the golf industry. All participating PGA Professionals in Play Golf America programs can be found on the industry supported Web site PlayGolfAmerica.com. Play Golf America was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including: the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, USGA and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference.

About Play Golf America
Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and existing golfers, was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including: the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, USGA and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference. The program utilizes the PlayGolfAmerica.com Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.

About PGA Village
The Ryder, Wanamaker and Dye Courses form a trio of world-class public courses at the PGA Golf Club, at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Named by Golf Digest as one of the "75 Best Golf Resorts in North America" for 2007-08, PGA Village also features the award-winning, 35-acre PGA Learning Center golf park and PGA Historical Center golf museum. The PGA Golf Club exists to be one of the premier daily fee facilities in America, and to serve as a home club for our 28,000 PGA Professionals. For more information, please visit www.pgavillage.com.

About The PGA of America
Since 1916, the PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.

The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.