Why I buy all of my clubs online.

[elcid93]

Local Shops vs. the Internet

Let me start off by saying that I believe anyone who reads and contributes to this site is smarter than the average golfer. I have learned so much by studying what everyone has to say about any topic out there relating to equipment.

That might be my problem. Not to mention, I can probably tell you what all the main OEM stuff goes for on TGW, GolfSmith, and EBay.

I am thinking about replacing my hybrid with the latest Nike Slingshot Tour Hybrid. I like the way it looks online, but I wanted to see it in person and hit it before I pulled the trigger. So, I went to every single golf shop in Charleston, SC to find this club.

First stop, Golf HQ. Hardly any Nike stuff except for about 12 Pro Combo Utility Irons at 180 a pop and about 5 SQ woods. Also, a 2004 Nike Tour Air Carry Golf bag for 175 (bought one brand new on EBay for 40). I'll excuse the grossly overpriced stuff due to it is the closest golf store to Kiawah Island (upscale resort). I asked the guy where all the Nike stuff was, he said "I just saw the Nike rep yesterday and ordered this years stuff." OK, you are about 4 months behind the power curve, but it is your shop, so whatever. 1 store down 5 to go.

Next stop, Edwin Watts. Nice selection, across all manufactures (finally got to hit the Solus wedge). They actually had the Slingshot Hybrid ion stock, but alas no "Tour" model. Salesman came up to me to offer assistance. I enquired about the club I wanted. His response, and I am not lying, "Oh, if it is a Tour model we wont stock it. We don't carry the high end stuff." Now, right next to the Slingshots where the SQ drivers, and guess what was there? Thats right the SQ Tour. And on the other side where the Taylor Made Rescue Dual TP. I don't think he understood the "Tour" was just a name and not much more. So, I responded with, "So you don't carry Tour stuff? What about this SQ Tour and this TM TP?" He had no logical response other than, "Well thats Taylor Made." Yeah, so what? I have a big problem when people don't have a clue what they are talking about, especially in their supposed area of expertise. Instead of arguing, I just walked out. 2 down, 4 to go.

Dicks Sporting Goods. I am really starting to like this place. No one to help me, but they had a crap load of clubs. Plenty of Slingshot Hybrids but no Tour models.

I then went to both Pro Golf Discounts and Las Vegas Tennis and Golf. The places were OK, but every time I asked a salesman about the club, I got the deer in the headlights look or "They haven't been released yet." Now I know they have been released for a while and many on this site have them. Once again, I go back to my earlier statement about "area of expertise."

Now if the people who are trying to sell me clubs, don't have a clue about the clubs I want to buy, why should I give them my business? I would respect them, if they admitted they don't know, but said "let me look into to that?" That is why, I prefer to buy online. I do all my own research and I know more than the morons at the golf shop. That and no sales tax online.

[Leftygolfin]

I completely agree. I know more about what equipment is out then any of the guys at my local shops just by reading on the net. Heck, I even had to explain to the reps at the demo day the other day that certian clubs were not available in left handed. They would argue and say they were and then check their books and say "Oh, you right".

 

If your gonna try to make a living in the golf equipment world you need to know what you are talking about. Thats why tgw.com and golfsmith get most of my business. At least I can find what I want without someone pestering me and try to sell me something that they know nothing about.

[forrre]

EEEEEEEEEEASY there!!!!! Not all of us that are working in the shops are morons. Some of them are min. wage counter help that only know the diff. in a stiff vs. reg flex. I understand your point but you also need to understand that the avg. joe can't break 90 and play with JD box sets. These are the people that the big chains are looking for as customers. YOu should feel like a teacher and help these guys out, not look at them like there stupid. Just do me a favor and calm down befor you start pointing figers and calling names.

[hoosiervolunteer]

Good points. I try to support the local shops when I can, but sometimes it is just not possible. My main source is a smaller shop that is staffed with the owner and 2 salesmen. The owner does all of the club repair and fitting. They don't have a huge selection of every different club on the market, but they know their stuff. They will special order anything (prepaid). There are some of the "golf superstores" in town, but I don't really like them. They do have a great selection and get the stuff on release day, but I don't like the stores or the salesmen that work there. It's pure business to the stores and the salesmen only care about sales. They don't have time or are not encouraged to "talk golf" with the customers like the small store does. Maybe that's just my area of the country. I don't know. I can't blame the salesmen for not wanting to miss out on a sale because he is talking golf with me, but the minute they realize I'm not buying something that day they move on.

I don't buy clubs, balls, or shoes off the internet. I like to see and hit the exact club I will take home. I will buy grips, bags, towels, or a specialty item that I can't find anywhere else. There are some great deals on the net, but I like keep my local guy going with my purchases. His prices are the same or close enough to the big stores and I get the service and friendliness I like. I guess I'm just lucky.

[forrre]

I have said it befor, the only guys getting rich in the golf biz are the owners of the big chain stores. The rest of us that have one or two "small" stores are doing it for the love of the game. I love working on sat and sun mornings because thats when all the regs come in and we "talk golf" and drink coffee. Am I getting rich no but do I have a good time at work? YES!!!

[Subsonic]

IMHO none of the places you went to qualify as a "local shop". Find yourself a good small business and you will be pleased. forrre sounds like he has a clue, and I bet if you could find someone like him in your area you would be taken care of. Just today, I had another great experience with my local shop. I went in to drop my irons off to be regripped and mentioned that I was going to play tomorrow morning. He asked what irons I was planning on using. I told him my back ups. He asked if I had 15 minutes to spare. I said I had nothing pressing. He walked in back and regripped my clubs on the spot. Now thats service. Get that on the net. Cheers :)

[golfernut78]

charleston, south carolina is a tough place to buy golf stuff. i've got family at seabrook island and in mount pleasant and its tough. best place i've found to buy golf balls is at charleston national golf club. yes, i can buy balls cheaper at a on course pro-shop then at a off course pro-shop.

 

the golf business sucks!!!!

 

as the golf purchaser, you want the best deal. only the big nationwide stores have the good deals (at least on current stuff), but unfortunately the big stores rarely have one competent person working there. plus, they will have a person convince you want club x rather than club y, even though club y is better suited to your game because club x cost more. i've been to 4 different edwin watts in the dfw area, and only 1 of them has a knowledgeable staff. so your getting a great deal on golf clubs, but unfortunately they are the wrong clubs, or not fitted properly.

 

however, if you go to the smaller store, your going to great service, properly fitted, and half the time make a new firend, but unfortunately there prices are so much higher. 2 stores in the dfw area, they nike pro combo tours for $899!!!! and they were the 04 version.

 

for me, the only way to make it work, i go to a good clubfitter/instructor and pay for a fitting and get recomendations. they get paid for there time to help me. i follow it up with buying the irons online. i then take the clubs to the clubfitter/instructor or to a small shop and get them to adjust them, re-grip them, re-shaft them, etc.....

 

sites like this are good for the golfer becuase it helps educate us on equipment. some of my equipment i've been fitted for. some i've setup to what feels good to me.

[risingsungolf]

I find that in the smaller stores, the personnel usually know more about equipment and brands then the larger chain stores. I'm sure there are some good knowledgeable people in the larger chains but I've never got heard this comment in any of the small stores....."This Scotty Cameron is the exact same putter that Tiger Woods uses!" :)

[jscw]

Sorry to say that, but I do feel some sales in big stores like telemarketers -- they will say anything just to let you buy stuff. Truth or not is never important.

I find that in the smaller stores, the personnel usually know more about equipment and brands then the larger chain stores. I'm sure there are some good knowledgeable people in the larger chains but I've never got heard this comment in any of the small stores....."This Scotty Cameron is the exact same putter that Tiger Woods uses!" :)

[Leftygolfin]

I completely agree. I know more about what equipment is out then any of the guys at my local shops just by reading on the net. Heck, I even had to explain to the reps at the demo day the other day that certian clubs were not available in left handed. They would argue and say they were and then check their books and say "Oh, you right".

 

If your gonna try to make a living in the golf equipment world you need to know what you are talking about. Thats why tgw.com and golfsmith get most of my business. At least I can find what I want without someone pestering me and try to sell me something that they know nothing about.

 

I did not mean any disrespect to anyone who works in a golf shop or has one. I am only speaking for the few golf shops in my area such as Golf USA and International Golf. Now there is one small shop called Affordable Golf that I go to quite frequently and buy alot of stuff from. The owner operator is a nice guy and I have done alot of business just because he is a nice guy and personable. He has old inventory but sometimes cool old finds. I buy most of my major equipment on line but all of my balls, towels, ect from Affordable golf. He also does all of my custom fit work.

[Yellow Jacket]

I've never gone to a retail store wanting an opinion on anything product related. Once time, though, a guy at a Golfsmith explained the particular mechanics involved in a reshaft.

 

If I want info on equipment, I'll ask friends, here, or *gasp* my club pro. People seem to be overlooking the latter option.

[DoubleCup]

I ALWAYS know more about what I am shopping for than any sales-person....anywhere!! Be it golf stuff or a new car, most sales people know less about the product they're selling than I do.

Whenever I'm in Golf Galaxy or Golfsmith and a sales guy approaches, I just say "no thank you" when asked if I need help...Sometimes I feel like saying "there's nothing you can tell me that I don't already know..."

but they're just trying to do their job.

[dbleagleks]

I ALWAYS know more about what I am shopping for than any sales-person....anywhere!! Be it golf stuff or a new car, most sales people know less about the product they're selling than I do.

Whenever I'm in Golf Galaxy or Golfsmith and a sales guy approaches, I just say "no thank you" when asked if I need help...Sometimes I feel like saying "there's nothing you can tell me that I don't already know..."

but they're just trying to do their job.

 

 

Let me first start my post off by saying, I doubt that. I never saw you in any shop I worked at. I would also be willing to bet that Forrre knows as much or more than I do. Don't be so arrogant. Second, if you don't want to deal with "stupid" salesmen, then go to your local PGA Professional and get some help. You might pay anywhere from $0-$20 more in most shops for a new club. Then you don't have to deal with the high school guy at the local Big Box. Finally let me say that if you are buying your clubs at Big Box (and I'm generalizing here) you probably don't have any business playing some of the equipment and shaft combos that you do. You're not on the Tour and don't need those tolerances. Too often I fit guys that just stripe a YS-6 on a launch monitor, but they have to "upgrade" to some Tour Exotic (they can't hit); I guess to make themselves feel cool. Just my .02.

[jmconnel]

Did you ever think that you are shopping for Nike clubs. Granted that the SQ has been selling like crazy but other than that Nike clubs just sit around. As a retailer we have gotten tired of buying tons of their stuff and it just sit on the shelves until its on close out. Look at the old cpr, couldnt sell any of them until they are on closeout. Until they get a better following and sales get better, you cant expect places to order a dozen pieces or more of the tour version when we cant even sell the stander version. I know this could just be in my area but that now Nike equipment has been. Except for the SQ. If you really wanted it i know the guys at Charleston would have gotten it shipped in for you within a couple days, maybe even the next day because their are some bigger stores with more inventory and can afford to stock a bigger selection.

 

I love talking golf to guys, but you always get these guys that emit this vibe that they are just a******* and are looking to get you in a bad mood because they look at everything and say "its cheaper on ebay" or they just have a cocky attitude about how much they know about golf. We always try to have the best customer service we can have, and I will come up to you and say "How are you doing? or Do you have any questions?" Granted you probably know more than I do, but being standoff like that makes me not want to talk to you anymore or you are trying to quiz me about what I know and I know a lot, but you wont give me a chance because you already think you know more than me.

 

My experience with club pros is that they are great golfers and teachers, but alot of times they work about 50-60 hrs a week and dont take the time to research new equipment or honestly want to know more about the new clubs and shafts. And where guys that work in the retail business have the advantage is that we want to learn more so we can make customers happy when we are suggesting clubs.

 

just my .02

[rama5]

I found success with Austads.com knowlegedable great discounts and friendly,I found them more comfortable to deal with than Dicks and not as overwhelming as Goldsmith.

[StaffBag]

Let me start off by saying that I believe anyone who reads and contributes to this site is smarter than the average golfer. I have learned so much by studying what everyone has to say about any topic out there relating to equipment.

 

That might be my problem. Not to mention, I can probably tell you what all the main OEM stuff goes for on TGW, GolfSmith, and EBay.

 

I am thinking about replacing my hybrid with the latest Nike Slingshot Tour Hybrid. I like the way it looks online, but I wanted to see it in person and hit it before I pulled the trigger. So, I went to every single golf shop in Charleston, SC to find this club.

 

First stop, Golf HQ. Hardly any Nike stuff except for about 12 Pro Combo Utility Irons at 180 a pop and about 5 SQ woods. Also, a 2004 Nike Tour Air Carry Golf bag for 175 (bought one brand new on EBay for 40). I'll excuse the grossly overpriced stuff due to it is the closest golf store to Kiawah Island (upscale resort). I asked the guy where all the Nike stuff was, he said "I just saw the Nike rep yesterday and ordered this years stuff." OK, you are about 4 months behind the power curve, but it is your shop, so whatever. 1 store down 5 to go.

 

Next stop, Edwin Watts. Nice selection, across all manufactures (finally got to hit the Solus wedge). They actually had the Slingshot Hybrid ion stock, but alas no "Tour" model. Salesman came up to me to offer assistance. I enquired about the club I wanted. His response, and I am not lying, "Oh, if it is a Tour model we wont stock it. We don't carry the high end stuff." Now, right next to the Slingshots where the SQ drivers, and guess what was there? Thats right the SQ Tour. And on the other side where the Taylor Made Rescue Dual TP. I don't think he understood the "Tour" was just a name and not much more. So, I responded with, "So you don't carry Tour stuff? What about this SQ Tour and this TM TP?" He had no logical response other than, "Well thats Taylor Made." Yeah, so what? I have a big problem when people don't have a clue what they are talking about, especially in their supposed area of expertise. Instead of arguing, I just walked out. 2 down, 4 to go.

 

Dicks Sporting Goods. I am really starting to like this place. No one to help me, but they had a crap load of clubs. Plenty of Slingshot Hybrids but no Tour models.

 

I then went to both Pro Golf Discounts and Las Vegas Tennis and Golf. The places were OK, but every time I asked a salesman about the club, I got the deer in the headlights look or "They haven't been released yet." Now I know they have been released for a while and many on this site have them. Once again, I go back to my earlier statement about "area of expertise."

 

Now if the people who are trying to sell me clubs, don't have a clue about the clubs I want to buy, why should I give them my business? I would respect them, if they admitted they don't know, but said "let me look into to that?" That is why, I prefer to buy online. I do all my own research and I know more than the morons at the golf shop. That and no sales tax online.

 

:crazy:

I have two words for you......................... GREEN GRASS!!!

 

You are contributing to the demise of the golf club business for the "small guy" (green grass accounts at coureses) by purchasing on-line!

 

Ebay, since it's inception, has almost KILLED the club market!!! Sure, people come into the golf shop at whatever course (private and public) and expect to see the "latest and greatest" thing.... they test it in a demo club.... then buy it on-line!

 

I know it's a price point thing, but if you are having problems with clerks at big-box stores that don't know anything, then return to your roots and go to the golf shop of a GOLF PROFESSIONAL!!!! They, if they are worth their salt, should know almost everything about the product that they are selling!!

:) ;)

[pitchmaster1224]

Let me start off by saying that I believe anyone who reads and contributes to this site is smarter than the average golfer. I have learned so much by studying what everyone has to say about any topic out there relating to equipment.

 

That might be my problem. Not to mention, I can probably tell you what all the main OEM stuff goes for on TGW, GolfSmith, and EBay.

 

I am thinking about replacing my hybrid with the latest Nike Slingshot Tour Hybrid. I like the way it looks online, but I wanted to see it in person and hit it before I pulled the trigger. So, I went to every single golf shop in Charleston, SC to find this club.

 

First stop, Golf HQ. Hardly any Nike stuff except for about 12 Pro Combo Utility Irons at 180 a pop and about 5 SQ woods. Also, a 2004 Nike Tour Air Carry Golf bag for 175 (bought one brand new on EBay for 40). I'll excuse the grossly overpriced stuff due to it is the closest golf store to Kiawah Island (upscale resort). I asked the guy where all the Nike stuff was, he said "I just saw the Nike rep yesterday and ordered this years stuff." OK, you are about 4 months behind the power curve, but it is your shop, so whatever. 1 store down 5 to go.

 

Next stop, Edwin Watts. Nice selection, across all manufactures (finally got to hit the Solus wedge). They actually had the Slingshot Hybrid ion stock, but alas no "Tour" model. Salesman came up to me to offer assistance. I enquired about the club I wanted. His response, and I am not lying, "Oh, if it is a Tour model we wont stock it. We don't carry the high end stuff." Now, right next to the Slingshots where the SQ drivers, and guess what was there? Thats right the SQ Tour. And on the other side where the Taylor Made Rescue Dual TP. I don't think he understood the "Tour" was just a name and not much more. So, I responded with, "So you don't carry Tour stuff? What about this SQ Tour and this TM TP?" He had no logical response other than, "Well thats Taylor Made." Yeah, so what? I have a big problem when people don't have a clue what they are talking about, especially in their supposed area of expertise. Instead of arguing, I just walked out. 2 down, 4 to go.

 

Dicks Sporting Goods. I am really starting to like this place. No one to help me, but they had a crap load of clubs. Plenty of Slingshot Hybrids but no Tour models.

 

I then went to both Pro Golf Discounts and Las Vegas Tennis and Golf. The places were OK, but every time I asked a salesman about the club, I got the deer in the headlights look or "They haven't been released yet." Now I know they have been released for a while and many on this site have them. Once again, I go back to my earlier statement about "area of expertise."

 

Now if the people who are trying to sell me clubs, don't have a clue about the clubs I want to buy, why should I give them my business? I would respect them, if they admitted they don't know, but said "let me look into to that?" That is why, I prefer to buy online. I do all my own research and I know more than the morons at the golf shop. That and no sales tax online.

 

:crazy:

I have two words for you......................... GREEN GRASS!!!

 

You are contributing to the demise of the golf club business for the "small guy" (green grass accounts at coureses) by purchasing on-line!

 

Ebay, since it's inception, has almost KILLED the club market!!! Sure, people come into the golf shop at whatever course (private and public) and expect to see the "latest and greatest" thing.... they test it in a demo club.... then buy it on-line!

 

I know it's a price point thing, but if you are having problems with clerks at big-box stores that don't know anything, then return to your roots and go to the golf shop of a GOLF PROFESSIONAL!!!! They, if they are worth their salt, should know almost everything about the product that they are selling!!

:) ;)

 

sorry but i have saved thousands of dollars buying golf gear online...from apparel, to clubs, balls, shoes, etc....which leaves money in the pocket to pay bills, etc.

[DoubleCup]

I ALWAYS know more about what I am shopping for than any sales-person....anywhere!! Be it golf stuff or a new car, most sales people know less about the product they're selling than I do.

Whenever I'm in Golf Galaxy or Golfsmith and a sales guy approaches, I just say "no thank you" when asked if I need help...Sometimes I feel like saying "there's nothing you can tell me that I don't already know..."

but they're just trying to do their job.

 

 

Let me first start my post off by saying, I doubt that. I never saw you in any shop I worked at. I would also be willing to bet that Forrre knows as much or more than I do. Don't be so arrogant. Second, if you don't want to deal with "stupid" salesmen, then go to your local PGA Professional and get some help. You might pay anywhere from $0-$20 more in most shops for a new club. Then you don't have to deal with the high school guy at the local Big Box. Finally let me say that if you are buying your clubs at Big Box (and I'm generalizing here) you probably don't have any business playing some of the equipment and shaft combos that you do. You're not on the Tour and don't need those tolerances. Too often I fit guys that just stripe a YS-6 on a launch monitor, but they have to "upgrade" to some Tour Exotic (they can't hit); I guess to make themselves feel cool. Just my .02.

 

 

Sorry that you are apparently offended by my post. However, I am not being "arrogant;" I am simply stating fact. I am a person that knows a lot about the things I spend my money on; that's my nature. I enjoy researching and understanding exactly what various companies are bringing to market. How or why this bothers you is beyond me. I am simply stating that I have never had an experience with a "Big Box" golf store where their sales person could tell me more about a product I'm interested in than I already knew. And I didn't say I needed "help." I obviously don't because as I stated, I turn the sales-people away when they ask...

 

As for your comment about what I play and what I should play, that's up to me. It's my money, my interest, and my decision. The fact is I buy most of my golf stuff online as better deals are to be had either on Ebay or from an online merchant. I'm still allowed into a brick and mortar store to browse and buy incedentals.

[maguy1970]

Let me start off by saying that I believe anyone who reads and contributes to this site is smarter than the average golfer. I have learned so much by studying what everyone has to say about any topic out there relating to equipment.

 

That might be my problem. Not to mention, I can probably tell you what all the main OEM stuff goes for on TGW, GolfSmith, and EBay.

 

I am thinking about replacing my hybrid with the latest Nike Slingshot Tour Hybrid. I like the way it looks online, but I wanted to see it in person and hit it before I pulled the trigger. So, I went to every single golf shop in Charleston, SC to find this club.

 

First stop, Golf HQ. Hardly any Nike stuff except for about 12 Pro Combo Utility Irons at 180 a pop and about 5 SQ woods. Also, a 2004 Nike Tour Air Carry Golf bag for 175 (bought one brand new on EBay for 40). I'll excuse the grossly overpriced stuff due to it is the closest golf store to Kiawah Island (upscale resort). I asked the guy where all the Nike stuff was, he said "I just saw the Nike rep yesterday and ordered this years stuff." OK, you are about 4 months behind the power curve, but it is your shop, so whatever. 1 store down 5 to go.

 

Next stop, Edwin Watts. Nice selection, across all manufactures (finally got to hit the Solus wedge). They actually had the Slingshot Hybrid ion stock, but alas no "Tour" model. Salesman came up to me to offer assistance. I enquired about the club I wanted. His response, and I am not lying, "Oh, if it is a Tour model we wont stock it. We don't carry the high end stuff." Now, right next to the Slingshots where the SQ drivers, and guess what was there? Thats right the SQ Tour. And on the other side where the Taylor Made Rescue Dual TP. I don't think he understood the "Tour" was just a name and not much more. So, I responded with, "So you don't carry Tour stuff? What about this SQ Tour and this TM TP?" He had no logical response other than, "Well thats Taylor Made." Yeah, so what? I have a big problem when people don't have a clue what they are talking about, especially in their supposed area of expertise. Instead of arguing, I just walked out. 2 down, 4 to go.

 

Dicks Sporting Goods. I am really starting to like this place. No one to help me, but they had a crap load of clubs. Plenty of Slingshot Hybrids but no Tour models.

 

I then went to both Pro Golf Discounts and Las Vegas Tennis and Golf. The places were OK, but every time I asked a salesman about the club, I got the deer in the headlights look or "They haven't been released yet." Now I know they have been released for a while and many on this site have them. Once again, I go back to my earlier statement about "area of expertise."

 

Now if the people who are trying to sell me clubs, don't have a clue about the clubs I want to buy, why should I give them my business? I would respect them, if they admitted they don't know, but said "let me look into to that?" That is why, I prefer to buy online. I do all my own research and I know more than the morons at the golf shop. That and no sales tax online.

 

:crazy:

I have two words for you......................... GREEN GRASS!!!

 

You are contributing to the demise of the golf club business for the "small guy" (green grass accounts at coureses) by purchasing on-line!

 

Ebay, since it's inception, has almost KILLED the club market!!! Sure, people come into the golf shop at whatever course (private and public) and expect to see the "latest and greatest" thing.... they test it in a demo club.... then buy it on-line!

 

I know it's a price point thing, but if you are having problems with clerks at big-box stores that don't know anything, then return to your roots and go to the golf shop of a GOLF PROFESSIONAL!!!! They, if they are worth their salt, should know almost everything about the product that they are selling!!

:) ;)

 

sorry but i have saved thousands of dollars buying golf gear online...from apparel, to clubs, balls, shoes, etc....which leaves money in the pocket to pay bills, etc.

 

 

How often do you "test drive" these clubs at the stores before running back to e-bay and such to purchase? I would bet in some of the golf stores, you might be recognizable as "the guy who comes in, asks all sorts of questions in order to impress upon the sales people how much they know, then leaves without buying a thing". I doubt if the sales people told you they had no idea and had to check on it, you would have respect for them. You buy on price and that's the bottom line (no pun intended). There is nothing anyone in these stores could do to "win" you business. As a distributor, I run into customers who only buy on price. It si impossible to build any type of loyalty from them. A satisfied customer is not a measure of success, a loyal one is...

 

Worst case scenario I guess is all these places stop carrying golf gear or go out of business, which leaves you with no where to go to "look" at your next purchase.

[forrre]

Let me start off by saying that I believe anyone who reads and contributes to this site is smarter than the average golfer. I have learned so much by studying what everyone has to say about any topic out there relating to equipment.

 

That might be my problem. Not to mention, I can probably tell you what all the main OEM stuff goes for on TGW, GolfSmith, and EBay.

 

I am thinking about replacing my hybrid with the latest Nike Slingshot Tour Hybrid. I like the way it looks online, but I wanted to see it in person and hit it before I pulled the trigger. So, I went to every single golf shop in Charleston, SC to find this club.

 

First stop, Golf HQ. Hardly any Nike stuff except for about 12 Pro Combo Utility Irons at 180 a pop and about 5 SQ woods. Also, a 2004 Nike Tour Air Carry Golf bag for 175 (bought one brand new on EBay for 40). I'll excuse the grossly overpriced stuff due to it is the closest golf store to Kiawah Island (upscale resort). I asked the guy where all the Nike stuff was, he said "I just saw the Nike rep yesterday and ordered this years stuff." OK, you are about 4 months behind the power curve, but it is your shop, so whatever. 1 store down 5 to go.

 

Next stop, Edwin Watts. Nice selection, across all manufactures (finally got to hit the Solus wedge). They actually had the Slingshot Hybrid ion stock, but alas no "Tour" model. Salesman came up to me to offer assistance. I enquired about the club I wanted. His response, and I am not lying, "Oh, if it is a Tour model we wont stock it. We don't carry the high end stuff." Now, right next to the Slingshots where the SQ drivers, and guess what was there? Thats right the SQ Tour. And on the other side where the Taylor Made Rescue Dual TP. I don't think he understood the "Tour" was just a name and not much more. So, I responded with, "So you don't carry Tour stuff? What about this SQ Tour and this TM TP?" He had no logical response other than, "Well thats Taylor Made." Yeah, so what? I have a big problem when people don't have a clue what they are talking about, especially in their supposed area of expertise. Instead of arguing, I just walked out. 2 down, 4 to go.

 

Dicks Sporting Goods. I am really starting to like this place. No one to help me, but they had a crap load of clubs. Plenty of Slingshot Hybrids but no Tour models.

 

I then went to both Pro Golf Discounts and Las Vegas Tennis and Golf. The places were OK, but every time I asked a salesman about the club, I got the deer in the headlights look or "They haven't been released yet." Now I know they have been released for a while and many on this site have them. Once again, I go back to my earlier statement about "area of expertise."

 

Now if the people who are trying to sell me clubs, don't have a clue about the clubs I want to buy, why should I give them my business? I would respect them, if they admitted they don't know, but said "let me look into to that?" That is why, I prefer to buy online. I do all my own research and I know more than the morons at the golf shop. That and no sales tax online.

 

;)

I have two words for you......................... GREEN GRASS!!!

 

You are contributing to the demise of the golf club business for the "small guy" (green grass accounts at coureses) by purchasing on-line!

 

Ebay, since it's inception, has almost KILLED the club market!!! Sure, people come into the golf shop at whatever course (private and public) and expect to see the "latest and greatest" thing.... they test it in a demo club.... then buy it on-line!

 

I know it's a price point thing, but if you are having problems with clerks at big-box stores that don't know anything, then return to your roots and go to the golf shop of a GOLF PROFESSIONAL!!!! They, if they are worth their salt, should know almost everything about the product that they are selling!!

:crazy: :vava:

 

sorry but i have saved thousands of dollars buying golf gear online...from apparel, to clubs, balls, shoes, etc....which leaves money in the pocket to pay bills, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am not mad at anyone for buying clubs online as I would to if I didn't have the chance to get them the way that I can. I still will buy wedges and othern items for my personal use online if I don't have them in one of my stores. I just don't care for the guys that come in EVERY week and want my input only to go and buy it elsewhere. If I don't have any other things to do at that time then great but if you are in my store and you are not the only customer in there but you are going to pick my brain knowing that you aren't going to buy anything from me then that is when I get upset.

 

 

 

I also have a few regs that I will pull items back for or make a speacial trade knowing that I might be getting something that they might want. I only do this for a couple of guys but those are the oness that come in and will help with things when I am swamped or will watch the shop why I am doing club work or a fitting down stairs.

 

 

 

Everyone wants to save money and I get that but I will only price match the web pricing if I can give you my light bill also to pay for the month. For some reason no one has taken that deal? :)

 

There are alot of you guys out there that are more knowledgeable than me on equipment and I am sure some have even been in my shop but that is life. There is always someone that knows more than yourself.

 

And yes, I am using smaller words because I work in a golf shop and am not that smart!!!!

[dtwainright]

Interesting post...I'm not trying to defend anyone here because I can see both sides of the story. I used to work at a high-end retail store selling $5000 mountain bikes to $400 rain jackets to $250 hiking boots. I knew my stuff and could explain just about every feature to a potential customer. Now I’m a golfer looking for the best deal.

 

The retail relationship is hardly ever trustworthy...I mean how long do you even spend together? 5-10 minutes? The sales person wants to make a sale, but the customer usually won’t explain exactly what they are looking for (“Don’t sell me the most expensive thing!”…consumers don’t want to feel trapped or tricked). The sales person then has to “feel” for what the customer “might” like and then read the customers reaction…and then keep going and re-route the conversion as best they can. If you’ve never worked retail, and tried to make a customer as happy as possible in a very short amount a time, try to see it from their point of view.

 

Inventory can be VERY expensive (as jmconnel stated) and next to payroll, it’s probably the second largest expense a company carries. Think about the kind of golf retail company you’d like to start…Think about what you’d carry….Think about what it would take just to break even…Just know that retailers aren’t trying to piss anyone off…I guarantee that the management would like to have everyone on their staff as smart as a whip and their inventory perfect for 99% of the customers.

 

Regards,

TW

[forrre]

Interesting post...I'm not trying to defend anyone here because I can see both sides of the story. I used to work at a high-end retail store selling $5000 mountain bikes to $400 rain jackets to $250 hiking boots. I knew my stuff and could explain just about every feature to a potential customer. Now I'm a golfer looking for the best deal.

 

The retail relationship is hardly ever trustworthy...I mean how long do you even spend together? 5-10 minutes? The sales person wants to make a sale, but the customer usually won't explain exactly what they are looking for ("Don't sell me the most expensive thing!"…consumers don't want to feel trapped or tricked). The sales person then has to "feel" for what the customer "might" like and then read the customers reaction…and then keep going and re-route the conversion as best they can. If you've never worked retail, and tried to make a customer as happy as possible in a very short amount a time, try to see it from their point of view.

 

Inventory can be VERY expensive (as jmconnel stated) and next to payroll, it's probably the second largest expense a company carries. Think about the kind of golf retail company you'd like to start…Think about what you'd carry….Think about what it would take just to break even…Just know that retailers aren't trying to piss anyone off…I guarantee that the management would like to have everyone on their staff as smart as a whip and their inventory perfect for 99% of the customers.

 

Regards,

TW

 

 

 

 

 

Very SMALL shop:

 

takes me around $14000 a month to break even including restock the inventory!!!!! thats for my smaller of the 2 stores!

[clevey]

i really hope none of you guys belong to a private club. if i buy something outside my pro shop i pay the pro what he would of made because i feel so guilty.

[sheppy335]

i really hope none of you guys belong to a private club. if i buy something outside my pro shop i pay the pro what he would of made because i feel so guilty.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow you are a bigger person then i am. My savings is my savings, that is like going to a small store owner and giveing him the difference between his price and Walmarts. Kudos to you!

[maguy1970]

i really hope none of you guys belong to a private club. if i buy something outside my pro shop i pay the pro what he would of made because i feel so guilty.

 

our proshop at our club has incredibly reasonable prices, actually better than most retail outlets. Granted the apparel all has a member and non member price for when outings are held. But when I had my pro order me a Red X it was only around $200 - $210, got it when it first was available so i forget exact numbers. Similarily, all the adidas shirts are under $40 for members.

 

Our pro gets the lion's share of profits from the pro shop, as our club breaks even with the dues and outing revenue. So it would seem his position is to curry favor of the members by having reasonable prices and rather try to move more gear than higher margin gear. Our assitant just told me the other day that if I wanted to replace the MB from my TP 2003 combo set with a 7-9 or 7-PW of the new TP MB, it would be about $90 a club. Not too bad I think...

[beninfluence]

What gets on my nerves is when people come in, try stuff, take up your time and advise then go and buy off the internet because it's £10 cheaper!

We had a guy come in not so long ago looking at putters, after he had been trying them for a while i asked if he was ok and he informed me he had seen a putter on e-bay but wanted try one first! I couldn't believe his cheek! He came in a week later proudly showing off the 2 ball he'd got for £60.

My how a laughed when i saw it was fake and told him it was worth about £5.

He's started buying from us now.

Just goes to show though, you can buy form a decent shop and get looked after really well or buy off the internet and get totally stung.

[Subsonic]

Seems a troll has come out from under the bridge... :) :crazy:

[forrre]

Pants tightening....... Come to Bunky......

 

what can I do.... :) How do I compete!!!!

[jscw]

Pants tightening....... Come to Bunky......

 

what can I do.... :) How do I compete!!!!

Honestly I do know something that ebay sellers are hard to compete with traditional small golf stores -- customer fit clubs.

For example I've no way to get a new set of 2 degree flat CG2s on ebay, just no way (Specifically, there is one guy sell customer fit CG2 on ebay, but I will need to pay more.) Also it's hard (not impossible) to get a driver/fairway with certain "exotic" shafts.

So there is really something the traditional small golf stores can beat ebay (or Dicks/SportsAuthority etc.), just not the traditional stuff.

 

I wish all small golf stores can find ways to survive/profit. It's bad bad bad for all people if we need to buy every clubs online. (Think, how would it happen if you can only buy computer from Dell? )

 

Just my 1 cent.

[Golfdog]

I think each place has its strengths and weaknesses. I am like the "arrogant" poster above. I will usually research something to death before I go shopping. I almost always know exactly what I am looking for. Sometimes a sales person is helpful, but usually I am not seeking additional advice. The bottom line is that if I've done my homework, I am not expecting the sales person to be a product expert. I am looking for them to be s store expert, and know what is in stock, how long it takes to order something, etc. In this regard, most sales people I run into are excellent.

 

There are some items I tend to buy online, and some I tend to buy in stores. If I demo a club in a store, I will always purchase the club at that store. In fact, I will try to send at least a portion of my business to local stores to help keep them in business. However, the place for me to find the cheapest merchandise is online. Online is where I tend to buy my "consumables," such as balls, gloves, shirts and shorts. Sometimes, I make a mistake and buy something online that I should have bought at a store. An example of this is my recent purchase of a golf bag. I got an Ogio Flight that broke after three rounds. If I had got this at a store, I probably could have swapped it out for a new one. Now I've had to ship the bag back to the dotcom, who will ship it to the manufacturer, who will replace it. I will be lucky to get the bag back in less than a month.

 

My local store has done some great things for me. I bought a new SQ Max online, but found it had too little loft. I took it to my store to see if I could trade it in on a higher lofted model. They swapped it out for free!

 

The bottom line is that not all store employees are clueless morons. In fact, I suspect there are more clueless morons walking through the door than standing behind the counter. The online stores don't have the market cornered on geniuses either. Hey people are people: you'll find good ones and not so good ones everywhere.

 

For me, there are no absolutes in purchasing golf gear. Stores, online, and forums are all great sources of gear and info for me, and I wouldn't exclude any of these options.