Advice Please

[billyg]

Billy G,

Yeah I have some clubs already.

Driver is Callaway FT5
3 / 5 Woods Callaway Steel Heads
Nicklaus 4i Hybrid
Top Flite Tour 3-SW
Ben Sayers putter

That makes life a whole lot simpler eh?

I suspect I will go back to AG and try clubs again before I take the plunge. As someone stated, when you have the manager behind you watching every shot, its hardly a relaxed atmosphere to max your efforts. They know that I will buy from them, so you are absolutely right - they should indulge me a little.

Without wishing to push this one over the event horizon and into the realms of a catastrophe graph amongst fellow GMers I would say to indulge you is the least they can do.
So much as a breath on the neck from the manager and it's off to the next reseller. I occasionally find myself in a N Bob's and have been astounded to see well-healed city types who probably speculate the value my life earnings away on the turn of a deal be bum-rushed into buying tat by a pushy 'assistant'. Next time you buy a pension plan - ask your financial advisor how he bought his clubs - then think again.

Custom fitting - now there is a different ball game!

On a set costing 'five large' from AG I would want the ...adjustment of ones clubs to bespoke fit... thrown in gratis.

 

[Parmo]

One more point, ignore what people say about brands, I beleived the old saying "you get what you pay for" and totally dissagree with that now, I bough my 3 wood for £40 and its the best one I tried and that includes ones worth well over £100.

You are best trying them out at a local store like AG and get your custom mesurements then buy online to save some cash as most online stores custom fit for free.

 

[markwarne]

Strangely, Mizuno's were not mentioned, but looking at the AG site, they look a pretty good club and the blurb suggests they could be suitable for someone who is trying to get from 28 to sub 20 as quickly as possible (may seem a big ask but my pro suggests it is more than acheivable by the end of the season - it would appear that a few technical issues and clubs are the key factors here)

Thanks for the tip

 

[billyg]

Strangely, Mizuno's were not mentioned, but looking at the AG site, they look a pretty good club and the blurb suggests they could be suitable for someone who is trying to get from 28 to sub 20 as quickly as possible (may seem a big ask but my pro suggests it is more than acheivable by the end of the season - it would appear that a few technical issues and clubs are the key factors here)

Thanks for the tip

Many moons ago I used to work in retail. As a sales assistant it's not uncommon to be offered incentives such as vouchers or discounts by brand reps. in exchange for 'pushing' particular kit. The managers often look the other way as it's money in the till and a bump for their overall turnover.

Unless you go to a truly independant reseller (if such a thing exists) there's likely to be an angle if you don't go in focussed. They rely on punters who aren't sure what they want and are therefore prime for a 'steer'.

Your best mate (if you can't rustle up an experienced friend to tag along) is your own instincts. If you think you're being stiffed- you probably are.

good luck and don't rule out visiting a club pro- you don't have to be a member you know.

 

[Parmo]

I recently got the 19s and I got them from a PGA pro shop on Ebay, they customer fitted them (I had the changes already) and they fitted decade grips for free (£25 extra at golf online) a total to notce service and would buy from them again.

 

[USER1999]

Not that I am rubbishing Nicklaus clubs, but one thing I can say for sure is that in six months time, G10s will still be being sold at a good price, and the Nicklaus will be in the reduced section for next to nothing.
Now while you don't want to sell yours quickly, I can't see that you will be happy seeing them sold for nothing. If you like them, wait 6 months, and pick them up cheaply.
Also, iof you get down to 20 in one year, you might find your swing has changed enough to make you need / want new less game improvy clubs. At this point resale value does kick in.
At £500, I would not be tempted. There are plenty of better clubs at this price point, and from the likes of Orka, MD and Benross, far below this price.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tried the Nicklaus clubs on Sunday. Strangely enough when I was using the launch monitor software in AG they were the straightest club I tried. However when I went out onto the range although I hit them perfectly well the ball flight was too high and even though I was hitting down wind once the ball got to the top of its arc it seemed to drop very quickly and robbed me of distance.

Whatever you buy I would suggest going through the custom fitting programme especially if you are at an AG shop. Then even if you don't buy there you will know what shafts suits best and whether you need the lie and loft changed.

I have to say I hit the Mizuno MX 25's on Sunday at the driving range I use to practice at and I think they are definitely worth a look at. They are well made and I think Mizuno retain their value 2nd hand pretty well so if your game improves in say 2 years time you should get a good trade in price.

I would also look at the G10's as they are easy to hit. I also tried a set of Clevelands (not sure of the make but had a yellow insert in the back of them) and they were fantastic to hit on the range.

At the end of the day make sure you try before you buy preferably on the range so you can actually see how the ball flies as opposed to trusting a launch monitor. If you are unsure just walk away. It is up to them to make the sale

 

[TonyN]

Hi mark welcome to the site. With regard to the Fisher putter, I fell in love with a green insert one from A.G and then got one off ebay for half price. When i started using it on real greens it was so different and rubbish. What i found to be an excellent putter and good for a softer face is the white hot series. I now use the #7 and love it.

Take your time with ya putter, its the club you use most!

 

[viscount17]

Hi MW, and welcome.

I have tried the Fisher putters. I quite liked a couple in the range but opted instead for the Ping B60. In my opinion a better putter and they were going for £60 in AG (if they don't have them in my proshop has them at £65). (One of our fellows on the forum does have a Fisher putter).

Where are you in Hertfordshire? (I work in Stevenage)

 

[USER1999]

I looked at the Nicklaus clubs in AG last night (I was after a rain glove for tomorrow). They look ok, but to my eyes they are effectively a Callaway clone, so why not buy the Callys at this price. Get the right shaft, I can't see why they would perform any different, and you won't spend your life explaining to your playing partners why you bought Nicklaus irons.

I wondered if there was some tie in to AG with Nicklaus, as they really seem to be pushing their stuff.

 

[markwarne]

Hi Viscount17.

I am in Watford, and a member at Aldenham. Anytime anyone fancies a game (regardless of the clubs I now have to REALLY think about) let me know.

 

[markwarne]

Really interesting point there ref kick backs. I still work in retail finance and see the whole "supplier contribution" (as they like to call it) every day.

I have to admit I dismissed it at the time but on contemplation, I thought it strange that more than one AG person (Mgr and Asst) were pushing the Nicklaus a little too hard. Given they quoted the amount that they shifted in relation to other clubs (Ping and Callaway - which I found really hard to believe) I thought if they are so good, why am I not hearing about how good they are.

That said, a club new to market that is trying to compete with the bigger brands clearly needs that push to get it on the course and SC's are the way to do it. Commission is a bit of a incentive!

 

[billyg]

That said, a club new to market that is trying to compete with the bigger brands clearly needs that push to get it on the course and SC's are the way to do it. Commission is a bit of a incentive!

No doubt. That's how it works but knowing this(as you do) gives you the chance to avoid the tribulations and costs of the early adopter.

If there was even the slightest chance that these clubs turn out to be a modern classic for which the tooling plant and blue prints miraculously disappear in a puff of smoke then they might be some margin in speculating.

If you really like them and they work for you then follow your heart not your head. It's golf gear not hedge funds.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've given my opinion on how they play (for my swing at least) and to be honest there are better clubs out there. Have to say though the junior shop underling that originally served me was also really pushing the Nicklaus make so it seems it is an AG policy. It wasn't until my wife and I got talking to the manager that he understood what I might be after (we play together regularly so he knows a bit about my game) and told me about the ex demo R7's

He got confused when I said I wasn' that interested as I didn't like the original Nicklaus stuff in the 80's when it was under the Macgregor umbrella and was even less impressed when clubs were produced under the "Golden Bear" name which in all honesty were starter clubs and nothing else.

If they had shown me a bladed or tour version of the club which was well made to the eye I'd have said okay I'll give them a chance but they don't make them (or AG aren't stocking them) and I think your cash would be invested better elsewhere.

 

[viscount17]

My AG seems awash with Nicklaus, three variations of logo which apparently indicate the quality (price bracket) with Golden Bear in the basement and the 'Signature' at the top.

mw, Watford is close enough for a meet sometime. May be heading that way to get fitted for irons and also thinking of taking in a couple of days at the BMW.

 

[GB72]

I was certainly surprised that the Nicklaus clubs cost the same as the Ping G10s. As far as I am concerned, the main selling point of the lesser known manufacturers is that they do not spend a fortune on Tour Pros and advertising and thus are considerably CHEAPER. On the basis that Niclaus do not have a massive promotional budget, they must either be of a stunning quality far above Ping (unlikely) or AG simply rake in a massive profit on them.

 

[markwarne]

Tony, thanks for the post ref the putter. Generally speaking, I think everybody who has contributed to this thread has prevented me from making an expensive mistake, so thanks to all and I will let you know what I went for in the end.

Regarding the Fisher, I was in no doubt that this would be the one for me given the immediate feel upon contact with the ball. However, I will most certainly give the white hot a look. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[markwarne]

GB72, thanks for your thread. I suspect you are right - that AG are on some sort of promo to get these clubs into the marketplace (Apologies to any AG employees who know different) and making the profit that goes with it.

 

[markwarne]

viscount17, anytime you are think you are going to be in Watford and diaries permitting a game would be good.

 

[viscount17]

ok, you're on. sort something out after Easter.