American Golf going up for Auction

[Lord Tyrion]

Yeah, they seem to have gone down the Mike Ashley route of just trying to flog their own affiliated stuff - mainly seems to be Greg Norman and Stromberg clothes front and centre. Fazer and Ben Ross clubs.

The one nearest to me has definitely done this and it is really poor. I think the other one, a bit further away, may still be okay. Different approaches depending on the shop / location?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Yeah, they seem to have gone down the Mike Ashley route of just trying to flog their own affiliated stuff - mainly seems to be Greg Norman and Stromberg clothes front and centre. Fazer and Ben Ross clubs.

Pop into the Milton’s Keynes one as it’s got all the top OEM - Mizuno , Ping , TM , Titleist, Callaway and PXG

There is also clothing wise - FJ , J Linderberg , Puma and a lot of Under Armour

And even then you can get stuff from the website delivered into the stores

But the likes of Benross etc are perfect for people new to golf starting out

 

[Deleted member 36742]

The one nearest to me has definitely done this and it is really poor. I think the other one, a bit further away, may still be okay. Different approaches depending on the shop / location?

Good retailing means tailoring your offering to suit the market you want to appeal to and this can vary from store to store.

Online generally means offering a full product range to suit the widest possible market.

Just looked at their website and I see that they stock all the major brands of clubs and as Arthur Wedge said "upmarket" clothing brands as well as the more "budget" offerings. But I doubt that any of their stores will carry everything.

 

[nickjdavis]

A Decent driving range with any kind of golf store attached is a good business model .. with cafe etc

I still don't know how American golf lakeside stays in business , it's so out of the way in the shopping centre. It's not in the mall it's in the outlet park but ages away from any other store so you only go there if your planning to

We had direct golf and American golf in Romford at one time.. direct golf went under ag took it on then closed their Romford store as direct golf had the range attached. Much better model. Can offer good fitting outlets on a range aswell

Can see them closing more stores and stream Lining.

Its not ages away. You make it sound like its in the middle of nowhere.

Its a 5 minute drive from the main shopping center and is surrounded by stores like Currys, Tesco, Decathlon, B&Q, IKEA, Go outdoors, TK Maxx to name just a handful.

The type of customer who uses AG fitting just try what's best rather than go into the numbers per day

You make it sound like AG is the domain of "lesser" golfers.


Whilst AG is not perfect, the availability of bricks and mortar retail outlets (selling any type of merchandise) cannot be undervalued.

Yes you can buy cheaper online, yes you are protected by distance selling regulations, allowing you to return stuff you've bought remotely for any reason....but the value of being able to walk into a store and talk with someone, physically try something out, seek the expertise of someone watching you (and I acknowledge that such expertise can be variable in quality across different AG's) is immense.

Unfortunately many of todays generation simply dont understand this, having been weaned on a diet of Amazon, Rakuten and other online shopping experiences. We are talking about the demise of the high street as we know it, town center areas decaying, rotting, becoming nothing more than empty shells, filled with vape, mobile phone and charity shops.

Lets all go online...its better they all say, lets close 80 retail outlets and open up a big warehouse where stock is picked by robots and needs minimal staffing. Lets not worry about the 500 jobs that will be lost.

AG isn't the greatest....but should it ever go under there will be a swathe of golfers wringing their hands, lamenting its demise, and privately thinking that they perhaps could have spent a bit more in there, instead of buying somewhere else for £20 less. So I will happily admit that I frequent my local AG often, sometimes i walk in, have a browse, walk out with nothing, and at the other end of the scale, I will perhaps spend several hundred pounds on a club, knowing that I can get it for a few tens of pounds cheaper elsewhere....but happy to support my local branch, as I value the service that they've given me over the years....and if that marks me as something of a lesser golfer....I'm comfortable with that.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Its not ages away. You make it sound like its in the middle of nowhere.

Its a 5 minute drive from the main shopping center and is surrounded by stores like Currys, Tesco, Decathlon, B&Q, IKEA, Go outdoors, TK Maxx to name just a handful.


You make it sound like AG is the domain of "lesser" golfers.


Whilst AG is not perfect, the availability of bricks and mortar retail outlets (selling any type of merchandise) cannot be undervalued.

Yes you can buy cheaper online, yes you are protected by distance selling regulations, allowing you to return stuff you've bought remotely for any reason....but the value of being able to walk into a store and talk with someone, physically try something out, seek the expertise of someone watching you (and I acknowledge that such expertise can be variable in quality across different AG's) is immense.

Unfortunately many of todays generation simply dont understand this, having been weaned on a diet of Amazon, Rakuten and other online shopping experiences. We are talking about the demise of the high street as we know it, town center areas decaying, rotting, becoming nothing more than empty shells, filled with vape, mobile phone and charity shops.

Lets all go online...its better they all say, lets close 80 retail outlets and open up a big warehouse where stock is picked by robots and needs minimal staffing. Lets not worry about the 500 jobs that will be lost.

AG isn't the greatest....but should it ever go under there will be a swathe of golfers wringing their hands, lamenting its demise, and privately thinking that they perhaps could have spent a bit more in there, instead of buying somewhere else for £20 less. So I will happily admit that I frequent my local AG often, sometimes i walk in, have a browse, walk out with nothing, and at the other end of the scale, I will perhaps spend several hundred pounds on a club, knowing that I can get it for a few tens of pounds cheaper elsewhere....but happy to support my local branch, as I value the service that they've given me over the years....and if that marks me as something of a lesser golfer....I'm comfortable with that.

Come on Thurrock AG is out of the way. You don't go there to go to a range, it can't tempt people walking through lakeside to oh golf. It's litterally tucked around the back of lakeside with nothing around. Yes you could drive there but you don't get the I'll just pop in custom you get at a range store etc. worst one in the area by a mile.

Nothing to do with lesser golfer. But if someone wants a fit of golf clubs to dial in they don't go to American golf. If a golfer wants to go in to try different golf clubs to narrow down the choices that's the fit they offer in most stores. How many of those who try clubs even buy from there or just order from elsewhere because it's a better price?

Id much rather support my local pro shop than AG, don't want to see AG gone however I'd rather give my money to a local pro who provide a better service for a lower cost.

How on earth has the forum gone full circle from "we should support our local pro" to "we should support AG" not long ago they were the problem costing our local pros.

The rise of golf bidder etc has caused them just as many issues as people now buy good second hand products rather than the starter sets they sell.. on the advise of many on this forum

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Come on Thurrock AG is out of the way. You don't go there to go to a range, it can't tempt people walking through lakeside to oh golf. It's litterally tucked around the back of lakeside with nothing around. Yes you could drive there but you don't get the I'll just pop in custom you get at a range store etc. worst one in the area by a mile.

Nothing to do with lesser golfer. But if someone wants a fit of golf clubs to dial in they don't go to American golf. If a golfer wants to go in to try different golf clubs to narrow down the choices that's the fit they offer in most stores. How many of those who try clubs even buy from there or just order from elsewhere because it's a better price?

Id much rather support my local pro shop than AG, don't want to see AG gone however I'd rather give my money to a local pro who provide a better service for a lower cost.

How on earth has the forum gone full circle from "we should support our local pro" to "we should support AG" not long ago they were the problem costing our local pros.

There is the space for both to exist

there are now millions of social golfer playing regular that don’t have a local pro - and AG is perfect for them

I’ll support my pro because he is key for the club I’m a member at

But he can’t do everything, so I have used AG for balls , tees , trolley , shoes and bag

Also fitting at an AG is done by a qualified fitter now , and it most AGs it’s in very good studios


AG has had a bad rep and it years past at times it was poor - but it’s changed over the years and it’s there for their golfers that aren’t a member of a club but still play regularly

 

[nickjdavis]

Come on Thurrock AG is out of the way. You don't go there to go to a range, it can't tempt people walking through lakeside to oh golf. It's litterally tucked around the back of lakeside with nothing around. Yes you could drive there but you don't get the I'll just pop in custom you get at a range store etc. worst one in the area by a mile.

Nothing to do with lesser golfer. But if someone wants a fit of golf clubs to dial in they don't go to American golf. If a golfer wants to go in to try different golf clubs to narrow down the choices that's the fit they offer in most stores. How many of those who try clubs even buy from there or just order from elsewhere because it's a better price?

Id much rather support my local pro shop than AG, don't want to see AG gone however I'd rather give my money to a local pro who provide a better service for a lower cost.

How on earth has the forum gone full circle from "we should support our local pro" to "we should support AG" not long ago they were the problem costing our local pros.

You could level the same criticism at the vast majority of golf club pro shops which are evenly more remotely located than the Thurrock AG...very few will have any sort of pop-in custom (other than their captured membership client base) and as such arent in a position to "tempt people in to golf". I might not go to Thurrock AG to use the rnage (that it doesnt have) but I can easily pop in there (walking) whilst my missus shops at any of the previously mentioned locations....less than 5 minutes on foot from any of them (maybe 8 mins for B&Q or Ikea )

and thats the problem....as long as people do this then bricks and mortar retail outlets will dwindle. Oh, by the way, the same folk who buy online rather than AG because of the price, are exactly the same type of folks who will buy online rather than an independent pro...because of price. We can get all misty eyed about supporting our local pro...but the vast majority of the golfing population, especially those who aren't club members, all they care about is price. AG wont be the only victims...your local pro will go as well.

It hasn't....its saying that places like AG have a valuable place in the retail mix. We should support any retail outlet that gives us an alternative place to purchase goods. Once the bricks and mortar stores are gone...there is nothing that will keep online prices down....they can charge what they want....and yes....if your local pro is providing the sort of invaluable advice that is not available elsewhere...of course it is right to support him/her....I dont beleive that AG were ever an issue for golf club pro's....i think club pro's may once have been slow to adapt to the changing nature of retail business, but in more recent years have been getting their act together....price matching, forming local buying groups etc etc.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

You could level the same criticism at the vast majority of golf club pro shops...very few will have any sort of pop-in custom (other than their captured membership client base) and as such arent in a position to "tempt people in to golf".

and thats the problem....as long as people do this then bricks and mortar retail outlets will dwindle. Oh, by the way, the same folk who buy online rather than AG because of the price, are exactly the same type of folks who will buy online rather than an independent pro...because of price. We can get all misty eyed about supporting our local pro...but the vast majority of the golfing population, especially those who aren't club members, all they care about is price. AG wont be the only victims...your local pro will go as well.

It hasn't....its saying that places like AG have a valuable place in the retail mix. We should support any retail outlet that gives us an alternative place to purchase goods. Once the bricks and mortar stores are gone...there is nothing that will keep online prices down....they can charge what they want....and yes....if your local pro is providing the sort of invaluable advice that is not available elsewhere...of course it is right to support him/her....I dont beleive that AG were ever an issue for golf club pro's....i think club pro's may once have been slow to adapt to the changing nature of retail business, but in more recent years have been getting their act together....price matching, forming local buying groups etc etc.

All the pros in the area used to hate AG because it cost them business. The bulk buying system meant they could undercut the pros

Same with the double trade in.. meant everyone would buy their new clubs from AG for the value of those clubs.. pros couldn't match them.

Online won't just suddenly charge what they want if bricks and mortar go. Long as their is more than 2 online retailers prices will be competitive to undercut each other. That is life.

If AG goes something else will come in it's place for the successful stores but the stores that dwindle will close.

They aren't like Tesco's who can run stores in some locations at a loss supported by the bigger stores


There is no way your walking to Thurrock AG from IKEA in 8 mins. Even Google has it 17! .. would take 8 mins to get past Costco.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Yeah, they seem to have gone down the Mike Ashley route of just trying to flog their own affiliated stuff - mainly seems to be Greg Norman and Stromberg clothes front and centre. Fazer and Ben Ross clubs.

I have a few Greg Norman shirts, and the quality is fantastic.
Benross clubs are decent clubs, from a manufacturer who doesn’t have to charge sky high prices as they are paying tour pros.

I think many forget that the number of individually owned online retailers is less than half the number of sites.
For example, AG have their online presence and Online golf is part of the same company

 

[nickjdavis]

All the pros in the area used to hate AG because it cost them business. The bulk buying system meant they could undercut the pros

Same with the double trade in.. meant everyone would buy their new clubs from AG for the value of those clubs.. pros couldn't match them.

Online won't just suddenly charge what they want if bricks and mortar go. Long as their is more than 2 online retailers prices will be competitive to undercut each other. That is life.

If AG goes something else will come in it's place for the successful stores but the stores that dwindle will close.

They aren't like Tesco's who can run stores in some locations at a loss supported by the bigger stores


There is no way your walking to Thurrock AG from IKEA in 8 mins. Even Google has it 17! .. would take 8 mins to get past Costco.

I wouldnt bank on it.

Back in the 1990's during the boom years of golf there was a golf shop inside the main Lakeside center....just a couple of doors down from Debenhams main entrance. It closed maybe in 1997....never been replaced by a similar store...was in a prime position to capture existing and entice potentially new golfers, was always full of customers...busy as hell. No other golf chain/shop/brand bothered taking the location on (now obviously there will have been a number of factors influencing this)....not AG nor Nevada Bobs (who had a thriving shop not a lob wedge away from the current Thurrock AG location...think its a cycle shop now) despite its footfall.

I am surprised that in the last 30 years or so there hasn't been a golf retail shop within the Lakeside center...seems a missed opportunity to me.

Bluewater had a golf shop in the early 2000's....but even that has gone....maybe the rental costs are just too much to make it viable to have shops in retail centers.

I know...I'm just highighting the fact that it is nowhere near as remote as you are making it out to be (i do walk quickly though )

 

[Deleted member 21784]

I wouldnt bank on it.

Back in the 1990's during the boom years of golf there was a golf shop inside the main Lakeside center....just a couple of doors down from Debenhams main entrance. It closed maybe in 1997....never been replaced by a similar store...was in a prime position to capture existing and entice potentially new golfers, was always full of customers...busy as hell. No other golf chain/shop/brand bothered taking the location on (now obviously there will have been a number of factors influencing this)....not AG nor Nevada Bobs (who had a thriving shop not a lob wedge away from the current Thurrock AG location...think its a cycle shop now) despite its footfall.

I am surprised that in the last 30 years or so there hasn't been a golf retail shop within the Lakeside center...seems a missed opportunity to me.

Bluewater had a golf shop in the early 2000's....but even that has gone....maybe the rental costs are just too much to make it viable to have shops in retail centers.

I know...I'm just highighting the fact that it is nowhere near as remote as you are making it out to be (i do walk quickly though )

It's a 4 min drive you would need to run at usian bolt speed. If it was where Nandos is for example in the main retail outlet bit with thriving shops around IE the range, Smyths , Costa , Currys etc then I'd agree but it's tuck away in the arse end of the retail park with all the furniture outlets.

Direct golf went under And AG snapped up that store in no time in Romford because the location was good . If AG lost stores Thurrock is prime candidate

 

[kp17]

Is Nevada Bobs still going anywhere? One up here years ago was a great shop

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Is Nevada Bobs still going anywhere? One up here years ago was a great shop

There is one in Stamford

 

[nickjdavis]

Is Nevada Bobs still going anywhere? One up here years ago was a great shop

Yep - there is an excellent one just outside Colchester.

 

[Oddsocks]

Should I be worried about my £110 in vouchers

I used my £50 voucher at the one in Tonbridge last week, they had mega sales on and when I asked of they were closing down I was advised “ no, we’re simply making way for new stock “

Seems more like clearing purchased stock as I would guess clubs can go back to the manufactures.

 

[Deleted member 36742]

I used my £50 voucher at the one in Tonbridge last week, they had mega sales on and when I asked of they were closing down I was advised “ no, we’re simply making way for new stock “

Seems more like clearing purchased stock as I would guess clubs can go back to the manufactures.

Certainly not the case with all manufacturers.