Do they think we are stupid?

[Professor]

A few of years back I was in Orlando and on the lookout for a new putter. There were a couple of large golf shops to look at. I picked up a two ball putter and couldn't miss on the practice green. The salesman was insisting that I should buy but it sniffed a bit, particularly when a ball I hit past the hole still went in! Closer inspection revealed the not so subtle gradient all round the hole! Needless to say I purchased my putter from another store - I still got a two ball though.

 

[Basher]

Shocking sales tactics!!!

Puts me in mind of when I test drove a car many years ago. I'd been loking at a 2nd hand Rover 213. The salesman came bounding over and suggested a test drive. With nothing better to do I accepted.
Upon leaving the forecourt a disturbing rumbling which was obviously a well knackered wheel bearing could be heard.
"I'll just switch the radio on and try and catch some latest football scores" said the suited one.

I promptly turned left, turned left again and drove the car straight back to the forecourt and told "Jack the Lad" the car was not for me!

I hasten to add that this garage was no back street Arthur Daly type, but a large Rover dealership.

Never did buy a Rover!

 

[Professor]

Now I did buy a Rover and loved it until Rover went under. I was planning to sell it in the next 12 months and watched the value plummet! Someone got a bargain.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm pretty sure my local AG must have a grooved putting surface as no matter what putter I choose and what stroke I put on it they all seem to go in. I have to behonest and say I'd never buy a putter again by just hitting it on a carpeted surface. I insist either at my pro shop or AG that I try it out on a proper green to get a real idea for distance and feel. If they can't be bothered (AG - my pro is always amenable) I put it back and leave. It depends if I get a young sales junior or the manager/deputy as to whether they let me.

As it happens my itsy spider and my old odyssey dualforce 554 are both performing well so the prospect of a new putter is mute at the moment (unless GM want to donate a 34" odyssey teron for service rendered!!!)

 

[viscount17]

maybe I was born cynical (that or I'm seeking to add 'querulous' or some of its synonyms to my description) but I have long believed that the indoor putting surfaces at the bulk sales establishments (you know who they are) are biased.

 

[stevek1969]

Went to one in Orlando in April, my son thought he was Tiger Woods he couldn't miss ,any time he putted it went in the sales guy tried to give it some patter about him having ability then i said to i'm from Scotland mate not outer space ,you could actually see the beville in the putting green.

 

[USER1999]

I had a chat with the manager of Edwin Watts in Bradenton, Florida about this. It has a big indoor putting green, with about 5 holes in it. It is dead flat, and a beautiful surface. He said people had claimed the holes were rigged in some way, so you hole more putts, but as he said, it is just because the holes are sharp edged, so putts which hit the hole don't rim out, and because of the surface, putts track straight. No great mystery there then. If you align straight, and put a solid stroke on it, you can them. Simple.