Good advice for beginners and not quite such beginners

[haplesshacker]

Following on from another thread about AG pushing Nicklaus kit onto shoppers. I wondered if anyone here has some good sound advice on buying kit from these various retailers. Good or bad sellers, good or bad kit, what's worth having what's not. What's BS and what's sound.

It can be about retailers, clubs, balls, tees, clothing, trolleys, shoes, socks, gloves, bags, in fact anything golf.

Hoping that it might help those of us that are still trying to get it right.

 

[GB72]

Have had similar experiences with AG trying to push certain gear. Interestingly the nearest store to me was a franchise and is ditching the AG name as is finding it detrimental.

Direct Golf in Cambridge used to have problems but are now top class. Have a great driving range and short game area and are pretty much willing to let you hit balls with as many clubs as you like. Seem to have a bottomless pit of range tokens to hand out.

As for Online stores, Online golf are head and shoulders above any other I have tried.

I my experience is anything to go by then I would recommend going for the high quality but cheaper brands like Benross, MD and Orka when starting out.

 

[HTL]

1. Online Golf
2. Affordable Golf
3. 118 Golf

And GM for reviews, never take a TG review seriously all they do is love Taylor Made. Any one else notice all their £10 challenge people pay with TM and the staff have buckets loads in their bags!?!? An how TM always seems to come out top in their reviews?

 

[GB72]

TG has long been a running advert for TM. You will always seem at least one item of TM gear in the top 3 when the review anything.

Not sure if anyone else has had a similar experience but would warn against Direct Golf in Lincoln. Really pushy, basically refused to let me try any clubs unless I took the John Letters equivalent out as well and then was charged a fortune to buy a bucket of balls to try the clubs with.

 

[Parmo]

Online golf - Great service and customers services are top notice imo
Snainton Golf - Just ordered a Mizuno flight bag & pair of Fryjoys, ordered on the Tuesday night, arrived on the Thursday morning, also the shoes where a half size to big (my fault) and they have arrange a exchange via the delivery company (for a tenner though) am expecting them today.
thegolfprofessional (EBay) - great service and deals, got free new decade Mizuno grips on my irons and put in a free towel.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

118golf are top notch (and just down the road from me so if you get any hassle I can send the boys round!)

I think the only advice I can give from experience, particularly from AG is be blunt. If you are going in there to buy clubs, have an idea of what makes/budget you are after and ask to try the clubs you are interested in. Point out that you are not interested in Nicklaus, Hogan, et al until you have tried the makes you fancy. If you can't get on with them then by all means let them try and suggest alternatives.

I am lucky and know my local AG manager quite well (hence the silly prices I sometimes get) but from other stores I have used I have found that if you are not happy just have a polite word in the managers ear and say you aren't happy with the junior shop boy and the advice you are getting.

I had troube with an underling last year when trying to get custom fitted for some X20's and he told me I needed 4 degree upright. My previous clubs were customs and were only 1 degree so I knew he was talking rubbish. He never mentioned shafts, grip size etc so I had a quiet word with the manager (told him I had loads of £ to spend) and suddenly got the VIP treatment from him instead.

You are the customer and so should be in control.

It is slightly harder online as the transaction is pretty clinical in that you decide what you want and order it directly which takes into account you have already made a decision. You do have certain rights and some stores offer a returns policy (normally 7-14 days) providing you obviously haven't used the stuff and pay for postage etc.

As the economic climate darkens, keep away from credit agreement if possible as rates are likely to increase. However as money becomes tighter, stores may have to offer more enticements to get rid of big items like irons and drivers.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask. When I bought my driver recently I was standing at the till and saw they had the new Callaway Itour balls. I made some comment about really wanting to try those and the guy gave me a sleeve of 3 free. I have also taken really old kit to AG (bladed 2 irons from the 90's, old bags, old putters etc) for which I expected no monetary return (just following HID's orders to clear the crap out) and expected them just to send to head office for redistribution to schools etc. Chanced my arm and said any chance of a TM cap cheap and got one plus a visor free.

 

[USER1999]

I second online golf and Snainton. Top guys.

 

[OldWindy]

AG are fine providing you know what you're after otherwise they'll find something for you from the commission list! I would imagine most of the big retailers are the same. With regards to buying online, it's a good idea to have handled what you're going to buy beforehand (obviously within reason).

 

[theeaglehunter]

The best advice I can give is do not feel pressured into doing anything and do not be shy in the sense that you should say what you feel. Be self assured and if you have a question or a query ask it. Also if you feel at all uncomfortable or out of your depth at any time walk away and find somewhere else, even if its a slight feeling of unease walking round the shop. I am also pretty stubborn in the sense that I expect someone to ask if I need any help pretty sharpish or I am out the door, I hate it when two people that work there are standing and talking to each other instead of seeing to the customer (although if the shop is clearly busy I have more tolerance). Fortunately with my local direct golf and American golf this or any other issue has never been a problem.

Homer offers sound advice as well in regard to seeing what you can get as a sweetener, I have never had any success with a golf shop but with my new contract phone I got 6 months free insurance a case and a bluetooth headset through 'pushing' them into persuading me to sign up.

 

[GB72]

Good advice there Eaglehunter. When you have spent 2 hours hitting free balls and trying all the latest gear it is very easy to feel compelled to buy but it is often best to walk away then come back and try the favourites.

Not sure I agree but the CEO of Adams golf went on the record as saying that you should not hit more than 3 balls with a club you are trying as you then start to adjust to it and compensate for any problems rather than use your natural swing.

 

[vig]

I have both an AG and a DG locally.
Not really had a problem with any sales pitch at either but my size might have something to do with that.

I went to AG for a driver when I sarted up last year, they took old one in P/x (about 20yeras old) I got a decent deal.

In Nov last year I searched the web for a Mizzy bettinardi putter, found the cheapest, went to AG asked what they could do it for. Told them what I had seen it for. They asked if price included P&P. I said I wasn't sure but if they didn't match the price I would rather pay P&P. Salesman disappeared and "hey presto" price match.. sorted BTW the price online didn't include P&P

DG also given me some good deals, generally when they ask if they can help I say "no!" i'll come and get you if I want any advice. Generally I abuse their hospitality a bit but I do spend some Lolly there as well. Overall not a bad bunch.

 

[Nico]

With Homer on this.

118 Golf,know the owner and he is top drawer (plays off 5).

Homer is also lucky as our local AG is staffed by guys who generally know the story.

My advice would be :-

Try before you buy,even to the point of being a pain.

Decide what you want and dont be swayed.

Do your research

Dont put getting the last quid off before knowing that you will get good service.

Always,always,give your pro the first bite at your business.

 

[Slaighty]

I took a box of Wilson Staff balls to pay at the counter, the guy there tried to talk me into a box of Founders Club balls saying they were much better. I declined his spiel, are they on commision to push certain lines or what?

 

[Slaighty]

Should have said this was DG

 

[HTL]

tried to talk me into a box of Founders Club balls saying they were much better.

If that happened to me I would have laughed out loud, were they the Px3 or Dx2 balls? If so well done on your choice, they are both awesome.

 

[GB72]

Founders club is part of DG in some way. They the dreaded store in Lincoln tried to flog me some of their gear as well.

Agree, that Wilson balls are great, I was chuffed with the 36 PX3s I got for £25.00

 

[Slaighty]

DX2 htl, cannot fault them at the price.
I still lose too many balls to use Pro V1 and the like

 

[TonyN]

Does anyone try to deal with the same person each time they go to a shop?

When I went to AG to purchase my clubs, the lad who sorted me out was great. Roughly my age, been playing for years, low handicapp, knows his game really well and always asks me what I like the look of.

He actually told me, to go and find the cheapest price online and get the store to price match them. I did and they did.

When I went back to AG to buy some other gear, he wasn't in so the manager served me. Asked him to price match with a site online and he ummed and arred! Said they could only price match local shops, so I said i'll buy off line as I had already had my irons matched from the same site. Eventually he agreed but I felt a bit peeved. Now if I use AG for anythin, I always wait for 'my mate' as i know he aint gonna try rip me off!

 

[haplesshacker]

Must admit that there is one at Hedge End AG that I always try and use. Despite the initial push of the Nicklaus irons a couple of years ago, which he did knock when I went for the MX19s, (well he would wouldn't he!). But since then hes been pretty good and fair.

However since joining the golf club the pro there has said that he'd match any DG or AG price, which is fair of him I think. Bearing in mind that he probably pays more for the kit than AG or DG. Mind you he obviously doesn't have the selection that AG has, but he does do some nice deals on GG clothing at the moment.

 

[viscount17]

both ag and dg near me. the ag used to be a franchise (which meant they didn't get to stock all the deals) but has since become a 'mainline' ag. I think it's gone downhill a bit, certainly their pricing has gone up.

in contrast dg (cambridge) has developed into a really good set up - never mind the range and short game area they also have a bar and restaurant.

sales team and pros are good (very good teaching area). I once went looking for new irons but I was striking so badly that day the salesman (Tai - his name) wouldn't sell me any (booked me a cut-price lesson instead!).