Is american golf killing the local pros business?

[daveyboy17]

Hi all
just reading a post about american golf and thought i would start a new one with a story which happened recently!
I was down the range shanking balls about a month ago, and this fella next to me was talking to me about how good he was, and how he had just brought some new irons custom fit?
He said that he went to his local pro and the pro stayed with him for an hour custom fitting him and making sure he had the right information to suit his game. after the session he went straight down to american golf and got the clubs to the specification's that the professional has spent his valuable time attaining for him and got the irons 50 pounds cheaper!!! What a tosser!!!!!!
Our professionals give a great service and i will always buy of pga pros instead of big fat cat super stores. I feel the support they give us or a kind word or even a free tip is worth our loyalty.
I say lets boycott these big fat cats like AG and JJB and support our boys at our clubs.
Thats my view anyway folks what do you think?????
cheers all and play well!!

 

[USER1999]

My pro will usually price match on clubs, or near enough, so I do support him. What he can't do any thing about is that I often buy my clubs in the states, where they are a lot cheaper.
I still use AG for clothes and sometimes balls though. Mainly in the January sale, and these are prices that you don't get elsewhere. I also look at sales in other pro shops near by, so even if I am not supporting mine, I am often supporting someone elses.
I certainly think if you spend time with the pro discussing your requirements, you are honour bound to give him the opportunity to cut a deal.

 

[MVP]

^months down the line if you need your clubs adjuste4d because your game has changed AG willl not do it for free but my pro will . I get better service from my pro and my driving range!

 

[viscount17]

I'm considering new irons and will want them custom fit. I would like to get them from my pro but they just don't have the range of clubs to choose from. However as I'm prepared to pay the cost of a lesson to my pro for a fitting session (free if I get the clubs) I wouldn't then feel honour bound to get the eventual clubs from him.
That said, if I were fitted for say MX19's would that fit be equally correct for a different club of the same or a different make?

 

[MVP]

I'm considering new irons and will want them custom fit. I would like to get them from my pro but they just don't have the range of clubs to choose from. However as I'm prepared to pay the cost of a lesson to my pro for a fitting session (free if I get the clubs) I wouldn't then feel honour bound to get the eventual clubs from him.
That said, if I were fitted for say MX19's would that fit be equally correct for a different club of the same or a different make?

No because a 6 iron in some clubs has a 61 degree lie angle and in other clubs it is 62.5 so separate fitting would be needed depending on the clubs. Also if the pro has fitted you for the type of iron he would be looking at the offset aswell so that would be different.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Let me start by saying daveyboy17's reaction is totally over the top and in my opinion derogatory to the stores mentioned. It is called freedom of choice. I do not condone what the guy did and would have rather seen him utilise his professional for his purchase.

However I do understand where he is coming from. My professional does not stock a very large range of clubs (we are a private members club and his argument is that everyone already has clubs of choice and he hasn't got the room to carry every brand). Therefore whilst my pro can measure me and give me the absolute specifications I would not purchase any set of irons without trying different makes, models, shafts, swingweights etc. My pro simply does not have any test clubs in different lies lofts etc from enough different manufacturers

I have tried using many of the pros locally to find a competitive price for a set of X20's (my club of preference) and the bottom line was they could not match AG for price.

I want to point out that I do use professionals for a range of services which thay are better positioned to provide. I would never dream of asking for swing advice from anyone at any golfing store and always use a good pro for lessons. Similarly I would not trust AG or similar to reshaft or regrip my clubs and trust my pro to do a good job quickly and at a fair price.

I use my pro for the majority of my clothing as I like the jumpers he stocks (Glenmuir) and the fact they have the club badge on (also compulsory to wear club colours in matches).

I will however use AG (or the internet) for my golf shoes as again my pro just doesn't stock the range (he has Dryjoy Pro's, Reelfit etc but doesn't stock Adidas, Hi Tec etc).

I think are blanket ban on here is grossly out of proportion. I am all for supporting my club pro(or any other pro) but I also want to be able to buy the best gear at the most competitive prices

 

[USER1999]

It is getting the balance right. There is a need for large discount stores that carry a lot of stock, so that the golfer can see what is available, and with some of the deals that are around on clubs and clothing, your local small golf pro shop can neither offer the deals, or hold the stock to get the sale.
But, it is worth supporting your local pro if he can price match, or offer a service at a different level to that which you get elsewhere that makes up the 'value'.
There are a few pros out there who don't make the effort, but many more who do. These need to be supported, but not as a charity.

 

[Gasp]

My Pro charges £25 for a fitting which is refunded if you buy the clubs through him. This seems fair to me.

Homer makes alot of sense. A pro's not just there to sell clubs

 

[medwayjon]

I would rather pay £50 more for a set of irons and support the guys I buy from. I know that I will get fitted properly and get a quality service post-purchase. I buy everything from these guys and they look after me superbly.

Unfortunately there are some people to whom the £ is significantly more important than loyalty, service and building relationships/friendship with the "good guys" in our sport.

I have it at work, some morons would rather pay say £3500 for a car with 40k and no service history and which is poorly prepared than pay me £3700 for a car with full s/h and that is supplied fully serviced & inspected, valeted, hpi'd, mot'd and with a no-quibble warranty. I do not want these people as customers.

My point here is that some people are so retarded that they cannot see the overall picture, only the bottom line figure that they are paying out.

Homer - If your pro doesn't stock what you want you are right to go elsewhere, it is no good compromising your wants and needs, to compromise yourself out of blind loyalty would be daft.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Medawayjohn,

I'm afraid I have to disagree. I have a very strong relationship with my pro and have known him both in his work capacity at the golf club and socially as a friend for a number of years.

I have been to him for a series of lessons over the years, always use him for repairs, etc and as I mentioned he is my preferred supplier for most of my clothing needs (and balls etc). I would say that is building up a very good and loyal relationship.

The truth is that for clubs he simply cannot match the discounted prices on offer at AG where their superior buying power allows them to purchase their clubs with a greater % discount than a sole professional. This means even if my pro did stock Callaway and I went to him for custom fitting the price he will offer me (him buying at trade and then adding his % profit) will not be as good as AG.

That is not be disloyal but is simple economics. Unlike your car example with no service history etc I know what I am getting with my set of irons.

I don't wish to be contentious just feel that comments like that are a little of the mark

 

[medwayjon]

Fair enough homer, Its good that we can all air our oppinion in a constructive way. That is the beauty of this forum.

 

[Basher]

Each to their own I dare say. The big boys have the wide range of equipment on show and the "try it out" facilities. Your pro has the more "personal touch"

Do AG charge for club fitting on clubs bought from them by the way? I imagine a local pro would waive the charge if bought from him.

 

[madandra]

In retail, the customer has been told that choice is everything, so AG can stock almost every brand on the market and with their bulk buying clout they can get them at a reduced price. They are a one stop shop for all things golf.

The pro on the other hand can't afford top have thousands tied up in dormant stock. He has to buy in stock he hopes will sell through reasonably quickly and with limited space can only display half a dozen or so sets.

Let me ask you this though:

Both your Pro and Ag are selling ... say ... Cobra S9 irons 4-pw at the same price. Who is making the most profit????

I think AG (who buy 350 sets of this iron) will get them at a greatly discounted price but do you ever see the customer getting this discount ?????


NOT A BLOODY CHANCE !!!!!


Keep the faith, keep the club Pro in business !!!!!

 

[GB72]

I would have no objection to AG if they advertised themselves as what they are, the golfing equivalent of a supermarket. Instead they continue with the line that they offer advice from PGA pros (there may be one on the shop but most of the staff that I have dealt with are not) and that they offer a full custom fitting service (those I have been to have not, merely a basic static fitting). They advertise themselves as being the equal of the local pro shop but they are not. Buying golf gear can be compared to buying a TV, I can get it cheaper in a Tesco superstore but if I want good advice I am better off paying a bit more at an independent retailer.

 

[daveyboy17]

Great views guys it looks like a lot of you out there support our boys so well done all. I know what you are saying about the choice a pro can stock and i just think it is a shame thats all. our pro has a cart for titleist cobra and ping with all the various clubs to try he just doesnt carry the stock you have to wait for the clubs to be ordered, life is about choices and all the AG have a wider selection but i will always choose our pro and spend a little extra to support. thats my view and obviousley will not damm people for choosing AG It was just this fella was laughing about how much time his pro spent with him and he had every intention of going elsewhere made my blood boil.