Opinions of American Golf

[StuartD]

I was one of the lucky ones who got a custom fit yesterday and ended up with a set of Wilson irons ( they were not on my list of ones to try) and have no problem with it at all. Will get round to doing a report soon

I have previously tried a few drivers and was given a Wilson spine to try. When i said i didn't like it it was removed no problem.

I have also been previously fitted for irons of my choice 5 years ago with no pressure to try Wilson/Nicklaus gear at all.

Never had a gripe with my local store at all

 

[HickoryShaft]

This is a really interesting question because I realise that my opinions have definitely changed.

Having no 'local' AG shop but in the past (at least 5 years I would guess ago) visited the one in Hull when staying at a friends place I was not greatly impressed at the time.

Scroll on a few years and with all the forum chatter about them things didn't look too bright but I was also torn as they support / advertise in the GM mag that we all love and to be fair this is really important income to magazines finances.

Then the promotions came along and loads of good feedback and when the same friend over in Hull told me he needed to get some new gear sorted so he could restart playing I suggested AG .

I have to say that the experience was really great - they did check out his swing, he got to try loads of clubs with no pressurised sales - just advice if he asked for it and then to top it all because he was going in for a lot of gear they cut him a great deal.

He was happy, I was impressed and we came out fully sorted.

For me the service has changed and improved a lot and maybe the custom fittings are just the job to reach the full market.

I would also say they deserve some support for supporting the mag.

I also like to support my local Pro and got my latest set of irons from him before this experience but would not hesitate to suggest people checking out AG if they asked.

 

[ADB]

I am ambivilant as I never go to AG and tend to swop second hand clubs rather than going for brand new.

However, there was definitely more anti-AG feeling prior to the organised fittings through GM.

The question I have is would our opinions have changed if there were no freebies at the end of the testing session?

 

[haplesshacker]

As others have said it all depends on the member of staff you get. Having said that, some 'Pros' in their little shops can be a grumpy pushy lot sometimes! It's all about the individual.

So what if a member of staff at a store pushes one product over another. It happens everywhere, sorry guys, even Pro shops. Whether it's for clearing stock, margins, target driven, whatever. I'll add the caveat that not every sales-person worries about the above, but some do.

The advantage that AG has over the Pro shops is usually choice, and the range of stuff they have on display, and available to buy there and then. Are the staff at AG any less interested in my game than the local Pro? Maybe, Maybe not.

However all said. For some reason I never feel comfortable 'browsing' around in AG, NB, or Pro shops. I always feel that I'm just a nusiance because I'm 'just looking thanks'! (My wallet must look very thin!)

Talking of which. NB. I wanted to try the Mizzy swing analyser, so I asked, the reply was that I'd have to book a session. 'Okay when', after next week was the reply. The indoor range was empty, 3 staff stood around gassing about what they were doing on Friday night, and no-one else in the shop. Not one of them asked why I wanted a go, at the time I was looking for some new Mizzys, but they didn't ask.

I bought my shiny new bats elsewhere.

It doesn't take much does it?

 

[RGDave]

I've always been quite keen on AG. Never had any bad leads/advice or been sold something I regret buying.

It seems to me that for the most part they've got the balance right between letting you choose what you want and pushing you in certain directions.

I wish I could say the same for other chain-stores. At least AG don't take the proverbial by flogging you accessories at rip-off prices. If you get some balls/gloves or a bag (or something) chances are it'll be almost as cheap as trawling the internet to save a few quid.

- - - - - -

Me and the missus popped into Dixons at the airport before boarding our flight. I was browsing the memory cards (SD for camera/video) and a "helpful" chap came over to "recommend" a SanDisk. I asked about the price to which he replied "it's cheaper here than anywhere else".
My reply "well, that's not exactly true is it, because the card you have there for £32 is the same as the one I have in my video camera and it cost me £11".

- - - - - -

Just a thought.

 

[GB72]

I have quite strong feelings about this as I do not agree with the bad press that AG etc get as they are compared, in my experience, to an overly idealistic image of the average pro shop. Just to look at a few points:

AG push certain brands because the mark up is higher. This may be so but why do you think that your pro shop stocks the 2 or 3 brands it does? Perhaps because the profit is better on those brands or because they see they are alright with regard free clubs etc.

My local pro knows my swing so will sell me the best kit for it. Not in my experience. My pro has never commented on my swing when I have bought kit despite having a few lessons with him. In fact I get more help in AG etc as my pro just leaves you to pick what you like and try it with no stats or feedback.

My pro will custom fit better. Not even sure my pro custom fits very often. If any fitting needs doing he will try and get an appointment at Ping but that is it. He has no monitors and an old Titleit fitting cart so just about everything is off the peg unless you know what you want.

AG salesmen are not as knowledgeable. Maybe but my pro is a Cleveland stockist and 2 years ago had never even seen the new Launcher I was using so not great of overall product knowledge there.

I could go on but you get the general idea of my point of view.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Big anti AG fan through shocking customer service at several local franchises (incorrect "C/F", trying to flog me gear I've already said I'm not interested in buying, failing to price match). Having then looked at working for them following redundancy and actually seeing commission targets, profit margins etc it has given me a clearer understanding of why they do what they do and I don't like it.

There is only two guys at the Camberley store I'd trust, none at Bird Hills anymore and none at Slough. They simply aren't golfers most of the time and only have a limited experience of the product and the technology in their bays. I've already said I wouldn't go to one of these GM/AG store things even if asked. It is great promotion for the store and the winners are getting proper VIP treatment which won't resemble anything like the service you'll get any weekday.

As for the comment about you must have some idea what you want, a lot of newbies to the game don't - simple as. They've taken it up with maybe a half set etc and want to get a set to take it further. I've witnessed this type of customer get shown Nicklaus and nothing else and even when they've asked for at least one other set as a comparison been told categorically they "need" the Nicklaus one for their fledgling game. The guy has only seen the bloke hit a dozen shots in a bay. How does he know how the customer plays?

 

[GeordieAggro80]

Simply too expensive. They do price match and they will bring prices down if you ask but they simply take the mick in the 1st place.

I always know what i want then go with my price im willing to pay. Not what they think they can screw out of me.