Parmo
Tour Winner
No idea.
What I do know is they have sold out of them in more or less all their shops, as have Direct Golf.
It seems all the shops are now pushing the sklz range and that isn't shifting.
Don't like that sklz range, looks pointless.
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PGA Pro Q+A: Ask Our Expert For Advice On Improving Your Golf Game ⛳
Question to the forum about AG
- Thread starter bignev
- Start date
Don't like that sklz range, looks pointless.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
The Milton Keynes store has had a simulator installed. It also works as a launch monitor. The new DG in MK has one too. Anyone know how accurate these are?
I've only ever had good service from AG and DG but then I generally know what I'm looking for.
I've only ever had good service from AG and DG but then I generally know what I'm looking for.
I don't like them in general. I was very close to joining as assistant manager and saw the commision system and targets. Too much emphasis on four brands and staff directives to shift these almost to the point of whether the customer wants it or not.
Lack of training. Every member of staff has to attend a mandatory core induction to learn how to use the simulators, brand awareness etc. It can take up to 4 months to go on these even though it is supposedly company policy to get them on it straight away.
Some staff just aren't golfers and so have no real clue what they are selling.
Tricks of the trade like recalibrating the launch monitors to make shots go further, putting greens with subtle bias to the holes.
There are other gripes but these are some of the main ones I've come across. Now don't get me wrong there are some very good members of staff and my advice would be to ask to deal with either the store manager or the assistant if you making a big purchase. These guys tend to be golfers themselves and have a better understanding of what people want. Don't get me wrong if you say you don't know what you're looking for they'll push Nicklaus, Wilson, Yonex and Hogan. However because they know a bit about golf themselves they will also steer you towards the right Mzzy, Ping etc.
As others have said there are some good stores and others which give AG a bad name. Most are franchises. If you have a good one then they can give you some very good deals especially if you shop regularly and get to know the staff. If you have a bad one then it is not a great retail experience
Lack of training. Every member of staff has to attend a mandatory core induction to learn how to use the simulators, brand awareness etc. It can take up to 4 months to go on these even though it is supposedly company policy to get them on it straight away.
Some staff just aren't golfers and so have no real clue what they are selling.
Tricks of the trade like recalibrating the launch monitors to make shots go further, putting greens with subtle bias to the holes.
There are other gripes but these are some of the main ones I've come across. Now don't get me wrong there are some very good members of staff and my advice would be to ask to deal with either the store manager or the assistant if you making a big purchase. These guys tend to be golfers themselves and have a better understanding of what people want. Don't get me wrong if you say you don't know what you're looking for they'll push Nicklaus, Wilson, Yonex and Hogan. However because they know a bit about golf themselves they will also steer you towards the right Mzzy, Ping etc.
As others have said there are some good stores and others which give AG a bad name. Most are franchises. If you have a good one then they can give you some very good deals especially if you shop regularly and get to know the staff. If you have a bad one then it is not a great retail experience
EZprophet
Head Pro
I was wondering why I sunk like every single 12 footer I looked at on that little artificial green!
As I said in another thread I went to the AG in Finchley Rd recently to try out a couple of drivers. They clearly cranked up the yardages on the simulator, which is fine, all places do it (though not to the ridiculous extreme that they did). However, what was actually terrible about the whole thing was that when I asked him how accurate the simulator was to real life he said it was "usually spot on"
I had hit 20 shots all of which were within 10 yards of dead center with a nice fade and carrying between 40-60 yards more than my current driver. I genuinely hit about 25% of fairways on my best day and havent hit a fade in like 2 years, nevermind the 60 extra yards of carry!
He was either straight up lying or too clueless to know the answer. Either way is awful to be honest.
I still go there to get the odd thing as the prices are reasonable but will never listen to a word of advice from those guys ever again.
Really interesting post though Homer, thanks for sharing.
Ethan
Money List Winner
Homer
Good thing you didn't join an organisation with artificial targets which poorly serve the user and distort staff performance, or which is motivated really only by its finances.
Oh, hang on .....
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
I would argue the putting green thing. I can't see that they are rigged. The reason you hole so much on them is that they are very true, flat, no bobbles, and the holes have perfect sharp edges which catch the ball. Out on the course, the noles are normally slightly crowned, which turns the ball away, and the edgesd spit the ball out if it isn't dead centre.
bobmac
Major Champion
^^^^^^^
What he said
What he said
