Supporting your pro

[GeneralStore]

My question is this, how much of a premium would you pay to support your pro?

I do want to support him, but at times its made quite difficult with some of the prices that are out there on the web from reliable online shops, so I am putting it out there to see what the cut-off point is?

Its normal for it to be a bit more expensive, rent, etc...but how much is my question? 10%? 30%?

 

[harvey4banger]

Our Head Pro at Mill Ride will normally match any internet price

 

[Oddsocks]

Our pro shop is run by the management and as such are tighter than a ducks rectum. They have now noticed how much revenue their losing through the shop and have just introduced a price match policy, but the face is the overall director of golf is a complete *****... and i have to admit id rather spend my money anywhere else than with him... unless of course the deal is too good to miss.

Its very hard to build any sort of relation with our shop as the staff change on a weekly/monthly basis, i used to have a fantastic relationship with a local range but sadly, when they got brought out by american golf, the flexability on pricing stopped, so unfortunately so did my loyalty.

 

[bluewolf]

I don't mind paying a bit extra, just for the convenience. Just popping into the shop and picking something up does away with the need for P&P and also gets it in my hands immediately, rather than waiting for several days for something to be delivered. That said, my pro will usually get pretty close to any other genuine (not sale) prices.. I wont put a percentage on it as 10% extra on a dozen z-stars is only a few quid, whilst 10% extra on a new set of mizzy's (or cobra's, which are really catching my eye at the moment) will be between £60 and £80....

 

[Andy]

My Pro got me a GG jacket RRP £400 bangets for £160 and still asked me if I was happy lol

I do a lot of buying from him for 2 reasons, 1 he's a pal, and I'd rather he got the money than some online crowd. Secondly I can try clubs on the course before buying.

 

[Phil2511]

My pro was a member of a big buying group for PGA Professionals called TGI and has recently changed to one called Foremost Golf, according to him he gets better prices than Nevada Bobs and AG and the other independents in the area.
So far he has never been unable to not match any of those places and he can even pricematch all the GENUINE retailers online, though he tends to try and stock the companies who work well with him, TM offer extra discounts on top of the discounts he gets on trade prices if he pays within a certain timre frame by DD. Ping do every 4th set of irons,driver, fairway etc etc at 50% trade, as a few examples.
I was in one of the local independent trying the Ap2 712 demos and they quoted me £635 for 4-Pw my pro said it will be definitely less than £600 but more than £550 he just needed to wait until he got his exact prices in.
He has some offers on in the shop at moment.
G20 Driver £179
Titleist 910D2 £210
R11 Irons £475 with dozen burner balls
New Scotty Cameron California Hollywood £199
GolfBuddy World Platinum £269
Those are a few examples.

Our club competition weekly prize money is all put onto accounts in his shop and he adds 10% to it.
So if you win £50 you get £55 put on your account to spend in the shop.

 

[patricks148]

I'll always try and support the pro's at my club (s) and if they can't get it i'll get stuff from A Thomsons in Inverness which has 3 outlets in the town (2 a different clubs and a store opp AG), always having good deals and stock a lot of SH bargins.

In fact i haven't gt anything from the web in years.

 

[Hobbit]

Depends what I'm getting. I don't mind spending a bit more but if its over a tenner...

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

If you want a pro at your club you have to give him a bit of support, if you ask you can generally strike a deal. Additionally you have to factor in the value of custom fitting, try before you buy, returns policy, help with problems (defective goods etc), you simply don't get the same level of service over the net, if price is all I suppose you have to go to the internet but sometimes better service can be invaluable.

 

[chrisd]

I do whats right for me but, if I can, I support him. I bought a £70 wind/rainproof jumper at the weekend from him and a Titleist d2 driver earlier in the year, as he spent ages fitting it with me but I bought my AP2 irons from the local range pro as he was considerably cheaper and my pro couldn't get near it.


Chris

 

[Anders]

Depends on the relationship with the pro and what extra service you get. If they are giving advice on clubs or other equipment, I would be happy to pay a bit more. Even if it wasn't specific to that purchase (i.e. they are always offering help and advice), then I would still use them where possible.

I would probably put a maximum of £50 over internet prices on major purchases, but only a couple of quid on balls.

I don't really see the internet as an inconvenience. Just need a bit of forward planning and get everything delivered to work so there's always someone to sign for it!

 

[wull]

the problem with the pro shop at callander is it's not the best.he doesn't stock the best of stuff both with clothes and clubs......

but during the season with comps etc he does alright through the 2's,sweep and nominated because the money won goes into the book for you to spend.i personally use this money for buying golf balls,gloves and if you get enough money saved up he will source clubs in.

 

[Robobum]

The only stuff that I do not buy from my pro is stuff that he doesn't stock and cannot get either.

He will price match pretty much everything and give all the advice you could want. By using him regularly I pick up extra little perks as a consequence.

I can get a buggy for free if I want to nip out for some holes if it's not busy.
He throws freebies and trial things my way when they come in.
I can use all his quality practice balls and any training aids if I need.
The odd free lesson.
Invites to Pro-ams both at home and abroad.

Try to get any of that from buyacheapclub.com

Those in the know use their pro.

 

[need_my_wedge]

I try and support my club pro where possible. He's also a member of the Foremost group and will price match or beat most other prices where he can. He usually lets me try gear out on the course a couple or three times if I want to try something e.g. both the driver and 3 wood I picked up from him this season. In fact I've bought most of my gear off him over the last year and always give him a chance to give me the best price, if he can't, then I'll likely buy at the cheaper location unless the price difference is too small to worry about. A prime example being the laser rangefinder I recently bought. The best he would offer was the £249 rrp, but I managed to get one brand new from another PGA professional on ebay for £180, you can guess where I bought it from.....

 

[Dodger]

Too right I support my Pro.

He price matches and often goes below and gives great service.

It also makes a huge difference that he is a really nice young lad who is eager to help you out and that is why Daniel at The Hirsel get my business.

 

[GB72]

Do not buy from my pro as there are no offers, no deals, no price match just straight RRP on all items. Would love to support him but simple fact is that I cannot afford, nor would I want, to pay 20% or more on top of what I can get my gear for on the internet or at Direct Golf. He also only stocks any quantity of Ping kit and not alot else and does not sell the balls I use.

I would be willing to use the club pro but not at the prices he charges.

 

[hangover]

I buy from where is the best price for me.

 

[papyt]

I tend to buy from our club pro as he has a great shop and all the top brands and will price match as he is in the FOREMOST GROUP,but i tend to buy clothes on line as he does not stock the range i am wearing at the moment also as we only get vouchers to spend in his shop for 2's or winning a comp i tend to let it mount up and buy a larger item.

 

[Scratch_in_my_head]

I tend to buy from our club pro as he has a great shop and all the top brands and will price match as he is in the FOREMOST GROUP,but i tend to buy clothes on line as he does not stock the range i am wearing at the moment also as we only get vouchers to spend in his shop for 2's or winning a comp i tend to let it mount up and buy a larger item.

Must be nice to win that many comps!!!

 

[GeneralStore]

Judging by most of the posts everyone is keen on supporting their pro, and I totally agree with that, but whats interesting is that its very different from reply to reply about how much extra someone would pay

My pro normally takes a bit longer with me than the standard 30 minute lesson, he doesnt clock watch and I can phone him from time to time to ask him something about equipment, so obviously keen to support him, but at what cost? I want to buy something and he is charging 30% more than online....is that the price you have to pay to 'do the right thing' and keep your pro in business or is it a case of he has to come into the 21st century and get closer to the internet prices?