Supporting your Pro

[MadAdey]

We have had plenty of threads on here regarding supporting your Pro over the last year, but with times being hard people are looking to save a few quid where they can. That normally means going to your local golf superstore and taking advantage of their offers.

What I am wondering is what is your Pro doing this year to try and get the people back into his shop to buy clubs? My Pro is really going for it this year and his shop is looking like a mini version of Direct Golf.

He now has multiple racks in the shop. He has Taylormade, Titleist, Cleveland, Callaway and Ping. I was looking at his prices and they are very very good. I was chatting to him and he said he is fed up with seeing people with shiny new drivers that they have purchased from American Golf and Direct Golf. So he has priced himself at the same price as Direct Golf is down the road and will match any price that they give out. What is better though is the fact that you can actually try the clubs on the range or take them on the course for a round before buying. On top of that you are getting the full services of a PGA professional when selecting your new clubs.

I was wondering what is your Pro doing to try and get the customers back into his shop. Or is he just keeping the prices high and hoping to get loyalty from his members?

 

[happyhacker]

Charging £45 for a 30 min lesson

I'm sure he is good and all, but I'll never find out at that price

 

[Imurg]

I was wondering what is your Pro doing to try and get the customers back into his shop.

Four Fifths of not a lot as far as I can see.
He has a Sale on but there's nothing I want or need.
Got some vouchers to spend and may just get a 2-ball putter and flog it to get the cash........
I don't rate our Pro...

 

[El Bandito]

Our pro has always offered to price match. I think that they have too to have any chance don't they?

 

[need_my_wedge]

We have had plenty of threads on here regarding supporting your Pro over the last year, but with times being hard people are looking to save a few quid where they can. That normally means going to your local golf superstore and taking advantage of their offers.

What I am wondering is what is your Pro doing this year to try and get the people back into his shop to buy clubs? My Pro is really going for it this year and his shop is looking like a mini version of Direct Golf.

He now has multiple racks in the shop. He has Taylormade, Titleist, Cleveland, Callaway and Ping. I was looking at his prices and they are very very good. I was chatting to him and he said he is fed up with seeing people with shiny new drivers that they have purchased from American Golf and Direct Golf. So he has priced himself at the same price as Direct Golf is down the road and will match any price that they give out. What is better though is the fact that you can actually try the clubs on the range or take them on the course for a round before buying. On top of that you are getting the full services of a PGA professional when selecting your new clubs.

I was wondering what is your Pro doing to try and get the customers back into his shop. Or is he just keeping the prices high and hoping to get loyalty from his members?

Our pro is doing all of this.

On the lesson front he was offering 8 for the price of 5 - I've still got a couple left over from the block I bought last year, so will wait and see on that, but I always give him a chance to supply anything I'm after, unless I'm trying to use up AG or DG vouchers....

 

[SimonC]

Our pro shop keeper (not a pro although he used to be) is basically undercutting any price on the internet. I'm not sure how he does it but when I bought my 913 he beat the best price I could find online by £20.

 

[CMAC]

Mine will price match Snainton or AG (or most others but Snainton is pretty low anyway and reputable), I'd rather go to my pro as it's real golf, a real pro shop with the associated smells and a work shop in the back full of repairs....luvverly.

Even if he's a few pounds more it's worth it for the service and the support.

 

[louise_a]

I have bought a few clubs and my new trolley off our pro, he does offer a price match, I got a good deal on the clubs and my trolley was the same price wherever you went. Sadly I found this week that he has decided to pack in after 3 very lean years.

 

[sona]

We do not have a pro or shop at our club.
I do not like price matching even though I have used it on occasion, I think and shop or outlet should decide their own prices base on purchase cost, overheads, profit margin, customer expectations etc. and not leave it to potential purchasers to do the work for them by surveying the market.
I prefer to buy from the company that is prepared to set their own highly competitive price and stick to it.

 

[One Planer]

Our club doesn't have a pro or pro shop.

Our club is affiliated with a local American golf where, if we take out members tag in, we get 10% off.

I can still get it cheaper elsewhere, but have no pro to be loyal to just yet.

 

[fundy]

We only have affiliated teaching pros, so the shop doesnt have a lot for sale bar some clothing and shoes (except for the snake eyes range one of the teaching pros has introduced). Still get regrips etc done there but go elsewhere for clubs (not to the big stores either), most of my clothing gets picked up online though as I dont particularly like the few brands that are stocked at ours.

 

[MadAdey]

We do not have a pro or shop at our club. I do not like price matching even though I have used it on occasion, I think and shop or outlet should decide their own prices base on purchase cost, overheads, profit margin, customer expectations etc. and not leave it to potential purchasers to do the work for them by surveying the market.I prefer to buy from the company that is prepared to set their own highly competitive price and stick to it.

But if they do not do a price match and keep competitive then they can't complain about people not supporting them. I have 2 choices when I want to purchase something, I can either drive 30 mins to DG or 10 mins to my Pro. When I wanted an R11s last year the same week that thay released, I knew that DG wanted £329. I went to have a look in my Pro shop to find out he was only asking for £299, so I purchased it from him. He says that too many pros are not competitive and are being gready with their prices. But he has got a business degree so is maybe looking at it in a different way to others.

 

[duncan mackie]

I have some sympathy with Sona's perspective - I really don't want to haggle with my Pro, I see him most days and feel the relationship is better served if I know the price he wants - and I am then free to decide if I wish to support him (and each of us will have our own basis for what, if anything, is an appropriate price so let's not get into that one!).

 

[sona]

But if they do not do a price match and keep competitive then they can't complain about people not supporting them. I have 2 choices when I want to purchase something, I can either drive 30 mins to DG or 10 mins to my Pro. When I wanted an R11s last year the same week that thay released, I knew that DG wanted £329. I went to have a look in my Pro shop to find out he was only asking for £299, so I purchased it from him. He says that too many pros are not competitive and are being gready with their prices. But he has got a business degree so is maybe looking at it in a different way to others.

Good for your pro, he has obviously done his homework and checked his competition.

 

[patricks148]

Our pro does not really sell clubs as he just can't compete with the buying group in operation with the other local stores.

He does a lot of really good clothing brands at reasonable prices and shoes by Ecco as well.

I try and support him by always buys anything clothing wise from him.

 

[Andy]

Mine will price match Snainton or AG (or most others but Snainton is pretty low anyway and reputable), I'd rather go to my pro as it's real golf, a realEven if he's a few pounds more it's worth it for the service and the support.

Is the correct answer.

 

[jason6r]

My first choice is always to buy from the pro at our club but the range of brands is so poor in respect of clubs - it's Cleveland or nothing. Great for wedges but not my cup of tea for the woods. A good range of clothing is stocked but it seems way more expensive than elsewhere.

I would be happy to pay 10% more for the service and quality after-sales that the club provides (sorted 2 pairs of deficient shoes really smoothly) but beyond that, I can't afford to not shop around.

 

[Papas1982]

Our store seems pretty overpriced and they aren't pros either. They also only offer positive impact coaching? Sounds like mumbo jumbo to me. That said, they had a sale end of January with all stock at cost price and I was stuck in euro dismey so missed some bargains!

 

[granters]

I paid full whack for my fg tours off my pro,albeit with upgraded grips but to be very honest I wish I hadn't. Always found him inhospitable and standoffish.you know that feeling that you're upsetting his tea break?

The pro at my previous club, wouldn't buy a tee off him. One of the most arrogant human beings I've ever met. Asked him about titleist irons, was informed taylormade were far superior. Pro v 1's? Rubbish, the penta is a far superior ball. Footjoys?overpriced crap. Addidas far better quality. Guess who he represents?

Its a relationships game, a good percentage of club golfers will happily pay more for a friendly bespoke service . My take on it would be buy your irons from me and I'll chuck in 2 free lessons.

Although I was speaking to an ex club pro recently and realise its a hard gig these days. But you either accept it and don't bother,or go that extra mile for your customers.

It's exactly what I do in my own job

 

[Jensen]

Well our pro's have a pretty decent range of stock and will also price match with Snainton and AG. I prefer to buy from them for ease in case of any problems. Returned some faulty shoes, handed them back they sorted no hassle with post etc.
Also they're in the process of getting a launch monitor fitted to keep up with the competition for custom fitting.