Where do you buy your golf gear?

[Redwood]

Always buy from the Pro Shop if he has want I want. Obviously Pro Shops can't stock everything, so I sometimes need to go to the Internet.

 

[Stevenc]

As many have said, clubs - Pro shop (driver and irons are Custom fitted)

Bag from Pro Shop (glad as it broke and it's a hell of a lot easier and quicker taking it back than posting it to an online retailer)

For things like Balls, Shoes, Gloves clothes, etc, where ever's cheapest as i know my sizes and likes and there usually cheaper.

Try my hardest to stay away from JJB etc.

 

[drawboy]

I know this will get the back up of many but, I view a proshop as any other retailer. I do not hold with this support your local pro business, how many people continued to support their local butcher, baker, milkman when the supermarkets took hold? Yes pro's are there for the odd tip anything more and they gladly charge for their services like any other tradesman. They have had it good for a lot of years but many failed to move with the times. My local high street retailer and range employ PGA pro's to sell gear and they give advise just as freely. I have to be honest IMO if it wasn't for lessons which are not free, what do they do apart from sell chocolate, drinks and hand cards out before play? Only my opinion, but there it is.

 

[chipsandegg]

If im buying something off the internet like clubs then i go and try them out at the range first.

So the local guy, who has the clubs to try and the facilities to test the clubs doesn't get the business ?

How long will he remain around supporting the local golfers if they all did that ?



If you're going as far as trying them, then at least you can do is give him a chance at pricing them for you. Internet traders don't often have large overheads like normal shops so they can be cheaper. But, how many times have we seen a post on here decrying an internet trader 'cause they dont have stuff in stock when the order is placed and people are too impatient to wait on a back order ?

I totally dont buy into give him a chance to match it, the prices should be that price from the off. If i was afetr a set of irons and they were £400 and i could get the same irons on the net for £300, i asked him to match it and he could afford to. he is obviously still making a profit.. how much profit do they want???? There will also be plenty of people walking in and paying the full price. Times are hard, my wages arent brilliant and i have 3 kids and a mortgage. if it wasnt for the Internet and cheaper prices i probably wouldnt be able toi afford to be a member at my club so give me the internet every time.

 

[mono217]

Everywhere depends where is cheapest and saftest to buy from

 

[colint]

I know this will get the back up of many but, I view a proshop as any other retailer. I do not hold with this support your local pro business, how many people continued to support their local butcher, baker, milkman when the supermarkets took hold? Yes pro's are there for the odd tip anything more and they gladly charge for their services like any other tradesman. They have had it good for a lot of years but many failed to move with the times. My local high street retailer and range employ PGA pro's to sell gear and they give advise just as freely. I have to be honest IMO if it wasn't for lessons which are not free, what do they do apart from sell chocolate, drinks and hand cards out before play? Only my opinion, but there it is.

Totally agree, some people champion supporting their pro as if they're giving to a charity. If you want to put more of your cash from your pocket into his than is necessary then go ahead, I'd sooner get the best price I can and spend whats rest on my kids rather than his.

 

[chipsandegg]

I know this will get the back up of many but, I view a proshop as any other retailer. I do not hold with this support your local pro business, how many people continued to support their local butcher, baker, milkman when the supermarkets took hold? Yes pro's are there for the odd tip anything more and they gladly charge for their services like any other tradesman. They have had it good for a lot of years but many failed to move with the times. My local high street retailer and range employ PGA pro's to sell gear and they give advise just as freely. I have to be honest IMO if it wasn't for lessons which are not free, what do they do apart from sell chocolate, drinks and hand cards out before play? Only my opinion, but there it is.

Totally agree, some people champion supporting their pro as if they're giving to a charity. If you want to put more of your cash from your pocket into his than is necessary then go ahead, I'd sooner get the best price I can and spend whats rest on my kids rather than his.

Spot on!! ive just bought a nike sq 3 wood with a Graphalloy red shaft off the net for £60, well over £100 if id have gone to American golf. I think i will take the kids to the Zoo with whats left

 

[DMC]

I tend to buy the majority from AG,our club pro isnt the fastest at getting clubs ordered or even repaired,so as much as i would like to support him,the service would need to be a lot better.

 

[matt01]

i try a stick to the pro shop as will fit you for your club
and try and match as best he can the price

best of all is being able to take things back if get damaged and so on,this can be hard on internet some times

 

[andiritchie]

I have used my pro for irons and wedges etc, he fitted me and i was very happy with the service,however i have been using a indepentant clubfitter at one range who will build the clubs to my spec.

Slighty more expensive but i like the extra they do-club puring etc AG and the like dont stock suitable shafts for my dodgy swing

 

[Screwback]

Our pro shop used to be fairly good for stock it had something for everyone in the way of clubs but now and i believe this to be through AG and the internet ebay etc the shop it has to be said has gone downhill unless you want clothes or a glove.

So turning to AG and the internet seems to be the better deal!!!

 

[DCB]

So guys, where are we going to buy our mars bars and poweraid from once we drive the club pro out of business ?

Better do a google and see where the best deal is to be had on them as well

 

[drawboy]

I do not think anyone wants to drive any pro out of business however money is hard earned and personally I think I have a duty to get the best value for mine that I can.When the pro goes to buy his new BMW don't you think he is after the best deal he can possibly get, or will he say pay the main dealer price regardless, got to keep them in business haven't we.I don't think so! I will gladly use any pro that offers to match or beat the lowest price I have found.I will not however part with more than I need to in order to keep a pro in business.If all they can offer is expensive clubs, balls,gloves, Powerade and Mars bars then what future do they have anyway?

 

[feary]

Allways buy from my pro.

 

[Ronnoc1980]

I voted for interweb based on my last 3 big buys however I would say that I support the Pro by spending around £300-500 a year in vouchers that i win at my club and even then I end up adding a few £££'s of my own

 

[pigmeister]

I have brought shoes off the internet but only if they are a bargin i.e Classics for £100.
I use my pro 99% of the time. He has a very good shop with top of the range clubs and clothing. He will price match prices from AM or the net. The staff who work in there are very very good. They will offer advise on clubs that suit you and not push you towards the clubs with the biggest markup, like some chain stores. Over all my pro shop is excellent.
As some of you my have read, i had an accident last saturday with my powakaddy and skycaddy. Lloyds told me their agents would be in touch with me about replacing the items. I asked Lloyds if my pro could also quote, to which they agreed. Their agents were AM. My pros quote was considerably cheaper. So whos giving better value?

 

[Leftie]

I view a proshop as any other retailer. I do not hold with this support your local pro business, how many people continued to support their local butcher, baker, milkman when the supermarkets took hold?

I for one do support my local butcher and baker. Have you actually compared that bright red stuff in the supermarket that they call meat with the real stuff from a quality butcher, do you ever wonder what's in that gunge in the frying pan or bottom of the grill pan when you cook bacon or sausages from a cheap outlet, have you recently had a "proper" loaf of bread rather than the supermarket stodge? Do you buy fresh vegetables and fruit from a greengrocer (or even better grow it yourself) rather than stuff from the supermarket that's either been in cold storage and goes off too soon or has been zapped to give a long shelf life.

Please. Support your local tradesman - particularly if he is good. This applies the same whether he is a butcher, baker, or club pro. Once he is gone, he's gone.

You must have noticed. Once the local tradesman has been driven out, the supermarket opens a "local" store that charge similar prices to that which the local trader would have done but without the quality of product and service.

You have been warned.

Oh dear. I'm sounding again like the old git that I am

 

[mjsw13]

I get all my equipment and clothes off ebay. I never buy balls, just use the ones I find when I'm out playing / walking to the beach.

Since winning a few vouchers in comps etc., I'm saving them up to get a decent new bag from the pro-shop and probably a wedge or a couple of lessons. I really like the pros in there, but it's not got the greatest range of stock in the world, and I'm happy enough with second hand ebay clubs.