Comments on: The Thrifty Golfer http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer Golf News, Reviews, and Commentary Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:05:56 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: baal http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13265 baal Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:50:22 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13265 I think the players who can save the most are the left handed ones, it's unbelievable if you look at eBay, not so much bidding goes on left handed clubs bidding, and the highest bid is many times about half of what would be the equivalent for a right handed club. I think the players who can save the most are the left handed ones, it's unbelievable if you look at eBay, not so much bidding goes on left handed clubs bidding, and the highest bid is many times about half of what would be the equivalent for a right handed club.

]]> By: eric http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13250 eric Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:29:40 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13250 I do the "Buy on eBay, sell on Craigslist" thing with good results. Being in Canada the pricing on eBay for equipment is much better than what I can get in stores here. I just bought a used Sasquatch SUMO for $130 inclusive and I'm going to sell my original Sasquatch for the same amount on Craigslist (a lot of folks don't trust eBay or want to see the club in person). I'm basically getting free upgrades as a result. I do the "Buy on eBay, sell on Craigslist" thing with good results. Being in Canada the pricing on eBay for equipment is much better than what I can get in stores here. I just bought a used Sasquatch SUMO for $130 inclusive and I'm going to sell my original Sasquatch for the same amount on Craigslist (a lot of folks don't trust eBay or want to see the club in person). I'm basically getting free upgrades as a result.

]]> By: Shortgame85 http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13249 Shortgame85 Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:39:54 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13249 The longer I play golf, now about 6 years, the more I learn about the business end of the game; specifically the retail part of the market. Your article, George, is so very timely (and accurate)because all the big retailers are discounting 2007 and 2008 merchandise right now with a fury. We are in one of the worst economies in my memory. The buyer is king and cash talks. While I don't really need any new clubs now, I can always use new golf clothes, shoes or accessories. These are the items you didn't mention that golfers can also save on at the end of the year, especially shirts and shoes. My last two shoe purchases were Footjoy closeouts, the best being Gel Fusion II shoes for only $99. I shall endeavor to buy only closeout shoes and shirts and save at least half the money I would otherwise pay. Also, I think your advice about which balls to consider is so very true, even if you're not going to take your own advice. I shot my lowest scores with either Callaway Hot X or TaylorMade Burner balls. When my children graduate college, I may graduate to tour calliber balls. The longer I play golf, now about 6 years, the more I learn about the business end of the game; specifically the retail part of the market.

Your article, George, is so very timely (and accurate)because all the big retailers are discounting 2007 and 2008 merchandise right now with a fury. We are in one of the worst economies in my memory. The buyer is king and cash talks. While I don't really need any new clubs now, I can always use new golf clothes, shoes or accessories.

These are the items you didn't mention that golfers can also save on at the end of the year, especially shirts and shoes. My last two shoe purchases were Footjoy closeouts, the best being Gel Fusion II shoes for only $99. I shall endeavor to buy only closeout shoes and shirts and save at least half the money I would otherwise pay.

Also, I think your advice about which balls to consider is so very true, even if you're not going to take your own advice. I shot my lowest scores with either Callaway Hot X or TaylorMade Burner balls. When my children graduate college, I may graduate to tour calliber balls.

]]> By: Steve http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13236 Steve Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:57:52 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13236 I had the pleasure of playing in Ohio a couple of weeks ago, but here's how you can save money if you live in NYC with no car and want to play say Bethpage (Yellow, Blue, Green). Take public transportation to the Farmingdale station. Then walk from the station to the clubhouse. Play twilight. Total cost: $18 (transportation) + $17 (golf) = $35. $35 to play a good solid course in NYC. I had the pleasure of playing in Ohio a couple of weeks ago, but here's how you can save money if you live in NYC with no car and want to play say Bethpage (Yellow, Blue, Green). Take public transportation to the Farmingdale station. Then walk from the station to the clubhouse. Play twilight. Total cost: $18 (transportation) + $17 (golf) = $35. $35 to play a good solid course in NYC.

]]> By: Artful Golfer http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13227 Artful Golfer Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:32:50 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13227 I rarely witness anyone's game get better after they buy new equipment, use tour balls, or even get lessons... I find more balls than I loose, so it's pretty rare that you'll find me buying them. I'd rather spend my hard earned cash on green fees! I rarely witness anyone's game get better after they buy new equipment, use tour balls, or even get lessons... I find more balls than I loose, so it's pretty rare that you'll find me buying them. I'd rather spend my hard earned cash on green fees!

]]> By: Cody Thrasher http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13226 Cody Thrasher Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:56:10 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13226 Nice article George. It's funny how I always seem to shoot the same scores with Pinnacle golf balls as I do with Titleist or any other. I'm definitely in the minority as a golfer, but I'm not really big into trying or buying a lot of different equipment. I like to dry a different driver or 3-wood every once in awhile, but I'm pretty content with my irons, wedges, and putter. I don't mix and match a lot when it comes to golf equipment. Nice article George. It's funny how I always seem to shoot the same scores with Pinnacle golf balls as I do with Titleist or any other.

I'm definitely in the minority as a golfer, but I'm not really big into trying or buying a lot of different equipment. I like to dry a different driver or 3-wood every once in awhile, but I'm pretty content with my irons, wedges, and putter. I don't mix and match a lot when it comes to golf equipment.

]]> By: v3rs3 http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13224 v3rs3 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:29:06 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13224 I also live in Columbus. Most of the municiple courses have now started to offer fall discounts. I played 18 at Mentel Memorial with cart for $20.50, compared to their regular $34 with cart. I also live in Columbus.

Most of the municiple courses have now started to offer fall discounts. I played 18 at Mentel Memorial with cart for $20.50, compared to their regular $34 with cart.

]]> By: buckeyegolfer http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13219 buckeyegolfer Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:28:49 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13219 George, I look forward to reading your posts because I too live in Central Ohio. Played at Muirfield CC last night until dark and the cool fall air began to creep in. Looks like my Saturday game at Scarlet will be rained out tomorrow, but there is nothing like a morning foursome and an afternoon Buckeye football game! Go Bucks, beat USC! George,

I look forward to reading your posts because I too live in Central Ohio. Played at Muirfield CC last night until dark and the cool fall air began to creep in. Looks like my Saturday game at Scarlet will be rained out tomorrow, but there is nothing like a morning foursome and an afternoon Buckeye football game! Go Bucks, beat USC!

]]> By: Shark http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/the_thrifty_golfer#comment-13218 Shark Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:27:16 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/?p=3099#comment-13218 My money saving tip is to pay attention to user reviews that are positive on unpopular equipment. For example I hear nothing but good stuff on some of macgregor's new driver, irons etc, but already on ebay i see the resale is low as a result. This is not a recommendations just for macgregor, rather that by paying attention not to what is best selling or has the biggest advertising budget, but the best praise, one can even buy new stuff at lower pricing. My money saving tip is to pay attention to user reviews that are positive on unpopular equipment. For example I hear nothing but good stuff on some of macgregor's new driver, irons etc, but already on ebay i see the resale is low as a result.

This is not a recommendations just for macgregor, rather that by paying attention not to what is best selling or has the biggest advertising budget, but the best praise, one can even buy new stuff at lower pricing.

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