Trying out/demoing equipment on the course

[Hays33d]

How do you do it?

I seem to be missing some inside information because it seems like there is no real good outlet to get clubs to demo on the course.

My semi-private club has decent Callaway rental clubs. But that is the only brand choice. They won't even let me take a new putter out on the course.

What do you guys do?

Buy them and then return them, paying the return fee (e.g. Golfsmith)?

Member at a club that has many demos brands to try?

I'm trying to find a good way to spend a couple weeks with some club candidates on the course without too much hassle or money.

Thanks.

[Ben]

Our Callaway Rep is a member at our club and he is nice enough to leave demo's on demand for our members. Everyone in the golf shop at your place should be "on staff" with a major manufacturer. Hopefully for you, the employees have a really good relationship with their rep and maybe they can set something similar up?

[Hays33d]

Thanks for the suggestion, Ben.

I'll see what they say, but I'm not hopeful.

But it does sound like you are restricted to trying Callaway only.

I would just like an outlet that provides more choices. Just seeing if anyone knew of such a thing.

Thanks.

[beisenhauer]

Last March when I was looking at irons, the guy I talked to at my local shop offered to let me take a demo club out to a range or course. There was snow on the ground at the time, so I declined, and just hit it there at the shop. I was impressed nevertheless. Also, note that we're talking about one demo club, not a whole set of irons.

[golf_junkie27]

You can go online and demo certain clubs: www.golfclubdemo.com .

They don't have everything but have a decent selection.

Also, have you called your local golf range? At the very least, they may have various 6I's, available.

[meenman]

I know our local Edwin Watts will let us take clubs out for the weekend anytime. I really only use it if I am real interested in buying something.

[Avid Golfer]

How do you do it?

My club has a fair amount of demo drivers, but I wouldn't classify it as ideal. I don't know of any course where you'll find a good selection of demo fairway woods and irons. There are golf stores not to far from me that also have a selection of demo clubs, so that option is also available to me. Finally I know a couple of reps from some of the club companies, so I could use those connections if I wanted (but I haven't need to resort to that).

My recommendation to you is to look at the websites of golf clubs you are want to demo, and see when (or if) they have a demo day at a location near you. Demo days are the best places to try numerous clubs. If no demo days are listed in your area in the near future e-mail (or call) the club companies and ask them when they plan to have another demo day in your area. In addition, bug your local course(s) about getting demo days at the course (talk to the head pro or GM). If the club companies know there are prespective customers for their product(s) they will make an effort, and if your course knows you may spend money to buy clubs from them then they may make an effort too.

[Hays33d]

Thanks, golf_junkie27.

I knew there had to be some place that did this kind of thing.

I personally don't trust the range. I hit everything better on the range. I want to try it out on the course where the feeling is a bit different and have confidence that I'm making the right decision.

I am keeping a look out for demos days. But like I said, I really want to take them on the course first.

Thanks for your input, guys.

[Long_Ball_Bogey]

I know our local Edwin Watts will let us take clubs out for the weekend anytime. I really only use it if I am real interested in buying something.

Ditto. If you have an Edwin Watts near you, call to see if they have a demo available in the club you're looking for. Guys around here started "not returning" them, so now they put a full-price charge on your credit card but give you a full refund when you return the club. -LBB