GolfGalaxy or GolfSmith??

[MunkeyGolfer]

I am looking to get fitted for my current driver. I have a feeling the shaft is just too stiff and I push everything. Does anyone have a preference or recommend one or the other? If you have been fitted by GolfGalaxy or GolfSmith, how was your experience, do you feel it helped your game and how much did it cost?

[TCCcaddie]

I havent had an experience with either because those chains are not in my area. But the chain in my area is very good and i can reccomend golfer's warehouse if there are any nearby you.

[JYB]

i'm more of a fan of golf galaxy...cooler name.

[MunkeyGolfer]

  TCCcaddie said:

I havent had an experience with either because those chains are not in my area. But the chain in my area is very good and i can reccomend golfer's warehouse if there are any nearby you.

Looks like golfer's Warehouse is East coast only and would be a bit far to drive.

[DJYoshi]

have you searched for private fitters? those often do a better job & take more time with you instead of just saying: here's a 6 iron. hit this mat.
here's a driver & our launch monitor that can be up to 10% off in #'s (that 10% can make a huge difference in your decision).
private fitters have been doing it often times longer, better and more accurate than big chains.

[mr_rua]

Don't know anything about GolfSmith. As for Golf Galaxy, my experience with them in the stores in my area (N. Va) have been horrendous. They have fed me erroneous information from things such as golf balls to what shaft I need to use. My suspicion here is that the stores in my area are not staffed with people who actually know anything about and/or even play golf. Just a bunch of high school students working an after school job is my guess. Maybe the GolfGalaxy's in your area are better staffed?

[MunkeyGolfer]

  DJYoshi said:

have you searched for private fitters? those often do a better job & take more time with you instead of just saying: here's a 6 iron. hit this mat.

I have thought about it and wasn't sure if the bigger guys had "better" equipment or monitors. I will do some searching and see what private fitters are close by.

  mr_rua said:

Don't know anything about GolfSmith. As for Golf Galaxy, my experience with them in the stores in my area (N. Va) have been horrendous. They have fed me erroneous information from things such as golf balls to what shaft I need to use. My suspicion here is that the stores in my area are not staffed with people who actually know anything about and/or even play golf. Just a bunch of high school students working an after school job is my guess. Maybe the GolfGalaxy's in your area are better staffed?

I'm not sure how well qualified the staff is as I would be driving to the next state which is the closest one to me.

[alf174]

I would seek out a local fitter at a pro-shop before I'd head to the big discount chains. I only go to Golfsmith or GolfGalaxy if already know what I want and don't need assistance; the staff doesn't come off as being very knowledgeable.

[MunkeyGolfer]

I found a pro shop that will do the fitting but they don't actually do the adjustments to the club. The good thing is that he is also the pga pro with the course and he said he would look at my swing too just to make sure that it's not my swing that is causing the push.

So what would you guys suggest if he says I do need to adjust the club? Should I take his specs and then go to a big retailer and see if they can adjust the club?

[CosmosMpower]

Golf Galaxy in Dallas all the way. All the stores were helpful, friendly and gave me good advice and their prices are very reasonable as is their return policy on used clubs (I lost the receipt and they still took it back for store credit). I go in there a lot but most the employees remember me, ask me how the advice they gave me last time was working out etc etc, just great personalized service.

Golfsmith is just the exact opposite, all the stores blew me off and I had to track someone down to ask a question. They gave me 1 word answers and wouldn't call to another store to check inventory on something I was ready to buy but they were OOS on. Their pre-owned clubs are obscenely over priced, maybe 5% less than a new one.

My girlfriend did buy her clubs at golfsmith but not from a golf person, from their tennis instructor (who also played golf) who was stringing racquets right next to the womens clubs. I didn't know if he only did tennis so I just asked him a question and he took a break on the string job to answer our questions and get us checked out instead of walking away like the other employees.

[ElWagonne]

Within a mile of my job we have both of these stores as well as the infamous PGA Tour Superstore. Honestly, for service, I prefer GolfSmith based on personal experience, that and it tends to be less people there normally.

[CoolBreeze20]

I go to GolfSmith, mainly because there is one only 5 minutes from my house. Everyone there is extremely helpful. i would let one particular store form an opinion for the entire CHAIN. I am sure some of them suck.....but ours has lots of friendly, helpful individuals.

[Cody]

I went to golfsmith it wasn't very good....It was a ping demo day so the ping guy was fitting me so im not sure how they do it normally. The ping guy gave me two clubs and asked which "felt" better....

[CosmosMpower]

  ElWagonne said:

Within a mile of my job we have both of these stores as well as the infamous PGA Tour Superstore. Honestly, for service, I prefer GolfSmith based on personal experience, that and it tends to be less people there normally.

PGA superstore in Plano off 75 is great as well as is the one in Frisco. It's PACKED during the weekend but on a weeknight when it's empty I'm like a kid in a candy store demo'ing the newest stuff on their simulators and spending cash like it's burning a hole in my pocket.

One of the guys at the Frisco PGA superstore cut down my driver and did a great job in about 15 mins.

[mgoofy24]

I used to work at a golfgalaxy. I found it to be a good store with friendly and knowledgeable people. So, that's where I cast my vote.

[pjsnyc]

  Cody said:

I went to golfsmith it wasn't very good....It was a ping demo day so the ping guy was fitting me so im not sure how they do it normally. The ping guy gave me two clubs and asked which "felt" better....

So I guess thats Ping's fault - not Golfsmith? Unless Golfsmith chose that rep specifically.

In any case, I can't vouch for Golf Galaxy, but there's a Golfsmith right around the corner from my office and they're pretty nice there (the rep even went out of his way to find me a box of discontinued Titleist balls - DT So/Lo - in the back). They never fuss when I occupy one of their hitting bays either. As far as fitting goes - haven't gotten around to it, but from what I understand the big retailers aren't really the best way to go.

[Cody]

  pjsnyc said:

So I guess thats Ping's fault - not Golfsmith? Unless Golfsmith chose that rep specifically.

It was ping's fault. The actual employees at golf smith were VERY helpful. Guy named Dennis sold my grandpa his raptures and then let me test any club i wanted

[mutadayen]

I would rank them in this order, based on personal experience:

1.) Golfsmith
2.) Golfsmith in another town
3.) Golfsmith in another state
4.) Golfsmith in another country
5.) Jo Mama...