Where do you buy?

[MSB256]

Do you typically buy your golf equipment from a large sports store like Dick's Sporting Goods? A chain golf shop like Edwin Watts? Or a mom and pop golf shop?

Today I stopped in at a mom and pop shop that I had not been to in a while. Last time I went they didn't have much, however, I went today and praise the Lord I did.

They are back in business and have most everything you could want, just in limited quantity.

The owner was working by himself at the time. He's on older gentleman who sells equipment for cheaper than the chain stores and demos clubs.

You can pay $10 for a driver or $15 for a set of irons and use them for four days. Every time you pay the 15 bucks to demo, it builds up your credit towards purchase. He had a brand new, still in the wrapper set of taylormade irons that I want to demo, I'm just afraid I wont want to give them back and I'll be scrounging for 15 bucks every four days till they are paid off!

Anyone else have experiences with a demo program like that where the cost of each demo goes toward your purchase? Experience with mom and pop golf shops? I'm gonna support this guy from now on.

[Comeback City]

Wow that sounds like a really neat program. Personally I've made most of my golf related purchases at Sports Authority, Dick's and online at 3Balls.com.

[JGulkCG]

Gotta expand the poll a bit. I get all my stuff from my Pro Shop. Granted I work there, but everything i get is what my Pro/Boss tells me to get.

[MSB256]

I should have added pro shops and "other." If anyone knows how to edit a poll let me know. Or just use those options in your post.

[Dpricenator]

That is a cool demo program that shop has, but this poll is already on here, but I can't find it. Most people buy online...ebay, Craigslist, 3balls...etc.

[MSB256]

That's cool. I figured the poll has been done before but I also wanted people's opinion on the demo program. I'm curious if anyone else has seen something like that or if I'm blessed to have a demo program like that around. If you ask me, taking an entire set of irons out on the course to demo for four days isnt bad at 15 bucks. Especially when the set I want is still in the wrapper.

[PiKapp23]

There used to be a used equipment chain called Second Swing Golf (renamed to 2Golf I think shortly before they went out of business). They used to have several sets of new clubs for demo and the cost was just a fully refundable deposit (I think $50). For a while they had a really nice selection with most of the latest models. I think you got to keep them for 3 days. I know there was also a website that was tied in with Golf Galaxy (I think) that you could order a set for demo and if you decided to wanted to buy you got your money back in the form of a discount on the new clubs. I'm not sure they are in business anymore.

The program you've referred to sounds really good and I wish more places would do something along those lines. One of the worst things about buying clubs (especially new from retail stores) is that once you have used it you're not allowed to return it (unless you can clean it well enough they do not realize it's been used ). I know most of the Dick's Sporting Goods I have been in do not even have a simulator - just a mat and a net. I usually go to Golf Galaxy where I can at least hit on a simulator to get a better idea of how I'm hitting a club, but I would still prefer to be allowed to play a round or 2 before I have to commit to several hundred dollars. That's a big reason I often buy used clubs from Golf Galaxy - if I do not like the clubs I have 30 days to return for full 'credit'.

[microcrayfish]

I buy from my local driving range which I guess could be considered a "mom and pop" golf shop, the owner works there most days. I'm not sure about new sets or irons but you can take second hand sets out to a course to demo. I've never done it personally so I'm not sure if they charge. The pro at my home course lets members take new sets out to try but the pro shop doesn't carry a lot of equipment. One good thing about buying from a driving range is that you can see a proper ball flight when you try out clubs and don't have to worry about inaccurate simulators or hitting into a net.

I like buying from smaller stores because you can develop a good relationship with the staff and you get better customer service. The big sports stores where I live don't carry top golf brands and because I have a good relationship with the store I buy from I can get a decent discount that means I'm not paying more by buying from a smaller store.

[Big_M]

There's NO poll option for me... I buy where I can score a good deal...

driver - Callaway Pre-owned
3-wood - Ebay
hybrids and irons - Large, but local golf shop (non chain)
wedges - Golf Show (local store's booth)
putter - local golf course

wife's bag
driver and irons - local component fitter
hybrids - Ebay and 3balls
FW woods - Rock Bottom Golf
putter - another local component fitter

At Edwin Watts (which is usually overpriced)... you can take any club (if they have a demo) out to the course with you to play... you just buy the clubs, and if you like it they give you a new one and you give the demo back, if you don't like it they just refund your money.

Also, Callaway Pre-owned has 90 day playability buy back... 15 days = 100%, 30 days = 90%, 60 days = 80%, 90 days = 70%. Can't really beat that for online stores.

[PuterPutter]

I buy most of my stuff online. I live in a small town in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and nearest golf store is over 100 miles away. Only way out of our valley is over a snow packed pass or down a 50 mile canyon.

Just suggesting to add "Online" to your survey.

[RocketSauce]

no option given: i buy 90% of my stuff online

[ZaPPPa]

90% Online. Otherwise a large golf store.

[NM Golf]

I should have added pro shops and "other." If anyone knows how to edit a poll let me know. Or just use those options in your post.

I added proshop and online to your poll. I myself buy all my stuff from a proshop because I work at one. Its tough to beat 50%-75% off everything.

[MI Rob]

I buy everything from Carl's Golfland, Ebay, Golfsmith.
Once in awhile I will pick something up from Dick's Sporting Goods.

[Big_M]

I buy everything from Carl's Golfland, Ebay, Golfsmith.

Carl's is awesome... I bought my iron set from them and had them regrip my set. In fact, it was the third set of irons I bought from them... I definately miss having a nice local store that carries everything. I'm sure thre's one down here, I just haven't found it yet.

[87vert]

Usually online for clubs, but I buy everything else in pro shops or at Dicks / Dunhams.

Theres a couple local shops but I have not had the time to check them out yet.

[chipper2]

I buy where I can and when I want. The last few items I bought were:
Taylor Made driver - golf shop
3 & 5 rescue club - golf show
Titelest pitching wedge - golf shop
long putter - pro shop
I have never bought in chain or large golf stores. I like the serve and attention I get at my locally owned golf store.

[flopdarock]

Do you typically buy your golf equipment from a large sports store like Dick's Sporting Goods? A chain golf shop like Edwin Watts? Or a mom and pop golf shop?

that sounds awesome like a rent to own deal...

i love going to dicks and checking out new gear but id never buy from them cuz their employees reflect their name... at least over here they do... golf galaxy is great and i love hitting the clubs in their bays... their employees are great too not like the parent company dicks... i would buy clubs from golf galaxy when they have kick ass deals... but usually i just test drive clubs at golf galaxy... then buy the clubs online... either 3balls or somewhere else on ebay... i got a hell of a deal on callaway preowned... even tho one of the clubs they sent me was a womens flex... i returned it with no problems