golf galaxy vs. Golfsmith vs. sporting goods

[clearwaterms]

I realize that most people probably buy alot of things online, but when you are actually shopping, or people offer to get you gift certificates, do you prefer Golfsmith, Golf Galaxy, The sporting good store, big box retailer (target, walmart, etc)

Thoughts, reasons, etc?

[Shindig]

I can't remember ever being offered a gift certificate, but if I'm shopping for golf clubs, I'll go to Roger Dunn, largely because of their return policy - 100% back within 90 days as store credit. I took advantage of this policy when I was getting my first hybrids, woods, etc - I must have returned six 3-Woods.

I would also prefer any golf-specific place, if they have a launch monitor, just because I enjoy seeing the number after the shot.

[lumpuckeroo]

I prefer Golf Galaxy, but there is one in KC, so I can shop it and look online.

[PiKapp23]

A couple years ago I would have said Golf Galaxy but since they were purchased by the parent company of Dick's Sporting Good they have reduced the brands and models they carry. I would have to say I prefer Golfsmith now. The closest one for me is in Columbus, OH, which is about 100 miles away, but I make a couple trips a year just for that. They have a lot more brands and models of equipment than Galaxy does now. I've been very disappointed in GG in the last couple years. I know buy more online or travel to Golfsmith or shop elsewhere when I'm on the road somewhere.

[jaragon126]

I shop at Golfsmith primarily ... I might visit a generic sports store if I need something small like tees or a golf glove, but for big purchases I like golfsmith. Their return policy and their selection is great.

Keep in mind that I have not had ANY experience with Golf Galaxy.

I don't know if this is true by any means, but I would like to believe that the people at a golf specific store (like Golfsmith & Golf Galaxy) might have a bit more expertise than a generic sports store. That gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I buy something :)

[HytrewQasdfg]

If I'm getting a "gift certificate", I prefer cash (or at the least one of those pre-loaded Visa cards) I can spend any darned well I please.

The fact is I hate gift certificates (giving or getting.) I don't see the sense of taking good old flexible cash and making it harder to spend.

[alf174]

I'm fortunate to have a Golfsmith, a Golf Galaxy, and a Las Vegas Golf all easily within a 40 minute drive but I also seem to end up at Carl's Golfland , a golf retailer with a heated range and online shopping too. I used to "think" they were expensive but their support more than makes up for the little difference in cost.

[buddycris75]

i like em all. my favorite though is probably the pga superstore. im pretty spoiled cuz we have all of them around the d/fw area

[CG031]

I shop at a local golf shop because my dad is friend's with the owner. I get great deals because we buy so much and are friendly with him. Got my Mizuno irons brand new last June for 650 dollars. Got my scotty cameron putter for christmas for 230 dollars. he even through in a sleeve of the new callaway tour i's...lol.

[ArrrrJay]

The golf club I'm in gives a lot of prizes as Golf Galaxy gift cards, so I shop there a lot. Most nice items are marked up, but I've found a few great deals on their sale racks.

[DarkPrince]

For everyday stuff I prefer just buying stuff where I work which is a sporting good store. Much to the chagrin of my managers, i commonly tell people to look elsewhere for golf sets if they are willing to spend decent amounts of money, not because we carry cheap stuff (we do have X-20's, R7/R7 Draw, X-18, Sumo iron set), but because if they want to spend that much, use some of it towards a fitting session or lessons (since both can improve score more). For clubs, i just ordered my new ones through work...sort of, but I prefer going to pro-shops or golf-specific shops because of demo days and free fittings...etc.

  jaragon126 said:

I don't know if this is true by any means, but I would like to believe that the people at a golf specific store (like Golfsmith & Golf Galaxy) might have a bit more expertise than a generic sports store.

You unfortunately are pretty dead on there. Aside from the fact that one or two of my managers played/plays regularly, I'm the only other one who probably knows jack about golf where I work. It sucks though because even though I know what I'm talking about, people think I'm just pushing bad products on people because we aren't a golf galaxy. I do a lot of research, a lot of reading, watching, and playing/experimenting with stuff we have that I can tell people mostly what they need to know, yet they walk out the door with the $30 John Daly LE Square driver rather than the clearanced out Taylormade Burner that would probably help them a heck of a lot more for an extra $70.

[NativeTxn]

I prefer Golf Galaxy for trying out clubs because you just bring any of them over that you want to hit, they tape them for you, and you hit on the launch monitor (which is one of the ones with the video screens).

I like Golfsmith for their overall selection - ESPECIALLY in the used clubs area. Every Golfsmith I've ever been to seems to have the largest selection of used clubs of any of the bigger stores (Golfsmith, GG, and PGA Tour Superstore).

Golfsmith has Demo Clubs that you just go pick up and hit into a net. they have launch monitors, but you have to have one of the associates there to tell you the results, and it's just not as appealing as hitting it into the screen and watching your video ball fly (at least in my opinion).

It also seems that there isn't much of a variety in the demo club bins - at least not the same as GG where you can have them tape up any club in the store. You may very well be able to ask Golfsmith associates to tape up a club off the rack and let you hit it, but I'm honestly not sure - I've never had any of them offer to let me do it, and for the most part, I can try out most of the ones I want to at GG.

Golfsmith has a 90 day, get 90% back in store credit toward another club/set of clubs (the price of the club determines whether it qualifies for this 90/90 guarantee.

PGA Stores are huge, and the two I've been to here in Dallas each have probably 10 launch monitor bays with the video screens. If I understand their return policy correctly, you have 30 days to return clubs and you can get a 100% refund.

I believe that GG requires that you have not used the clubs at all to return them, otherwise they are returned as a trade-in.

Overall, I like each in a certain way and each has its advantages and disadvantages. As another poster said, I'm lucky in that I'm in Dallas and there is one of each within 20 minutes from me.

[clearwaterms]

we have Dick's sporting goods, Golf Galaxy and Golf smith all within a 30 minute ride of my house. Golf Galaxy is a much nicer place to try out golf clubs. However, last night I went to Dick's (they have a launch Monitor) and it was very nice. they have some demo clubs, however any club in the store they will take and let you hit them. Also, they encouraged me to bring in my current driver to compare it to on the launch monitor.

[pittpanther]

  DarkPrince said:

I do a lot of research, a lot of reading, watching, and playing/experimenting with stuff we have that I can tell people mostly what they need to know, yet they walk out the door with the $30 John Daly LE Square driver rather than the clearanced out Taylormade Burner that would probably help them a heck of a lot more for an extra $70.

Look at it from the customer's point-of-view. If the $30 John Daly driver is so bad, then

why does the store stock it and sell it? The customer is thinking this is a good golf store - they won't stock any junk. But then you basically tell him that "Yes indeed, we do sell junk, but if you pay more, I can sell you something nice." Sounds like the old bait-and-switch. If you think the $30 John Daly driver (or whatever) is junk, then stop selling it.

[clearwaterms]

  pittpanther said:

Look at it from the customer's point-of-view. If the $30 John Daly driver is so bad, then

he isn't selling it, the store stocks it, but he sells "recommends" the name brand taylor made option.

[whip_it_out]

I prefer the PGA tour Super Store, which is about the size of a walmart with 12 hitting bays, a full tennis court,a nd every golf related item you could ever imagine.

[right handed phil mickelson]

  pittpanther said:

Look at it from the customer's point-of-view. If the $30 John Daly driver is so bad, then

It's also not up to him as to what the store should carry. It's his job to sell items, but also get customers coming back and good reviews. So, he's going to recommend clubs/brands that WORK, and that truly help a persons game, instead of some cheap stuff.

[right handed phil mickelson]

I myself prefer a local store called The Golf Guys. THey have a bunch of brand name items, at great prices, and they have a good staff that helps you out with whatever you need. They also have a launch monitor with a bunch of different stats to help you.