golf galaxy vs. Golfsmith vs. sporting goods

[pittpanther]

  right handed phil mickelson said:

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

Someone in a sporting goods store, contemplating a $30 Driver, probably doesn't HAVE a game! He's not going to be able to tell the difference between the $30 John Daly Dunlop, the $100 Taylor-Made, or the $500 Nike.

[Shindig]

  whip_it_out said:

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.

Okay, I'll bite. Why does the PGA Tour Super STore have a

tennis court?

[HytrewQasdfg]

  Shindig said:

Okay, I'll bite. Why does the PGA Tour Super STore have a

Because the same demographic that plays golf also plays tennis.

Same reason "Bass Pro Shop" sells hunting as well as fishing supplies. The same demographic that goes bass fishing also covers hunters.

[Smarf]

I just wanted to throw out a suggestion. Sometimes I see people on craigslist selling gift certificates for a few dollars cheaper than they're worth. They've usually won them in a tournament and would rather have the cash. If you're not sure you can trust them, you can always meet them at the store and have them buy what you want.

[allin]

  PiKapp23 said:

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.

I agree, definitely fewer options, and prices on clothing and other non club items has increased markedly.

[lazykoala]

I prefer a gift card from a local sporting goods store or golf specialty store that I can drive to and can actually try out the clubs I'm interested in. I generally don't like to buy clubs online since you can't try them out. Honestly the general sporting goods stores often have the cheaper prices since the golf specialty stores seem to charge more just for the fact that they think people will shop there because they "specialize" in golf equipment.

[Chilli Dipper]

Both Golfsmith and the PGA Tour Superstore have great selections of left-handed equipment. For balls, I'll typically go to Dick's for whatever they have a good sale on.

[gar5k]

Have gone to Golf Galaxy, Golfsmith and Dick's all of which are within 20 minutes drive. I have to agree with a lot of the comments so far. Golf Galaxy has the best fitting area, Golfsmith has by far the best selection of used clubs and Dick's usually has the best price on balls (Bridgestone) that I play.

When in Myrtle Beach I spend quite a bit of time in Martins.

[tsanders11]

+1 for PGA Superstore. I have had good luck catching great deals on previous generation clubs that are brand new. I don't have the latest greatest so its right up my alley. I also like the number of hitting bays they have. IMO, there is nothing worse than standing in line to demo a driver.

[finoky]

I go back and forth between Golf Galaxy and Dicks Sporting Goods.

[mhodar13]

So far I've gotten everything from Dick's Sporting Goods. I know I will get my outter and lobwedge there when I do also because they always run the ones I want half priced. When I get new irons, I will most likely go to Golf Galaxy to get fitted as there is one about 30 minutes from me. Dick's isn't bad for golf though. They just don't have a launch monitor. I've never actually been in golf galaxy yet.