Best way to demo clubs?

[calvie7]

Does anybody have a good way to demo a club or set for a round our two to get the feel on the range and course? I really hate dropping 300-400 on a new club (driver) or way more on a set of irons after just hitting them in a simulator... Is there a demo program out there? Here in Denver I know of Golf Galaxy, and Golfsmith, neither will let you "check out a set" or a club for a weekend...

When I lived in Omaha, i could check clubs at a local shop, that was the best... any ideas or suggestions?

[Dub]

Find a local course whose pro shop carries the brands you want. Make sure they have demo sticks. Go to their range and / or course and swing away.

[WUTiger]

... Is there a demo program out there? Here in Denver I know of Golf Galaxy, and Golfsmith, neither will let you "check out a set" or a club for a weekend...

About 2007 or so, several of the big-name club manufacturers had a club test program. For about $60, they would send you a test set of irons or other clubs so that you could play them over a few days. Then, if you bought the set, the rental money applied to the purchase price. The big guys had quit doing this by 2008, when I was looking to replace my irons.

One option: See if any of the upscale courses rent out the type of clubs you want to hit. You could play a round there, rent a set of the clubs, and test them on range and course. But, you have to be lucky to find a course with the model of clubs you want to hit. Second option: Buy a slightly used version of the clubs you want from Golf Galaxy, and try them out for 30 days (?? need to check exact time frame). Then, if you don't like them, you can exchange them. (Sorry, I can't remember if it's a trade-in on another set, a credit voucher or what.)

[jamo]

About 2007 or so, several of the big-name club manufacturers had a club test program. For about $60, they would send you a test set of irons or other clubs so that you could play them over a few days. Then, if you bought the set, the rental money applied to the purchase price. The big guys had quit doing this by 2008, when I was looking to replace my irons.

Some of the golf superstores let you do this, as do some (most?) private courses.

[Gibby]

I'm pretty sure Golfsmith and Golf Galaxy will let you take their used clubs out for a couple days and let u hit with them for no cost at all....

Maybe only I got to do this because my dad is friends with one of the employees there...lol. But honestly, it's worth asking, I don't see why they wouldn't let you take a set of used clubs out for a day or two. They let me =P

[OJsakila]

"There is NO substitute for true ball flight."
-OJ

Do NOT buy a club if you are hitting it into a screen, (or net). You must be able to see your shot.