Buying Clubs without Testing

[buj77]

I'm currently in the market to get a 48 and 52 degree wedge and have been trolling the Internet for information on what's available out there. I've been very impressed by SCOR golf's system in particular (everything they seem to say seems to make sense). However there's no way to try these clubs out without actually buying them (yes I know you can return them if you don't like them but then you've got to go back to the drawing board to find something you like). For the vast majority of gofers, buying equipment (and especially short irons/wedges) is about looks, feel and the confidence they generate (yes we like to know there is tech behind the club, but we don't care about all that when we address the ball). How do you feel about buying clubs on-line without the chance to try them out first?

[Long Ball Larry]

I bought my current wedges online without trying them out first. Even though there's a Roger Dunn two seconds from where I live, I was flying blind because I'm a lefty and there wasn't much available to demo. I liked the look of the Cleveland CG15/16s and Vokeys and ended up going with the Vokeys. I couldn't be happier with them. Unless you live in a remote area, isn't there a place somewhat nearby where you could go and demo some wedges?

[buj77]

Thanks for the reply. I can indeed go out and demo a bunch of wedges/clubs (and have personally always bought after trying clubs out). There are however manufacturers out there who almost exclusively distribute their clubs thorugh internet sales (SCOR being one of them). Most of these companies will send you your clubs after you've bought them and if you aren't happy with them you can return them (and get a full refund including the cost of freight)...but nevertheless its a hassel to do this. I was just wondering, why it is that companies would chose to sell this way, given that the traditional (and according to me best) way to buy clubs is to know what you are looking for techinically (lie, loft, lenght, flex, look (blad, MB, Players CB, GI, SGI) and then to go out and try as many clubs that fit that spec before finding the one that suits you best.

[Long Ball Larry]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with SCOR, but I get where you're coming from. I went through two each of component drivers and fairway metals and didn't like three of them (the second fairway is currently in my bag). I obviously couldn't return them to my club guy, but luckily, I was able to recoup most of my money by selling them on eBay. It was a hassle and wouldn't have been much better even with a friendly return policy. I would only go that route again as a last resort.

[buj77]

Thanks again.

here's the link to SCOR's webiste: http://www.scorgolf.com/

As regards these clubs, I'm exteremly tempted to buy them. Everything they say about the clubs seems to make sense to me (short irons are specialised clubs, you should be fit for them, they must all be versatile (playable from all kinds of lies in all conditions) etc...)...just can't seem to pull the trigger, because there's no way to try before I buy!

[MGAD]

I just bought a set of 3 Scratch wedges from an online discount retailer and was very happy with what I got.  I was interested in Scratch based upon all of the good reviews I have read but have never seen their clubs in any of the local retailers.  I know enough about what I wanted that I felt comfortable going through their online fitting system (they grind their wedges to three different specs based upon swing type) and ordering them sight unseen.  I just dropped them off at the local Golf Galaxy to have them add +1 to the shaft and bend them 2 degrees upright which is where I was fitted for the rest of my set.  They have a good deal at Rock Bottom Golf now on the Scratch wedges - $60 a piece for 2010 8620 milled wedges.

I tested them on a couple of rounds last weekend before getting them adjusted and while I need the adjustments I can tell that I am going to be very happy with the clubs.

[WUTiger]

Quote:

Thanks for the reply. I can indeed go out and demo a bunch of wedges/clubs (and have personally always bought after trying clubs out). There are however manufacturers out there who almost exclusively distribute their clubs thorugh internet sales (SCOR being one of them). Most of these companies will send you your clubs after you've bought them and if you aren't happy with them you can return them (and get a full refund including the cost of freight)...but nevertheless its a hassel to do this. ...

The smaller, specialty companies (SCOR sticks to wedges) use I.net distribution as their business model. They find it more cost-effective to refund money to unsatisfied customers, rather than try to put their wedges into thousands of golf retail outlets.

And, there's the matter of even getting on the shelf in the mainline shops.

Talked to a Golfsmith players rep yesterday, and he showed me some Adams Watson "Performance Grind" wedges which sell for about $80. WPG has 11 different loft-lie combos, with copper faces, and are well tooled, so it's a real commitment by Adams. The rep said, however, that most golfers "don't notice" them, and would rather spend $110+ for Cleveland or Vokey.

The smaller OEMs can do better on cost control with small batch lots as orders come in, rather than having to send out two dozen wedges each to hundreds of golf shops and hope they sell.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by WUTiger

Quote:

Originally Posted by buj77

Thanks for the reply. I can indeed go out and demo a bunch of wedges/clubs (and have personally always bought after trying clubs out). There are however manufacturers out there who almost exclusively distribute their clubs thorugh internet sales (SCOR being one of them). Most of these companies will send you your clubs after you've bought them and if you aren't happy with them you can return them (and get a full refund including the cost of freight)...but nevertheless its a hassel to do this. ...

The smaller, specialty companies (SCOR sticks to wedges) use I.net distribution as their business model. They find it more cost-effective to refund money to unsatisfied customers, rather than try to put their wedges into thousands of golf retail outlets.

And, there's the matter of even getting on the shelf in the mainline shops.

Talked to a Golfsmith players rep yesterday, and he showed me some Adams Watson "Performance Grind" wedges which sell for about $80. WPG has 11 different loft-lie combos, with copper faces, and are well tooled, so it's a real commitment by Adams. The rep said, however, that most golfers "don't notice" them, and would rather spend $110+ for Cleveland or Vokey.

The smaller OEMs can do better on cost control with small batch lots as orders come in, rather than having to send out two dozen wedges each to hundreds of golf shops and hope they sell.

Tell me more about these Adams wedges. They sound brilliant (and I'm not just talking about the reflection off polished copper). Headed over to the Adams website right now - thanks!!!

[saevel25]

Global golf does a 30 day return policy on certain clubs. Not sure if they do refunds or store transfers, but if your sure your going to be buying from them, just shop around and try them out.

[WUTiger]

Quote:

Tell me more about these Adams wedges. They sound brilliant (and I'm not just talking about the reflection off polished copper). Headed over to the Adams website right now - thanks!!!

Check out these babies at your own risk... If you try them out, don't blame me if three or four leap into your golf bag.

Seriously, these WPGs are a thing of beauty and a sharp-looking club - they just ooze engineering know-how. You get motivated to go practice your short game just looking at them.

[buj77]

Thanks, that's very informative and explains a lot. Unfortunately, I caved yesterday and went out and tried a bunch of wedges at the pro shop and ultimately bought an MIzuno MPR 12 wedge (48, 52, 56 with DG Spinners). Absolutely loved the feel and the versatility of the clubs and at $120 a club, pretty good value (comparable in pricing to most others). So it looks like my experiment/thoughts about on-line shopping for clubs without a demo has come to an end for the time being, but I may well give it a try sooner, rather than later. Thanks again for the info/feedback.