[mic4me]

I am preparing for my retirement at the end of t he year and as a gift to myself I am getting new clubs. I will get fitted here in VA, but, am I better priced to buy them here in VA, or are there better deals in TV and surrounding area that would cause me to wait? Any recommendations for sellers?

[ColdNoMore]

The first thing I would suggest, is that you go get 'fitted' by a reputable and competent person using the latest in computer analysis.

That goes for your driver as well as irons.

Even if you have to pay for the fitting because you don't buy your clubs from the fitter, you will at least have a couple of options to look at. Just make sure they have a good selection of clubs to try out.

After finding the set and driver that seems to work best, or that you like the most, you can then do a little shopping using the information provided from the fitting (brand/lie/shaft stiffness/composition/etc).

I had been fitted for my last 3 drivers over the last 15 years, but my current irons were a result of getting fitted for them too (Edwin Watts). I went in thinking I knew what I wanted and was prepared to buy another brand iron set off of the rack, but by getting fitted I found a set that I hit a lot better and more consistent. I have a single digit index, but higher handicaps can benefit even more from a proper analysis of your swing.

I paid the $100 for the fitting (5 years ago) and then shopped around and found the set I liked (that matched the spec's from the fitting session) on the internet...and saved much more than the cost of fitting session.

Good luck.

[Fredman]

Good advise

[jnieman]

I bought my complete set at Dick's Sporting Goods in Ocala. They have a lot of separate clubs, iron sets and many complete sets of the name brand clubs. I was able to try out my clubs as they have rooms set up to hit and it was realistic. I thought the prices were great, you can spend as little or as much as you want. Plus you can buy them on line once you figure out what you want and I think get $50 off.

[ajbrown]

I have not bought a new set for my last two sets. I buy them 'new to me'.

My best guess is that prices are pretty much the same for new clubs in both places. Since you can buy new sets over the Internet, both places would have to be competitive.

[kcrazorbackfan]

It all depends; if you're like most of the players on the exec and championship courses that hit and giggle and don't care about IMPROVING your game, go the cheap route; but them "off the rack". However, if you want to improve your game and know those new clubs are going to work for YOUR swing - GET FITTED. Sure, you'll spend some more money, but the end game is that you'll play better.

[l2ridehd]

Do it in Virginia. There is one of the best places around in Northern VA in Herdon. It's right on route 28 behind the Wegmans. I think it's called 1741 golf and the pro that does the fitting there is Roger Hatcher. He is excellent and also has decent prices on custom fitted clubs. Worth the trip if anywhere in VA. Call and make a fitting appointment and make sure you're signed up with Roger.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If you're looking for new clubs, you're going to find that the prices will vary very little unless you got to one of the country club pro shops where the prices will always be higher.

Go to a good reputable dealer such as Jim's Golf Shop down here. Make sure they have a PGA professional on staff that can give you advice on proper clubs for you.

Stay away from Dick's. I say this from personal experience.

[Fredman]

I believe that Dicks dumped all of their pros

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Fredman

I believe that Dicks dumped all of their pros

They never allowed them to be pros anyway. They hired PGA professionals and turned them into stock clerks. The pros at Dick's never had time to do their job. They were constantly given low level work such as putting stock away and dusting shelves. If you took too much time with a customer you were reprimanded. You were told to sell what's on the floor and push customers into stores brands and special makeups.

Dick's has entered into licensing agreements with some manufacturers. They have special makeups which are advertised as "Exclusively at Dick's". The truth is that some of those products aren't even made by the company whose name is on them. Dick's pays the companies a fee to allow them to use their name on products that they have manufactured. They also have companies making up products exclusively for Dick's that are made to lesser specifications than the company's standard products. They make huge margin on those products and associates are paid bonuses to talk customers into those products.

Avoid that store at all costs.

[Indy-Guy]

Once you decide what clubs you want I suggest you check the links below for used clubs. I just purchased 2016 Cobra's from Global Golf for half of what I would have paid anywhere else. They were labeled as mint condition and when I got them they still had the plastic on them.


Golf Clubs, Golf Apparel, Golf Shoes & Discount Used Golf Clubs at GlobalGolf.com

Used Golf Clubs & Discount Golf Equipment - 3balls.com

New & Used Golf Equipment | 2nd Swing Golf

Used Golf Clubs: TaylorMade, Mizuno, Ping, Nike, Odyssey, Cleveland

DallasGolf.com | New, Used, & Custom Clubs | Golf Shafts, Bags, Shoes, Rangefinders, & More

[Two Bills]

If you are going to take the game serious, before you buy any clubs, go get your swing speed assessed. The shaft to suit your swing is the most important factor. All the rest is peripheral.

[dnobles]

I paid $ 50 @ Arnold Palmers and every 3 day I could try different clubs for 1 year After one year the $50 went toward my purchase. I actually bought on line and didn't wait the year but by doing this I knew what I wanted. The remainder of the year, if we had company I got clubs for them to use. It worked for me

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by dnobles

I paid $ 50 @ Arnold Palmers and every 3 day I could try different clubs for 1 year After one year the $50 went toward my purchase. I actually bought on line and didn't wait the year but by doing this I knew what I wanted. The remainder of the year, if we had company I got clubs for them to use. It worked for me

That's a great program. You'll probably end up paying a bit more or clubs even with $50 off, but it's worth it for the service. Did they also evaluate and fit you as well?

[rjn5656]

Not sure when you will be down, but get fitted and then come down to golf expo at the villages in spring, and you can try out all brands.