Conference 7.286::golf

    
    Andrew,   Good Luck with your flight over the pond. I would think
    that a noter in the eastern part of the state could help with a
    different location as West Springfield is app. 120 miles from Nashua.
    But to answer your question;
    
    Take Route (Rt) 3 south to Rt 495. Take Rt 495 south to Rt 290.
    Take Rt 290 west to Rt 90. Rt 90 is a limited access toll road.
    Take Rt. 90 to the Springfield Rt 291 exit, exit #6. Take Rt 291
    to Rt.91 north. Exit at the Rt 5 south exit. Nevada Bobs is off
    Rt 5. app 1 mile down the road. It's the first left road.
    
    I live in West Springfield so if you decide to make the trip and
    in the process get lost give me a call. (413) 732-9713
    
    					Tom Tenerowicz

    
    Earlier this year I bought a new set of clubs.  The way I went about
    it was I went to a place that had a driving net set up and experimented
    with different clubs until I found a set I liked.  Then I called
    the various shops to try and find the best price on that set.  I 
    checked Spags, Nevada Bob's, Hermans Sporting Goods, and several 
    golf specialty shops.  The best price I found for my clubs was 
    New England Golf Supply, Inc.  4-10 Kelly Rd., On the corner of 
    Rt 28. in Salem NH.  
         They had a driving net there and were quite happy to let me 
    try out as many clubs as I wanted.  Also, they gave me a 5% discount 
    for paying in cash or check and there was no Massachusetts 5% sale's 
    tax. (Thank you Mike DukeTAXus)  New England Golf Supply is about
    18 miles from ZK0, so it might be worth the trip.
    
    Steve
    

    Hi,
    Good for you to be able to take advantage of both the dollars poor
    position and the vast variety of golf equipment now available at
    low rates!
    
    If possible,try to go to both the Green Meadows club in Hudson,New
    Hampshire and the Wayland Golf Club in Wayland,Massachusetts.Both
    have vast selection,great prices and professionals to fit clubs
    to your needs.They also carry demonstration sets that you may use
    on real grass as you play for a few days.
    
    Try to decide on either a forged steel or an investment cast iron
    before you arrive.Also,there is a selection of either metal or wood
    "WOODS" to further confuse you.
    
    In the end,have a great visit and let your "gut" decide!
    Tom

    
    Also try Rich at Charmingfare Links in Candia, NH. It's about 5
    to 10 miles east of Manchester off route 101. Rich prices competitvely
    and watches the other stores prices.
    
    Dave

    
    Sale announcement:
    
    I just though I would let the other noters out there in on a sale.
    	
    Where: N.E. Golf Supply in Salem (I'm not sure about the other stores
    in the chain)
    
    What: Buy any one item, get any second item at half price.
    
    The way this works, you buy anthing in the store at the regular
    price, and you can have anything else in the store at that price
    or less for half price.  (I bought a new bag and got a half price
    pair of shoes with it.) I'm not sure how long the sale is going
    to last, so yo might want to call first.
    
    Steve
    

    
    Forgot to metion on other thing about NE Golf Supply.
    
    If you make a major purchase there.  (IE <= $200)  You will be put on
    their preffered customers list.  This entitiles you to a aditional
    5% off on all you purcahses there for the rest of the year. So your
    total savings from NE Golf Supply in Salem is:
    
    5% For being a perffered customer, 
    5% For paying cash or check,
    5% That you don't have to give to Uncle Mike in MA
    
    15% Total:  Plus there regualar prices seem to be the lowest going
    		to start with.  It may be worth a trip.
    
    Steve Souza
    

    
    	FYI, I just called New England Golf Supply (in Salem) and they
    	said the sale was on untill the 20th...

    My husband and I took advantage of their sale a couple of weeks
    ago.  My husband got a full set of clubs and I got mine at half
    price.  Saved $200.00
    
    Pam

    I drove by the NEGS store in Marlboro about a week ago and didn't see
    any sale sign, I'll try to go by today.
    
    I also asked  there  before if they give DEC employees a discount and
    say no that their prices were  too  low to give additional discounts,
    but that someone form Corporate had contacted  them to try to arrange
    something, does anyone know anything about this?
    
    Tavo
    
    (Who is still looking for his lefthanded Yamaha 3W)

    Tavo,  you might want to give Seacoast Golf in Manchester a call.
     I was there last night and they had a whole bag of left handed
    Yamaha woods.  I know I played around with a driver for a while,
    but don't remember if there were 3 woods.  I would definitely give
    them a call though.

    Re:< Note 367.11 by DELNI::M_CARBONE >

    Thanks, I just called them (603) 668-2272. They have them in stock.
    
    $300 for 1,3,5W, $110 each.  That's the same price as NE Golf Supply.
    I am going skiing next  week,  so  it  will  have  to  wait  until  I
    recuperate a little.
    
    BTW, NEGS  in  Marlboro  definetely doesn't have a Sale now, although
    they do offer the same $200+ purchase 5% discount.
    
    Tavo

    Wayland C.C.    pro shop is having it's year Sale.  There is an ad in
    today's Globe sport section, with discounts 10-50%.
    
    Clothing 30% (sell-outs)
    Footwear 20-50%
    Bags 20%
    Clubs 10-30%
    
    Sale finishes March 5
    
    Tavo

    	Last August, I bought a driver from Fran Johnsons (Nevada Bobs)
    in West Springfield, Mass..  It is a metal MacGregor Muirfield driver
    with a high loft, 12 degrees, and a 2 degrees closed face.  I paid
    $79.99 for the club.  I hit it, and many other drivers, into the
    net there, before making my decision, as they would not let me take
    the club out of the store to try it.  My problem is, this season,
    I have really decided that I do not really like the club.  The loft
    and make of the club give to much height off the tee and I see to
    have lost anywhere from 15 to 25 yards off my drives.  When I went
    back to the store, they told me they would give me no more than
    $35.00 in trade and that was only after I bitched about there original
    offer of $30.00.  I explained to them that the club was only used
    for about 15 rounds of golf, was less than a year old and in excellent
    condition, but they said that was their best offer, because it is
    to difficult to sell a single club.  Then I explained how they sold
    ME a single club when I bought it.  They then said, yea but it wasn't
    used.  I then told them I had bought my current set from them 3
    years ago, 2 pairs of shoes, a rain suit, a pull cart, dozens of
    balls etc., but they said, thanks, but we have to make a profit.
    To which I replied, well not off of me, at least not anymore!!!
    	Last week, I received a copy of an Austads catalogue in the
    mail.  To my astonishment, they list a guarantee in their that says,
    something to the effect of, they take anything they sell back, within
    one year of purchase, for any reason, no questions asked.  Amazing!!!
    I think I'm going to bring in that catalogue to Fran Johnsons and
    show they add to them and see what they think.  Anybody else do
    any business with Austads, or know of other golf equipment
    suppliers/sellers that will offer a similar guarantee???
    
    Beak

    Beak,
    
       You may also let them know that you have the 
    ability to let many of Digitals employees know
    how they do business, vax notes have power...
    
    Dave

     Here are my thoughts. Austad's may have a good guarantee, but most of
    the stuff they sell is not name brand and is garbage. Plus, what they
    say and what they do may be two different things. I'd stick to major
    catalogs like Las Vegas Golf.
     Second, although this isn't what you want to hear, what is Fran
    Johnson gonna do with a MacGregor metal 12 degree driver that has 15
    rounds on it ? Only Taylor metalwoods are fairly sought after as used
    clubs, the Muirfield is not exactly a hot item (especially at 12
    degrees). They'd be lucky to sell it unless someone with a special need
    comes along. Sure those places sell used clubs, but only the good stuff
    moves fast, if at all. The driver probably cost them $ 45 or so to
    begin with.
     I don't patronize the Fran Johnson's of the world, but in this case I
    think they are within reason. If you threaten them with VAX note
    exposure they'll probably laugh. Put the club in Want Ads at what you
    think is a fair price and check the response. Otherwise, bring it with
    you to each golf course you visit and see if you can deal...
    
    -- Jack (Who used to be in the golf business...)
    

    Jack,
    	It may not have been waht I want to hear, but I appreciate you
    putting in your opinion.  I just feel, that after all the business
    I've done there, and turned their way, that I deserved better. 
    They could have at least given me what they thought they could get
    for the used club, given that they would make a profit on the new
    club I was going to buy there, but they wouldn't even do that. 
    Not to mention, if these type of club wasn't so sought after, why
    were they asking $79.99 for the club brand new?  I've seen some
    of their used clubs, I almost bought one, and they 're not cheap.
    They mark them up too.  To bad, because I think they lost a good
    customer, who at 31 years old, certainly will spend a lot of money
    on golf equipment over the next 40 years or more.
    	Anyone else have any opinions on Austads or companys like them?
    
    Beak

    Never had a problem with Las Vegas Golf & Tennis.
    
    Big Mac

    While I have never ordered a complete set of clubs from Austads
    I have ordered several clubs seperately and have never been
    disappointed.  I ordered a Yamaha driver for a friend that I could
    not find in any proshop, a sand wedge, an EXCELLENT bag and several
    small items (gloves, shirts,etc) and everything has been great.
     In fact when I ordered my bag it came with matching head covers.
    I recieved the bag but the head covers were back ordered and arrived
    2 days later along with a gift certificate for 10.00 off my next
    order.  The letter said they "bogeyed" and were sorry my order didn't
    arrive together.  All in all I have never had a problem with them
    and would recommend them.   friend of mine ordered a set of clubs
    for his wife and she loves them.  I have seen them and they are
    top quality clubs.  If you know what you want tnd they have it I
    wouldn't hesitate to use them,  they have never done me wrong.
    
    	Just my $.02........Mike

    I've had some successes with Edwin Watts, and find them less expensive
    than Las Vegas Golf for most clubs.
    
    1-800-874-0146
    
    Rick

     Beak, the reason that Johnson's sells Muirfield metal for $ 79.95 is
    that it is probably the going price for most companies top line metal.
    The quality is probably comparable with most companies, it's just that
    there isn't much demand. They have to stock a wide variety because
    people have differing opinions and often buy based upon cosmetics or
    impulse.
     I probably didn't state it as such, but i think they charged you a
    fair price for the club initially, and made a fair profit (which they
    were entitled to). As for the used club, they want to sell it as fast
    as they can - not mark it up for a higher profit and have it sit there
    because no one wants it. Simply stated, they take $35 out of the cash
    register and give it to you for the club. If it sits there forever,
    that's $ 35 out of their pocket (and profit) that isn't earning
    interest or available for any use. Magnify this a bunch of times and
    you see why most places don't like to buy odd clubs to resell, unless
    they "move," like Taylors, Pings, Ping putters, etc. Even when you
    trade a set in, the shop doesn't really make a profit until they resll
    yours. Here's an example: Standard mark up is 40 %, so if you buy three
    woods for $ 250 the shop pays $ 150. Now let's say they give you $ 100
    for your old clubs; by my calculations, until they sell yours they
    haven't made any money on this particular transaction.
     We all have to make our best deals, and we have no obligation to
    return where we think we have been treated unfairly. On the other hand,
    if the shop makes a bunch of bad business decisions to stimulate repeat
    business, they lose money, or don't make enough money to make a
    requisite profit or they get a lot of unprofitable repeat business.
     Sorry about the soapbox, but my experience in trade-ins plus the
    experiences of my pals who are still in the business is that unless the
    equipment traded is GREAT, they're a pain in the butt. However, they're
    a necessary evil and you have to deal with people politely. It's like
    buying a car - most people aren't happy with their trade in value, and
    the dealers try to deal as sharply as they can. Those that have already
    sold their stuff and have cash and no trade make out the best. Dealers
    buy stuff cheaper because of volume, but have large inventories and
    overhead. They gotta make a buck, and we're entitled to pay what we
    think is o.k., wherever we find it.
    
    --Jack

    Jack,
    	Thanks for the clarification note.  I can understand why places
    don't prefer to deal in used clubs.  But if that's the case, then
    I feel they should give the customer the opportunity to try new
    cluns out before committing to buying them.  They wouldn't allow
    me to do that, and if or when I go back there, I will refuse to
    purchase any club from them, unless I'm either allowed to try the
    club(s) out, outside, or am given some sort of guarantee that allows
    me to return them, or at least trade them in, for equal price within
    a short, specified length of time, for any reason including my just
    plain not liking the club.
    
    Beak

    Beak,
      A friend of mine buys a lot of his equipment at Nevada Bob's
    and runs into the same problem of not being able to test the
    club except into a net. They have always told him to bring
    the club back for a refund if he doen't like it but then give
    him grief when he tries. This is even after just going out to
    a range for an hour or so. What he has had to do was stop payment
    on his checks to get them to back their "verbal" gaurantee. He always
    ends up buying from them in the end but it is a lot of hassle to get
    a club that performs. At least the pro-shop at the courses will let
    us try out clubs on the range. THe price might be a little higher but
    I think it is worth it to avoid hassling with discount store managers
    and their ex-used car salesman types. 
    
    Mad Hacker (who-is-an-easymark-for-any-salesman!)

     I'm trying to figure out why a store (not a golf shop which is
    adjacent to a range) would let anyone walk out with a set of clubs to
    use on a range or in a round of golf - even a demo set... Plus, who
    determines whether the clubs are still in mint condition ?
     I can see it now - golfer A steals a set of clubs. Golfer B plays a
    round with a set of clubs he hasn't paid for and is "trying out" and
    beats the bejeezus out of them and brings them back. He then says "Here
    they are, I didn't like them, sell them as 'new' clubs. Golfer C hits
    the clubs in the net in the store, likes them and buys them. He then
    plays a round or two, beats it like a pig, blames the clubs and returns
    them for a full refund...
     Geez, am I glad I worked at private clubs (members are tough enough),
    and am I glad I got out of the business. My final (I promise !!)
    suggestion is to only shop at reputable pro shops that have a range and
    will let you try out clubs. You pay a little more, but they also know
    golf and can help you out. Their advice and time is worth something.
    Also, once you buy something and play with it, IT'S USED! Don't expect
    miracles. Everything depreciates at point of purchase. A few bucks just
    ain't worth the aggravation.
    
    -- Jack 

    Jack,
      I totally agree with you. That is why I go to the pro shop
    now when trying new clubs. 
    
    Mad Hacker

    Jack,
    	While I understand what your saying, I think that by letting
    someone take a demo club out of the store, and always lending out
    that demo club before selling a new one, which is what I was really
    looking for, is an idea that will , MAKE MORE PROFIT, for the store
    or seller in the long run.  If they buy 20 clubs at 100.00 and sell
    for the standard markup, 40%, fo 140.00, then their total profit
    would be $800.00 dollars.  I think they would sell the 20 clubs
    faster if they put one aside as a demo, and only made $760.00 profit.
    Also, their inventory would be reduced, they could get newer stuff
    in and it would take less time and sales people to make the sale.
    	Let me ask you, would you buy a new car if the sales person
    told you, well if I let you drive more than 200 yards dwon the road,
    you and others after you will accumulate to much milage on the vehicle
    and then it won't be new?  Not me.  And a store as big as Nevada
    Bobs could easily carry demo clubs in most models, at least the
    popular ones.  They could certainly require a deposit of some sort
    which could protect them.
    
    Beak

I am in NO way associated with the following business. I just thought
it is good info for this notes file and offers some great equipment
for great prices. 


	Here is the place for all your golf club needs...
	Custom made/custom fit golf clubs and full service
	on club repairs and refinishing...

	Top name components (Aldila, True Temper, Brunswick,
	Apollo, Golf Pride, Lamkin, etc...)

	Metal woods, graphite woods,  persimmon woods, jumbo drivers,
	metal shafts, boron/graphite shafts, rubber grips, cord grips,
	dimpled grips, leather grips, all types of perimeter weighted
	irons, tour blade irons, you name it...

	Gift certificates and shipping available.
	
	Still time to get those clubs for Christmas.

	10% discount for DEC employees.

	For more info call Gimme Golf 603-895-0115

    There is a Sporting Good store in Fairfield, Maine, that have
    many sets of Pings for the low low price of
    
    
    
    
    			$482 
    
    		    For any color 
    
    			2-PW
    
    If your in Maine and interested in Pings, call them at <207>453-2234
    
    Jim
    

    Gee, I wonder who Gimme Golf is.....
    
    Hmmmmm....
    
    

    
    Very intuitive of you Jim... ;-)

                      <<< Note 367.27 by VICKI::MANSOR >>>
                        -< Gimme Golf - call anytime!! >-

 >>>	For more info call Gimme Golf 603-895-0115

 Is this a business from a home.  I've called a couple of times and
 gotten and answering machine that doesn't identify as a business.

 I haven't left a message because I want to be sure who I'm leaving it
 with.

 I'm looking for a Ping Pal4 BeCu putter.

Mark

	YES,

	603-895-0115, is the correct number and yes it is a business run
	out of a home... You had the right number, you can leave a message
	if you get no answer in the future...
                      <<< Note 367.31 by CARROL::CASEY >>>
                        -< Is this the right number??? >-

                      <<< Note 367.27 by VICKI::MANSOR >>>
                        -< Gimme Golf - call anytime!! >-

 >>>	For more info call Gimme Golf 603-895-0115

 Is this a business from a home.  I've called a couple of times and
 gotten and answering machine that doesn't identify as a business.

 I haven't left a message because I want to be sure who I'm leaving it
 with.

 I'm looking for a Ping Pal4 BeCu putter.

Mark

    
    	Gimme Golf has some great NEW prices on "custom fit" sets of clubs.
    
    	Irons 3-PW starting at $170.00... Woods 1-3-5, starting at
        $120.00...
    
        If you are interested in a fitting or want more info, just call
    	603-895-0115...

    
    	I forgot to mention in my last reply that if you buy the
    	set of 3 woods (1-3-5) and the 8 irons (3-PW) together,
    	the 11 custom fit clubs start at $240...
    
    	For more info call Gimme Golf at 603-895-0115

    I am very interested in your custom fitted clubs.  I am a 2nd year
    golfer that picked up a used set of Wilson clubs to get started.  I now
    find myself with the wrong club for my "growing" abilities and NEED a
    new set of clubs.  Jeff Burke suggested that I contact you before
    buying, lest I waste money on the wrong set.  I also called your
    business number and left my telephone number.
    
    
    Dave Lewis
    
    DTN 264-2407
    Home (603) 883-9360
    
    

	I was talking to a golf equipment sales rep. last week and he
	mentioned that Golf Day will probably be opening a store in
	the Worcester, MA area within the next 6 months to a year.

	Also coming to the Worcester area is The Sports Authority (owned
	by K-Mart).

	joe.