Conference 7.286::golf

    Hi,
    
    Just some "global" advice from England, UK. You'll find the stores in
    the US will give you excellent advice but the final decision, of
    course, rests with you on what to purchase. I suggest you check out the
    King Cobras, but take a serious look at Taylor Made Burners and the
    Ping range. Don't go for blades, go for cavity backs, as the blade
    generally has a smaller "sweetspot" and is therefore a tool which the
    lower handicappers go for. Get the clubs set up for loft and lie to
    suit your stance and swing. 
    
    Chas.

    I like the Wayland Golf Shops. They have a very large inventory of
    clubs, and will let you take them out to demo them before you buy.
    There are 4 Wayland Golf Shops in Massachusetts, but for you,
    coming from Nashua, the one in Burlington MA is probably the best
    option.
    
    From Digital Spitbrook, get on Route 3 South. Follow it South to the
    junction of Rt 128/95 (Routes 128 and 95 are the same road at that
    point.) Follow the signs for Rt 128/95 North. After you leave Route 3,
    but before you actually get onto Route 128/95 will be another exit
    ramp for Middlesex Turnpike. Take this exit ramp.  At the end of the
    ramp, take a left at the traffic lights onto Middlesex Turnpike.
    Try to stay to the right hand side travel lane. The Wayland Golf Shop
    will be about the 4th or 5th building on the right. It is just
    before the Burger King.  The Golf Shop is actually in the back side of
    the building, so take a right turn into the parking lot and go up the
    driveway to a parking area in the rear of the building.  They are not
    open evenings so call ahead to find out the hours that they are open.
    
    Another option is Nevada Bob's Discount Golf. They also have a large
    inventory. I'm not sure what their policy is for trying clubs before
    you buy them. There is a Nevada Bob's in Nashua. 
    
    From Digital Spitbrook, get on Route 3 North. Take Exit 8 for
    Rt. 101A North. I think the sign says Amherst/Milford. The exit ramp
    turns into a long access road with a few traffic lights. Go past 1 or 2
    traffic lights, and past the large Clarion Hotel. Take a left at the
    next traffic light. This will lead you into a large shopping center.
    You have to take a right on the driveway to get to the front of the
    stores (you'll understand when you see it)  Nevada Bob's is in the
    large row of stores that face out onto the main thoroughfare.
    
    Hope this helps.
    Louise

	Chas, thanks for Your advise, much appreciated.


	Lousie, how much would the prices defer between
	Wayland and Nevada Bob ? (impossible to answer but
	an estimate is all I want).

	Looks like saturdays agenda is all set now.

	
	Regards

	Stefan

    	Stefan,
    
    	You may also wish to take a drive over to Salem which is only 
    30 minutes from Nashua. There is a Nevada Bob's store in Salem
    and also a Heavy Hitters golf studio in Windham, the town just before
    Salem if you're coming from Nashua.
    	I'd recommend HH since they have a driving range right there and
    they'll let you take out a few clubs of differing brands and try them
    out in real life (rather than hitting into a net) ;^)
    	Either way, in NH you don't have to worry about paying the sales
    tax you would in Mass.
    
    
    	Keith

    I'm not sure about the price difference between Nevada Bob's
    and Wayland.  I know for stuff like golf balls and clothing, they are
    comparable - but I haven't bought clubs in either place (I have a
    custom clubmaker in the family).
    
    Once you decide what you want, a couple of phone calls can answer the
    price question for you. There are several Nevada Bob's in the area
    so they should be easy to find in the phone book. 
    
    There is also Whirlaway Golf in Metheun MA which has a driving range
    right there to let you try out clubs. I'm not sure on the prices at
    Whirlaway - I don't know how much they discount from 'list' price.
    
    Whirlaway is on Rt 110. on the Metheun/Haverhill line. From Route 495
    North, take Exit 48 (I think it's 48 - it's the one after the Exit for
    Rt. 213). At the end of the ramp, take a left towards Metheun and
    Haverhill. Whirlaway is about 2 or 3 miles down on the left side.
    It's a combination car dealer/driving range/golf shop/restaurant.
    (One stop shopping!) If you get to Rt 495 again, you have driven too
    far.  Be careful with the Rt. 110 exits from 495 - there are several -
    Rt. 110 crosses back and forth across 495 a few times.
    
    Need some recommendations for places to play in the area?
    Louise
    
    

	Lousise,
	I think there wont be any time left for playing during this visit.
	Maybe next time !
	
	Thanks for the hints,

	Stefan

    From what I've seen the prices at Nevada Bobs & Wayland golf are pretty
    comparable.  Nevada Bobs has more illusion of 'discount', but I don't
    see it in the prices.  I like Wayland Golf shop(s); good prices, good
    service, great selection, no pressure.
    
    You will save sales tax (5%) in NH though, but I'd pay it to get the
    'right' set of clubs.  In August (?) Wayland golf has a big sale, with
    some pretty good prices, and a few great deals.
    
    ...Ken

    
    	I have had good experiences at both Whirlaway and the Wayland shop
    	in Wayland Ma.  At both locations they will work with you at a live
    	range to help with your swing fit including length, loft, lie,
        flex, hit point.  I observed the discounting to be very close at
        both shops with Whirlaway a bit lower on Hogan, Wilson, and Ping.
        The Wayland shop has a bit more variety of clubs, especailly
        putters, wedges, and they have a couple lines of custom clubs that
    	might benefit a beginner.  If your a true beginner your swing may
        be a bit rudimentary and inconsistent to focus on lie and loft to
    	consider a major variance on club unless your height is at an
        extreme end of the scale requiring unusual length/lie.
    
    	If your swing is pretty much standard, than the off-the-shelf deals
    	of low cost complete outfits including woods,irons, bag, etc are
    	usually on sale at places like Herman's and Lechmere(Pheasant Lane
    	Mall) in Nashua NH. right near Spitbrook. At these places a
        complete kit can be purchased for about $250-300 of reasonable quality.
    	Nevada Bobs occasionally has a set of like quality for about the
        same price range.
    
    
    	Regards,
    	Walt

    Just back from vacation and too late to help Stefan but as an FYI
    the owners of Whirlaway also have a shop in the Rockingham Mall
    in Salem, NH.  I believe it is located on the first level between 
    Sears and JC Penney.
    
    
                                    Dick
          

	I got myself a set of King Cobra 3-9, pw + sw,
                              Taylor made bag
		              Ping putter (used)
			      travel bag
	I did a fare amount of travelling and price checking, but it seems
	that the prices are prity much the same regardless of shop. The deciding
	factor became sales tax and service from the shop. I ended up at the
	heavy hitters gold studio where I could try the clubs on a reall
	range.
	
	This summer I've managed to lower my hcp from 54 to 33 which I'm very
	satisfied with. Hopefully I'll be able to play during the next visit
	to the US.

	Thanks very much all of You for the excellent information about the
	shops and directions of how to get there.

	If You visit Stockholm let me know so we can play a round.

	Stefan

    
    It's now time for another visit to Nashua and I thouht of adding
    one or two metal woods to my club set. 
    I was very satisfied with buying my set at the heavy hitter golf
    studio, mentioned in previous replies, due to the ability to actually
    test the clubs there.
    
    Are there any new golf shops in the Nashu are You can recommend ?
    
    Stefan