I just got an email from my friend, Kathleen, who shared with me her experience last weekend when she went out to buy new irons. Unfortunately, the scenario is all too real. See if you can relate to her frustration. I know my blood pressure rose a few degrees as I read her story.
Kathleen and her husband went to a well-known, large golf store and began talking with one of the sales staff who had been there for some time. Kathleen continues, “First of all, the guy talked to my husband - not me - about everything from price to technology to brands, even though my husband told him more than once that I was the one buying the clubs. The guy didn’t get it. Then, without even asking me about my game or seeing me swing or anything he went on with things like the following:
- ‘These clubs should work great for you - I gave them to my wife . . .’
- ‘These clubs could be the start to helping you break 100 . . .’
- ‘Even if you never play anything more than par 3’s or executive courses . . .’
“Then he tried to sell me a complete set with covers and bag - in pink or purple, of course - when the whole time I told him I just wanted irons. He told me he didn’t know of any women’s clubs that didn’t come in complete sets or any brands that only sold women’s irons. Excuse me . . . ??!”
I repeat: Can you relate?
Purchasing new clubs is a huge decision and a significant monetary investment. Kathleen was more than frustrated when she left the store - without any clubs.
I do have an answer for this problem: custom clubs made just for you by a true professional in the business. I can recommend just such a person, and I promise you that you will come away from the club fitting knowing that you have the right clubs for you, feeling good about the experience, and, most likely, spending less money.
The final straw for Kathleen was “when he stepped into the swing booth while I was testing out some clubs and started to show me how to ‘correct’ my stance / swing.” I could just scream!
Barb:
I hope all is well with you. Interesting article about the club purchasing experience. As a PGA Professional, trained in custom clubfitting and customer service, I think it is dissappointing that these experiences occur. When reading the article, I was dissapointed in your response to the reader. You stated, “I can recommend just such a person, and I promise you that you will come away from the club fitting knowing that you have the right clubs for you, feeling good about the experience, and, most likely, spending less money.”
I am sure that you have a nice relationship with an individual clubfitter, however, it would be nice to communicate to the reader that there are many good choices for women to purchase and get properly fit for golf equipment. Choices such as green grass facilities with trained PGA Professionals (men and women), clubfitters and instructors. Many of these green grass facilities even offer lower pricing on golf equipment than the “Big Box” stores. In conclusion, the reader should understand that many choices exist when purchasing golf equipment, and they do not have to settle for a negative experience.
Sincerely,
Steve David, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Brackett’s Crossing Country Club
I have some thoughts on Kathleen’s experience that might be a little different than most…
1. Would your husband bring you along if he were buying new irons?
2. Did you use your voice to tell the salesperson what you want, not what he thinks you want or need?
3. Did you tell him your handicap index, how far you hit a 5 iron, how many wedges you carry? He needs information only you can give him, regardless if he asks or not.
3. Did you stand up for your right to be treated as a golfer rather than a wife who plays golf.
4. Give the guy a break. Maybe he’s a just another jerk, but, maybe our own lack of confidence creates our problems.
5. Female or male, we determine how we are treated.
Just another view from the fairway. Linda
I can relate to Kathleen’s experience, but my problem is with the amount of women’s clubs they have in these stores-which is practically none! There is no way I could find a new driver because I was lucky if I found one or two to choose from. My husband suggested I go to have my driver custom made. I am a high handicap-23-so I thought I wasn’t good enough to have a club custom made. I was SO wrong! I ended up with a perfect club because Tom Cook (at Pat Ryan Golf) really spent the time with me to fit the club properly. Plus, I ended up paying LESS than buying one from the chain type store. I am so happy with the driver I have bought a 5 wood, and will purchase new wedges this year!
I totally agree with the last comment that Kathleen should have spoken up for herself, but I have talked to A LOT of bad sales clerks at these stores too! HOWEVER, I will never have to deal with any of that EVER again as I will always have my clubs custom made. Of course, I will still buy the cute golf clothes and shoes from the stores and my golf course as they consistently have good merchandise to choose from and offer good prices as well.