Jay:

I am a pro shop supporter as well. Other than the odd shirt or pair of shorts from retail, I purchase from the shop. It helps that our pro is also a Titleist & FJ guy.

Thanks, Chris H.

Hey Jay and Chris...

I have purchased my 913 D2 driver, my 913F at my pro shop. After my fittings at Eagles Nest I printed off my spec sheets and gave them to my pro who placed the call to Titleist and placed the order. I also picked up my Foot Joy Contour Casuals, along with some nice shirts from my local pro shop. 

We do not have a huge pro shop, so when I need to buy grips (I install myself) and things like my Garmin, I usually go to the local Golf Town.  Whenever I can, I get stuff from my pro shop as it is nice to support the club. However sometimes you just need to browse the huge inventory at the bigger stores to see what's new and innovative. 

As the saying goes - "He who dies with the most toys wins."  As such - I am always looking for new toys :)

Darius

Hi Jay,

Interesting question.  Since I am what I call a "nomadic" golfer, I don't actually have a home course, therefore I have no pro shop to support.  As a result, pretty much all my equipment comes from Golf Town.  However, I do in general prefer the service and personal attention you get from boutique stores, but when GT came to the Montreal area, all the small shops went out of business.

That being said, I've gotten very good service and attention from GT employees at the Vaudreuil GT store: shout out to Gabriel and John (although John moved to the St Hubert store).  They really know their stuff.  What I find surprising is that they remember me by name.  Not what I'd expect from a big box store.

Regards,

--
Kevin 

Hi Kevin,

  I've had the same experience at my local G/T in Etobicoke. Great guys there. 

I can agree with you.  It is just that I am not a member of a country club.  If I had a choice I would be a member.  I just don't have an extra $25,000 to spare.

Wow - $25,000 !!!

I am currently a member at Vespra Hills which is a top notch private course in Barrie. The initiation fee (which is a one time cost) is only $3,000  and the annual cost for me to play all I want - Monday to Friday is under $2,800 taxes included. We also do not have any minimum food or bar fees. That can be a deal breaker at a lot of places. If I want the 7 day package, it would cost me another $600 but I need some time off to spend at home and rest my body :)  

I also get out the odd weekend with some other friends at different courses on the weekends.

I do have to admit, that if I had to pay $25,000 to join a private club, I would have to find some other place to play.

Darius

Great topic!

I definitely purchase most all of my gear from my pro shop.  Aside from clothing, mostly because i don't really enjoy the fit of the brands they carry, i buy clubs, balls, shoes, gloves, hats and other accessories. I will buy the odd pullover or jacket but usually not shirts or pants, maybe one day though. Service is amazing and very quick to get me what i need if it is a special order. 

I prefer to shop at my local Golf Town.