Best Pro Shop

deko43

There has been a lot of discussion on here with regard to the pros and cons of the large golf retailers around the country. I have found that in recent years some of the pro shops in clubs offer very good value and
a better "try before you buy" service. Would like to hear oppinions on the best club pro shops around the country particularly in terms of value for money, customer service and stock availability...

thegen

Most pro's I know run an excellent shop. They do offer a better service in terms of advice etc. sometime's prices can be dearer but vfm is better when you take in service.

I dont think specific pro's should be mentioned here though

Mister Sifter

Best pro-shop service i've had was at Elm Park. Worst was at Headfort on more than one occasion.

f22

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Best pro-shop service i've had was at Elm Park. Worst was at Headfort on more than one occasion.

I would agree on Headfort, brendan could do with some customer interaction coaching!

PhilipMarlowe

I played Headfort once and I was definitely an inconvenience to the (young) guys behind the till... imagine the cheek of me giving them money and asking for a card...
Always get well looked after at Kilkenny Golf Club. Jimmy Bolger is very personable and Eoin (I think) is the assistant.
Rosslare good too.

ShriekingSheet

Not my club but I found the guy in Naas to be particularly sound. Young-ish for a headpro. Very obliging in terms of the standard little transactions of greenfees, trolley hire, filling you in on the local rules etc.

I'm a firm believer in supporting your own club's professional. I've been at clubs with and without one and the difference in having a good front-of-house man who is an experienced, good golfer who's in some way familiar with you and your golf is invaluable.

I get lessons off ours and buy the majority of my equipment from him. Though I'm sure I've paid a few quid more than those who haggle in McGuirk's or buy online, in return I have advice on hand from a great professional who knows my game from driver to putter, knows my scores week in week out and plays a few holes with me now and then.

I honestly do not get it when I see people at a club with a good pro going elsewhere for lessons. Sure, some club pros can be less than sound, and aren't great teachers, but it makes me laugh when I see guys instead heading off to some driving range because the pro their "shows more interest" or, "is improving my natural swing rather than reworking it".

If you're trying to get from 5 to scratch there's a case to be made for heading down to the likes of McDaid but for the bulk of us this isn't the case.

Mat the trasher

I agree with Sheet above, but as my club doesn't have a shop at the moment I can recommend both G Lunny in Naas and G Burke in the Curragh. I have a dealt with both and you'd be very suprised how close they will come to matching the big shops on price.

fullstop

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Best pro-shop service i've had was at Elm Park. Worst was at Headfort on more than one occasion.

Agree about Headfort, very ignorant whenever I've been there.

f22

Mat the trasher wrote: »

I agree with Sheet above, but as my club doesn't have a shop at the moment I can recommend both G Lunny in Naas and G Burke in the Curragh. I have a dealt with both and you'd be very suprised how close they will come to matching the big shops on price.

I agree, Gerry Burke is a gentleman. Played a couple of pro-ams with him and could only say positive things about him.

scout353

Have to give David Hayes a mention in Dungarvan. Excellent to deal with and usually gives a great deal.

Also Mitchell's Golf Shop in Waterford is very good - it is retailer but the guys in there are very knowledgable and they always give a great deal

Benny Cake

The pro shop at Kilkenny golf club is excellent, always have a very good selection of quality second hand gear......

PhilipMarlowe

Was in Wexford golf club today and it was very well stocked and I was well looked after down there.

irishtoffee

Nice one Licksy,thats my mate pro Liam Bowler in Wexford he has a great selection of stock.Jimmy Bolger is a lovely bloke and tell him Monty from Wexford golf club was asking for him,he should remember me.Gerry Burke is another friend of mine and we won a pro am together.

gerp

I have to say guys what i cannot understand is why dont all the pro's form there own buying group.
There has to be more than 200 PGA Pro's out there so why not form a huge buying group.

I think its just another example of how PGA pros have very little get up and go.

I have heard all pro's over the years give out about Mcguirks so why not put x amount in and take on the giants.

I have to agree with some of the comments you should purchase your gear from a pro no point in going to a main retailer and getting advise from a hacker.

What do you think???

mirrorball

gerp wrote: »

I have to say guys what i cannot understand is why dont all the pro's form there own buying group.
There has to be more than 200 PGA Pro's out there so why not form a huge buying group.

I think its just another example of how PGA pros have very little get up and go.

I have heard all pro's over the years give out about Mcguirks so why not put x amount in and take on the giants.

I have to agree with some of the comments you should purchase your gear from a pro no point in going to a main retailer and getting advise from a hacker.

What do you think???

I think you are being a bit harsh on the PGA pros. There is an Irish buying group. My local pro Karl Holmes of Greystones GC is a member and takes pride in being able to compete with McGuirks and the UK online outlets.

golfbgud

gerp wrote: »

I have to say guys what i cannot understand is why dont all the pro's form there own buying group.
There has to be more than 200 PGA Pro's out there so why not form a huge buying group.

I think its just another example of how PGA pros have very little get up and go.

I have heard all pro's over the years give out about Mcguirks so why not put x amount in and take on the giants.

I have to agree with some of the comments you should purchase your gear from a pro no point in going to a main retailer and getting advise from a hacker.

What do you think???

You are making the assumption here that some of them have not done this already. It's a good idea and has happened..........

golfbgud

Interesting thread and amusing!

Member of Headfort myself.......

Have met a lot of the Irish Pro's over the years and agree on Liam (good Kells man!) Gerry and Jimmy. There are others too.

Lot of sense being made here too about testing gear, pro knowledge of individuals etc etc.

Seems some golfers are shy and would rather go to the big stores with a shopping basket.

Done both myself but each man to his own as they say.........

A.Partridge

Bobby Kinsella at Skerries is very approachable and easy going.

Also, you'll always get a good story or two from his father Jimmy who is ever

present.:D

Only played Headfort a couple of times. Didn't find them rude but just a bit

disinterested maybe?

Hi

I've had one lesson with Karl in Greystones golf club and picked up some gear from him.

Great guy, lesson was right at the level I needed, explained everything clearly and came away feeling I'd learnt alot.

He has a huge selection of gear, got a great deal on bags & balls...

worth a visit for the range of gear alone...

waterville72

The main issue with PGA pros is the consistency from one to the next. They serve their 3 or 4 years apprenticeship and then qualify. Unfortunately thats it then. There seems to be no follow up. Now I accept that for other tradesmen like carpenters, plumbers etc. there is no follow up either. However these tradesmen are not members of the Professional Plumbers Association or the Professional Carpenters Association.

The word "professional" is the key here for me. If the P.G.A. want to call their members professionals then they have to have better regulation or tougher qualifying standards.

The P.G.A. have already agreed to accept members from a 3 year degree course in Birmhingham University. I believe that they must go down this road if they want to continue to use the word professional. Four years training with a PGA pro who himself is not good at what he does hardly qualifies someone to call themselves a professional.