Buying clubs in the USA

henryd65

An American friend of mine will be coming to Ireland shortly.

I am thinking of getting some new irons (looking at TM Burner 2) and with the weak dollar at present, I am thinking about buying clubs in USA and asking my friend to bring them with him.

- am I missing something obvious with this plan
- are there any sites that are recommended for buying in US.

Dr_Colossus

henryd65 wrote: »

- am I missing something obvious with this plan

Your friend could get stopped by customs coming through the airport with the new sticks and afaik would be liable to pay VAT plus a customs administration charge on the value of said items.
If you were to get him to hit multiple divots out the back garden upon delivery of the new clubs and then throw them in an old bag they'd be less inclined to stop him and it would be more believable that he brought over his clubs for a few rounds of golf.

spurscormac

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Your friend could get stopped by customs coming through the airport with the new sticks and afaik would be liable to pay VAT plus a customs administration charge on the value of said items.
If you were to get him to hit multiple divots out the back garden upon delivery of the new clubs and then throw them in an old bag they'd be less inclined to stop him and it would be more believable that he brought over his clubs for a few rounds of golf.

If he's an American citizen, just visiting Ireland, then I doubt he'd be stopped, unless he brought them boxed.
He just needs to have them in a bag I reckon, say he's playing some golf while he's here with a new set of clubs he bought before he travelled.
I don't think he'd be even stopped to be honest.

More likely if he's an Irish person returning that he may be stopped, but doubtful they'd stop a US citizen.

Russman

He might be stopped at the airport but if he's American he can say they're his and he'splaying golf while over here. Or he could dirty them up a bit first.

I've used www.golfdiscount.com a good few times over the last 5 or 6 years and they're very helpful and reliable (so far anyway !) I've had items delivered to home her in Dublin and also to and address in the States for my sister to bring home and there's never been a hitch.

www.tgw.com is also very popular although I've never used it.

You could also look at www.thegolfshoponline.co.uk its a UK site that I've used a few times and again, has been hassle free. I think its basically a pro sho that does online sales. With the Euro being strong against the stg£ its might be worth your while.

1916

Russman wrote: »

www.tgw.com is also very popular although I've never used it.

Use them a lot and A+ for them. Just get the US landing address as an alternate address on your Credit Card and your away (they don't deliver to Ireland, but you don't need that anyway)

4 Sets of clubs brought back for various family members and no issues.

mr.mickels

Even if they are still in the wrappers I doubt they are going to question him, but if he does dirty them as other suggest they will assume he is a golf tourist and will be delighted to see him visiting our shores to spend his dollars here. As for sites buying online, there will be loads, but if you know what you want why not ask your friend to simply visit his nearest golf shop to get them from an authorised dealer. With the dollar as it is why not get a new bag and fill it with a whole stock of your favourite golf balls.

killbillvol2

I really don't think a tourist with golf clubs is going to set off alarm bells at our airports!

soundsham

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I really don't think a tourist with golf clubs is going to set off alarm bells at our airports!

Unless he decides to use them beating up a few US planes down at Shannon

Didn't know tgw.com don't deliver sets of clubs here they sent me a driver years back and clothing more recently
I do know that some brands Callaway being one could not be delivered, maybe this is the case
Great site though imo

1916

soundsham wrote: »

Didn't know tgw.com don't deliver sets of clubs here they sent me a driver years back and clothing more recently

Really, I'm sure I checked when I first started to use them 5 years or so ago and couldn't, since then I've just landed them locally and waited for someone to bring them over

Russman

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I really don't think a tourist with golf clubs is going to set off alarm bells at our airports!

Probably not, but I have been on golfing holidays and members of our group have regularly been pulled aside by customs in Dublin airport on our return and had their clubs checked. Usually they just take off the headcovers of the woods and see there's no new drivers.

soundsham

1916 wrote: »

Really, I'm sure I checked when I first started to use them 5 years or so ago and couldn't, since then I've just landed them locally and waited for someone to bring them over

Ya actually got 2 drivers from them could be over 5yrs ago though
as far as I know Callaway and mizuno don't ship outside us from this site .....so not sure

bridestream

Arriving into the EU (Dublin) from The USA the allowance is now 430 Euro duty and tax free. This allows a reasonable amont of golf equipment to be brought into the country without any customs hassle. If stopped show them the receipt.
Incidentally I've imported golf clubs whilst travelling from the USA without any hassle from customs ( I had the receipt ready just in case) but I've also bought from golfstoreeurope.com in Derry and the cost of Taylormade fairway woods was only about 5% more expensive than what I would pay in the USA and they deliver to your door and no customs hassle at all.