~ ~ SueMagee commented on one of my recent golf opinions asking me why I didn’t use the local golf professional when buying equipment.
That got me to thinking about it, because in years past I most certainly did use the local pro to buy new clubs, waterproofs, golf shoes, or whatever.
But the simple truth is that the advent of the golfing “superstore” has all but tooled the death knell for the old professional shop attached to the local golf club, at least in terms of major purchases.
The local pro simply can’t buy at the same low price as a major chain store, in much the same way as a wee corner shop can’t really compete on price with the likes of Tesco.
The local pro will always have their place in golf however, as they are so convenient for buying things like balls, tees, golf gloves, soft drinks, chocolate bars, and all the other paraphernalia that help to keep a golfer happy.
And they still do well out of other activities like giving lessons, and hiring out clubs, carts, etc to visiting golfers.

~ ~ There are quite a few of these golfing super stores about the place these days.
Two of the better known would be Nevada Bob’s and The American Golf Discount Centre. Both are franchise operations, and as you can probably tell from the names are leased from an American chain.
Here in the Republic of Ireland there is another indigenous store called Paddy McGuirks that competes on level terms with these “giants”. (Well, almost, but not quite!)
But of the three large golfing discount stores available to me here in Dublin the one that I use most often is Nevada Bobs.

~ ~ It’s a bit difficult to say exactly why I prefer Nevada Bobs over the others, as in terms of price, there really isn’t that much to choose between them.
They all have a huge range of golf equipment and clubs at good prices, and it can sometimes pay to shop around for the best deal if you are making a big purchase.
All offer all the latest clubs, like Callaway, Taylor Made, Ping, Nike, etc, and carry a comprehensive selection of other peripheral equipment like golf shoes, trolleys, bags, holdalls, waterproofs and balls.
One big factor is that the Dublin store is located only a five-minute drive away from my house, so it’s very convenient.
But I suppose the main reason is really the staff.
I find that in Nevada Bob’s the sales assistants are invariably good golfers in their own right, and so well able to offer you the right advice when it comes to selecting a set of clubs, a pair of new golf shoes, or the right ball/shaft/grip for your own particular swing and handicap. This isn’t always the case in some of the other stores, where what the salespeople know about the clubs could be easily written down on the back of a postage stamp!
The staff aren’t “pushy” either. Oh, they’ll come up to you soon after you enter the store, and ask you the usual leading question.

“Can I help you?” (I’ve always been tempted to reply “Why. Am I on fire or something?” Heh, heh)

But if you say you’re only having a browse, then they don’t get all pushy, and will shove off until you are ready to do business.
The other plus factor is that they seem to have a certain amount of autonomy when it comes to offering you a discount, or giving you a good trade in on your old equipment.
They don’t have to go running of to the manager to get their permission, and will often strike a really good bargain if you have a brass neck and haggle a little.

~ ~ As well as new equipment, Nevada Bobs always have a large selection of used clubs. These are the “trade ins” that they accept in part exchange when they are striking a deal to sell a potential customer a new set.
These are mostly in excellent condition, as they won’t take in any old rubbish. If they don’t think they will be able to move it on easily, then they’ll tell you to try and sell your old set privately.
I bought my current set of irons (Ping ISI) second hand in Nevada Bobs.
I’d been looking around for a good used set of “Ping Eye 2” irons for ages, but they are becoming as scarce as chicken’s teeth!
But the salesman had me down in his notebook, and when he took in this set of Ping ISI irons in a part exchange, he gave me a ring on my mobile to see if I would be interested.
At only €380 for the full set (10 clubs) you better believe I was interested. (They’re over €1200 new!)
Mind you, the sales staff here in Dublin have got to know me rather well over the years, and probably have me marked down as a “soft touch” at this stage.
Over the years I have spent an absolute fortune with this company. Sets of clubs, new pairs of shoes, electric trolleys, waterproofs. You name it and the mad cabbie has bought it!
I even bought my wee lass her very first set of clubs here.

~ ~ There are another couple of things I like about the store.
They have an indoor net, where you can go and hit a few balls with a club before you finally make up your mind whether or not to purchase.
And their returns policy is simply superb.
I bought a new (expensive) pair of SoftJoy golf shoes here at the beginning of the Spring. (€125)
Two months later I was practicing at the range one evening, and they split across the instep. So back to the shop the next morning with the offending shoes.
I got no argument whatsoever about replacing them, and they even threw in a pack of six new golf balls to make up for the inconvenience.
Now that’s what I call good service.

~ ~ Nevada Bobs have 2 stores here in Ireland, one in Dublin and the other in Cork.
They have been trading in the European market since 1990, when the first store opened in Eastleigh in Hampshire.
They now have over 30 stores in the UK and Ireland, (including Northern Ireland) and a further ten in Continental Europe. (Plus one in Iceland, of all places!)
If you are interested in paying them a visit to see what they have to offer, you could use the yellow pages to locate your nearest store. Alternatively, you could visit their rather posh website at www.nevadabobsgolf.co.uk, where as well as having a virtual browse through all they have to offer, you can locate your nearest store by using their “Store Locator” button.
Highly recommended by the mad cabbie.

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Nevada Bob Dublin
KCR Industrial Estate,
Kimmage Crossroads,
Dublin 12

Tel: 003531 4929144
003531 4929147

Email: okelly@esatclear.ie

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Copyright KenJ October 2003

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