I like Dicks Sporting Goods.
I know service is important, and I am keen to support local stores, but some stores online look amazingly cheap.

This one looks fake http://www.uesgolf.com
So cheap, its unreal. One review said bad.

Where do you guys buy from, any good or bad experiences.
Share the knowledge please.

Thanks

Lately I have been buying from the local Dick's. I don't like buying online because I have to like the feel of the clubs I am buying, and you do not get that from online.

I buy mine from my local course pro shop. They will usually match any price. But even if they are a bit higher, I will buy there. I want them to stay around.

Bricks & Mortar Store: Golf Galaxy
Online Store: Global Golf

I bought my driver from a local golf shop called National Golf. I tend to shop at Austad's more. Actually, I go to the Austad's store to try stuff out, and then order it online because it's cheaper:)

99% of my golf purchases are over the net. I go through a couple of reputable dealers on ebay, I've shopped at TGW and RBG. I've also ordered from Austads and Amazon.

I ordered from Dick's once when they had some nice wedges on sale. They sent me two right handed clubs and a left handed club. I called them and asked if I could send the left handed club back for a right handed club, and they said "sorry...no...out of stock...no rainchecks...nothing we can do for you". So I sent all three back and had to go through my credit card company to recoup the shipping charges that they weren't going to refund me even though it was their mistake. Nope. Not gonna shop at Dicks again. Ever.

I usually buy my stuff from a friend of mine who is a pro and runs a driving range. She gets me awesome prices and hardly ever charges me markup. If I do not get it from her I usually go to my local Edwin Watts. Lately I have been buying balls from lostgolfballs.com. They have great recycled balls and are really cheap. I try to stay aways from large chain stores who do not focus on golf only such as Dick's and Academy. Had a bad experience with Academy and decided to avoid that situation all together.

I'm a cheapskate. I typically hit the local "Play It Again Sports" in search of bargains. My driver and hybrids came from there. I won't buy wedges used, but everything else is fair game.

I'm going to be buying new irons from the local shop/driving range nearby. I've been stockpiling gift cards to reach the needed dollar figure. Hopefully, I'll have enough by June.

Golfsmith has sent me beat up, used crap as new two times in a row. Yes I get to send it back on their dime but they aren't extremely fast at crediting back the funds. I find they have become more of a discount return 2nd hand shop than a place you go to spend $700 on a set of irons or buy a new driver.

If you are an Ebayer, Golf-Seller is a great place to save a little $ and get an online fitting. I picked up a set of MP-57's three years ago and ended up passing on his recommendations and going all standard. This time, 3 years later, he came up with the exact same recommendations which I am taking this time. Great quick and inexpensive service if you feel confident in ebay and online fittings.

If the prices are close I also like to use the proshop run by William Cho of Novogolf in Tappan NY. He and his staff know equipment, have a custom fit monitor used on the range and not a net and complete club shafting on premises. They also have a great putter customizer they work with. William and his staff are A+.

Driver, 3 wood and hybrid all came from Golf Galaxy. Year before lasts model, so I picked them up for a song.

Wedges from Eidolon. Irons I got new from a club pro at their invoice.

Next set, wood, hybrid and irons are all coming from a local and very well respected club builder...customized for me and my swing.

Matt

yeah...my next set of clubs will all be custom fitted. My theory all along as been that it doesn't pay to do a custom fitting until you get a good and consistent swing down. I'm close to that level now, and I have all of the clubs I need for at least another year (or so).

Just a heads up guys.
I signed up online for Dicks Sporting Goods (didn't buy anything yet, just signed up for emails)
I got a 10% off email for anything in the next week of signing up.

Now, just to add to that... not only free shipping, and 10% off... they will fit any club bought in the store, or online.

Thats a pretty good deal.
I just bought a bag... tempted to pick up some Irons... but not sure if they lady will let me

gpickin did you find out any more info about usegolf.com ? They seem to assure us that they are real clubs. Maybe it's worth buying one iron and seeing if I could get it verified by Titleist...

people seem skeptical.
let us know if u try.

yeah I must say that their preview images don't fill me with confidence...

Sports Authority. They offer an additional 2-year warranty for $19 on clubs from $100-600 and they cover everything, even if it's completely your fault. If they don't have the clubs you bought 2 years ago they give you what you payed for your clubs back as a GC to spend on a new set or new driver or w/e. So I recently bought Callaway X-20's for $399, 2 years from now I go back with them broken and since they probably won't have them in stock, get a $399 GC and buy a newer set. :p