Recently I purchased a new set of clubs - irons, hybrids and driver - from Golfdom. I had toyed around with replacing my existing clubs, which I acquired in 2007, but was hesitant based on some cautionary tales I had read online about the quality of sales practices engaged in by a number of vendors.
Finally, though, I decided to stick my big toe in the water, so to speak, and visit Golfdom. Its reviews were mostly good, though some were less than complimentary. I first called, on a Thursday, however, to get a name of someone with whom I could meet. The person answering the phone was Russell. (Later I read some very positive reviews of him online.) We established a time that I would come in the following week (Monday). There was no pressure brought to bear; he just asked what I was interested in.
That Saturday, on an impulse, I drove over (I live in Maryland, and so it was a 40+ minute drive) to get a sense of what the store was like and who Russell was. I was impressed by the store's environment. I was introduced to Russell. I was struck by the fact that he didn't immediately go into a "sell mode." Instead he just shook hands with me and confirmed that he would, indeed, be in on Monday at 11:00. I told him I just wanted to browse around, to which he said "fine." And that was that. Perhaps another person asked if I needed help as my wife and I wandered around the store, but there was no hovering or pushiness. That was a big plus for me.
On Monday we connected as arranged. I discussed what I was looking for. He asked what brands I was thinking about. In response to what I said, and what types of clubs I was looking for, he chose the necessary clubs of those brands (7 iron, 3 hybrid and 4 hybrid, driver and we proceeded to the testing area. I don't remember how much time we spent, but it was considerable. I was not rushed as I kept going back and forth between clubs.
What I was most struck about was the following. Russell suggested that there was a good chance, based on the newer technology and better quality (compared to my existing clubs), I would get greater length (maybe 10 yards/club) with the newer clubs. He proceeded to compare the distances I was generating with my existing iron and the newer one. However, there was no appreciable difference. Russell confessed to being perplexed by this. (This was not the case with my driver and hybrids, where there was an improvement.) Instead of trying to reassure me that eventually I would achieve greater distance with the irons, i.e., try to push the clubs on me, he said I might consider holding off on buying the irons at this point and, if desired, just purchase the driver and hybrids if I indeed wanted them. I was grateful for that suggestion.
Eventually I decided I would purchase the irons, and after some use on the range and a couple of rounds of golf, I am hitting them further. I just needed to get acclimated.
He also did not push me to replace my current sand or gap wedges. Nor did he ask if I wanted to buy anything else. In short, he honored my initial explanation of what I was looking for.
All the subsequent actions - ordering the clubs, following up with their shipping, communicating with me - have been exemplary. That has included Dan, who I believe is a store manager.
I am greatly impressed by the professionalism, courtesy, expertise and quality of communication exhibited throughout this process. Even though I have to drive quite a distance through DC-area Beltway traffic to get there, I will make all my future golf-related purchases through Golfdom. I also highly recommend them to others. read more
