| Fit | | | | seems obvious, but lots of people fail to recognize |
| Every golf club should be a good fit for the golfer. | | | | shipping costs. If you're going to buy online, or special |
| Each club purchased, from the driver, to the fairway | | | | order from a brick-and-mortar store, shop around for |
| woods, to irons, to putter, should have the correct lie, | | | | the best shipping deals. Some club sellers often offer |
| length, and swing weight. They should also have the | | | | discounted shipping or ship golf clubs for free. |
| correct shaft flex, kick point (not so important to the | | | | Manufacturer Replacement Policies |
| putter), shaft material and MOI. Individual handicaps will | | | | Some golf club makers are well known for being |
| also be a factor, as clubs are made for different skill | | | | reasonable when their golf club malfunctions or breaks. |
| levels. Always make sure the purchase is | | | | Most require the customer to send all pieces of the |
| well-researched before buying. Many retailers, | | | | broken club and before they send the replacement. |
| especially golf specialty shops, have testing equipment | | | | Some will send a replacement and require the |
| that will analyze your swing and characteristics and tell | | | | customer to then send the damaged golf club. Before |
| you what you need in each of the above categories. | | | | buying new clubs, call the customer service center of |
| The Seller | | | | the brand you are buying and learn their policies. |
| Online golf retailers often have the best prices on golf | | | | Consider Used or Closeout Clubs |
| equipment. The main drawback to online golf-shopping | | | | After a club has been used, whether tested by hitting |
| is lack of experience. In other words, a buyer can't see, | | | | only a few shots or played for several rounds, it must |
| feel and experience the club(s). To offset that | | | | be sold as used. It should also be sold at a discounted |
| negative, some retailers offer an exchange or refund | | | | price, although that decision lies with the seller. A |
| policy for a short time. This "trial period" allows the | | | | willingness to settle for slightly used golf clubs can |
| golfer to do after purchase what traditional shops | | | | result in big savings. |
| offer prior to purchase. | | | | It's hard to resist the hot new golf club models. Sellers |
| Traditional retailers, such as pro shops, off-course golf | | | | know this and they charge a premium for them, while |
| shops and sporting goods stores, offer professional | | | | last year's models are sold at deeply discounted, |
| advice and information about the clubs. Some also | | | | closeout prices. What was an $800 set of irons the |
| offer golf club-fitting, golf club grips installation, | | | | year before may be a $300 or $400 set the next |
| re-shafting and other amenities that most online sellers | | | | season. |
| cannot. | | | | Keep these things in mind and you can feel confident |
| Shipping | | | | that the right golf club purchase was made and at a |
| New golf clubs may be discounted at an online golf | | | | great price. |
| store, but shipping costs may negate any savings. It | | | | |