Sports Publications

Shopping/auction : Real kids in a virtual candy store - online golf shops - Brief Article - Directory

Golf Digest, June, 2000 by Marc Saltzman

Ka-ching! It didn't take long for Web users to find the golf shop in their home computers, the one that sold every ball, club, hat and gadget in the universe. Online club sales could reach 20 percent of the market in five years. We recommend comparison shopping and sticking with secure sites. Also check out auction sites that allow you to unload the driver you loved to get the new one that won't cheat on you. Read the rules about the auctions--there are different kinds, and sites have different policies.

Shopping sites

www.birdieboys.com: Search by manufacturer or equipment type. Lots of brands.

www.chipshot.com: Comprehensive site with areas for men, women, kids, lefties, etc.

www.edwinwatts.com: If experience counts, Edwin has it, in retail, mail order and now e-tail.

golfbargains.com: They promise bargains and free shipping.

www.golfdiscount.com: No-nonsense e-shop with effective search engine.

www.golfstore.com: A convenient process, with e-mail confirmation.

www.golfshopltd.com: When you finish shopping, compete in the trivia tourney.

www.golfsmith.com: The component king turned retailer is now online.

www.igogolf.com: Online since 1995, offers handicap tracking as an add-on.

www.liquidgolf.com: Comprehensive product selection and a virtual tour for PC gamers. (Affiliated with www.golfstore.com.)

www.mammothgolf.com: It's, well, mammoth.

www.thegolfwarehouse.com: Tons of equipment, plus art, team stuff and close-outs.

www.us.buy.com: Golf is a key part of this e-superstore.

Others

www.golfclubsales.com

Auction sites

www.ebay.com: Mix of collectibles and late-model clubs, and tons of trinkets. Use the advanced search tools to separate the wheat from the shafts.

www.golfclubexchange.com: Large, well-organized auction of late-model clubs. Blue Book tells you what they'll sell for. Site has its own direct escrow account.

www.golfpeddler.com: Clean site, easy search.

www.golfclubtrader.com: New or used; buy, sell or trade. Post online or call toll free.

www.ibidgolf.com: Ebay look, easy access.

www.search4auctions.com: Of course, a search engine for auctions!

www.ultimatebid.com: A round of golf with Arnie at Bay Hill? At last check, that will cost you $10,000. Needless to say, this is the most exotic of the auction sites.

Comparison price sites

www.compare.net

www.pricescan.com

Club testing/review sites

www.golfclubreview.com

www.clubtest.com

www.rankmark.com