Online golf stores - what to watch
All of the checkpoints explained in the evaluating online stores pages apply to online golf stores of course.
When purchasing golf equipment online, there are a few other things you should keep an eye on to ensure a smooth and successful experience.
Contact details
If you're buying physical goods from a site, then look for a physical address and telephone number. If you need to exchange products or otherwise contact a retailer, it's reassuring to know they have a physical presence and know that you're not just reliant on email communication. If this information isn't there, why are they hiding it?
Information and choice
Golf clubs and other equipment come in various shapes and sizes. A good store will give you enough choice so you can be confident that you're getting the right fit.
Taking irons as an example, a good clone club retailer will offer a choice of shaft material, shaft flex, left-handed/right-handed and shaft length, and possibly upgrades in terms of materials and grips.
A good golf retailer will also offer fitting advice, either by telephone, email or live chat, or through an online system, where you answer a few questions online and the website tells you what options you should check when ordering your clubs.
Look also at what the company says about itself - the more details you get about the company, its staff and its operations, the better you can feel.
If a company's sold thousands of clubs over a period of years, you can be fairly sure you're dealing with a reputable organization.
Perhaps the most important thing to look for though is refunds, returns, guarantees and warrantees.
