perseveringgolfer Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 The reason I ask comes from two 'demo' sessions I had, one at a major golf retailer and one at a world class golf resort. The retailer didnt have any demo clubs of a driver I was interested in so he taped up the face then watched me hit using trackman. The sound was affected, the spin was majorly affected so no trackman numbers could be relied on. He apologized for taping but as they werent sent any demo clubs its all he could do. I understood and thanked him anyway saying I'd need to try elsewhere without tape. Pleasant exchange and I still buy from there, frequently. The world class resort had some Odyssey and Scotty putters I was keen to demo with a view to purchase. The assistant said I can try them on the putting green but taped up the whole head in case of any marks. It was the height of summer and I was using new balls. I politely declined to try as there would be no feel and the 'tech' on the faces wouldn't work if covered in tape. He looked surprised but shrugged his shoulders and walked away. I then went out to the range to practice before my round. 5 minutes later the head pro came storming up to me and without any pleasantries his first words were "what's the problem?" I said "sorry, I'm not sure what you mean", he retorted with "you told my assistant you wanted to test putters without taping up the head, these are very expensive and become used if tested". I explained my thoughts exactly as I said to the assistant and all he said was "we dont do that" then turned round and walked back to the pro shop. To say I felt scolded and uneasy is an understatement and I've never bought anything there again. Have you tried demo clubs with tape and still bought? Driver Awaiting NEW Driver (after 10 yrs) 4 Wood Callaway Big Bertha Steelhead plus 4+ Callaway shaft in 'Firm' flex Hybrid Titleist 910H 19* Diamana ahina 'flower' shaft in 'S' Irons Mizuno MP18SC 4-PW N.S Pro Modus3 Tour 105 in 'S' Wedges Callaway Mack Daddy forged in black 50* and 54* KBS Tour in 'R' Putter 'YES' Tracy 11 C groove 34.5" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I think reasonable people can understand why a shop would insist on tape on a non-demo club. I also think reasonable people can understand why even a semi-serious golfer wouldn't find that a satisfying way to test a club. Apparently, not all people are reasonable. TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommc23 Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I have hit irons with tape on them sometimes with really bad results and sometimes with decent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAGolfore Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I would do the same in that situation. Hitting clubs with tape on them is pointless. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Driver: Callaway Rogue 9* FW: Sub 70 Pro 4 wood Hybrid: Sub 70 949 Hybrid 19* Irons: Sub 70 659 CB 4 - 6 Black 639 MB 7 - PW Wedges: Sub 70 JB - 50* 54* & 60* Putter: Odyssey White Hot #2 Ball: Titleist Pro-V1x Handicap index: +3.9 Instagram: joshandersongolf Twitter: @jacustomgolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony@CIC Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Another lefty whine:: Think finding lefty clubs is difficult in big box stores? Try finding lefty demo clubs - impossible! To avoid the tape issue I have to wait for demo day at our club. Fortunately they now have a 1/2 doz vendors with demo clubs (no tape) at our 1 day events. . Left Hand orientation SIM 2 D Max with Fujikura Air Speeder Shaft Cobra Radspeed 3W/RIptide Shaft 410 Hybrids 22*, 26* Cobra Speed Zone 6-GP/Recoil ESX 460 F3 Shafts SM7 54* Wedge Glide 3.0 60* Wedge O Works putter V3 NX9-HD - 4 Wheel EZGO TXT 48v cart - too many shoes to list and so many to buy And BAG Boy Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus 2020 Official Tester Beginning Driver Speed - 78 2019 Official Tester 410 Driver 2018 Official Tester C300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaidJacket Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 1 hour ago, perseveringgolfer said: 5 minutes later the head pro came storming up to me and without any pleasantries his first words were "what's the problem? Good thing I wasn't there as I'd have told him, "what's the problem". Stupid pro. Pro jerk-wad that is. I've walked into our pro shop many times and seen the assistants killing time putting around with various rack putters. You think they mark them as "Used" afterwards? My Sun Mountain bag currently includes: 771CSI 5i - PW and PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges EXS 10.5*, 929-HS FW4 16.5* Willimette w/GolfPride Contour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucklehead Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Retailers near me only tape the display models if you want to hit them. The past two seasons they've actually gotten proper fitting carts so you can play with the lie angle and shafts. Their demo clubs show some use so they won't bother taping them up. They also have about 800 putters around their putting green so I think they assume no one will be hit enough to show significant wear before it is bought. Personally haven't bought anything I wasn't able to hit tape less. Try it out with tape on maybe, but I want to see how it performs before I fork over my hard earned moneySent from my CLT-L04 using MyGolfSpy mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I understand the reasoning behind taping full swing clubs. Not an ideal situation nor something i would do if I was trying to get launch numbers on a club. I have never seen anyone tape up a putter and on the occasions I have seen the plastic still on the putter, the store will generally remove if asked so you can try a particular model. I don't get extremely concerned if there is an unwrapped putter in the wrong length and won't ask to get one in my preferred length. Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: TS3 15* w/Project X Hzardous Smoke Hybrids: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype 915H 24* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Irons: TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite Wedge: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite Putter: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe Backup Putters: Milled Collection RSX 2, mFGP2, Futura 5W, TM-180 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_BNG Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I thought 2 things while reading this. 1. The Assistant is a whiny baby that got upset over losing a possible sale and cried to the Head Pro. 2. The Head Pro is a DB. There was no reason for him to come out and say something to you while you were warming up other than he wanted to show off his "authority". I don't blame you for never buying there again. As far as demoing with tape or plastic on a club, it is not something I would ever do. I would think that every performance factor of the driver head would be effected. The only meaningful thing that could come from that situation would be how the club feels when you swing it. Otherwise it sounds like a waste of time to me. What is in my Sun Mountain C-130 bag or Jones MyGolfSpy bag Driver: Dark speed LS 8* set to -1.5* with an Attas Daaas 4x shaft @ 45” Fairway: F85 3 wood with a XPhplexx Agera X @ 42.5” F85 5 wood with a UST Elements Chrome 7F5 @ 41.5" Driving Iron: Rapture 2-Iron Irons: SMS Pros 4-PW with Steelfiber I95s Wedges: SMS 50* T grind with Steelfiber i110s Glide 4.0 46* zz wedge shaft Glide 4.0 E grind 54* zz wedge shaft Putters: Mezz.1 34” 69* lie EV5.1 black 33.5” 69* lie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyBobby_PR Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I would never test a club with tape on it. Hit takes away from the actual sound and feel as well as the true spin and launch. the store does it to protect their retail product so if the oem didn’t send them demo gear then the oem is telling me they don’t want me to get fit and but their product curious what club you were testing Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4 Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120 Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60 Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1 Ball: Titleist Prov1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Har in the Hat Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Shopping at a big box store up here in Canada (Golftown), they won't let people hit clubs without taping them ( my experience with them and what I've seen) but they don't do that for the putters. They must have had some bad experiences that resulted in some expensive putters not being sold due to scuff marks. What's in my Mizuno BR-D2 bag OFFICIAL TESTER FOR THE PING i500 CLUBS. Currently playing Ping i500 w/ Alta CB graphite shafts MP 25 - fitted w/ Project X shafts - stiff 60 / 56 52 910 D2 driver - 9.5 degree -fitted13 F 3 wood 13.5 deg CPR 3 hybrid Method mallet Dexterity: I shoot left-handed so no one can ask me "Hey, can I try that club?" Twitter @GolfingHat Instagram @Mizunostixgolfnut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxEntropy Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I've seen stores tape the sole of a putter to help minimize the scuffing, but never the face. I don't mind a taped face if I'm just swinging a club to gauge the feel (balance, flex, weight, etc) and don't think I've ever been on a LM with tape on the face.Sent from my SM-G965U using MyGolfSpy mobile app Driver: Epic Speed 9* (set -1) MMT 70X 3W: Tour B JGR Recoil 760ES 3H, 4H: Tour B JGR 19*, 23* Recoil 780ES 4-AW: Tour B JGR HF2 Modus3 Tour 105 SW: RTX Zipcore Black Satin 54* LW: TAIII Black 58* Putter: Scottsdale TR Senita Bag: BigMax Dri Active Lite Ball: TP5x or AVX (yellow) Pushcart: BigMax iQ+ Testing Complete, Final Review Posted: Sub70 TAIII Forged Wedges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB13 Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I understand the need to tape full swing clubs. Although, if there isn't a demo available, a big box has enough inventory to designate one club "demo". Putters though? I have NEVER seen that. They normally come in plastic and some people try with plastic on, and if you want to, all retailers I have been to, have no problem if you take the plastic off. I also haven't seen any putters with scuffs on them because they took the plastic off. Most retailers I go to have the more expensive putters on an upper shelf so little kids can't destroy them but that's about it. From this I draw 2 conclusions. 1. The retailer acted normally and politely. 2. The pro and assistant were a$$holes. Wilson Staff C300 9.0* Fujikura Pro 58 stiff Callaway Rogue 3W Mitsubishi Diamana D+ LTD 80 stiff Mizuno MP-18 MMC FLI-HI 2 iron UST Mamiya Recoil 95 stiff Ping I200's 4-W Aerotech Steelfiber I110 CW stiff Ping Glide 52* and 58* stiff Bettinardi Studio Stock #38 Armlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver & black Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 If they can't afford a club dedicated to testing, I can't afford to do business with them. I refuse to hit clubs with tape on the face. That's just asking for problems down the road if you purchase after hitting it with tape on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_APH Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I have bought several, unfortunately that was before I really knew any better. Clubs as expected performed way different afterwards. Thankfully most here don't do that anymore and have proper fitting carts. I've never seen a place tape up a putter. Most have them all on display for all to use. Even though some have them locked up if you ask they will gladly take them out for you to give a roll. as of Nov 6, 2023 (Past WITB) Driver: Paradym TD w/ GD ADDI 6X Driver Shootout! Wood: F7 3 wood 14.5* w/ Motore F1 Shaft Irons: T Series - T200 5 Iron T150 6-9 Iron T100 PW/GW Wedge: Toura Golf - A Spec 53,37,61 degree Putter: Mezz Max! Balls: Vice Pro Plus Drip (Blue/Orange) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rtracymog Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 We always tape the soles of putter if people want to use them outside, but not the face. When people try out discontinued, new clubs, I always let them know what they will see (higher launch, less spin, etc.) with the tape on the face.Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Cortex w/MGS Motore X F1 7X tipped 1" F5 17 degree hybrid w/Rogue Black 85X C300 Forged 3-5 w/C-Taper 130X FG Tour V6 5-6 w/C-Taper 130X Staff Model Blade 7-PW w/C-Taper 130X RTX4 52, 56, 60 w/S400 Tour Issue ER7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteddyGolf Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 A PGA Professional doesn’t get a lot of customer service training. Most of the training is technical in regards to training, operations, turf and so on. It is not uncommon to come upon someone who lacks tact. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Miura MB 502 Irons ping G400 Driver Cobra F7 3 wood Mizuno putter Mizuno Wedges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bens197 Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 I feel like you’re leaving out part of the story. I’d never let a golfer use a brand new premium putter without protecting the club. He doesn’t know you and your game and with the internet discounts available there are too many tire kickers who want to try and demo then buy elsewhere. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Titleist TSi3 Fujikura Speeder NX Blue 60X TaylorMade SIM2 3 wood Fujilkura Ventus Blue 7-X Titleist U505 2 Tensei 1K Black 85 X Titleist T100 4-P Nippon Modus 3 120X PING S159 50-S 55-H 59-T DG X100 Vokey SM8 50, SM9 54 & 60 Nippon Modus 3 120s L.A.B. MEZZ Max Broom Accra 47" 79.5* Srixon Z-Star XV Currently testing the 2024 PING S159 wedges… https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/63483-testers-announced-ping-s159-wedges/ Was testing, still loving the 2023 Titleist T100 Irons 4-P https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/60456-titleist-t-series-irons-2023-forum-review/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bens197 Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 A PGA Professional doesn’t get a lot of customer service training. Most of the training is technical in regards to training, operations, turf and so on. It is not uncommon to come upon someone who lacks tact. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpyTo an extent, absolutely. To make it at any decent club and to pass an interview, the people skills are sometimes more of an asset than your technical abilities. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Titleist TSi3 Fujikura Speeder NX Blue 60X TaylorMade SIM2 3 wood Fujilkura Ventus Blue 7-X Titleist U505 2 Tensei 1K Black 85 X Titleist T100 4-P Nippon Modus 3 120X PING S159 50-S 55-H 59-T DG X100 Vokey SM8 50, SM9 54 & 60 Nippon Modus 3 120s L.A.B. MEZZ Max Broom Accra 47" 79.5* Srixon Z-Star XV Currently testing the 2024 PING S159 wedges… https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/63483-testers-announced-ping-s159-wedges/ Was testing, still loving the 2023 Titleist T100 Irons 4-P https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/60456-titleist-t-series-irons-2023-forum-review/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickp Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Another lefty whine:: Think finding lefty clubs is difficult in big box stores? Try finding lefty demo clubs - impossible! To avoid the tape issue I have to wait for demo day at our club. Fortunately they now have a 1/2 doz vendors with demo clubs (no tape) at our 1 day events. . Lucky enough where we live has quite a few Demo Days. Only problem is too many Lefties also waiting to try.Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Rick Left Hand, Driver; PXG 0311XF Cypher 50 gr Senior 5 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 7 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 5 hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous R2 Irons; Mizuno JPX 923HM 7-GW Recoil 460 F2 Wedges; Titleist S9 54*, Mizuno SW 56* Putter; Waaay too many to list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickp Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 The reason I ask comes from two 'demo' sessions I had, one at a major golf retailer and one at a world class golf resort. The retailer didnt have any demo clubs of a driver I was interested in so he taped up the face then watched me hit using trackman. The sound was affected, the spin was majorly affected so no trackman numbers could be relied on. He apologized for taping but as they werent sent any demo clubs its all he could do. I understood and thanked him anyway saying I'd need to try elsewhere without tape. Pleasant exchange and I still buy from there, frequently. The world class resort had some Odyssey and Scotty putters I was keen to demo with a view to purchase. The assistant said I can try them on the putting green but taped up the whole head in case of any marks. It was the height of summer and I was using new balls. I politely declined to try as there would be no feel and the 'tech' on the faces wouldn't work if covered in tape. He looked surprised but shrugged his shoulders and walked away. I then went out to the range to practice before my round. 5 minutes later the head pro came storming up to me and without any pleasantries his first words were "what's the problem?" I said "sorry, I'm not sure what you mean", he retorted with "you told my assistant you wanted to test putters without taping up the head, these are very expensive and become used if tested". I explained my thoughts exactly as I said to the assistant and all he said was "we dont do that" then turned round and walked back to the pro shop. To say I felt scolded and uneasy is an understatement and I've never bought anything there again. Have you tried demo clubs with tape and still bought?Tape on bottom of high end putters for outside roll is understandable. Asst & Head Pro attitude stupid. At my age I don’t take fools very well and my answers, if he pushed the issue would not have been cordial.Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy Rick Left Hand, Driver; PXG 0311XF Cypher 50 gr Senior 5 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 7 wood; Ping 425, Senior Shaft 55 gr 5 hybrid; Cally Steelhead, Hazardous R2 Irons; Mizuno JPX 923HM 7-GW Recoil 460 F2 Wedges; Titleist S9 54*, Mizuno SW 56* Putter; Waaay too many to list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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