PGA Superstore kills off Golf Galaxy Store!

[Middler]

There was an above average Golf Galaxy in Charlotte that I bought from occasionally over the years. Then a PGA Superstore went into the same shopping center, great store and they got most of my business - at least what I couldn't get from a different nearby GG or online. I assumed the former Golf Galaxy would survive, but in a little over a year it's closed/empty/kaput. Surprised me at least...

Edited November 14, 2023 by Middler

[revkev]

I'm pretty surprised that there wasn't some sort of non-compete in their lease...

[chisag]

3 minutes ago, revkev said:

I'm pretty surprised that there wasn't some sort of non-compete in their lease...

 

... Pretty common in the area's I have lived in. PGA SS, Golf Galaxy and several years back Golfsmith were within one block of each other. I do like GG because I can use them with my Dicks CC Rewards certificates but their insistence on tying down all their woods so you can't see them at address is beyond annoying. Only golf store I have visited that does this. Sorry to see your GG close because competition is always a good thing. Used equipment prices especially are so much higher when there isn't any competition. 

[revkev]

19 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... Pretty common in the area's I have lived in. PGA SS, Golf Galaxy and several years back Golfsmith were within one block of each other. I do like GG because I can use them with my Dicks CC Rewards certificates but their insistence on tying down all their woods so you can't see them at address is beyond annoying. Only golf store I have visited that does this. Sorry to see your GG close because competition is always a good thing. Used equipment prices especially are so much higher when there isn't any competition. 

Oh I've seen them a block apart for sure - 

 

I'm simply surprised that they are in the same shopping center.  And yes, bottom line I'm sorry that this has happened to you.  Competition is always good, IMO.

[tony@CIC]

Even stranger - in a Cleveland, Ohio shopping center there's a DSG with a large golf selection across the way from a GG. I'll bet the DSG doesn't get much golf traction other then impulse buying. Here if Fl, the GG is less than an 1/8 of a mile away from the PGASS which BTW is 3 times as nice as the GG. 

[Bobbers]

We had a PGASS go in about a mile from Golf Galaxy.  The PGA store has done well based in large part on how the staff has been trained and/or selected to begin with.  PGA has a  larger selection.  The staff at GG, which is chronically understocked, is quick to tell you why you didn't really want what you say you wanted.  They delight in adopting an "I'm MUCH more informed than you are, perhaps I'll share some of my wisdom with you..." approach; making conversation next to impossible.  Couple that with the outrageous prices GG slaps on used clubs and I guess I'll be surprised if GG isn't gone by this time next year.  Sad situation.

[NC Golfer]

PGA SS is going to be tough competition for GG and DSG. I find the GG/DSG's are unable to fully stock their stores. I like that PGA SS carries Cleveland, Wilson and Tour Edge. I will go there every time because of that. 

[h2ohzrd]

I heard our PGA Tour Superstore (Raleigh) was smaller than the one in Charlotte but it’s about 3x the size of the largest Golf Galaxy near me in Cary, NC. I doubt GG will shutdown and hope they don’t since it’s about 2 miles from my house.  

[unccross]

On 11/14/2023 at 2:08 PM, Middler said:

There was an above average Golf Galaxy in Charlotte that I bought from occasionally over the years. Then a PGA Superstore went into the same shopping center, great store and they got most of my business - at least what I couldn't get from a different nearby GG or online. I assumed the former Golf Galaxy would survive, but in a little over a year it's closed/empty/kaput. Surprised me at least...

I would really like to get down there and be fitted for irons and fairway woods sometime over the winter. I’ve never been fitted before and Charlotte is the closest one to me, but it’s still almost 3 hour drive .

[hohjoe]

When I was working off a pager and texts if I ever felt overwhelmed I would go to the local PGASS just to be ignored. The have a lot of equipment, but have the same cold personality of their Home Depot count part.

[Shrek74]

When I was living in the West Valley of Phoenix, my closest GG/PGATSS/DSG were all within about 1/8 of a mile form each other. GG was on one side of the road with the PGATSS and DSG across the street about a block apart. Granted, Phoenix is a strong golf destination so they seemed to both always be somewhat busy whenever I'd gone into them.

What I noticed going to GG & PGATSS was that GG employed lots of part-time younger people who may or may not be there between visits. So turnover seemed higher than the other. PGATSS seemed to have more "aged" staff, but was also a bit understaffed like GG was. I had bad luck with both stores for club work and just started paying a bit more at one of my local shops as I was more comfortable that the work would be done right the first time. I also noticed that PGATSS seemed to have better fitters the few times I did impromptu fittings at both. GG was young "kids" doing them and you could tell they didn't have much experience and even had a bit of "I don't care" type of attitudes towards what I was testing.

Where I am now, I don't have either stores within about 45 minutes from me. So I'm pretty much an online shopper only now unless there's something big or important I need to go and put my hands on before buying.

Ultimately I think every location is different and every store seems to do their own thing beyond what corporate tells them. It's sad that your GG is gone, as like chisag said competition is good. But it happens.

[ljd327]

Golf Galaxy has two other stores in the Charlotte area (one in Pineville, another up north), and there are several Dicks Sporting Goods around, so they probably figured the rent wasn't worth fighting for the market in the Matthews area.  I was hoping they would move into the former Bed Bath & Beyond store in the Arboretum, but no such luck.

[Middler]

1 hour ago, unccross said:

I would really like to get down there and be fitted for irons and fairway woods sometime over the winter. I’ve never been fitted before and Charlotte is the closest one to me, but it’s still almost 3 hour drive .

The Charlotte PGASS is very well stocked. The store is as large and well stocked as Chicago, where I used to live FWIW. Been to both many times. Like anywhere you go for free fittings, you never know what you're going to get IME. Could be great, or not. I've taken to getting fitted at demo days over fittings after a few sketchy free big box fittings and even a worthless fitting at Club Champion.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Middler

[Middler]

On 11/16/2023 at 8:21 AM, hohjoe said:

When I was working off a pager and texts if I ever felt overwhelmed I would go to the local PGASS just to be ignored. The have a lot of equipment, but have the same cold personality of their Home Depot count part.

Different strokes I guess. I don't like stores that hover or ask you every time they see you, 'can I help you.' If I need help, I ask, and I've never been disappointed. YMMV

Edited November 17, 2023 by Middler

[hohjoe]

On 11/16/2023 at 9:26 AM, Middler said:

Different strokes I guess. I don't like stores that hover or ask you every time they see you, 'can I help you.' If I need help, I ask, and I've never been disappointed. YMMV

I agree, I don't like a store that hovers over customers and I don't like someone to follow me around like I'm going to stick a driver down my pants. But, it is nice to be at least acknowledged.

Edited November 18, 2023 by hohjoe

[Fred Mitchell]

4 minutes ago, hohjoe said:

I agree, I don't store that hover over customers and I don't like someone to follow me around like I'm going to stick a driver down my pants. But, it is nice to be at least acknowledged.

Is that a driver down your pants or are just glad to see us.