Picking the proper clubs<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Taking up the game of golf can be a confusing
\nprocess for beginners because there are so many options when it
\ncomes time to select your equipment.<\/p>\n
There is a wide range of prices to choose from, depending on
\nbrand, specifications, materials and so on.<\/p>\n
And those players who have mastered the basic skills of the
\ngame may want to add a club or two to their bag in order to cut
\ntheir scores.<\/p>\n
Golf clubs are divided into three main categories: woods or
\ndrivers, irons and special or utility clubs, such as putters and
\nsand wedges.<\/p>\n
The United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient
\nGolf Club of St. Andrews make all the regulations for golf
\nequipment, including clubs and balls, and demand that all
\nproducers comply with these regulations.<\/p>\n
A club, for instance, must be at least 18 inches (457.2
\nmillimeters) in length, and a golf ball must have a diameter of
\nat least 1.680 inches (42.67 millimeters) and weigh 1.620 ounces
\navoirdupois (45.93 grams).<\/p>\n
When it comes to selecting a set of clubs, especially for
\nbeginners, it is recommended to get some advice from someone who
\nhas the expertise and experience.<\/p>\n
\"We recommend beginner golfers come to one of our Golf House
\noutlets for a demo session. At least they can try various golf
\nclubs before deciding to buy one.<\/p>\n
\"Our well-trained staff will always be there to help,\" Ratih
\nDarmawan Gianda of PT Mitra Adiperkasa, which runs the Golf House
\nchain, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
A complete golf set for beginners can be had for Rp 4 million
\nto Rp 5 million at the Golf House. Most golfers upgrade their set
\nonce their game has improved, either purchasing a more expensive
\nand better set of clubs, for about Rp 40 million, or adding
\nindividual clubs to fit their needs.<\/p>\n
The company currently has more than 20 Golf Houses in Greater
\nJakarta and another 30 outside of Jakarta. It holds distribution
\ndeals with the top manufacturers of golf equipment and
\naccessories, including Callaway, Titleist, Ping, Adams, Taylor
\nMade, Greg Norman and Mizuno.<\/p>\n
Parveen S. Kapoor, the managing director of Hari Bros, which
\nspecializes in golf equipment and accessories, had some similar
\nadvice.<\/p>\n
\"We provide a trial session for our customers to try our
\nnewest product, Axel. And usually they decide to buy after the
\ntrial session,\" he told the Post.<\/p>\n
\"The price is about Rp 6 million for a full set, including the
\nbag and putter. But once they have improved their skills, they
\nwill buy new clubs to improve their play.<\/p>\n
\"For the top-of-the-range selection, each wood costs some Rp 7
\nmillion while irons cost some Rp 18 million.\"<\/p>\n
Both Ratih and Kapoor said that although the clubs can be used
\nfor a long time, most golfers buy one or two new clubs because
\nthey want the latest model or simply to improve their game.<\/p>\n
It is just like the pursuit of the newest mobile phone, said
\nRatih, while Kapoor compared it to the desire to have the latest
\nmodel car.<\/p>\n
\"Once mobile phones were only for audio communication, but
\nthen they came equipped with SMS and even Internet capability.
\nGolfers also find the same thing in buying new clubs,\" said
\nRatih.<\/p>\n
\"Golfers usually hear from their friends about the newest
\nmodel and want to have a try. It's just natural,\" said Kapoor.<\/p>\n
Competition<\/p>\n
Ratih said the main business threat was not other golf chains
\nbut rather those involved in the so-called parallel distribution
\nof the same brands her company holds the licenses for.<\/p>\n
\"These traders buy clubs from discount or surplus stores in
\nJapan or the U.S. in large enough numbers to supply their own
\nstores. This way they can sell their clubs 10 percent to 20
\npercent lower than us because they don't have to pay any taxes,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
\"We, however, have our own advantages despite the higher
\nprices. One thing for sure, all of our merchandise is original
\nand comes with a guarantee or warranty. We never sell second-hand
\nmerchandise or pirated merchandise.<\/p>\n
\"Another advantage is that we have our own repair center and
\nclub fitting facility. These facilities are important to keep the
\ncustomers happy,\" she continued.<\/p>\n
Ratih said pirated merchandise was not a huge problem because
\nthe pirated goods were rarely sold under the name of the original
\nmerchandise.<\/p>\n
\"But the pirated merchandise, usually made in Taiwan, looks
\nlike the real thing. That's why it is better to buy from well-
\nknown retailers.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Kapoor has his own idea of competition, saying it
\nis a necessary evil in any business.<\/p>\n
\"I think competition is good for the business as the more the
\nmerrier. If we held a monopoly, it would not be good for the
\ncostumers because we wouldn't bother to serve them.<\/p>\n
\"We've been in the business since 1930 and I am the third
\ngeneration of my family to run the business. Instead of competing
\nI prefer to cooperate with other business, because they may have
\nwhat I don't have or the other way around,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I don't want to make a short-term profit and severe my future
\nopportunities by selling fake merchandise. We don't even sell
\nsecond-hand goods. I want to have long-term and loyal customers,\"
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
Well, in the end, as the cliche goes, it's the man who holds
\nthe club. No matter how expensive your clubs, whether they are
\nthe newest and most technologically advanced clubs on the market,
\nhow you play is really up to you. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/picking-the-proper-clubs-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}