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