[golfgnome]

The Golf Industry is nosediving faster than a B52 Bomber out of fuel and people simply aren't playing as much golf as three years ago.

I don't mean to insult anyone, but when Golf Clubs are laying around collecting dust in the big Golf Stores, then Custom Fitting Carts are laying around collecting dust too.

I know that Golf Courses are struggling and it may be better in Georgia than elsewhere in the country. My Club, a 50 million dollar Clubhouse and Golf course Complex had 80 players with reserved times teeing off all day. Dismal. "Rabito", the contracted coach at the Learning Center is starting to give Free Lessons with Free Video analysis. Wow. I went to "Galaxy Golf to buy some gloves the other day and they had to find someone to work the cash register. I could hear a pin drop on the carpet. They have plenty of fitting carts laying around.

The fact that you belong to that nice of a club and chose to buy your gloves and other product from an off-course store is one of the major problems with the industry today.

You should support your club, period. If they can't offer you the product you want then ask them to special order it. Don't give me the price excuse either because if your club is that nice I am sure they have enough staff to cater to your needs that ultimately demands that you support them.

I'll bet you never have to find someone in your golf shop to work the register. In fact, I'll bet there are at least two people in there at all times to ensure that the members are taken care of. This is why you should always shop there.

On another note, please do not mistake a "fitting cart" for a "demo cart". Fitting carts provide tools to the "professional" to expertly fit the student in a manor that will allow them to improve. "Demo Carts" provide clerks the appearance that they are fitting when in fact they are not doing much. Let me know if you even understand the difference between the two.

By the way, the club sales at my facility are higher than they have ever been because I integrate fitting into my lesson programs. People still have money to spend, they simply want service that a discount store can't provide. Fitting carts require commitment from both sides, both in time and money. If they are "laying around" collecting dust than that is the seller's fault for not creating a learning and buying environment.