At Poppy Hills GC in Pebble Beach, it's being pleasantly surprised by a course ranger who approaches you not with a hurry-up nudge, but a "Nice Shot" certificate good for a discount on shop merchandise. At the PGA Tour Shop at Detroit's Metro Airport, it's the option of shopping by appointment, complete with $1 parking and an escort whisking you past security to the store. Or at the Oconee Course's shop at Reynolds Plantation resort in Greensboro, Ga., it's getting a $50 savings bond for Junior when you buy a set of kids clubs at its three-day golf camp.
That's just a sample of some of the great ideas executed by retailers who made Golf World's 2008 list of 100 Best Golf Shops. As did Carl's Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop in Sacramento, Calif., the only facilities to be feted all 23 years the competition has been held, this year's top shops varied in size but not in substance. Each delivered a level of service that made it stand out. Each offered fresh, creatively merchandised product and appealing promotions. In every way, these shops had the goods.
- Keywords:
- Golf World,
- golf shops,
- 100 best,
- retailing,
- equipment,
- stores
