Online Equipment Deals - Ready for the Taking

For discerning golfers who love to get the most for their money, great deals on golf equipment and travel are available on the Internet; you just have to know where to look. In recent months, a few online companies have offered fabulous deals much to the joy of golf enthusiasts who were able to cash in on those specials. Two such companies that offer regular Internet deals are Kingdom59 and DoGolf. The companies offer a product at a ridiculously low price and if enough golfers sign up to purchase at that price, they all receive the discounted merchandise. That’s why these companies offer free registration and strongly suggest that participants tell everyone they know to sign up. The more the merrier and the sweeter the deals.

DoGolf co-founder and CEO Brian Timmer shared some of the deals offered recently at www.dogolf.com: “In recent weeks we offered a Guerin Rife Golf Deep Blue Putter that retailed for $200. Our discount was 63 percent. Seven lucky golfers took one of these putters home for $75. We also offered 72 percent off on a Nike Golf Slingshot Mixed Sand Wedge that retailed for $90. For 17 golfers, the price was a mere $25.”

Based in Los Angeles, DoGolf also offers a wide range of products like drivers, wedges, golf balls and gloves, along with select tee times and stay and play deals across the United States. According to Timmer, the typical deal is offered for two to four days in length but if enough sales are not generated for a particular item, then the offer will be cancelled and no one gets the deal. “That’s why if you really want a particular deal, it’s best to tell your entire network of friends or contacts about the items,” Timmer emphasized.

Of the online golf vendors offering upscale items at reduced prices, one company sets itself apart from the crowd. Visitors to www.Kingdom59.com will immediately notice the difference in products offered. In its 15 months of existence, Kingdom59 has sold hundreds of quality products to its 150,000 subscribers and free of charge. “We deliberately did not put the name golf in the title in order to set us apart from the competition,” said Kingdom59 founder and CEO Alan Parker. “We feel that our brand has a much more polished feel than the others and our main goal is to bring value to golfers."

Offering golf discounts of up to 70 percent off retail, this members only website features top brands in golf gear and lifestyle, with travel destinations soon to be another option, says Parker. At Kingdom59, each sale lasts from two days to a week, with two to four sales offered weekly. With such a short window of opportunity, visitors to the site need to act fast as all items are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

There’s also an incentive for getting your friends to join. For each golfer you invite to join Kingdom59, the company will credit your account with $10 after your friend’s first purchase has shipped, excluding e-gift card purchases. There is no limit to the number of friends you can invite, or the number of credits you can receive.

And finally, as with any e-commerce site, caveat emptor, or let the buyer beware. Golfers/online shoppers need to be aware that all online golf vendors are not created equal. In recent weeks, online vendors Shotly and NaileditGolf.com have both run into trust issues with the public for not delivering on their promises. In fact, NaileditGolf.com recently abandoned its website and now does business under the name of Golf Deals and Steals.