Five first-rate golf shops provide vast selection of golfing goods.
While you may not find golf shops in every town, the off-the-course retail options for Westchester golfers can—and will—set players up with the absolute latest in equipment. Here are five top-notch golf shops where you can find everything you need to become the next Tiger Woods.
1. Golfsmith
1019 Central Ave, Scarsdale; 914.902.0014
This 10,000-square-foot mega store in Scarsdale makes finding anything golf-related easy with large signs leading to amply stocked sections of golf bags, balls, men’s and women’s shoes, and, of course, clubs. “We replenish the inventory weekly,” says general manager Dawn Calabrese of the three-year-old store. “When any major manufacturer comes out with a new product, we feature it in a separate area at first, since we have a lot of regular customers who come in to see what we have that is new.” One of more than 50 locations of the national chain, the Scarsdale store features all of the major brands as well as Golfsmith’s proprietary brands, Lynx and Snake Eyes.
To find the best clubs for your game, swing away on the in-store launch monitor. “It measures swing speed, launch angle, and loft,” says salesman Mark Kaplan, adding that, just like you shouldn’t buy a suit off the rack, you want to be fitted for the clubs that best suit your game. You can also check out a wide selection of putters on a large in-store green.
2. Larry’s Golf Warehouse
969 Central Ave, Scarsdale (914) 723-5525
Tucked away in the Midway Shopping Plaza, Larry’s Golf Warehouse, a homey, yet roomy, shop voted “Best Golf Shop” in 2003 by Westchester Magazine readers, welcomes customers with plenty of gift-item selections. The store’s overhead is lower than some of the larger outfits because it’s been in the same lower level space for years and thus can give discounts more readily, and even beat competitive prices. A small putting area, along with driving nets, allow golfers to test the clubs, and Larry’s also offers referrals to pros like Mark Okamoto for lessons.
3. The World of Golf
532 N Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills; 914.244.0048
The newest golf shop in Westchester, The World of Golf, is part of retail row in Bedford Hills. Like its two Manhattan siblings, the shop is fully stocked with major-name clubs and accessories. “We do custom orders and custom fitting at the store, but our emphasis is on working with the major manufacturers,” says David Braham, the company’s president. To help put the right clubs into the hands of each golfer, the 4,500-square-foot store is equipped with an in-store Flightscope Sim System, which combines high-speed video cameras and sophisticated computer software to provide accurate measurement of club head and ball-launch conditions.
“It takes the launch angle, ball spin, club-head speed, and ball speed, interprets it, and renders a number for distance carried,” says Braham. “Then, what the shot would look like is projected onto the screen. It’s really pretty remarkable.” Less remarkable but appropriate is the putting green, lined with numerous makes and models of putters to try. Along with an extensive array of the “hard goods”—clubs, shoes, bags, etc.—you’ll find a wide assortment of men’s and women’s clothing.
4. Yorktown Golf & Baseball Center
2710 Lexington Ave, Mohegan Lake 914.526.8337
The golf shop at Yorktown Golf & Baseball Center benefits from sitting astride a full driving range where players can test their new equipment.In addition, an on-site golf pro/golfsmith, offers not only lessons, but personalized fitting, repairs, and re-gripping with a choice of more than 50 styles, including Winn, Golfpride, and Lamkin. Free club cleaning is also offered and custom golf clubs can be made for the most discerning players. “We also sell children’s clubs and have a lot of the local golf teams whose members come in here,” says store manager Jane Jaffe, who adds that, though the shop carries several major-name brands, other popular products can be ordered, often at good prices.
5. Fairview Golf Center
300 Waterside Dr, Elmsford 914.592.1666
Smaller than the “big box” golf retailers, the store at Fairview Golf Center sits astride a driving range and resembles a course pro shop, with tightly packed equipment carefully arranged to accentuate the many top-name choices of clubs, bags, clothing, and accessories. “The driving range gives us the advantage of being able to custom-fit clubs with ball flight,” says manager Joe Mahecha, referring to the difference of watching the ball fly 150 or 250 yards, rather than hitting into a net or simulator. “Customers get a real good feel for what they hit well with and what they don’t.”
The shop, which, along with the entire facility, came under new management in 2000, now sees a great deal of custom fitting.
“People are no longer buying a set off the rack but are selecting the individual clubs they want. The hybrid market has really taken off and today’s golfer has so many choices.”
Rich Mintzer is a freelance journalist and author who has written four books and a number of articles about golf, a game he loves but has yet to excel at. He lives in Mount Kisco with his wife and two children.
