Golfsmith in Fairfax, VA

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='Goldenhawk' timestamp='1337023745' post='4913304']
[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1337005157' post='4910934']
There's going to be one in Sterling too? Anyone have a date for the Fairfax store yet?

EDIT: Never mind. I just scrolled up!
[/quote]

The one in Sterling is right next to the Target in the Potomac Run Shopping Center (the one that has Michael's, TRU, etc.). I peeked in the front door on Sunday and saw that almost everything was stocked and ready to go. The manager came out and [color="#ff0000"]asked me if I was one of his new employees [/color]and let me in the front door. The only thing missing was the clubs that stock the used club section. He said that comes i last since the used clubs are pulled from other stores and not from their warehouse in TX.
[/quote]

HA HA!!! You should have said "Yes, yes I am. Now, how does this employee discount thing work?" LOL!!

[tbowles411]

[quote name='Carolina Golfer 2' timestamp='1337024306' post='4913386']
[quote name='Goldenhawk' timestamp='1337023745' post='4913304']
[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1337005157' post='4910934']
There's going to be one in Sterling too? Anyone have a date for the Fairfax store yet?

EDIT: Never mind. I just scrolled up!
[/quote]

The one in Sterling is right next to the Target in the Potomac Run Shopping Center (the one that has Michael's, TRU, etc.). I peeked in the front door on Sunday and saw that almost everything was stocked and ready to go. The manager came out and [color="#ff0000"]asked me if I was one of his new employees [/color]and let me in the front door. The only thing missing was the clubs that stock the used club section. He said that comes i last since the used clubs are pulled from other stores and not from their warehouse in TX.
[/quote]

HA HA!!! You should have said "Yes, yes I am. Now, how does this employee discount thing work?" LOL!!
[/quote]
LOL!

[Puppetmaster]

FYI - I got my 15% off any purchase over $99 "sneak peak" email for Golfsmith Fairfax yesterday.... now I need to find something to buy... lol.

[tbowles411]

[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1337172021' post='4924080']
FYI - I got my 15% off any purchase over $99 "sneak peak" email for Golfsmith Fairfax yesterday.... now I need to find something to buy... lol.
[/quote]
I didn't get anything! Damn!

[Goldenhawk]

[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1337172699' post='4924122']
[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1337172021' post='4924080']
FYI - I got my 15% off any purchase over $99 "sneak peak" email for Golfsmith Fairfax yesterday.... now I need to find something to buy... lol.
[/quote]
I didn't get anything! Damn!
[/quote]

No email discount for me either.

[Puppetmaster]

[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1337172699' post='4924122']
[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1337172021' post='4924080']
FYI - I got my 15% off any purchase over $99 "sneak peak" email for Golfsmith Fairfax yesterday.... now I need to find something to buy... lol.
[/quote]
I didn't get anything! Damn!
[/quote]

See attached. My "Print Screen" button isn't working for some reason...

Edit: it was from the email address fairfax@golfsmith, not the usual Golfsmith email so check your spam boxes too.

[tbowles411]

Nothing in spam. Just wait until I get there. I'm going to give the management a piece of my mind!

[Puppetmaster]

[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1337183113' post='4925116']
Nothing in spam. Just wait until I get there. I'm going to give the management a piece of my mind!
[/quote]

Ask Goldenhawk, apparently he's working there...

[Goldenhawk]

[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1337184238' post='4925230']
[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1337183113' post='4925116']
Nothing in spam. Just wait until I get there. I'm going to give the management a piece of my mind!
[/quote]

Ask Goldenhawk, apparently he's working there...
[/quote]

Man, show up in a red polo and a golf hat, and they think you work there. I guess I missed my shot a getting the employee discount for the day.

[Puppetmaster]

I just got an email coupon for Sterling too, lol. Are you guys sure you're on the list?

[Goldenhawk]

[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1337214071' post='4927990']
I just got an email coupon for Sterling too, lol. Are you guys sure you're on the list?
[/quote]

I got the email today. I also got two discount cards in the mail today too. May 25 is opening day. First 500 people in line get free stuff and a chance to enter the $10,000 giveaway.

[Goldenhawk]

The Fairfax Store opened on Tuesday this week. Still lacking some items in the store, like used clubs. The manager said they will be fully stocked by May 25. It's not as big as it looks on the inside. The general manager, Cliff, told me that Hank Haney will be at the Fairfax and Sterling stores on June 2.

Here's some pics of the Fairfax Store:
[attachment=1169928:IMG_0131.JPG]
[attachment=1169932:IMG_0127.JPG]
[attachment=1169934:IMG_0128.JPG]
[attachment=1169930:IMG_0129.JPG]

Edit to post: Cliff said the Sterling store also opened this Tuesday.

[Goldenhawk]

Turns out that the Sterling store is bigger than the Tysons store. There's a Golftec studio in the Sterling location. Three custom fitting bay and four hitting bays too.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='Goldenhawk' timestamp='1337524404' post='4945708']
Turns out that the Sterling store is bigger than the Tysons store. There's a Golftec studio in the Sterling location. Three custom fitting bay and four hitting bays too.
[/quote]


Sounds a bit like the Timoniumum store as well. Although the largest one I've still been in is the Tampa (Carrollwood store). One of the sales guys from there was from Sterling (area not store) oddly enough. He had heard about the new one opening and plans to visit it when comes back in town for a visit in June.

[BuckyBall29]

Any news on the deals? Will it be the same as Tyson? Friday AM is gift cards and balls, where as Saturday AM is the big giveaways to top 40 customers?

I called and they only said it was the grand opening.......but she did say she expects Hank Haney to stop by the Sterling store this weekend.....

So tempted to camp out, but worried about the crowd at each and how early I would have to go haha

[Puppetmaster]

I may be able to get out of work early on Friday, but I think I'm gonna try to go play 18 instead of line up for free stuff only to spend more money, lol.

[BuckyBall29]

How early will they let people stand in line for Saturday AM big deals? Friday afternoon?

That is crazy....but I see why some would

[bubbagump]

Where exactly is this in FFX?

[Wood511]

I went to the Sterling store last Sunday and picked up some shirts. The guy on the floor told me that all the items that were in the special sale for the 25th weekend were also on sale that day. That was a lie...or maybe not. I bought over $200 worth of stuff and not one thing was on sale. I asked WTF and they showed me one of the fliers with the fine print that says something like "sale items may exclude Ping, Taylormade, Titleist....blah blah" and nearly everyone else that makes anything golf related.

I would have them scan it if you are counting on something being on sale.

[Goldenhawk]

[quote name='bubbagump' timestamp='1337964633' post='4976998']
Where exactly is this in FFX?
[/quote]

At the intersection of Route 50, Route 236 and Route 29. It occupies the old Border's space in the same strip mall that has Chipotle and Just Tires.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='Goldenhawk' timestamp='1338034957' post='4980638']
[quote name='bubbagump' timestamp='1337964633' post='4976998']
Where exactly is this in FFX?
[/quote]

At the intersection of Route 50, Route 236 and Route 29. It occupies the old Border's space in the same strip mall that has Chipotle and Just Tires.
[/quote]
Drop your car offf for a tire change, scarf down a burrito and then go club ho'ing. Sounds like an afternoon well spent to me

[Puppetmaster]

[quote name='Carolina Golfer 2' timestamp='1338042898' post='4981010']
[quote name='Goldenhawk' timestamp='1338034957' post='4980638']
[quote name='bubbagump' timestamp='1337964633' post='4976998']
Where exactly is this in FFX?
[/quote]

At the intersection of Route 50, Route 236 and Route 29. It occupies the old Border's space in the same strip mall that has Chipotle and Just Tires.
[/quote]
Drop your car offf for a tire change, scarf down a burrito and then go club ho'ing. Sounds like an afternoon well spent to me
[/quote]

LOL

Paradise right there...

[z+diac]

I stopped by the Sterling location yesterday to pick up some new grips and survey the new digs. Have to say I was pretty impressed with the setup and product availability. Not to mention staff was friendly and widely available. They also were handing out $10 off a $30 purchase coupons when you walked in.

[tbowles411]

I went to the Fairfax store after work on Friday (unfortunately I had to work). I was impressed. For years we didn't have any big box golf stores, now we have 4 in a 15 mile radius, but 3 of them are Golfsmith!

[Goldenhawk]

[quote name='z+diac' timestamp='1338161838' post='4986630']
I stopped by the Sterling location yesterday to pick up some new grips and survey the new digs. Have to say I was pretty impressed with the setup and product availability. Not to mention staff was friendly and widely available. They also were handing out $10 off a $30 purchase coupons when you walked in.
[/quote]

On Friday morning, they were handing out the coupons for $20 off a $20 purchase. They also let you fill out as many entry forms for the raffle giveaway. They gave a coupon to my 11 year old and let him enter the raffle. With my luck, he will win something from the raffle, not me.


[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1338173994' post='4987542']
I went to the Fairfax store after work on Friday (unfortunately I had to work). I was impressed. For years we didn't have any big box golf stores, now we have 4 in a 15 mile radius, but 3 of them are Golfsmith!
[/quote]

Golfdom doesn't seem to scared about Golfsmith. The owner of Golfdom was actually surprised that foot traffic in Golfdom increased when Tysons Golfsmith opened. I guess having two stores within yards of each other for comparison shopping helps. Golfdom will price match Golfsmith and vice versa. Plus Golfdom has the Callaway CPC and tends to carry high end clothing and other things to set them apart.

The people that seem nervous about the Fairfax Golfsmith is Golf Galaxy. (One of the employees there said that foot traffic and sales are down, even before the Golfsmith opened.) I don't know why since they are owned and backed by some serious $$$ from Dicks.

But the biggest golf sale holiday is upon us (Father's Day), and I'm sure we'll be seeing some serious head-to-head sale competitions.

[tbowles411]

[quote name='Goldenhawk' timestamp='1338208979' post='4988470']
[quote name='z+diac' timestamp='1338161838' post='4986630']
I stopped by the Sterling location yesterday to pick up some new grips and survey the new digs. Have to say I was pretty impressed with the setup and product availability. Not to mention staff was friendly and widely available. They also were handing out $10 off a $30 purchase coupons when you walked in.
[/quote]

On Friday morning, they were handing out the coupons for $20 off a $20 purchase. They also let you fill out as many entry forms for the raffle giveaway. They gave a coupon to my 11 year old and let him enter the raffle. With my luck, he will win something from the raffle, not me.


[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1338173994' post='4987542']
I went to the Fairfax store after work on Friday (unfortunately I had to work). I was impressed. For years we didn't have any big box golf stores, now we have 4 in a 15 mile radius, but 3 of them are Golfsmith!
[/quote]

Golfdom doesn't seem to scared about Golfsmith. The owner of Golfdom was actually surprised that foot traffic in Golfdom increased when Tysons Golfsmith opened. I guess having two stores within yards of each other for comparison shopping helps. Golfdom will price match Golfsmith and vice versa. Plus Golfdom has the Callaway CPC and tends to carry high end clothing and other things to set them apart.

The people that seem nervous about the Fairfax Golfsmith is Golf Galaxy. (One of the employees there said that foot traffic and sales are down, even before the Golfsmith opened.) I don't know why since they are owned and backed by some serious $$$ from Dicks.

But the biggest golf sale holiday is upon us (Father's Day), and I'm sure we'll be seeing some serious head-to-head sale competitions.
[/quote]
I actually forgot about Golfdom. That's 5!

Folks in the McLean/Tysons area have cash to blow for high end items. I'm not terribly surprised. Plus, with the disaster that is of Tysons and actually getting to Golfsmith because of the construction and traffic make it unbearable.

Golf Galaxy, IMO is dying. You can get them same items for the most part at Dick's, being the same company. I heard a rumor recently (from a few different people), that Dick's is going to do away with GG because they'll move their golf operations into the main stores and set them apart with different openings if they can. I'm sure this is to save money from renting or owning space elsewhere. But no doubt. Golfdom is seeking to cut into Dick's golf sales by having a by God golf store within a stones throw, where they sell, darn near everything, not just a few brands.

[bubbagump]

WEnt there today, had no idea that was the shopping center it was in. I pass it each day coming home from the metro lol.

My brother in law and I were browsing the used section when we were going to walk over to the hitting bays. He was asking me something as I was walking backward and when I turned back around I almost ran over Hank Haney lol. I knew he was supposed to come sometime soon, but it was kinda cool to see him.

The store is pretty full with lots of stuff. Their used section is still a little slim besides woods, and the prices are not that good. All in all, not bad though and a cool experience!

[Goldenhawk]

[quote name='bubbagump' timestamp='1338669251' post='5018468']
WEnt there today, had no idea that was the shopping center it was in. I pass it each day coming home from the metro lol.

My brother in law and I were browsing the used section when we were going to walk over to the hitting bays. He was asking me something as I was walking backward and when I turned back around I almost ran over Hank Haney lol. I knew he was supposed to come sometime soon, but it was kinda cool to see him.

The store is pretty full with lots of stuff. Their used section is still a little slim besides woods, and the prices are not that good. All in all, not bad though and a cool experience!
[/quote]

I talked to Cliff about the slim quantities of used clubs in all the Northern VA stores. They raided the Tysons store to stock the Fairfax and the Sterling stores. Used clubs from out of town stores are slow to come in. Apparently with the down economy, a lot more people are hanging on to their golf clubs and are buying used clubs. He thinks Golfsmith will have to run the 50% extra promo to restock the used club sections in their stores..

[Carolina Golfer 2]

[quote name='bubbagump' timestamp='1338669251' post='5018468']
WEnt there today, had no idea that was the shopping center it was in. I pass it each day coming home from the metro lol.

My brother in law and I were browsing the used section when we were going to walk over to the hitting bays. He was asking me something as I was walking backward and when I turned back around I almost ran over Hank Haney lol. I knew he was supposed to come sometime soon, but it was kinda cool to see him.

The store is pretty full with lots of stuff. Their used section is still a little slim besides woods, and the prices are not that good. All in all, not bad though and a cool experience!
[/quote]

That's pretty cool. I read his book this spring and really enjoyed it. It really gave a good insight as to what it was like to work with Tiger on a day in day out basis. I wasn't looking for a PR Piece on him or a tell all either, and the book delievered. Just straight golf stuff and a lot of their intereactions.

I would have enjoyed meeting him after reading it to let him know I enjoyed it.

On the subject of the stores, I still can't get over the fact that NOVA has 3 of them and Maryland has one. The new one in Timonium is OK, but it's not huge.

I was down in Florida again this past week and went into the Tampa store, it is just incredible in size and selection. Their hittng bays are formed in like a half circle (think baseball batting cages) and they all hit out into a big area that is at least 30 or 40 yards from the tee, so you actually get to see some ball flight. Each station has a full bag or two of demo clubs, pretty much anything you want to hit is there. Are any of the NOVA stores like that?

As opposed to GG where you have to go get a new driver off the rack and have them tape it up then hit on the simulator and not the LM.

[Goldenhawk]

[quote name='Carolina Golfer 2' timestamp='1338834747' post='5028958']
Are any of the NOVA stores like that?
[/quote]

As far as having the largest number of hitting bays, the Sterling store is the winner. The four bays in the back of the store allow you to hit into a net, but the net is not that far away. There's an LM in each bay. Off to the right side, there are four additional bays with LMs designated for club fitting. Off to the left, there are two or three hitting bays for Golftec.