Buying Golf Clubs?

[reflex2806]

Hi,
I would like to buy a set of Calloway or Ping clubs whilst there can i expect major price difference to the UK?

 

[vernon]

The clubs will be a lot cheaper in the US ( although there are a few discount stores in the UK that get close on other brands if you keep your eye's open) but do be aware that you are liable for duty on anything over £250 (I think is the current figure), do be aware this is the TOTAL of goods brought back so clothes and trainers would be included. Whil e, in general, the customs don't seem too bothered by an extra £50 worth of clothes, if you try to bring back the pretty obvious set of clubs and choose not to declare them while there is a chance you won't get stopped, if you do they will know the clubs are new and may decide to go through everything else with a fine tooth comb. I know people who've successfully escaped detection, but I've also known people who've been stopped and found it a costly and embarrasing situation.

 

[Goofyish]

You are allowed to bring back £145 worth of goods in addition to your wines/spirits/tobaco allowances.

You cannot 'pool' your allowances if some one in your family hasn't used their full quoter.

Aw well as charging you duty and VAT, if you don't declare the items and get caught, the customs people can sieze the items as well!

 

[GO2209]

Are you taking clubs out with you? Friend flew out with some clubs, bought several Callaway clubs in the USA. On return customs did grab him, but he had the bag tags from his outbound flight tucked inside the bag. That seemed to 'swing in his favour' and they assumed he took all the clubs out with him!

 

[Eastender]

I've done it myself in the past but unless you see the bargain of the century, it's not really worth the aggravation of smuggling them back. Top brands like Ping & Callaway are expensive in U.S.A anyway. Also take into account that unlike Brit shops, U.S shops usually sell sets 3 - PW so a sand wedge will cost another $100 or so. Do your homework before you go.

 

[peewakio]

reflex2806
If you are prepared to buy Callaway X14s instead of the new X16 irons you may touch lucky by paying a visit to Golf Pro Liquidators who are situated on the road that runs parallel with International Drive (behind wet'n'wild).
Americans wont buy 'last years model' so what Golf Pro Liquidators do is to visit the local and not so local golf clubs and buy up all of their redundant stock then sell it off at a huge discount.
For example, I went looking for an Taylor Made 5 series driver, unfortunately they had none in stock however I did walk out of there witha Ping Zing 2i Putter, a pair of Footjoy Dryjoys, Pro-quip Nautilis 3 weather gear and a Mizuno lob wedge total price $288 including tax. In the UK that little lot would run you a minimum of £400. As a previous poster said, the price of new model Callaways and Ping are not that much cheaper than the UK so it may be worth taking a trip to GPL and see what bargains they have.