Save money at golf pro shops

photo by andrea pacelli

You’re probably used to seasonal clearance sales in mass retail stores. Golf pro shops are no exception. You’ll want to compare prices to off-course discount stores, but you’re sure to find a few great bargains because of their limited space for merchandise. Ask when they usually have clearance sales or sales events. Don’t forget to look for coupons or discount passes in newspapers. Or check www.golfnow.com for tee-time specials, and sign up for any newsletters from golf stores, too.

What are your budget golf tips?

GOLF-SHOP CLEARANCE: I found unexpected savings at the golf shop of all places. A friend of mine works at the golf course that I frequent. And for all the naysayers who say that golf is not a frugal sport, it can be. Anyway, he gave me the heads-up that the shop is putting all of its 2009 merchandise on sale. I bought a total of $287 worth of clothes for less than $20, tax included! Really nice shorts and sports shirts of which I was down to one each and a great sweater. Keep that in mind for gifts. — Jerry G., Arizona

SWIFFER PAD: I love the Swiffer duster, but not the cost of refills. My daughter makes throws from fleece material, so I asked her for scraps. I doubled the material and cut out 4-inch-by-6-inch pieces and sewed two together an inch away from both sides and then right down the middle. Then I snipped all around the edges 1/4 inch, making a fringe. Got a can of Endust, and lightly sprayed both sides — and voila. It worked so well, I made larger ones for the floor cleaner, too. Rub the Endust in after spraying on. I have a big stack of these now, and keep a bag at the top of the basement steps to deposit the used ones in. After they’re all used, it’s a breeze to put them in a load by themselves on warm temperature. They dry in a few minutes. The fleece never unravels, but I still only wash them with the rest of the cleaning cloths. I use them daily on the floor with amazing results. A can of Endust lasts a long time! — Rita, e-mail

NEW HEADBAND: I was cutting up old size 3T sweatpants to make a rag rug and found that the elastic waistband is perfect for a headband for my older daughter. Just cut slightly below the sewn in elastic and instant headband. No sewing. Awesome. Also, you can make frugal clothes for Webkinz. Socks! That’s right, socks! With small kids socks, you can back the behind of the Webkinz into the toe, feel with your hand where the tail is, and cut a small slit and pull the tail through, same for the feet. The head sticks out of the top. — Melina, Massachusetts

HOLIDAY CLEARANCE: I stopped by the candy store to pick up some white-chocolate-covered pretzels for my husband and my small New Year’s Eve celebration. When I was there, I was reminded of a couple things I did when my children were young. They received Advent calendars from my mother and after she died, I kept up the tradition. Yes, we could make fabric or paper ones on our own; we made plenty of things to offset the fact that I bought chocolate ones with a door for each day. I saw them yesterday at the candy store for 75 percent off, as well as all the rest of the Christmas and Hanukkah items. I used to buy them a year ahead at that price and keep them in the freezer, and they kept just fine. It also reminded me of making wrapping paper with newsprint-roll ends that we got for free, using potato stamps and paints. — Donna, Virginia

Posted by Sara Noel on February 13 2010. Filed under Frugal Tips.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook