Savvy Shoppers’ Survey

World of Golf
147 E. 47th St., 2nd Fl. (Lexington & 3rd Aves.)/212-755-9398
Mon–Sat 9am–7pm, Sun 11am–5pm.

The Edge: A New York pro shop. § Carries a full range of golf equipment, including clubs, bags, shoes, and clothing for the younger set, women, and men. A very large selection of all the best names. Also practice aids, books, and videos. Discounter.

Sporting goods
Golf
quality style service value: 43 40 43 37

Richard Metz Golf Studio
425 Madison Ave., 3rd Fl. (49th St.)/212-759-6940
Weekdays 9am–7pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 11am–5pm.

The Edge: Pro shop with practice cages and putting greens. § Golfer heaven. Find the latest, top-quality balls, clubs, golf bags, shoes, and clothing, plus golfing books and videotapes. Good selection for men; limited choices for women. Lessons and practice area plus equipment all in one location. Offers instruction based on a 10-lesson series. Moderate prices for golf lessons. § “Better for men—not enough choice for women.”

Sporting goods
Golf
quality style service value: 37 32 27 32

New York Golf Center, Inc.
Manhattan: 131 W. 35th St. (Broadway) 564-2255 / Westchester: Port Chester 914-937-1111 / Rockland County: Nanuet 914-624-2233 / Long Island: Hicksville 516-933-7533 / New Jersey: Parsippany 973-334-7676 / Springfield 973-376-8853 / Saddle Brook 201-845-8833 / Edison 732-548-8855
Daily 10am–7pm in winter, 10am–8pm in summer.

The Edge: Large selection. Favored by golf pros and amateurs. § Selection includes Callaway, Honma, Ping, Top-Flite, Titleist, and Wilson. Shop features clubs, bags, balls, shoes, and accessories. They say they offer a 30% discount.

Sporting goods
Golf
quality style service value: 37 37 27 27

Urban Angler Ltd.
118 E. 25th St., 3rd Fl. (Park & Lexington Aves.)/212-979-7600
Mon–Tues and Thurs–Fri 10am–6pm, Wed 10am–7pm, Sat 10am–5pm.

The Edge: Fly fisherman heaven. § Everything you need. Very upscale. Find rods of all weights, lines, leaders, flies, vises, tying tools, hooks, wading equipment, nets, and accessories including luggage, eyewear, vests, knives, and more. Books about fly fishing and travel—planned trips to destinations around the globe. § “For the `professional’ fisherman.”

Sporting goods
Fishing
quality style service value: 40 30 50 30

Orvis
355 Madison Ave. (45th St.)/212-697-3133
Mon–Tues and Thurs–Fri 9am–6pm, Wed 9am–7pm, Sat 10am–5pm.

The Edge: Known for its hunting and fishing lines, plus great lessons. § Features a complete line of fly-fishing reels, rods, lures, and accessories, including bags, fishing vests and jackets, hip boots, and waders. Hunting equipment includes guns and equipment for bird hunting. Casual country and safari clothing. Gift items feature fishing- and hunting-motif items. Best of all are Orvis’s trips and fishing lessons. § “Only their own brand.” “Getting more and more commercial.”

Sporting goods
Fishing
quality style service value: 39 34 45 34

Capitol Fishing Tackle Company
218 W. 23rd St. (7th Ave.)/212-929-6132
Mon–Wed and Fri 9am–6pm, Thurs 9am–7pm, Sat 9am–5pm.

The Edge: For the serious saltwater angler. § The oldest (since 1897) fishing-tackle store in the city. Top-quality equipment includes rods, reels, lures, lines, and accessories, with special emphasis on deep-sea saltwater equipment. A good source for inexpensive beginner equipment. A wide range of equipment, priced from a few dollars to many hundreds. § “My best source for basic ocean equipment.”

Sporting goods
Fishing
quality style service value: 38 32 40 35

Blade Fencing
212 W. 15th St. (7th Ave.)/212-620-0114
Weekdays 10am–7pm, Sat 11am–3pm.

The Edge: Meets all fencing needs. § Instruction, plus all the equipment, clothing, and books required to fence in style.

Sporting goods
Fencing

Nordic Track
800-435-7598
Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat 10am–6pm, Thurs 10am–8pm, Sun noon–5pm.

The Edge: The original cross-country ski machine. § Exercise equipment meeting all needs, plus exercise apparel and footwear. Spa and massage products are also available. Has high-end quality equipment. § “Does the trick.”

Sporting goods
Exercise
quality style service value: 40 39 38 39

Gym Source
40 E. 52nd St. (Park & Madison Aves.)/212-688-4222
Weekdays 9am–6pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm; July–Aug weekdays 9am–7pm.

The Edge: One of the city’s best exercise-equipment sources. § A 7,000-square-foot showroom with a huge selection of all major brands of exercise equipment, including treadmills, Lifecycles, stair climbers, weight machines, rowers, and more. Will rent equipment with a one- month minimum. The staff will help you design an exercise room for a home or office gym with the equipment that best meets your own goals.

Sporting goods
Exercise
quality style service value: 47 37 47 37

Barbara Gee Danskin Center
2487 Broadway (82nd St.) 769-1564 / 2282½ Broadway (82nd St.) 769-2923
Mon–Sat 10:30am–7:30pm, Sun 1–6pm.

The Edge: Danksin discounted. § Features exercise and dance wear, underwear, lingerie, and hosiery. 10% to 20% off for Danskin tights and leotards. Lingerie and underwear is mostly Hanes.

Sporting goods
Exercise
quality style service value: 37 37 37 37