Golf & Ski Warehouse joins the Worldwide Golf Shops family

In the Northeast United States, golf and skiing go together like peanut butter and jelly. The number of people who participate in the two sports recreationally is massive, and just as one season is slowing down due to the change in weather, the other is ramping up. 

So when Golf & Ski Warehouse first opened in 1989 in West Lebanon, New Hampshire – the geographic epicenter of the region’s largest concentration of mountain resorts – it didn’t take long for the shop to become a popular destination for skiers and golfers to equip themselves for both sports.

The brand eventually opened three additional locations, in Hudson and Greenland, New Hampshire, as well as Scarborough, Maine. This summer, Worldwide Golf Shops acquired all four stores. And, while loyal visitors to Golf & Ski Warehouse won’t see major changes, the shops will benefit from the expertise and experience of the WGS brand, and customers will continue to benefit from the wide selection and top-notch customer service that they have come to expect.

“The marriage of golf and ski turned out to be better than anyone could have ever expected,” said Ned Waters, the COO and CFO of Golf & Ski Warehouse, who joined the company shortly after Scott Peters and Brad Hastings founded it in 1989. “Right as the golf season’s starting to slow down, skiing picks up, and vice versa. Many of the major mountains in the Northeast are within an hour of our stores.”

Each of the stores is between 14,000 and 18,000 square feet and sells a full line of equipment, apparel and accessories for golf, skiing and snowboarding. During the summer, approximately 90 percent of floor space is dedicated to golf, and when the weather turns cold, it’s about an even split between golf and skiing/ snowboarding gear. 

All four of the shops have indoor golf simulators and fitting bays, and the three New Hampshire shops feature full driving ranges just outside the stores; the ranges were not part of the sale. 

“The fact that you can walk right out the back door and see full ball flight on the range is a significant advantage,” Waters said.

One of the most attractive features of Worldwide Golf Shops locations across the country is the fact that they offer custom club fittings, and Golf & Ski Warehouse offers them for both sports.

“Custom fitting on the golf side is very important, and it’s also very important on the ski side.” Waters said. “It’s obviously crucial to have a ski boot that’s comfortable when you’re out on the mountain. And then even the skis, in many ways, it’s similar to the fitting for golf clubs in that you’re looking at ability, strength and weight in terms of flex and stability in the ski and length. So a lot of the same concepts cross over on the ski side and all our employees participate and are knowledgeable on both sides.”