Why, for nearly three decades, duffers have journeyed to bay ridge to start their thrilling (and maddening) life on the links

by Derek de Koff

Asked for a first slice of new golfer advise, Robert Ottafaro, lifelong Brooklynite and owner of Panda Sport Golf, pointed not to instruction or research, but to gear.

“The most important thing a beginner can do is find the right equipment,” said the owner, gesturing around a Bay Ridge shop that has been family owned and operated for 27 years. PSG caters to all things pertaining to the world’s hardest sport: the essentials (clubs, balls, tees, gloves, push carts), and some obscenely cute inessentials (head-covers in the form of fuzzy tigers and black labs.)

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. “You need to know the fundamentals before even approaching the game,” Ottafaro chided, like he’s our very own private caddy. “And the fastest way to do that is to visit a specialty shop.”

Without lessons, he quickly added, beginners are likely to fall prey to some very bad habits: holding the club like it’s a mop, wearing the wrong shoes, not donning a glove (or donning two), or swinging like you want to “Hit it out of the park.” No, no, no, and no.

“You need to learn the sport from the green out,” Ottafaro said. “In other words, you have to start with the putter and then go to the wedges, and then the irons and fairway woods, and finally the driver—the longest club and the most difficult to deal with. The putter is the shortest; your clubs should be getting progressively longer as your game improves.”

Ottafaro knows what he’s talking about, and genuinely likes the people he’s talking to. While that statement runs the risk of sounding fished from a press release, it checks out: His staff isn’t overly aggressive and doesn’t work for commission. In fact, one needs to be an avid golf enthusiast––think decades––in order to work there. Whether a customer is inquiring about impromptu repairs or custom fittings, they’ll be getting real answers (rather than the fishy-eyed stares and gum-smacking so prevalent among Modell’s staffers). His employees are pros when it comes to organizing corporate golf outings, too.

“Any sale we make is approached with the customer’s best interest in mind,” Ottafaro explained. It’s hard to find specialized golf shops, and that works in our favor.” That’s one of the many reasons why, year after year, the same people keep returning to the store. “We try to cultivate relationships because we all share this common interest––whether you’re learning the ropes or happen to be an accomplished player. That’s important, because golf is a very personal sport in many ways.”

Scanning Panda’s arsenal of clubs, the selection looks intimidatingly extensive: brand names include Callaway, Ping, TaylorMade, Cobra, Mizuno, Titleist…on and on. For a novice duffer, there’s a temptation to panic, snatch the nearest wedge, and stagger blindly off to the course. Don’t do that.

“We take time to help you find the right equipment,” Ottafaro said, “and we’ll show you how to spend your cash correctly.” Panda prides itself on being the city’s only “try before you buy” golf shop; buyers get to choose from dozens of demo clubs and even test them on the course to make sure things align correctly––all at no extra charge. “We do this so people can tell there’s a real difference from one club to another. Not every club is right for every person. We strongly believe buying gear should not be about spending the least amount of money.” (And that’s not a loaded statement: Panda’s equipment is sold at or below other golf shops’ prices.)

Now that your bag is stuffed with clubs specifically chosen to suit demanding tastes, another challenge awaits.

“Finding accurate tee times can be tough,” the owner confided. Industry duffers bear that out, too; nearby Dyker Beach Golf Course, while a quick and fun round at 6,260 yards from the blue tees, is a start-time unpredictability to say the least.

The best courses employ rangers who make sure duffers are moving on and not staring at the same tee until the arrival of autumn, Ottafaro explained. “When too many people get on one hole, people get impatient and upset.” Frankly, it can get gritty.

To guarantee you aren’t left to rot in your sprightly striped jersey, checkered cap, and moisture-wicking performance shorts, Panda is willing to go the extra mile: they’ll book the appointment for you. This is where Ottafaro’s knowledge of New York courses come in handy: “We want to make the whole process exceptionally easy for you, like making a dinner reservation.”

Yes, he aims to please, but you should probably stop just short of asking him to carry your clubs.

Panda Sport
9213 5th Avenue Bay Ridge / 718.238.4919 / pandasportdirect.com