Anyone who owns a golf club knows the pain of losing an expensive piece of equipment just because you weren’t careful enough. Unfortunately, there are those who try to take advantage of golfers by selling them fake or stolen golf clubs. This article is meant to educate golfers on how to spot and avoid these fakes so that they can enjoy their clubs without worry.
Table of Contents
The Common And The Unknown
When most people talk about fakes they usually think about the highly recognizable name brands like Callaway, Titleist, and PING. However, there are many other brands that produce golf clubs and many fakes that go undetected because they look and function just like the real thing. This being said, it’s still possible to spot a fake just by looking at it.
Brands You Should Avoid
There are many affordable brands that produce good quality golf clubs and are still considered affordable because they are relatively unknown in the industry. These brands include:
- Champion
- Crown
- Dane
- Dunlop
- Fiji
- Halcyon
- Ingot
- Koby
- Meucci
- Nike
- Penske
- Srixon
Checking The Seller’s Rating
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers a resource to help you discern if the seller you’re dealing with is trustworthy. Their database of complaints and consumer reviews is a great place to start when considering buying an item from an unproven seller.
The Durability Of The Club
Just as with any other expensive item you might purchase, you want to make sure that the club you’re buying is of good quality. One way to test this is to hit it with some well-placed balls. If the club breaks or shows excessive wear after just a few impacts, it could be a sign that it’s not what you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller for some extra insurance in case you drop the club and break something.
The Legalities Of Fake And Stolen Clubs
If you buy a fake or stolen club and it’s not what you wanted, you’re going to have legal problems. Most places that you buy these clubs from won’t let you leave the store without paying for the full purchase and they’ll even pursue you for the full cost. In most cases, they’ll be able to get their money back from you, but it’s still going to be a hassle. There are places like eBay that don’t require you to be a verified purchaser, but in most cases, it’s still best to purchase from a reputable seller.