Introduction To Buying Clubs Online

There is an estimated amount of up to 2 million counterfeit golf clubs being made every year. People are buying too good to be true deals for clubs that are being sold on non-reputable sites.There are a few things to know when buying clubs online. First, if the website does not have any way to contact them, that is a big red flag. In addition to all the reviews being all low rating reviews or has less than 100 reviews. Be cautious if the seller says that they won it in a raffle, tournament, or got the club as a gift. Look at the site you are buying from as well as the pictures of the clubs they are selling to see whether they are real or counterfeit. Also, if the seller does not give you close up photos for the club you want, it is probably counterfeit.

If the place you are buying from does not have a secure method of payment such as PayPal, be wary of buying products from that site. PayPal has Purchase Protection for buyers, which will reimburse your purchase if it does not match what the seller described the item(s) sold. Buying from eBay, helps make the transaction safer for the buyer. Due to eBay’s Money Back Guarantee, which helps protect the buyer in case the item is not what the seller promised or advertised. eBay also has a counterfeit item policy for listings. Additionally, if the seller is asking for money with a person to person wire transfer, such as from Western Union.These types of money transfers are not traceable, which more often than not counterfeiters will use to sell these fairway woods.

For any club, If your club is being shipped from China or Hong Kong, the club are most likely to be counterfeit. Do not buy from sites like this one, for golf clubs.

Physical Characteristics To Look Out For

Serial Numbers

Manufacturers now use serial number systems for their clubs. If a club does not have a serial number on the club, it is highly likely to be a counterfeit. However, counterfeiters are getting smarter. Counterfeiters will copy the actual serial number on put it on the fake, or copy a serial number from a random product. 

Shaft Offerings

Also, look at the standard shaft options on the manufacturers website to see what they offer. A lot of times the counterfeit will have a generic or blank shaft for their clubs that closely resembles the real club. But with the fake shaft offering, the lettering and design will feel off. Plus, the fake shaft will feel heavier than the authentic shaft.

Magnet Test 

If a seller is claiming that the club is titanium, place a magnet on the club head. If the magnet stays on the club head, than it is most likely to be counterfeit. Counterfeiters use cheaper materials when making clubs.

Epoxy On The Club

A lot of times there will be excess epoxy around the ferrule and the decal on the club. Real clubs will not have excess epoxy on their club. 

Ferrules 

Check the piece between the shaft and the club head. Each golf manufacturer has a different shape and size for their ferrule. Which the counterfeit companies can not match.

Matching Clubs

For a confidence builder, look at the pictures posted by the manufacturer to compare with the club you want to buy. Plus go to your local pro shop to make sure the club you bought is authentic. The counterfeit club will have small mistakes on the club. Such as the lettering being off. Or the color is not as bright compared to the real club. Or the serial number font will be bigger or smaller than the real club and the serial number will be off center. 

Weight Of A Club

The weight of a counterfeit club is usually heavier than real clubs because of the use of cheaper materials by counterfeiters.

Why Does This Matter?

This should be important to all golfers because counterfeit clubs are a big business. Despite the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group's best efforts, counterfeit clubs are a big business. Golf want the best performing clubs for the best deal. which counterfeiters take advantage of. Golfers should do their due diligence when buying online. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it is. Buying fake clubs affects performance. It could affect your performance by the ball going 10 yards or more less than an authentic club. Which is crucial to any golfer no matter the skill level.

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