Clone Clubs?

[lancev99]

I'm looking at buying a new set of clubs, and I wanted to see what everybody thought of clone (knock off) clubs. I've only heard good things, all second hand though. And I wanted to see if anybody has a set or what they think about it?

[David LoPan]

what are clone clubs?

why not just shell out the dough and get the quality stuff.

[black knight]

I played with clones as a junior...if you're going to spend 50% of it on clones that last < 1/2 the time, just fork out the dough for the quality. Also, don't under-estimate the value of the warantee that REAL clubs have.

[chucksim]

Bought knock-offs a couple years ago from Diamond Tour Golf. Figured I'd pay the ~$150 and if I liked the feel of that model, sell them on ebay and get the real thing. Never did. Clubs were wonderful. Been buying knockoff irons ever since. I do spend the money on name drivers, though.

I must say, DTG was great. They'll custom build what you want, right to your specs. I like my grips built up a little (two extra wraps), asked for it, and was totally satisfied.

I am not knocking name irons. Clones aren't the real thing, but as far as I am concerned, they're an excellent value if your clubmaker is good.

[LetItBe]

How big of a difference does this make? I know that most of the clubs on eBay are fake...are they still okay to buy? Like when I see 3 Cleveland wedges for $150 total, obviously fake. But will it make a difference for crappy/average/good golfer?

Oh, and if you are interested, Google something about "third shift counterfeits" to see how people are able to make such amazing fakes.

[Rainbow Warrior]

[ QUOTE ]
Like when I see 3 Cleveland wedges for $150 total, obviously fake.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're kidding, right?
These aren't Rolexes.

Knock-offs are similar in design and feel to an A-line but have their own name.

I've never heard of, or seen, a "fake" (eg: Rolex) golf club.

The $150 used Clevelands ARE $150 USED Clevelands.

Most e-bay clubs are sold by reputable re-sellers.

I saved $400 on like new Pings from a dealer with 98% positive reviews. $999 retail for $580 total (cross border, too)

Oh, yeah - they're Pings...


Rainbow...

[LetItBe]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Like when I see 3 Cleveland wedges for $150 total, obviously fake.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're kidding, right?
These aren't Rolexes.

Knock-offs are similar in design and feel to an A-line but have their own name.

I've never heard of, or seen, a "fake" (eg: Rolex) golf club.

The $150 used Clevelands ARE $150 USED Clevelands.

Most e-bay clubs are sold by reputable re-sellers.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I'm not kidding, and do a bit of research and you'll see that fake clubs (no, not knockoffs) exist, and you (nor 99% of the people out there) could not tell the difference between the fake and real one.

Here is an article from BW about it:

Link.

Here is a quote:
[ QUOTE ]
Factories in China can copy a new model of golf club in less than a week, says Stu Herrington, who oversees brand protection for Callaway Golf Co (ELY ). "The Chinese are extremely ingenious, inventive, and scientifically oriented, and they are becoming the world's manufacturer," he says. The company has found counterfeiters with three-dimensional design software and experience cranking out legitimate clubs for other brands, so "back-engineering a golf club is a piece of cake" for them, he says. And counterfeiters are skilled at duplicating holograms, "smart" chips, and other security devices intended to distinguish fakes from the genuine article.

[/ QUOTE ]

And I wasn't talking about used clubs, I was talking about 3 brand new wedges for $150. Do you know where the "reputable" sellers buy their products from and how they are magically able to cut 2/3 off the MSRP? I sure don't.

[westhoff]

I just want to make everyone knows the difference between custom made or component clubs and knockoffs. If you see a club that has a similar name to a big company don't buy it. Like Bing G3 or whatever. Components like Golfsmith, Golfworks, and KZG are very good clubs.

[kyzerjose]

I'm hitting a 2 year old set of Cobra knock offs.
I'm playing to a 7.
Spend a few extra bucks to get the loft and lie adjusted on your knock offs and you'll do just fine.
Forget about any iron over a 6. Get a 29 degree hybrid & a 7 wood. Golf is a tough enough game without trying to hit a 3 or 4 iron.
BTW, don't let anybody tell you there's an easy to hit set of Titleist irons. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[black knight]

Got my Cleveland TA1s for about 400 instead of about a grand retail from ebay, couldn't be more happy.