Should You Spend Money on a Used Golf Club?
When you find that a top quality Callaway driver costs $1,500 or more new and you can find it used for less than $300 used, the thought of buying used golf clubs has to come to mind. That can be a great move, but make sure you consider a few of these simple guidelines before you decide you’re about to get a great deal.
Before you plunk down your cash, make sure that what looks like a good deal really is one. Compare the price of a new club of the same brand and model. A new Ping putter may run up to $100 or more. A used club that costs $50 can be a good deal, if there is no damage and still of high quality.
When examing the club, look for obvious problems, such as worn grips.
Splits or cracks in the leather or rubber are not just a sign of age. Grips can be replaced. But they also suggest less than stellar manufacturing or poor care. A club left out in the rain may have rust spots, but those could have been cleaned off before being offered for sale.
The effects of weather on a grip are not so easy to hide and few sellers will want to spend the money to replace one when they’re getting rid of the club. On the other hand some might, knowing that a few dollars invested can fool you. Buyer beware. Re-gripping your club may cost you just a few dollars to $15 or more. Even if you’re willing to spend the extra money right away, you’re buying a club that is not in great shape. Reconsider.
Examine the clubface of a used club you’re considering buying.
Almost all used clubs will have some wear, but if the sweetspot shows a shiny area, indicating excessive wear you might want to give it a pass. A clubface showing wear will cause your shots to be less accurate, which may be the reason the seller is offering them in the first place.
Grooves should have well defined edges. They are there for a purpose. If there are dents in the surface, you should move onto the next one. Those can cause your flight angle to be way off.
Also test the shafts.
Graphite shafts are lighter weight than steel, but they are slightly less durable. They’ll dent easier. Double check the shaft and make certain it is still perfectly round. Dents, grooves and other forms of club abuse might throw off your swing because the flexibility and torque of the club may be affected. The effect is subtle, but real. Test the shaft by trying to gently twist the head and grip in opposite directions. This could be very difficult. Otherwise the club shaft is weaker.
Even steel shafts can suffer damage. Even in the absence of dents, a steel shaft can get bent. That can happen from a missed swing, or an angry golfer who decided to whack the club into the ground or a tree. Any slight deviation may suggest that a club may have been bent. It takes special equipment to straighten the club back to its original shape. If they did get close, it will still weaken the club, affecting flexibility and balance. Move on.
Even a better way of buying used clubs is buying certified pre-owned golf clubs from Callaway. Callaway certified clubs must pass a 10 point inspection. You can also try them for 90 days under real life conditions and if you are not satisfied, they will buy them back. Callaway certified pre-owned clubs also come with a 12 month warranty. Buying certified used clubs may be a great way to save money, or a way to trade up to some better clubs.
Purchasing used golf clubs can be a great bargain, especially for those just begining golfing. It can be a cost-effective way to find out if your dedication to the sport justifies spending hundreds or even thousands for high-quality new clubs. Once your golf game is up to snuff, you may want to go that route. Or, you just might find that great deal on a used one after all.
