Should You Spend Money on a Used Golf Club?
Author: gnugent | Category: Golf NewsWhen you find that a top quality Callaway driver costs ,500 new and less than 0 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. To see of it is a bargain, compare the price with 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 can be a good deal, if there is no damage and still of high quality.
For any club, look for obvious problems, like worn grips.
Cracks or splits in the rubber or leather are not just a sign of age. Grips can be replaced. But they also suggest less than stellar manufacturing or poor care. Rust spots on club might indicate that the clubs have been left out in the rain and sometimes the seller might have cleaned them off to hide the neglect.
The effects of weather on a grip are not so easy to erase 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 may run anywhere from a few dollars up to 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.
Closely examine the clubface of the used club you are considering purchasing.
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 like that will cause your shots to be less accurate, which problably is the reason the seller is offering them in the first place.
The grooves should have well defined edges. They are there for a purpose. If you spy some dents in the surface, you should move on to 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. Make sure the shaft 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 should be extremely difficult. Therefore the shaft is weak.
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 deviation can suggest that a club has been bent. Straightening a golf club back to its original shape takes specialized equipment. 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.
Tags: bargain golf clubs, used golf clubs