Buying new clubs is always fun, but for many golfers, the real fun is in hunting for used clubs and finding great deals, and if you know where to look, there are lots of deals to be had. But before spending hundreds of dollars on used clubs, there are a few things to pay close attention to, to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck, and prevent yourself from making a costly purchasing mistake.

Tips for avoiding used club purchasing mistakes

Buy from reputable sellers: This is the most important piece of advice I can offer to those looking for clubs in the used marketplace—especially if this is new to you. Although the volume of counterfeit golf clubs has gone down exponentially over the last couple of years, there are still some people looking to make a fast buck off unsuspecting golfers. Although you can’t always inspect clubs in person, some of the most obvious signs of counterfeit golf clubs are:

• “Touchpoints being off” is the biggest giveaway. If grip smells like cheap rubber or solvent and seems small to size, the headcover (if it comes with one) feels light or flimsy, walk away. Counterfeiters sink most of the cost replicating the clubheads and if the other components seem off, it’s not worth it.
• “Incorrect shafts” or shafts installed with the logo or the shaft bands (logoed stickers on steel shafts) facing up. There isn’t an OEM on the market that builds clubs this way and it’s your first sign that something isn’t right.
• “Badge and brand colors slightly off” is another sign someone is trying to sell you a counterfeit club. Golf club manufacturers spend a lot of time and money picking colors that stand out and are hard to replicate and if something is off, it’s probably too good to be true.

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Make sure to confirm the club specs

When buying online, if the club specs aren’t included, make sure to ask—most sellers should easily be able to provide this information quickly.

If you are buying in person or shopping somewhere that has a large selection of used clubs, there are some things you can do to quickly and easily take some measurements to make sure you and getting clubs that match the right spec you are looking for.

Golf club specs you can check without tools:

• Lengths: If lengths arent stated and you are buying in person, bring a few of your own clubs to compare.
  
• Grips: A quick check that all of the grips match for size and style can save you money, and make sure they feel good when you go to use them. Don’t forget though, grips are an easy and affordable way to make used clubs feel new again.
  
• Matching shafts: A quick visual inspection to make sure the shafts match up will make sure you are getting what you pay for. Along that same line, checking to also make sure the ferrules match will show whether any club in the set was repaired at some point.
  

Shopping for used clubs can feel like a treasure hunt and is a lot of fun—it’s also a great way to save money on equipment. Don’t get caught up in what might seem like a deal too good to be true, because it probably is, and take your time when evaluating what you are buying to maximize enjoyment on the course.