| Why would anyone want to use clone golf clubs | | | | only a small number have the solid quality |
| instead of the real brand the clones are | | | | systems in place to interest the major brand |
| mimicking? Obviously the answer is to save | | | | golf club companies. The others produce clubs |
| money, and that is understandable. Drivers | | | | that sell for very low prices in department |
| can easily cost $400-500, and some hybrids | | | | stores or low cost web sites, for example. |
| cost over $200 each. These days a good set of | | | | They only survive because they can sell their |
| clubs can be a significant investment, so | | | | output at low prices. So would it be a |
| there is certainly a temptation to save money | | | | surprise if lower quality raw materials were |
| if at all possible. How might one approach | | | | used, like scrap metal instead of carbon |
| this using clone golf clubs? | | | | steel? Could their machines hold the same |
| | | | tolerances as the quality foundries do? Can |
| Three Ways to Purchase Clone Golf Clubs | | | | they afford to train their employees to the |
| | | | same level? Do they use the same quality golf |
| This article will discuss three ways to | | | | shafts in their clubs? If they are selling |
| purchase clone golf clubs. The more money one | | | | low cost products on thin margins, they will |
| is willing to pay, the less risk there is in | | | | probably cut corners wherever possible. Let's |
| obtaining a high quality set. Let's examine | | | | just put it this way: you are not going to |
| these three approaches. | | | | get a $169 club for $39, no matter how much |
| | | | the two may be made to look the same. |
| Purchase Ready Built Clones | | | | |
| | | | Make Your Own Clubs |
| Of course you can go to one of many web sites | | | | |
| selling clone golf clubs and simply make a | | | | A less risky alternative is purchasing the |
| purchase. These golf clubs often look like | | | | components and assembling the clubs yourself. |
| those from Calloway, Titleist, or other major | | | | To end up with a higher quality product you |
| brands, but they are substantially less | | | | need to be sure the heads are manufactured in |
| expensive. This is the most risky | | | | a quality foundry. There are component |
| alternative. If you pay $39 for a club that | | | | suppliers who are reputable and who can prove |
| looks just like a brand name club priced at | | | | they sell top quality parts. As for shafts, |
| $169, are you getting the same thing? Was the | | | | there is a large component market for shafts |
| club made in the same factory and on the same | | | | from the top companies like Aldila, Grafalloy |
| machinery as the brand name club or at | | | | or True Temper, among many others, who supply |
| another with equivalent quality? Was it | | | | the major brand club companies as well. |
| manufactured using raw materials of the same | | | | Quality grips are also readily available. |
| quality and to the same tolerances? The | | | | Assembling clubs and grips is not that |
| chances of all that being the case are small. | | | | difficult. Golfsmith sells components and can |
| Let's examine this for a moment. | | | | instruct you how to do this. Not too many |
| | | | tools are required, and Golfsmith can also |
| Outsourcing of Club Manufacturing | | | | provide support at either their retail stores |
| | | | or on the phone. The main problem with this |
| The vast majority of clubs sold by the major | | | | approach is that you need to know which |
| brands are outsourced to factories in low | | | | components to purchase, which heads, what |
| wage parts of the world. Of the less than 100 | | | | type of shaft, etc. This will be discussed in |
| foundries in the world which make golf clubs, | | | | more detail below. |