Used Golf Clubs
Should I Buy Used Golf Clubs?
When you find that a top quality Callaway driver costs $600 or more new and 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 one that costs $50 can definitely be a good deal, but only if the quality is still there.
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. 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 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 $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 sweet spot is worn shiny, you might want to give it a pass. A clubface like that 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're there for a purpose. If there are dents in the surface, you should move onto the next one. Those will cause your flight angle to be off.
Test the shafts, too.
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 will throw off your swing because they affect flexibility and torque. 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. Otherwise the shaft is weak.
Steel shafts can get damaged, too. 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. No golfer without special equipment could 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.
Buying used clubs can be the really smart way to go, especially for those relatively new to the game. 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 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.
