It is said that imitation is the best form of flattery. This may hold true for other industries as well.
Branded golf equipment producers are not smitten by the notion that other designers can copy their logos, colors, and names. Due to the finite nature of golf equipment manufacturing, copycats are not allowed to operate. Callaway, as well as consumers who may not be familiar with the details of club manufacturing and design, has hundreds of copy-cats.
Offs and fakes are commonplace today.
Clones
Clones (also known as knockoffs) are easy to recognize as they often have the same design and colors as the real thing but can fly under patent infringement radar. The sellers of these clubs can usually tell you which club they want to copy. You might find a completely different name or a design that is unique to them.
These clubs look nothing like the ones they want to imitate. Cloned clubs will not be as expensive, and will instead use less-expensive materials like alloys or titanium. Additionally, clubs made from cloned materials will have a lower tolerance of construction. Shafts can be stronger (or less heavy) than cloned ones, and may have a heavier weight.
Swing weights (which are generally lighter) will vary from club to club.
High-end manufacturers invest millions in research and development, trying to make the best golf clubs. The consumer is responsible for these costs, which are evidently passed onto them. Cloned clubs can cost up to 75% less than real ones, but they don’t have the same technology. The result is a poor product that’s expensive.
End user pays the final price for the course.
If you’re new to golf, knock-off sellers will suggest that you buy these clubs. It is worth spending hundreds of thousands or more on Callaway, Taylor Made, or Titleist clubs, when you could have the exact or comparable club in a replica. A beginner is told that they won’t know the difference.
These clubs will hinder your ability to develop and improve your game. It is possible to learn the basics of swing mechanics, pace, follow-through, and hitting the right spot every single time. You will be at an advantage on the course if your products are inferior.
A preowned set of golf clubs is a good option for someone who’s new to the sport. Because these clubs are made with infinitely greater precision and accuracy, you can work on your swing without worrying about how they perform. They sound fantastic! Ping!!! You can also find great deals on pre-owned sets. Keep in mind that you only get what is listed on the website. What would you prefer to have? A set of Taylor Made Callaway’s.
Counterfeits
Clone manufacturers often don’t take the time to modify the design of real clubs in order to not violate patents. Products that are illegally copied or knockoff products can be considered counterfeits. You might recognize some of the following names: Tommy Mann Bummer (King Snake), The Big Burser (The Big Burser). You can see who they are trying to imitate. Some times, they will try to pretend that the counterfeit clubs have the same names and brand as theirs.
The manufacturers of branded clubs spend millions trying to prevent these companies selling and making their products. These costs, as with R+D numbers are passed on unfortunately to consumers. The majority of illegal knockoffs come from Asia and are then sold to distributors in America, Europe and other key markets.
It is not always easy to identify a fake club. Avoid clubs without serial numbers. High-end companies are placing serial numbers on their clubs. It is possible that the club has been forged or copied if it does not have serial numbers.
Many older models don’t come with serial numbers. This is when you need to start looking for cosmetic flaws like unevenly applied paint or lettering that has not been centered, epoxy glue showing in some areas, mispelled names and any other anomalies. You should use your intuition. If it looks off, then it most likely isn’t.
Are I buying from an authorized club seller? The answer to this question is “Yes.” “no,”You are more likely to buy counterfeit goods. The best way to protect against counterfeits is not to buy from any golf club that has been authorized.
Retailer
How much is it? “brand new, top of the line”Clubs that sound too good to be true You should not believe everything you see. The last thing you need to do is perform a two-pronged test. There will be both real clubs and clone club for sale by some unscrupulous merchants. You can grab one of these clubs (holding it in your grip), and another in the other (also).
Grab. Which one feels best to you? Give them a gentle shake. Does one of the two make a loud rattling noise? Does one of them sway equally back and forth between the two? It should not take long to notice the difference. You will feel better and more balanced with the branded model.
You should also take some shots alternately between the clubs, if you are allowed by your retailer. Is one better than the other? Is one better? Even if the other club is more popular, it should not be difficult to distinguish between them.
Let me caution you: If the warranty for the club that you want to buy is not available, don’t hesitate to purchase one. Branded companies back the products they produce. The branded companies value customers and honour warranty claims. Your club may snap, crack, dent or chip in the future. Is there an 800 number available for customer service by clone producers? Before
You spend $100 or $1000 on a club. Find out about the person who created it and their policy regarding warranties.
Copyright 2007 David Lester