Second-hand or used golf sets might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Not everyone likes to own a property that used to belong to someone else. However, this is one thing that would be best for beginners and if you have just learned to like the game.
Used golf clubs to get you started
Buying used golf clubs is a whole lot cheaper than buying new ones. There are several reasons for this.
- First, you might be starting out in golf and do not want to spend too much in buying new clubs. Getting used ones lets you get the feel of the game without putting in too many investments.
- You might not be certain that you are going to play the game for long. This is a great option if you are testing to see if you will love the game. After a few sessions, if you fall in love with golf (which you most likely will), then you can start looking for new clubs that are more catered for your type of game
- You are planning to change your clubs – Selling them is the best way to clear up space. It can reduce your cost and someone else might have better use of your old clubs.
What to look out for in used golf clubs
Now that you have a good reason to buy some used golf clubs, let’s look at what you should be aware of when you do so.
- Price – You must first work around a budget. Do some research about how much a full set of golf clubs costs then work along with a 30 to 50% lesser amount. This of course is better if you can have anything below that 50% threshold. There is no point in paying just slightly less for an entirely same set of golf clubs at around 10% because you may as well buy new ones. With a figure in mind, you can start shopping.
- Brand – There are a lot of brands out there. In fact, some golfers are typically brand loyalists. If you are particular about this, then you might want to start with the golf brands. This would be the likes of Titleist, Taylor Made, Ping and others. Meanwhile, renowned sporting brands like Nike, Wilson and Mizuno are top players in this game as well. If you are a beginner setting out to try the game, any brands would be fine. Start with one brand then search for it.
- Length – This depends largely on your height. In most cases, the length of golf clubs is quite standard across all brands. However, if you are shorter than 5 feet or taller than 6 feet 6 inches, then the standard clubs might not be good for you. As such, you need to look for those with longer or shorter shafts. Do take note of the length of golf shafts because they determine very much how much you can play golf.
- Wear and Tear – This is the easiest to identify. Some clubs are designed with sharp colors like the Cleveland CG which is predominantly black in color. The Mizuno JPX driver has a black face to it and some red on the shaft. Look and see if the colors have faded or the finish is starting to thin. You can judge the color-fading on the clubs to identify how old it has been kept. Although wear and tear are common in anything, it does not mean the club will damage soon. Most clubs are made with strong metal and last for years. You might want to check if the club has been bent which will be very bad for your game.
- Then, check the grips. In some cases, the grips are quite worn and it will be quite costly to even replace them. Otherwise, check the heads of the shafts and see if there are dents. Some golfers tend to hit the club on the ground due to anger and frustration and those are clubs that you do not want to buy.
- Choosing your clubs – A full set of clubs will include the 3 wood involving the driver, the 3 and 5 wood and an additional 8 irons which are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 plus a pitching wedge and another putter. If you are a seasoned golfer looking for a spare set, then getting the entire bag is fine. But if you are a beginner, you probably do not need so many clubs. 2 wood, the 3 and 5 and 4 irons, the 4, 6, 8 and the pitching wedge together with the putter would be enough.
- Putter – This is something that you need to feel to know it. Ping and Titleist putters are quite popular but you need to feel and see if the club feels balanced and light when you hold it. This is one club that needs special attention because it is supposed to finish the game for you. If it does not feel right, then don’t buy it.
- Sourcing used clubs – Most online golf retailers will have a ‘marketplace’ to allow their members to advertise for any used clubs for sale. These are the best places to find what is known as pre-loved golf clubs. Meanwhile, you can check out the online P2P marketplaces like Carousell and Mudah.my where you can pick up used clubs on a cheap. These platforms allow you to connect with sellers and not retailers. You can then discuss the pricing and transaction methods (like postage or Cash on Delivery). Meanwhile, social networks like Facebook Marketplace is also a popular platform where used golf clubs are advertised as well.
Bear in mind that you should consider checking the clubs before deciding to buy. Hence, meeting up with the seller would be a good option where you can directly deal and conclude the transaction.
