The sticker price on a used golf club can make almost anything look like a good deal.
With golf club prices still on the rise, more golfers are taking a serious look at the used market. Even if a driver was played for one season, there is often a lot of life in it. The key is to know when a used club is actually worth buying and when it is simply free for a reason.
I have bought, tested and gone through many used clubs over the years. These are the five questions I always go through before asking.
1. Can this club really work for my game?
This is always my starting point.
Before I worry about condition or price, I want to know if the club has a sense of where my game is now and where it’s going.
One of the biggest advantages of buying used is familiarity. Many of these clubs have been around for a season or two. Maybe a friend has one. Maybe your local range hosted a demo day last year. Maybe you hit it during a mount, but didn’t pull the trigger at the time. If you have a chance to hit the club first, take it.
From there, I look at some big picture things:
- The age of the club and the technology it’s built around
- The type of player it was designed for
- Regardless if it fits how I actually play, not how I want to play
A set of great-looking used blades is suddenly not a smart buy if you’re only hitting two greens in order.
I also check loft, axle flex and general specs. They should at least be in the park. There is room to tweak some things later, but I don’t want to start with something that will take a lot of work (or money) to fit me.
2. Is the club structurally sound?
Once a club passes the fitness test, the next question is about risk. When you buy from reputable used retailers like Pre-Owned Callaway, Swing 2 OR The Roots of Golfa lot of the heavy lifting has already been done for you. However, it pays to know what to look for.
I pay close attention to:
- Club head damage, especially around the face and gut
- Deep gouges or scratches that go beyond normal wear
- The condition of the last centimeter of the shaft where it meets the head
Cosmetic scratches may not bother you. Structural issues will. If a club is compromised in a way that can affect performance or durability, it’s obviously not worth it.
3. Is the price really a deal?
Everything will look like a deal when you compare it to a new $700 driver. That doesn’t automatically make it a good buy.
Before I buy, I check:
- What the club sold for new
- What is currently selling used (how old is it)
- If the price reflects the current situation
Paying too much for condition or ignoring the current market price can wipe out all the benefit of buying used. A little research here will save you a lot of money.
4. Can I live with or fix the condition?
There are a few things I’m fine with living with when buying used:
• Some cosmetic wear on the head
• A worn glove
• Normal face wear
Registering a club is easy and free. You can also do it yourself. Once you’re talking about an axle, change things get a little more expensive. And if that’s accompanied by scratches or head damage, the price you’re paying starts to feel less worth it. By the time you add it all up, you’re no longer getting the deal you thought you had.
5. What happens if it doesn’t work?
This is the final check and it matters more than people think.
I always wonder what the output looks like:
- Is there a return window?
- Am I getting a refund or store credit?
- Who pays for return shipping?
- How much does it cost me if I’m wrong?
This cost can be $10. It could be $50. It can be the full price of the club.
Buying used may lower the risk compared to buying new, but the risk never goes away completely. It should still be part of the decision.
Final thoughts
Something tells me a lot used golf clubs will change hands this year.
With prices showing no sign of going anywhere else, the used market is becoming more attractive. Use these five questions to make smart decisions and make sure the clubs you’re buying fit the bill YOUR golf game.
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