Attack of the Golf Club Clones

[Random Variable]

1) Why are they legal?
2) Why are they so cheap?
3) Are they any good?
4) Will fellow golfers laugh at you if you have a some in your bag?

My Cleveland TA5 irons that are starting to wear out. Yeah, I would like a set of Cleveland CG4 irons or Callaway X-18's, but I really can't afford them right now. Would I be crazy to go the clone route?

Some stores that sell clones:

http://www.pinemeadowgolf.com/
http://www.gigagolf.com/index.jsp
http://www.golfknockoff.com/

 

[Patt]

1) They are legal because they aren't identical, even though they might look like it.
2) They are cheap because they are made of shoddy materials, and have poor quality control, and are most likely made in a 3rd world country.
3) NO, they are crap.
4) Fellow golfers won't really know, unless they inspect them closely. A buddy of mine got some Mizuno clones in China, and they looked really good from a couple of feet. When you got closer, the machine milling was actually done by hand, and looked like crap. Then the plating fell off, and he tossed the bunch of them. If fellow golfers know, they'll laugh their a$$es off.

You don't know any of this, but have worn out some Cleveland TA5 irons? I play almost every day, and have played my current irons (TaylorMade Firesoles) for more than 5 years. How are they wearing out? Pics?

 

[Uppsala9496]

If you want to save money and still get a decent set, take a look at some of the component companies out there (such as Bang golf).

 

[Patt]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
If you want to save money and still get a decent set, take a look at some of the component companies out there (such as Bang golf).

Or look at used clubs too ... most people aren't good enough to 'wear out' clubs. Nor do they play enough.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

You need to distinguish between clones, knock-offs and components that just look similar

1) Clones are clubs that are designed to look almost exactly like a well-known set. They'll mimic the shape, color, look, graphics and even come as close as legally possible to the name. Those are best avoided. Any company deliberately trying to pull the wool over your eyes can't be trusted.

2) Knock-offs are clubs that are pretty similar to and obviously based on some other model, but that make no effort to deceive you into believing that they're something they're not. Many knock-offs are excellent quality and some outperform the clubs they're emulating.

3) There are only so many ways to make a club look, make it USGA legal and make it perform. Many components look alike simply because they can't look like anything else. If you took off the graphics could you really tell a Cleveland, Nike, Titleist and Callaway driver apart from the shape alone? Probably not. That's the fact of life. If 2 clubs look sort of alike it doesn't mean either one is based on the other, it's just that you can't make a 5 iron look like a toaster oven.

It's easy to get a top quality set of clubs for very little money. The big bucks OEM clubs are not made with superior materials or superior engineering. They're cast in the same foundries in China that dirt cheat clones are made in. They're assembled in the same Chinese factories. In many cases the only difference between a $1000 OEM set of irons and a $300 set of custom irons is the price. When you're paying the big bucks you are not paying for materials and you're not paying for workmanship. You're paying for advertising and you're paying for the manufacturer to pay tour pros a million dollars a year to claim they use the clubs. Find a decent clubfitter, get yourself a nicely fitted set of quality component clubs and laugh your ass off at guys that paid top dollar for a set of crappy OEM clubs.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Patt

2) They are cheap because they are made of shoddy materials, and have poor quality control, and are most likely made in a 3rd world country.

You might be the biggest golf gear dimwit in the history of ATOT. Where exactly do you think $600 OEM drivers and $1000 sets of OEM irons are made? EVERYTHING is made in China. The same foundries that produce Taylormade and Titleist also produce drivers that cost $40 and irons that sell for $5 a piece using the very same tooling and materials. The only difference is that Titleist and Taylormade have brainwashed some morons (not naming any names here) into believing that they use skilled technicians to make their stuff. Newsflash for you: The most expensive clubs on earth are built in sweatshops in China. When you're buying a $400 TM driver it's a $50 head on a $6 shaft built with 50 cents worth of unskilled labor. The rest is pure profit for the manufacturer.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
If you want to save money and still get a decent set, take a look at some of the component companies out there (such as Bang golf).

Bang is excellent, their drivers are top notch and a great bargain. Not much of a selection of irons though.

 

[Papagayo]

Originally posted by: Patt
1) They are legal because they aren't identical, even though they might look like it.
2) They are cheap because they are made of shoddy materials, and have poor quality control, and are most likely made in a 3rd world country.
3) NO, they are crap.
4) Fellow golfers won't really know, unless they inspect them closely. A buddy of mine got some Mizuno clones in China, and they looked really good from a couple of feet. When you got closer, the machine milling was actually done by hand, and looked like crap. Then the plating fell off, and he tossed the bunch of them. If fellow golfers know, they'll laugh their a$$es off.

You don't know any of this, but have worn out some Cleveland TA5 irons? I play almost every day, and have played my current irons (TaylorMade Firesoles) for more than 5 years. How are they wearing out? Pics?

I've purchased from Pinemeadowgolf and I can tell you it's pretty good.

1. They are legal, most of the specs are identical to the brand name.
2.The material they use are either equal or better material. The fit and finish might not be the best, but the major component are good.
3. They are not crap.
4. They don't try to be a clone, they are off brand that has the same feel and performance but at cheaper rate..

 

[purbeast0]

I'm thinking of trying this out.

I need a new driver and thats not too much $$$. I have hit the nike ignite 460 and wow, i can CRUSH that club. I really would like to have one, but they are like $250+.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
I'm thinking of trying this out.

I need a new driver and thats not too much $$$. I have hit the nike ignite 460 and wow, i can CRUSH that club. I really would like to have one, but they are like $250+.

Not a bad choice, but I don't know anything about that company. Try Here instead.

 

[junkerman123]

In my experience, a GREAT place to get used clubs CHEAP is at tag sales (garage sales) around your area. I know most people think tag sales are trash, but rich people are constantly buying new club sets, and selling their older ones (that are hardly used and very good quality) for cheap. I just bought an almost-new set of Ping clubs, everythign but a driver, for 60 dollars! Very good place to look.