If the name or logo on the clubs in question appear slightly different from an authentic Callaway club, the clubs are likely fake. Step 3 Hold a magnet to a club purporting to be titanium
Titanium
Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It is a lustrous transition metal with a silver color, low density, and high strength. Titanium is resistant to corrosion in sea water, aqua regia, and chlorine.
Full Answer
Where do counterfeit golf clubs come from?
The counterfeiting of golf clubs actually began in Taiwan although after the Taiwanese government started enforcing intellectual-property laws and the Taiwanese wages went up compared to China’s, the roles reversed and now China is the main producer of counterfeit golf clubs.
Which golf brands are being counterfeited?
Brands with gear being counterfeited included XXIO, Titleist, TaylorMade, PXG, Callaway and Ping. The three raids were conducted on June 2, and they were made with the cooperation of the Shanghai Police in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China.
Why are there so many fake golf clubs?
Unfortunately, the increase in golf’s popularity has pushed counterfeiters to make more fake club heads, shafts, grips, golf balls, bags and headcovers. In 2020, the largest counterfeit golf equipment raid ever seized 120,000 pieces of fake golf equipment seized and 15 defendants were detained and arrested.
How do you deal with counterfeit golf clubs?
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group has worked with international law enforcement to seize more than a million fake clubs since 2004 and shut down dozens of websites dealing in counterfeit products.
How can you tell if golf clubs are fake?
How to Identify Counterfeit Golf ClubsMay have a strong rubber odor like a swimming pool float or a bicycle tire.The grips logos may also not be aligned properly when the club is sitting at address.If there is a brand logo, many times the paint fill will be coming out and the font will be slightly different.More items...•
What are cheap golf clubs made of?
Most high-end golf clubs are expensive because they are name brands and are made with metals like graphite and titanium, while cheaper clubs will typically have steel shafts and heads made with aluminum or zinc.
Are replica golf clubs worth it?
If you purchase the right knock off clubs, they are absolutely worth it. Some groups of golfers should stay away from the clone clubs in general. If you are a lower handicapper, the clone golf clubs will not have the performance or the quality you need in your game.
What metal are old golf clubs made of?
carbon steelUsed in either irons, wedges and putters, carbon steel has been used in golf clubs for centuries. Most will associate carbon steel irons and wedges to be forged, as this was the primary method of fabricating these clubs.
Is there a difference between expensive and cheap golf clubs?
The main difference between high and low-end golf equipment is the shaft and the quality of the materials used. More expensive shaft construction translates to better feel, potentially leading to better and more consistent swings.
Are 30 year old golf clubs still good?
There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.
What is a knock off golf club?
In short, clone or knockoff golf clubs are clubs that are designed to look and perform like name brand clubs. Because they aren't made by the big-name manufacturer however, they might not always incorporate the same design features and technology.
What are clone irons?
Clone golf clubs are designed to resemble more notable brands. Clone golf clubs typically copy some of the design features and materials of brand name golf clubs such as Callaway, Ping, Cobra, Titliest and TaylorMade. Legitimate clone companies make it clear that the consumer is buying cloned clubs.
Should all your golf clubs be the same brand?
As a general rule golf clubs do not need to be the same brand. Focusing on matching the brand is an expensive strategy and it is more important to keep other club elements such as the shaft, length and lie angle consistent. All final club decisions should be based principally on what gives the best results.
What are forged irons made from?
Forged irons are created using a single piece, or billet, of steel. Heat still plays an important part in this process, but instead of heating the steel up until it is liquid to be poured into a mold, the billet of steel is heated up until it is malleable.
What type of metal are golf irons made of?
All cast iron clubs are made from stainless steel. Stainless steel combines iron with nickel and chromium and other trace materials. Most good quality irons are made from either 17-4 or 431 grade stainless steel.
What are golf club faces made of?
Club heads for drivers and other woods may be made from stainless steel, titanium, or graphite fiber-reinforced epoxy. Face inserts may be made from zirconia ceramic or a titanium metal matrix ceramic composite. Oversize metal woods are usually filled with synthetic polymer foam.
Do golf clubs sell misprints?
But golf manufacturers generally don’t sell “misprints.”. If it looks wrong — extra glue, discoloration, different engravings, etc. — it almost certainly is. And if the deal sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. Putters.
Is a golf club on the left or right counterfeit?
Differences in the centerweight and screws are a giveaway that the real product is on the left, and the club on the right is counterfeit. Golf’s biggest equipment companies can agree on one thing: counterfeit clubs are bad for the consumer — and bad for business.
Golf Balls
The one on the left is the fake. The cover and core are made from lower-quality materials, the cover is thicker, and as you can see, uneven. The counterfeit golf ball flies like a knuckleball as a result.
Irons
A cross-section of this iron shows the one on the right side is the counterfeit model. The cavity isn’t hollowed-out, which means the ball won’t come off the face as hot.
Driver
The driver on the right is fake. How can you tell? Because the detail on the painting is off, and the hosel doesn’t include any adjustability.
Grips
Grips can be tough, but ultimately, you can differentiate the fakes from the real ones by the detail on the grips, the quality of the material and the smell. A good grip shouldn’t have a notable rubber smell.
Woods
The club on the right is the counterfeit, because as you can see, the detailing is lower quality and not up to code.
Balls
One of the most effective ways of telling a fake dozen from a real dozen? The hologram. Never, ever buy a dozen Pro V1s that doesn’t have one.
What is counterfeit seller?
Counterfeit sellers are marketing to consumers with the unauthorized use of TaylorMade trademarks on an inferior product, taking advantage of those who are looking for authentic TaylorMade product. If the price is low and the source is not an authorized dealer, BUYER BEWARE.
Is Taylormade counterfeit?
A: Counterfeit products do not meet the premium quality standards or have the same level of performance as authentic TaylorMade products. The use of a counterfeit product can also lead to harmful results, such as injury to the user.
Is Taylormade a golf company?
Among other anti-counterfeiting efforts, TaylorMade is part of the Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group, working with other golf companies to combat the fakes and educate the consumer . To learn more about the Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group and the most recent collective raid actions, activities and media coverage on this subject, ...
Can Taylormade repair counterfeit items?
TaylorMade cannot repair or reimburse you for counterfeit product, but may use information you provide to enforce against counterfeiters globally. Ultimately, your dispute is between you and the seller of the fake product. Q: I purchased a counterfeit item on eBay.
