How to Buy Used Golf Clubs

Buying used golf clubs is a smart way to get a good set of clubs without spending a fortune. Experienced golfers often trade or sell their old sets to upgrade to newer and better models, so there is always a good supply of used clubs on the market.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide what type of clubs you need. Beginners need fairly stiff shafts for better control and a more generous "sweet spot" on the club face, so you don't have to hit the ball perfectly to end up with a decent shot. Intermediate golfers should look for clubs with a more flexible shaft and a compact head to give you a better "feel" in your swing, allowing you to learn to "finesse" your shots and fine tune your game.

2. Determine what kind of shafts you want. Graphite shafts are usually lighter, but be sure there are no pits, dings or abrasions that might weaken the shafts. Steel shafts can last forever if they're not rusted or bent, and they're less expensive than graphite. When examining the club shafts, make sure every club is straight; not re-bent into position because of abuse or missed hits.

3. Verify that all clubs in the set are the same make, model and shaft stiffness, and confirm that you have a complete set. Golf regulations allow a maximum of 14 clubs, including three "woods," irons numbered 2 through 9, a pitching wedge, sand wedge and putter.

4. Check the alignment of the club head. Grip each club and look down the shaft to make sure the head is square to the ball when you set up for a shot. Check for shaft twist by holding the club head in one hand and the shaft in the other as far up as you can comfortably reach. Try to twist the head while holding the shaft firmly. All clubs will twist a bit, but too much twist may mean the shaft is weak and will be difficult to control the club during your swing.

5. Examine each club head for wear, dings and dimples on the club face. All clubs have grooves on the hitting surface, and worn spots or dimples make it harder to hit the ball straight and put the proper spin on it.

6. Look closely at the grips. Worn grips can always be replaced, but this will add to the total cost of your clubs. Badly worn, split or weathered grips may indicate the clubs have not been properly cared for. There are plenty of well loved clubs out there without buying someone else's problems.

7. Ask to demo the clubs. There is no substitute for trying out the clubs before your buy. Most golf shops and golf course pro shops will allow you use their practice net or practice tee to get the feel of the clubs you're interested in. If you're buying from a private seller, at least go out on the lawn and swing each club a few times.

8. Consider focusing your search to major brands. Manufacturers like Callaway, Taylor Made, Ping, Cleveland and others have well earned reputations for producing consistently high quality clubs. It's possible to find good quality "knock-off" sets by lesser-known makers, but you can't go wrong sticking to the top names.

Tips & Warnings

• The final price of a used set of clubs is often negotiable. It never hurts to ask for a lower price. Ask about an exchange period if you're buying from a golf shop. Some will allow a short exchange period if you're not satisfied after you've played a round or two with them.
• You can find some good deals on used clubs online, but shop around first and know what kind of clubs you're after before buying online. It's tough to demo clubs you can't physically inspect.

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