Tips for Buying Used Golf Clubs

The most fun part of starting any new activity isoff the progression of lofts throughout the set as
often getting the gear, and the same is true for golf.well as make it difficult for you to adapt to the feel
There's a certain pleasure derived from going to theof your set. Sometimes golf courses will assemble a
hardware store and picking out your first golfingset of clubs made up of old sets that have lost,
glove, buying your first box of balls and of course,missing or broken clubs. While the price is attractive,
your first set of clubs. But these days, the choicesyou'll be better off paying a bit more and getting a
are overwhelming, especially for someone that's newfull set from one family.Shafts: Make sure the
to the sport. And while there are a plethora of verygraphite shafts don't have worn areas or other
high quality golf clubs idea for beginning and budgetindentations that could cause weakness. Test the
minded golfers, there is also a thriving market fortorque by twisting the grip and head in opposite
used and barely used golfing equipment that mightdirections. If there isn't great resistance, it's a sign of
also be suitable for a player not ready to make theweakness. For steel shafts, look down the shaft to
equipment investment of a scratch golfer, especiallymake sure it hasn't been bent back into shape by a
if you're not sure just how much you're going to playfrustrated golfer. Also, make sure all shafts in a set
or if you'll really stick with it. So here are some tipsare the same so the clubs feel similar from shot to
on things to look for when shopping for used golfshot.Prices for New Clubs of the Same Model:
clubs:Grips: Look for cracks and worn areas in theSometimes you can find a brand new set of clubs
grip. Make sure you won't have to immediately re-gripfor less than what that set is selling for used. It
the clubs, which can add anywhere from $5 to $18sounds crazy, but it happens more than you think,
per club to your costs. The last thing you'll want toespecially now that you have direct access to the
do is start paying for repairs before you even makedistributors via the internet. If someone buys a set
it on to the greens.Clubheads: Face wear is whatand decides to sell it a year or two later, the set
you're looking for. Clubs that have been used for amay be in great shape and can justifiably be priced
long time might have a shiny worn spot right in thehigh. But in the meantime, the manufacturer may
center of the face. You really don't want thesehave steeply discounted new sets to make room for
because the clubface won't hold the ball as well,newer inventory, because of discontinued production
which will be frustrating for a new golfer trying toor numerous other reasons.Ask to Demo the Clubs:
master the basics. So make sure the grooves stillJust like a car, you can't really tell how well a set of
have well-defined edges and stay away from clubsclubs will perform for you until you take them out for
that show indentations in the clubface because thesea few swings. Even at a garage sale, you should be
will affect the ball flight.Set Consistency: Line up andallowed to at least take a few swings in the front
compare the clubs throughout the set. Make sureyard (hint: use whiffle balls). Any retail shop will allow
they all appear to come from the same, original set.you to demo the clubs using real balls.Good luck in
You don't want to purchase a set of clubs consistingyour hunt!GARY GOLD is the webmaster for Visit
of different shaft types and different models, orhim there for more articles on finding the perfect set
where there is not a normal progression of lengthsof golf clubs and other tips to improve your game.
from club to club. Mixing and matching can also throw