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Yes Virginia, Discount Golf Clubs Do Exist
There are two main reasons why discount golf clubs sell so much cheaper than the branded equivalents, yet still offer high quality. First, they're often selling factory-direct, especially when you buy over the Internet. This means they are able to cut out the middleman.
But it's impossible for brand manufacturers (Nike, TaylorMade, Callaway, etc.) to sell factory-direct (or wholesale discount), because this certainly alienate their dealers.
And the most important factor going against brand manufacturers for discount pricing is that brands have considerable marketing costs that clones don't have. Corporations spend huge sums of money in advertising, marketing and endorsements (think Tiger Woods).
But clone or discount golf club manufacturers aren't investing in building and supporting a brand. So the money they "save" is reflected in their prices and passed on to you, the consumer!
The Bottom-line, Please
A standard set of discount irons costs between $150 to $200, with higher prices for the more expensive materials (like titanium). For branded golf clubs? You are looking at between $300 and $1300.
Typical prices for discount drivers are $80 for a titanium model and $40 for a steel model; for the branded drivers, you’re looking at between $400 and $600.
And here’s the fine print. By clone or discount golf clubs, we don’t mean like those irresponsible copycats you find on the streets hawking fake Louis Vuittons or Tommy Hillfigers. Responsible clones are comparable quality items which have “opted” not to advertise!
The Danger Of Discount Golf Clubs
Discount golf clubs are respectable clones of the well-known and more expensive brands. Now don’t ever take clones to be inferior to the top brands. The only fault of these clones is the lack of advertising. Their quality is not necessarily inferior.
You’ve got to be careful, though, some unscrupulous golf club manufacturers will try to sell you discount golf clubs or clones that are of inferior quality when your back is turned. It will be very hard to tell the difference between a respectable clone and a trying hard (TH) clone. About the only way you’ll find out is when the golf club bogs down or fails you in the green. Let’s hope it doesn’t fall apart when you make your swing—or else, you become the laughing stock of the tour.
The following questions are indirect ways to tell if the shop is trying to mislead you into buying a really shoddy discount golf club.
Is the manufacturer trying to outwit you into thinking you're buying an original brand? Does the name bear an uncanny resemblance to a famous brand? How much information does he give about the club's specifications? Is he hiding anything? Specifically, what materials are used? A good manufacturer will give you many options to choose from, not lock you into a specific type.
It’s easy to figure out the answer to the first question above if you’re the type who goes around the mall window-shopping for golf items. They say the best way to spot a counterfeit is not to focus on the look and feel of the counterfeit merchandise but to train your guns instead on the original. Thus, if you know the original well, you’ll know it when it’s in front of you!
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