Golf Forums - Clone vs. Brand name clubs

I realize there have been some discussions about the subject matter but I'm really insterested in what the "Social Golpher's" think about clone golf clubs vs. brand name clubs.  A little history......I'm 32 and have been playing golf for about 20 years now. I don't play that much during the year but I usually play to a 6 or 7 handicap when I do. I will soon be in the market of buying my first set of new clubs ( always played with old hand-me-downs) and in these tight financial times, I'm very cautious on where I spend my money. With that said, I do want a quality set of irons but am unsure about the quality of clone clubs versus brand name clubs. I do not want to spend big bucks for clubs that the costs are really going to marketing and "paying the pros" but I do not want to spend money on a set that the quality has been downgraded any. As always, all I want is a good quality set of irons that will perform the way I expect and last a good number of years. Is there anyone out there who has had experience in this matter and can shed some light (or darkness)? I've had a couple of friends by clubs from Gigagolf.com and are very pleased but have heard mixed reviews on the net. That goes with most of the on-line clone manufacturers. Please help me make a wise choice. Thanks all.

-- 26/07/2009 10:09:39: post edited by TheSocialGolfer.

Don't know what you mean by "big bucks". I have previously bought Brand name clubs off the shelf, Cobra,Titliest and Callaway usually spending £500 - £600 on a set of irons.

I have just got myself custom fitted for the first time for a new set of irons,  mizuno mp-52 (5 iron to pw).
loft /lie correct, preferred shafts and grips all for £411

any decent set of irons either know brand or not will cost around the £300 mark or more.

MD Golf iron's have been rated very highly by Todays golfer on a regular basis.

I may be totally wrong but I can't imagine clone clubs being as long lasting as brand names due to possible inferior components.

As brand names go it really depends on your budget and I would certainly try before you buy as just because a club cost more it don't mean it will work better for you..

Personally ( and it is a personal choice ). I don't look further than Ben Ross as they suit me, are quality gear but cheaper than the other top branded names...

Like the Ben Ross, I know a people who think the Adams clubs are as good quality as anything on the market just cheaper than the big brands. 

 

Hi,

I am a 9 handicap  and a former assistant professional golfer in my younger days.  As part of my training I was taught the skill of  making and repairing clubs.  In view of this training I would like to think I know a little about the subject.

As my daughter is in the County ladies golf  side and at University the high costs of supporting her mean my golf budget is very limited but I still want to get the best value from money.  First of all most clone clubs are in fact counterfeit clubs and as such illegal.  I have always used Callaway Clubs which when new retail at between £400 and £600 for a set of irons depending on the shaft.  I change my clubs about evety 2 years but I always purchase the previous model so the price drops to around £325 for a set of steel shafted irons.  In fact with Callaway the difference between models is very slight.  I purchased my current set of X'20s at the start of 2009.

Another alternative is to purchase second hand.  I take great care of my Clubs and they would probably retail at about £200- £225.  My suggestion is forget about clone clubs and go and visit your local golf professional and see what he has in stock.

Good Luck

SH

Just to add to this - Buying clone clubs is risky as you will most probably end up losing more money than if you were to have bought proper ones from the start.  I bought a Cleveland Driver on ebay last year.  The seller had very good ratings and was listed as to be in the UK.  When I received it the postage indicated it was sent from China.  Needless to say after hitting with it a few times the shaft came loose.

I took it to a golf shop who said they couldn't fix it so they sent it to Cleveland Golf in france.  It transpired it was a fake - not even the club professional could make out the difference.  Money lost, seller gone, ebay unable to help.

Advice from me: Definitely get fitted if you want to spend decent money on a set of clubs or find a cheaper set that works for you.  I still play with my Ben Sayers M7's I bought when I got back into golf.  

Tiaan

Like Tiaan, I also got caught with a fake Callaway driver on e-bay, my own fault as it was going for much less than the retail price and I should have known better. Seller had good feedback with similar items, but promptly disappeared shortly after I received the club. I compared it to the real thing in local shop and it was very difficult to tell the difference, but when used it, might as well have been using an empty tin can on the end of a broom handle. It was that bad! My advice is get on golfbidder.com and get yourself a bargain set of used premium clubs. Get down your local range and identify the set you want and buy secondhand. Save loads and get authentic quality clubs.

I have a 14 handicap and play a good amount of fun golf which means not on a league. I have purchased 3 sets of irons in the past 15 years 2 clone sets and 1 brand name set. I can say Some of the clone sets do not hold up as good as the brand name sets. I bought a nike clone set and the first month all the irons lost their nice face and started chipping and rusting. I bought a set of fireburner clones and they lasted for years. My Nickalus Irons are a year old now and they still look brand new.so I guess its the luck of the draw when you purchase them and from whom..