Buying your first set of golf clubs is always an exciting experience. You get to research all the best golf clubs out there to make your final choice on what will be a part of your golf bag.
New golf clubs can often come at a steep price, but there is a more affordable alternative out there in the form of used golf clubs. We’re not talking about your grandad’s old clubs here. We’re talking about used golf clubs that still have a lot to offer.
You might not know what to look for when it comes to buying used golf clubs and this is why we came up with this Beginners Buyers’ Guide for you. Here are some of the points we’ll be covering:
What details should I be looking for?
What are the differences between new and older models of golf clubs?
Where can I buy used golf clubs?
What details should you be looking for?
The details to look out for with used clubs will vary on the type of clubs you’re looking to get. Take wedges for examples. You’ll want to look for clubs with sharp grooves and a clean leading edge. These two details are essential when it comes to picking the best-used wedges as they’ll play a major role at impact with the ball.
On the other hand, aesthetic details like ball marks on the clubface or a black satin finish running out on the sole will not affect the quality of the club. By focusing on the details that matter you will not only find more benefits on the course, but your wallet will also be thanking you.
What are the differences between new and older models of golf clubs?
The age of the clubs you’re looking to buy plays a big role in terms of the differences it’ll have with the newest models out there.
Big brands will tell you to update your clubs every two years, but in reality, you can get similar performances from clubs that will be five or even ten years old.
There’s no denying the fact that the newest clubs on the market will have science on their side on the forgiveness front. In terms of distance, however, the difference with the most recent models won’t be as important, especially for beginners.
The biggest difference between older and newer models will be noticed with drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids, but as previously mentioned, the gains with the newer models are minimal. As for irons, wedges, and putters you’ll be able to find older models that will fit your game just as well as the new ones, but at a much better price.
Where can I buy used golf clubs?
You can likely find some used golf clubs at your local golf store. The selection will probably be smaller as they’ll try to sell you their newest products instead, but you can always find a sweet deal. However, when you’re looking for used golf clubs, you’ll likely find more options shopping online.
Online marketplaces will allow you to see used golf clubs near where you live. You’ll be able to check them out for yourself before completing the purchase and you’ll also get to meet the person who used them before you to understand what type of care they were giving to their clubs before selling them.
You also have the option to go with online websites specialized in the sale of used golf clubs. There’s a wide variety of different platforms out there for you to try out which will allow you to pick the perfect clubs for you, right from the comfort of your home.
Bonus: Recommendations for beginners
When it comes to buying your first golf clubs, think in terms of forgiveness and any details that might be beneficial to beginners.
For drivers, a big clubhead mixed with a weight distribution favoring the drawn trajectory will usually be a winning recipe for new golfers.
The same goes for fairway woods and hybrids. A big forgiving clubhead will fit into a new golfers’ bag perfectly. Look for clubs with some offset at the hosel to help with a bad tendency to push the ball away from you, which is often the case for new golfers.
Think big with your irons. Don’t be afraid to go with thicker irons when you’re looking to get that first set. These irons are usually the most forgiving sets, and their thicker soles will allow the club to glide on the grass before hitting the ball. This is a major advantage for new golfers who have a tough time making contact with the ball first.
We covered wedges earlier and the same stands for beginners. Look for used wedges with good grooves and consider models with larger soles for your first wedges. Much like the irons, it’ll be easier for you to hit the ball consistently with the larger sole as it’ll prevent you from digging in the ground with your wedges.
Finally, you’ll have to decide on a putter. Making the right choice here will be important as you could be keeping this club for a long time. You’ll simply need to decide between a mallet putter (for a straighter putter stroke) or a blade-style putter (for an arched putting stroke), or even the best of both worlds with a half-mallet putter.
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