Golf Club Clones- Some Basics

Why would anyone want to use golf club clones instead of the real brand the clones are mimicking? Obviously the answer is to save money, and that is understandable. Drivers can easily cost $500, and many brand name hybrid clubs retail for over $200 each. So there is certainly a temptation to save literally hundreds of dollars by purchasing clone golf clubs or even separate components and then putting together the heads, shafts, and grips oneself.

If this is the route you choose to take, you should at least be aware of the pitfalls. The tried and true old expression “you get what you pay for” might negate any financial savings. The risk of this happening can be lowered substantially, however, if you are armed with certain information and knowledge.

In choosing any golf clubs, whether they be golf club clones or brand new clubs from the large golf club companies, you need to know several things. First, what length of club is right for you? Many golfers play with clubs, especially drivers that are too long. You should also know your swing speed with both the driver and a 5 iron. This will tell you how much flex should be in your club shafts. This is basic knowledge for choosing any kind of clubs, be they brand name or golf club clones.

When purchasing an expensive set of brand name clubs, you can be certain that the components are of high quality materials. With golf club clones, the quality of the materials may not be so good. The are less than 100 factories in the world that produce iron and wood heads, and only 1 to 2 dozen produce components of sufficient quality that the major brand golf club companies use their services. These days almost all golf club components are produced in low cost sub contract factories in foreign countries. So if you are not careful, that cloned driver may be made in a substandard factory using substandard materials.

How can one avoid this pitfall? The only way is to purchase the components from a supplier that is known to supply high quality materials from high quality factories. In fact it could be the case that the heads of the clone golf clubs come from the same factory and from the same machines and workers who make the brand name clubs. If you are serious about getting the most out of your golf game but still want to save money that is the least you should do. A club head made of inferior metals with poor tolerances may look like a brand name club to the naked eye, but the performance cannot be the same.

Brand name component shafts are readily available, and these well known companies also supply the major golf club sellers. Stick with brand name shafts from companies like Aldila, True Temper, or Grafalloy, for example, if you choose to try clone golf clubs. If you know your swing speeds, you’ll be able to pick out correct shafts.

High quality grips are also available, and it is not difficult to learn how to install them on our shafts. If you’ve found a favorite style of grip that feels good, stick with that, as good feel is the most important part of choosing a grip.

Using golf club clones can save some money, but the golfer choosing to go that route needs to be aware of the pitfalls. If you are serious at all about your game, and most golfers are, the best suggestion is to go to a certified club maker and have him or her do a professional fitting and make the clubs with quality materials. Of course this cuts out any savings you were hoping for, but then you’ll have confidence that you are getting all the performance you can out of your equipment.