The dos and don’ts of buying and selling golf equipment

Whether or not
we’re wanting so as to add to our armoury or offload a few of our previous and no longer-needed
gear, shopping for and promoting golf tools is one thing all of us do.

On this article, we’ll take a look at what to look out for when getting concerned within the second-hand market—whether or not that be shopping for or promoting golf tools.

The dos and don’ts of shopping for and promoting golf tools

Paul Snowden has been working Eagle Golf in Leeds since 1980. Right here, they’ve all the time been within the enterprise of re-selling used golf equipment alongside new ones—offering a superb alternative to get your fingers on some high quality tools at way more reasonably priced costs.

We quizzed Paul on what issues to concentrate on when both seeking to offload some previous gear or, certainly, shopping for second-hand.

What do you have to concentrate on when shopping for from a non-public vendor?

In terms of golf golf equipment particularly, search for issues like bent shafts, and examine them from a 90˚ angle each methods, checking for dents. Generally, there may be a bend within the hosel, as golf equipment will be knocked about on the vary.

Additionally, look out for shafts which may have been changed, and which may not match your set. Many golf equipment can have been fitted for the earlier proprietor, so verify how they’ve been put collectively and guarantee they give you the results you want.

Rust spots don’t are inclined to have an effect on something from a efficiency perspective—that’s extra beauty.

What gained’t you purchase in?

Fairly
a lot something that we are able to re-sell, we are going to purchase in.

There gained’t be a lot curiosity in odd irons or low-cost package deal offers as they’re largely alloy metals, so we wouldn’t purchase them. We additionally should be cautious of fakes. For instance, the Scotty Cameron putters are value rather a lot, so folks typically make copies.

Nonetheless,
there are fewer fakes about than there was. The newer fashions have
a serial quantity on the shaft, close to the grip—which helps you determine real
ones.

Quite a lot of fakes can nonetheless be fairly troublesome to identify, although. I had somebody within the store a few years in the past who had purchased a set of golf equipment overseas for his spouse. They weren’t costly however actually weren’t low-cost both, and whenever you swung them, a few the irons have been ridiculously heavy—so we might inform they have been fakes.

Generally, the distinction between a real membership and a pretend will be very delicate.

What are the advantages of shopping for golf gear from a longtime enterprise?

You’re
all the time taking an opportunity in the event you’re shopping for tools from a person. However in the event you’re
shopping for from a longtime retailer, they’ll have vetted the whole lot intently.

With us, you need to purchase the product earlier than taking it away, however you get a 14-day alternate interval, so in the event you don’t prefer it, you’ll be able to alternate it.

We’ll
additionally advise you and suit you for second-hand golf equipment so it can save you fairly a bit
of cash on a brand new set. Know-how strikes on however in actuality, a number of tools
that was produced 5-10 years in the past can have little or no distinction to what’s
being produced in the present day. One factor that has modified, although, is lofts, which have
received stronger.

My largest piece of recommendation in the event you’re shopping for second-hand golf equipment is to take action from someplace you’ll be able to really strive them out. 

What kinds of financial savings may we anticipate from shopping for second-hand gear?

If
you’re taking a look at a earlier driver mannequin, you’re in all probability taking a look at financial savings
between £100-150 for a membership in good situation. So, you’ll nonetheless be
getting a premium driver from a few years in the past however for round half the
worth.

A
fairway wooden, for instance, that was made 10 years in the past will nonetheless carry out effectively
in the present day, too. Nonetheless, beware of shopping for on the finish of a promoting cycle for top-end
golf equipment, as there are sometimes even additional worth reductions of round 20-30% on the
finish to make manner for brand spanking new fashions.

The TaylorMade driver cycle is normally 12 months, whereas Ping is round 18-24 months.

How does half alternate work when shopping for and promoting golf tools?

This varies. What we do is figure out what we are able to promote a membership for relying on its situation. If a driver is value £300 within the store, we would offer you £300 in the event you have been spending £700 on high. In the event you have been spending £300 within the store, we would offer you £200-225. Clients can spend any cash they get from golf equipment on no matter they like with us.

Are extra folks shopping for second-hand now?

I’d
say we in all probability promote extra second-hand golf equipment than brand-new ones. The worth of
irons has modified considerably within the final couple of years, and so they’ve grow to be
very costly.

Presently, it’s in all probability about 75-25% in favour of second-hand purchases, however that’s our enterprise mannequin. Folks typically assume that purchasing second-hand gear simply means taking a membership away, and that’s it—however we are able to present correct suggestions on how a membership is performing for them. We are able to measure the clubhead velocity and do a static membership becoming with irons to find out what lie and shaft size clients want.

Are second-hand golf equipment extra appropriate for inexperienced persons and excessive handicappers?

You
might go to an important becoming centre and, in fact, that’s one of the simplest ways to do it
in case you have the cash, however you can too get fortunate and discover a set of second-hand
golf equipment which can be suited to you (or are even higher) elsewhere.

Each membership has totally different traits, however in the event you’re simply beginning out, it’s a good suggestion to purchase some high branded ones—a set of irons from 10 years in the past may cost £100-150, and that the standard will nonetheless be there. 

For extra, go to www.eaglegolfleeds.co.uk

Whether or not you’re shopping for or certainly promoting golf tools, it’s possible you’ll wish to make sure that the gear you utilize is protected with specialist golf insurance earlier than your subsequent spherical.

With Golf Care, insurance policies embody Tools Cowl as much as £7,500 and Public Legal responsibility as much as £10m so you’ll be able to play with peace of thoughts.

Click on on the banner under to study extra and get a quote.