What's the consensus on clones?

**Alex1** · December 27, 2008

What do you think of clones? Are they ok, or do they tend to be poorly made? What's the best brand of clones?

**TCCcaddie** · December 27, 2008

I think that you are better off spending your money on a set of used reputable clubs then shell out for poorly made clubs.

**RocketSauce** · December 27, 2008

i personally have never used clones. but my cousin recently got a set of Callaway clones and he never used clones his entire life either, but he says they are just as good as the regular Callaways. he is a single digit hc.

**denver_nuggs_15** · December 27, 2008

My dad has a set of clones. Ping G2 irons I think. I used to play with his Callaway X hybrid clone.
I can say that the clones that he has are good. I will not say that they are as good as the real clubs, but they are good clubs.
If you are going to order a set, make sure that the shafts are good. The only problem that I found with clones is that the shafts are not great. Upgrade the shafts; it will make a difference.

I would stay away from clone drivers and woods. The metals used will not be as good as the name brand. As for wedges, I would think that name brand wedges would and should be much better than a clone.

Seriously though, his irons are good. His hybrid was sweet except for the R flex 55 gram shaft. The heads were (supposedly) made with the same exact technology as their counterparts.

**mkrolewski** · December 27, 2008

Personally, I appreciate the value in the non-major brands. At as much as a fifth of the cost of major brands, they represent good value.

Most components are manufactured in China. That goes for almost all brands -- clone or not.

For major brands, a lot of the price is reflected in the amount of marketing. That high price does not necessarily reflect vastly superior quality or performance. Are there better designs out there? Of course. But these are golf clubs. A lot of the design constraints are limited by the USGA.

Going to the numerous web stores, you can get a "generic" fitting and often modify the shafts and grips to suit your needs.

I personally have used hirekogolf.com and have several friends who have bought from pinemeadowgolf.com. I have had no issues or problems with the clubs. In fact I have found the quality and performance to be quite good.

I have bought major brands -- mill faced wedges seem to only exist as major brands or at the same price as the major brands.

**golfmonke** · December 27, 2008

I had a set of King Snake irons when I was in high school. They had Dynamic gold shafts in them and were long.

When I switched to Golfsmith Tour Cavity irons my distances became more consistent but they were not as long. I don't attribute this to "being a clone" but rather they were more of a game improvement style iron which can really juice up your shots. Must have a higher COR.

So, I would say depending on the clone, they could be very good.

**ks8829** · December 27, 2008

Used set of brand name club on ebay for under $150

http://cgi.ebay.com/MIZUNO-COMP-EZ-F...3A1%7C294%3A50

**Range King** · December 27, 2008

If I want or need to go cheap, I would rather play 1, 2, 5, or 10 year old equipment, before I buy clones.

Anyone else have a problem with the concept of clones? Just copying someone elses inventions?

**RocketSauce** · December 27, 2008

Anyone else have a problem with the concept of clones? Just copying someone elses inventions?

thats all Scotty Cameron does (copies someones elses designs).... like i said above, ive never used clones, but if someone wants a

new set of the latest Callaway or TaylorMade irons but cant afford them, whats wrong with buying a new set of clones that look the same??? i have no problem with clones whatsoever.

**Big_M** · December 27, 2008

While I have two clone clubs in the bag... I would suggest sticking with OEM's and trusted component companies (i.e. Maltby, Snake Eyes, KZG, SMT Miura, Wishon, etc.). Clones might be fine (mine seem to hit well), but you never really know what the quality is unlike OEM's and good component companies who will stand behind thier product. Also, you never really know if you have an illegal club.

hos327 · December 28, 2008

Not to beat a dead horse as it's been brought up before, don't confuse clones with componet equipment (Wishon, Snake Eyes, KZG, etc.) Componets are usually manufactured with better tolerances than oem. If you're talking about actual clones (e.g. XX2, Colloway, Tyler Made (you get the idea)), they can be awful. Materials, specs, etc. Not trying to insult those of you that have had good luck with them, but as a whole market they leave a lot on the table as far as quality. Theoritically, I wouldn't have a problem with a beginner picking up one of these sets but when you can buy a used set 'normal clubs' at the same cost I couldn't justify it.

**jonjones** · December 28, 2008

thats all Scotty Cameron does (copies someones elses designs)....

WOW!

I don't necessarily have a problem with "clones" if the person buying them knows the difference between TaylorMade and TylerMade. My first set was an R7 wanna be from Sports Authority. For a beginner set they were ok. The graphite was more like PVC, the heads were a metal "blend", but, a $1000 set of clubs would not have made any difference in my game at that time. If I had to do it over again, I would buy a set of used quality clubs. But that's just me.

**PiKapp23** · December 28, 2008

Clones are not necessarily bad because they are not brand name, but they are not built to the same spec necessarily. Most companies building clones are trying to replicate the look of brand name clubs, but may not be replicating the club in terms of the quality and the benefits of the brand name club they are cloning. Some use lesser quality materials as well.

i started with a set of Ping clones many many years ago and never had an issue with them, but then again I didn't know any better. Worst case they might be a good set to get you setup. I know people who play clones and swear they are as good. As many people have pointed out, you can probably get a nice set of name brand clubs that are a couple years old for same price or less, but it's really up to you. If you are buying clones and having them custom build for you (properly fitted by club fitter and built to those specs) you might be ahead with clones, providing they are good quality. I wish I knew some reputable brands in them, but I really don't. Maybe someone else can provide some brands to look at for clones...

**RocketSauce** · December 28, 2008

anyone remember the King Snake irons? those seemed to be just as good as the King Cobras at the time. how about the Big Bursars? hehe

**CrazyO_8** · December 28, 2008

Most of my bag is cloned. I have hit them side-by-side and don't feel a difference. Also had a 4 handicap try them and he said the same thing. Diamondtourgolf FTW.

**RocketSauce** · December 28, 2008

Most of my bag is cloned. I have hit them side-by-side and don't feel a difference. Also had a 4 handicap try them and he said the same thing. Diamondtourgolf FTW.

i think that is probably the case for most decent clones. i would think that as long as there is a decent shaft on the club, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the clone and the oem head.

**CrazyO_8** · December 28, 2008

i think that is probably the case for most decent clones. i would think that as long as there is a decent shaft on the club, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the clone and the oem head.

Yeah, definitely upgrade the shafts. The grips, too. Clone grips tend to be on the short-lived side. I put in Harrison Premier Lite 85 Steel shafts and I love them. Good feel and pretty light.

**Fraser** · December 29, 2008

thats all Scotty Cameron does (copies someones elses designs)....

All he does?

Strange as I've seen quite a few patented designs come from the Cameron staple.

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