Clones and knockoffs

[ks8829]

How about a used set of irons similar to ones below:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mizuno-MX-23-Iro...QQcmdZViewItem


sold mp 30 irons for under $150

http://cgi.ebay.com/MIZUNO-MP-30-IRO...QQcmdZViewItem

[23Rounder]

Clones can be ok but the real issue is that a lot of them are inferior quality. Heads evenually fall off etc. I would recommend a good 2nd hand set.

[teladog1]

I just bought a set of Taylor Made RAC 3-PW off Ebay for $84. I'm stoked. I actually got to hit a set of these earlier this summer and I liked them a lot. Thanks for all the input guys. Much appreciated.

there you have it. why in the world would you buy knock offs when you can buy a great set of irons for 84$. it is a no brainer to me. and for gigagolf's 30 day money back, most golf shops around me give you a 90 day "rental" period with new clubs. plus now he gets to look the part that is a steal for those irons by the way they are nice. did you get the os or lt?

[og512]

there you have it. why in the world would you buy knock offs when you can buy a great set of irons for 84$. it is a no brainer to me.

I got the OS.

[Gambler]

I recently used gigagolf.com to get new clubs. They have a great utility to fit the clubs for your physical characteristics. I'm 6' 5" and needed longer clubs with lie adjustment and midsize grips. I ended up with the GX920 irons (X-18 clones I think) after trying a few other iron sets from them out, they are true to their word of 30 day no risk trial. I bought 4-SW and a LW with upgraded shafts for $201 shipped. They are made well (17-4 stainless steel) and very nice looking. I'm still working on my game, but my old irons felt awful, these are tons better. My theory is, get equipment you are comfortable with and work on your swing until it is worth it to buy name brand equipment.

Ebay is a good route for used equipment if you are of normal size, but if you need any kind of customization, I say go the gigagolf route.

[teladog1]

I recently used gigagolf.com to get new clubs. They have a great utility to fit the clubs for your physical characteristics. I'm 6' 5" and needed longer clubs with lie adjustment and midsize grips. I ended up with the GX920 irons (X-18 clones I think) after trying a few other iron sets from them out, they are true to their word of 30 day no risk trial. I bought 4-SW and a LW with upgraded shafts for $201 shipped. They are made well (17-4 stainless steel) and very nice looking. I'm still working on my game, but my old irons felt awful, these are tons better. My theory is, get equipment you are comfortable with and work on your swing until it is worth it to buy name brand equipment.

good point. the only way i would go with knock-offs would be if i needed an extreme custom fit and i didnt want to fork over 1k$ for new sticks

[mkrolewski]

I think your question is addressing the wrong issue.

IMHO the question that you should be asking is what is the best club design for your game.

Do you need blades, or cavity back? Do you need stiff or regular flex? Which flex point. Which shaft type? Etc, etc. Do I need more lessons? Can you even identify what will improve your game?

I feel that any club that fits your design needs should be good for you. Who builds it is not terribly critical. And as with cars or computers, a higher price does not necessarily mean better quality or better performance or better materials. You may be paying extra for advertising, marketing, player sponsorship(s), hype or name recognition.

Personally, I find non-major manufacturers produce great clubs. For the dollars, my $240 set of irons plays as well as the equivalent $1200+ major brand clubs. That is a lot of lessons or rounds of golf. I do not have to resell them to get the next set as I do not have that much invested in them.

Remember, these "other" club makers were the ones that came up with hybrid designs and the square head drivers. In addition, over time, all the designs converge on the "best" design.

In addition, these clubs are not copies or fakes. The clubs share design features that other manufacturers use as the major manufacturers also share design features with each other. Many of their components are the same ones that the major manufacturers are using. These companies have been around for years and will continue to be there in the future.

I have seen lots of good quality clubs from various "clone" sites including PineMeadows, gigagolf, hireko and the like. The good companies allow custom fitting in length, shaft brand, grips, etc. For many, that is as more important or critical than any other part of the purchase. In addition, these guys have lots of design types, so a bigger selection.

[cape cod beachfront golfer]

When I retired I wanted to reward myself with a good set of irons.
But when I started pricing them the sticker shock was amazing.
Instead a picked up a 1 year old set of Taylormade irons...
for less than half the price of the new ones!
Little real difference in the heads, shafts had only different cosmetics.
Excellent purchase!
BTW my 'old' irons are much classier looking than some of the new gaudy ones.
Who wants irons that look like they could glow in the dark!

[Dub]

I agree with the posters that suggest going with a nice set of name brand new clubs over the clones.