All Clones Bad - Hard for me to believe.

[ugapug5150]

I saw some PineMeadow clubs at Academy the other day. That would explain why I'm seeing them more and more around here.

[perlguy9]

I've got 3 Pinemeadow Command hybrids and I like 'em quite a bit. I also picked up a 54deg "Classic Grind" wedge which is pretty nice, but I'm still working out how to hit that one.

[BaronV]

Well I started out with a Pinemeadow clone of a TM 460, it had a weird sound to it and didn't perform as I hoped. I also purchased a command hybrid and a clone of a Callaway heavenwood from them and those two hybrids were really on the money for me.

[Pinseeker81]

I would stay away from clones. All is going well and you think they're your friends, and then boom, someone issues a secret order and they all turn on you and take over the galaxy, far far away.

[LottaBalata]

I would stay away from clones. All is going well and you think they're your friends, and then boom, someone issues a secret order and they all turn on you and take over the galaxy, far far away.

Yeah, that was a bad day for Yoda and Ben. . .bad day As far as clones go. . .I've tried some, I don't see anything wrong with it, especially if someone really wants to play but can afford a nice set. . .At least I use to think this way. But nowadays you have Certified Callaway used clubs being sold BY Callaway. You can find anthing used you want really. If you buy clubs that are 5 years old, you can find an awesome set on the cheap. I have this one http://www.customgolfsales.com/custTaylFWYss750.htm It was built with a Precision Saver High Vector S65, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I haven't even really tried a different 3 wood in 3 or 4 years. Its my goto club if the driver is even more off than it normally is. So I use to say yeah, try the clone on the cheap. But now you can basically get nice used clubs on the cheap so. . . . . . I guess I would suggest to a young golfer, if they asked, to save just a bit more money and buy a nice used set instead of the cheaper set that looks just like the brand new ones you like. Chances are the use clubs will last longer.

[pat8]

I agree with allin. Some people will lump together good indepndent clubmakers (maltby, bang, smt, infiniti) with cheap knock-off makers, when the good clubmakers really make high quality equipment at a lower price than the big names. That said, i have a "clone" 3 wood with a ust competition 75 shaft from diamondtourgolf, and i hit it better than any other wood ive tried (although that is not a large number) . I think the shaft is at least if not more important than the head. I remember a quote in golf digest from a clubmaker that was something like this, "i can put the right shaft in a poor clubhead and make it work for anyone. I can put the wrong shaft in the best-designed clubhead in the world, and it will produce poor results." while that maybe is somewhat exaggerated, i think the fact of customization of shaft, length, lie, etc. that "clone" companies have while maintaining a low price is something that draws people to them. I am not saying that all clones are great clubs; i know there are many poor ones out there, but from personal experience quality clones do exist.

[QWKDTSN]

I'm playing with WallyWorld clubs this season (they're branded John Daly but aren't made by Dunlop) because I wasn't sure how 'into' golf I was going to be....I could afford $150 for a full set to get started. They do fine for me for now. Next year I'll get fitted and drop some big bucks.

[Dub]

Clones usually aren't horrible, but to the avid golfer the clones do not offer the same experience or quality that a good set of custom fit clubs will offer. Its kind of like you going to Wal-Mart and picking up the flying fishing special on the shelf. It will get the job done but you can REALLY tell a difference and the difference usually has an impact on how well you enjoy your recreational time with the activity.

Well said.

[MonkeyClaw]

I have a set of Ping G10 irons that I'm very happy with. My wife like them a lot, and I've considered getting her the Pine Meadow Golf clones instead of dropping a grand for hers. I probably won't though - it's a cheap price to pay to avoid a lifetime of ridicule in case they aren't as good!

I think there's a big difference between clones and counterfeits. It should be understood we're not talking about counterfeits here. Nobody thinks they are getting the original thing here, just clubs with very similar designs that are supposed to perform the same.

[wachesawgolfer]

The answer to me is really who knows. All the stuff comes from China these days, with a few exceptions, and the big OEM is out of spec frequently and has its share of qualtiy issues. Who even knows if the same few factories in China make all the stuff, OEM, component, knock off or clones. The cost of OEM stuff (original equipment manufacturers such as Titleist or Taylor Made to name a few) is increased a lot by all the advertising and endorsements and doesn't just mean its of higher quality than the knock offs or clones. I have seen should pretty good clones and knock offs

I think buyers should support OEMs and traditional component makers such as Bang, Alpha, Infinity, KZG, Wishon, etc., if they can, because these companies design and stand behind their products. With most everything else, who knows or cares about you, the user.

[MrSandman]

forget clones. buy used name brands from a place like globalgolf.com instead of going with a clone.

[Surefire]

You can also look at it this way...

Although big name companies spend a lot on advertising and sponsorship, they also spend a lot on research. Once a new club design has been made they need to recover the research cost.
Companies that make a copy do not. However if noone pays for the research it will eventually stop. Also because a club looks the same on the outside, doesn't mean it is the same inside.

[pat8]

Clone companies don't come up with original ideas, its true, but what is so bad about
them using technology that's already been proven? As for clone companies standing behind their products, diamondtourgolf, a company I have purchased clubs from, has a lifetime warranty covering breakage under normal playing conditions.

[pcitygolfer]

No, not all clones are bad. Some are excellent. However, it is hit and miss. With the price of clubs on ebay and on-line, I'm not sure I'd take the gamble. You can get absolutely awesome name brand irons a couple years old that look like new for $150.

I bought a few sets of Mac 565s, and think they are the best irons I have ever hit.

[crooksy]

I think one of the things you need to look at when buying from the 'clone' companies is their policy on returns - especially in cases where you aren't quite sure whether you're making the right decision

Pinemeadow & Gigagolf have a 30 day guarantee where you can use the equipment and if you're not happy you get a full refund, and no restocking fee is charged.

Not all vendors will make this offer, so there must be some level of confidence in their product.

They know they have to go that extra step to convince you they are good quality, so you may as well take advantage of their offer - think pinemeadow has free shipping on orders over 72 bucks as well.

If they don't work out, no loss, just send 'em back and go and get that second hand set from an OEM.

[RJH]

I'm going to add my $.02 to this thread as not many posts have stood up for "Clones". I play "Clones". I have a set of woods, irons and putter that are all "Clones" and I play to a "5" handicap with them. I've built all of them from scratch. All of the shafts have been "PURE"d (a major factor in hitting shots on line).

Now, the big items that all golfers need to find out are:
1. What flex shaft should I play (Reg/Stiff/Senior etc...)
2. What length of shaft should I be playing (standard - 1/2 longer etc..)
3. Should I play standard lie or flat or upright clubs?

All of these can be accomplished with a fitting session from one of the major retailers (GolfSmith or Golf Galaxy do a great job). You'll have the results from the fitting and then you can make an informed choice when purchasing a new, used or "Clone" set of clubs. You'll hit the ball better and score lower.

Here's my set. All graphite shafts except for the putter. It's steel shafted.
Nike Clone - SV2 - Driver (9.5), 3,5,7,9 woods (I haven't met a hybrid that performs consistently for me. These woods do.)
Irons - GolfSmith Forged - 3 through Gap Wedge (3 and 4 irons aren't normally in the bag except for very windy days then the 7 and 9 woods are pulled and replace with the 3 and 4 irons)
Putter - Snake Eyes.
Ball - Callawy - HX Hot (Oh! I also got a ball fitting at Golf Galaxy and found out the Pro V1 wasn't the right ball for me)

I've recently built a new set of irons. They're "Clones" also. The heads are Callaway copies of the X-22 irons with Graphite shafts. I'm testing them to see if they'll replace my GolfSmith irons in the near future.

Regards,
RJH

[Zeph]

If they want to make cheaper sets with less quality than the most known brands, fine by me. The problem I have with clones is that they try to sell them as brand clubs. If I buy a set of Nike Victory Red I expect to get that, made by Nike. If I want a cheaper set, buying one that looks somewhat like the Nike set, but doesn't perform as well is OK, but not buying clubs that they sell as a popular brand model, which is not the case.

The price is usually a lot lower than the original clubs, which is how you usually identify them.

[billysandy]

I sold my playing partner a fake Callaway FTI 9*. (i told him it was fake and he decided to use it for a few weeks to see what he thought) For him, driving is the best part of his game, and i think its solidly down to the club. He hit a 300yard, downhill wind assisted drive today with it today which is pretty big considering he is 13 years old!