Titleist Iron Authenticity?

[JPK1988]

Looking for any club guru's out there?  I just bought a split set (3-4 AP2, 5-P MB 712) of Titleist irons on eBay.  I scoured over 100s of pictures of authentic irons before bidding, and now that I have the irons in hand, can confirm that by the eye test, these irons pass.

BUT..

There are no serial numbers, anywhere.  The seller claimed they were a custom set (should have a serial number on every hosel), maybe they were off the rack (should be on the 6 iron).  No and no.  The only other possibility I am finding online is they were a "tour issue" head...no serial number?? Any help on this would be hugely appreciated.  I have contacted the seller but no answer yet (shocking)..next step is contacting PayPal/Titleist counterfeit protection.

Any body have any thoughts? I can post some pics.

[JPK1988]

seller response:

eBay sent this message to Jameson Kokolis (tmgolfer88). Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more .

	Seller has responded to your question about this item

Do not respond to the sender if this message requests that you complete the transaction outside of eBay. This type of offer is against eBay policy, may be fraudulent, and is not covered by buyer protection programs. Learn More

Dear, First off I'm far from a distributor. I'm a club ho that buys a new club every few months and sells what I don't keep. These irons were bought off of eBay from another user. He had them listed as "Tour Issue" so assuming that might have to do with the no serial number? I did notice when regripping them that the 8, 6 and 3 irons had initials, a date and serial number toward the top of the shaft. Again I have no idea what that means but you seem to be knowledgeable about this so hoping it helps. Thanks - kinderklubs

Click the Respond button to reply through Messages, or go to your email to reply

[JPK1988]

Visually they match perfectly.  They feel right.  It's just that damn serial number.

[iacas]

Do you have a local pro shop to which you can take it? The local Titleist rep would be interested in seeing them.

[JPK1988]

Yeah, my head pro is a Titleist rep.  I was gonna swing by in the morning.  Also called the local club fitter (he's a Top 100 GD Club fitter, pretty sharp guy), but he said without a serial number there wasn't much he could do.  Other than a magnet test ? on the AP2, which he said was less reliable with the 712 and 714.  I guess the mystery remains open for now.  Also, eBay seller referred me to the original seller HE got them from on eBay who in fact made the "tour issue" claim.  Waiting for his response.

[David L Yskes]

If those are fakes, they are the best looking fakes ive ever seen.. Id say for sure the mb's are legit... The ap's look legit but who knows...

[cristphoto]

I have a set of AP-2's and each club has a serial number on the hosel.

[dwade247]

I mean they look great, and if they feel great, and the seller at least has some reasoning for them not have serial numbers I would probably lean towards them being legit. It's hard to make a good feeling fake forged iron. What kind of shafts are in them? I would compare the shafts to ones you think are legit too. I don't think too many people put premium shafts in fake clubs and vise versa.

If you have recently purchased them and don't trust that they are legit you can make a claim on eBay. Then the seller will have to make you some type of offer that you accept or eBay will get involved with their buyer protection.

I did this with a set of irons that were supposed to be new but had significant scratches on the face. I contacted the seller with a notice to eBay that the item was not as described. EBay opened a case and then the seller and I had so long to figure it out before eBay stepped in. The seller agreed to refund me if I pain the return shipping. I took that deal cause 20bucks was worth getting those clubs out of my hands without too much trouble.

I would take it to some Titleist guys and see what they have to say. May also want to call Titleist and see if they put serial numbers on tour issue clubs. I would also take off one of the grips the seller said had some numbers and initials under them and see if that means anything to Titleist. If they don't trust it then I would get your money back.

[StrayCat]

I bought a set of 712 MB's a year ago off e-bay and they all have a serial number located 90 degrees to the right of where it says 712 in your second photo (the 7 iron).  Certainly doesn't mean they're fakes if they don't have it, hell, mine could be fakes because they do.

As David said above, if those are fakes they're the best I've seen.  They look exactly like mine.  So either we're both good or we both bought from the same forger.

Curious about the sellers comment about the shafts though.  One of the first things I did was re-grip the clubs and noticed a sticker on the 6 or 7 iron shaft (can't remember which) that was a hologram type thing that said Titleist (they're project x shafts).  If you're not in love with those grips I'd pull them off and see just what the seller was talking about, might give you some peace of mind.

[newtogolf]

I remember reading that mixed sets special ordered from Titleist did not get serial numbers stamped on them as their regular sets do.

[JPK1988]

So...The original seller (eBay user who sold them to the user I bought them from), made the assertion I expected he would...They are "tour issue".  And I guess I will admit I believe it.  I have shown them to a handful of people who are extremely familiar with Titleist irons, and the consensus seems to be that they are real... @newtogolf , I guess a "custom order" set will lack serial numbers on every club except for the 6 iron, straight off the rack sets will have serial numbers on every iron.... and supposedly "tour issue"...i.e. built on the tour van/ custom built for a team titleist pro on the lower tours/built for a club pro, tend to lack any serial numbers.. @StrayCat ...The clubs came with wrap grips which I can't stand so they will be coming off soon, and I plan to check and see what exactly the initials/dates are on the shafts.

Most importantly I guess is the fact that the feel off the face/ball flight/feeling of toe misses and thin shots, is exactly what I remember authentic 712s feeling like when I demo'd then a year or so ago off the rack...So I've come to the conclusion that fake or not (hopefully not haha), they still feel good and produce the shots I expect, so I am happy enough.  And can't beat the price, they are practically mint.

[dwade247]

Cool! Enjoy em!