A little over a year ago, I posted about the growing problem of counterfeit golf clubs. But recently, Callaway has come forth with a new innovation to help combat this problem.
According to a company press release, its new labeling system (which has been rolled-out only in Australia and New Zealand thus far) will require a polarized film to view the authentic label (see picture at left). Callaway says this safeguard will provide consumers a guarantee of authenticity (I hear you, it would suck to buy a set of clubs for $500-plus and find out they are fugazi’s).
Apparently, club counterfeiting at this level is something that has been going on for a few years now. Back in 2007, the folks at globalgolf.com, along with WRAL, did a story on phony clubs (check it out HERE). And then there’s this great video from last year explaining how to spot a counterfeit (will the beginning golfer be able to tell?):
This makes me wonder; if these counterfeiters put the same effort they exerted in counterfeiting into something legit, they would probably be doing just as well. Needless to say, they also wouldn’t have the stress or fear of getting caught lurking over them. But, I guess if this world didn’t have counterfeiters, we wouldn’t know what’s real.
Hit’em long…yell FORE!!! Use a real club…
It truly is amazing the lengths that these counterfeiters will go to.
This is exactly why I flatly refuse to buy clubs from anywhere other than a well-known retailer (online or brick and mortar store), a pro shop, or from a person whom I know personally and can glean the actual pedigree of the club before I buy.
Even then, there’s no guarantee but the odds are much better. I don’t think I could ever buy a club from eBay or Craigslist or somewhere like that because I wouldn’t even know how to tell the difference.
I think you brought up an excellent point that these counterfeiters are going through so much trouble they should just make legit club. Yet another reason to only buy from trusted online sites not those scammy one’s where you can save a few bucks.