Three Things to Consider Before Buying Used Clubs
Though hardly an ambassador for the sport, political commentator and author, P.J. O’Rourke, has been widely quoted for his description of the game of golf: “Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick.” Indeed an oversimplification, the immediate absurdity of comparing a golf club to a stick is readily apparent to anyone at all familiar with the sport. However, many golfers may still fall subject to this simplistic mindset that any golf club will do so long as the golfer can swing the club well. Alternatively, the at times overwhelming complexity of mastering the golf swing, and the amount of time committed golfers spend on improving that swing, often significantly outweighs the focus, and concomitant time and effort necessary, to ensure that one’s equipment is on par too. Below are three pointers to consider before potentially short-circuiting one’s game with used golf clubs.
- Used Clubs are … Used
Common sense speaking here: you get what you pay for. While new golf clubs are expensive, and there is no sense arguing otherwise, used golf clubs are less expensive because there is risk involved that a subsequent purchaser assumes. Grooves become smoother, shafts become weaker, grips wear down, joints loosen. Sometimes these deficiencies are not readily apparent to the untrained eye; and definitely not apparent through most pictures posted online. While all of these potential problems may be remedied, they must be remedied at a cost. Further, though replacing the shaft or head on a golf club will not break the bank, one would be better off purchasing a new set than paying to replace the head, shaft, or both, on an entire set of clubs.
- Used Clubs May Have Been Fitted to Someone Else’s Size and Swing
Many golfers (and you should if you do not) get their golf clubs fitted. By purchasing used golf clubs, one runs the risk of buying a non-standard set of clubs. Some aspects of fitting may be replicated again for the new owner; others maybe not. Added expense will be involved to address an ill-fitting set of clubs.
- Technology
People have come to terms with the fact that a laptop computer is going to be severely outdated, if not irrelevant, in three years. The pace of computer technological advancement is widely accepted and established. With advances in golf club technology occurring regularly, many golfers miss out by choosing to buy used. Don’t fall subject to P.J. O’Rourke’s view of the golf club as a stick; it’s 2015, and technology is improving the quality of golf clubs just like it is improving the quality of cars, computers, and phones. While the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” probably goes well with a set of golf clubs one has found that fits her game and style, one who is thinking about buying used clubs is already on the market. Buying used golf clubs precludes obtaining the benefits inherent in technologically up to date golf clubs.
Being miserable on the golf course cannot be measured in dollars and cents. And while every golfer has his day when it doesn’t matter how well his clubs fit he still struggles at striking the ball, the more comfortable one is with his clubs, the more confidence he brings onto the course. What with golf being so much a mental battle, the added confidence of wielding a club that is his and his alone, will benefit every golfer’s game. Buying used may reduce some of this confidence. Just something to think about.
