Wednesday 13 June 2012

Giving Clone Golf Clubs A Try


Many golfers have the mistaken notion that expensive brand name golf clubs are the best. This is not always true. Have you heard of clone golf clubs? Now before you dismiss clones as cheap “knock-offs”, let me explain why you should give clone clubs a try.

A clone club is one whose design is similar to that of an advertised name brand. You’ve probably heard of clone PCs and generic brand medicines. They are very similar or, more often than not, exactly the same as their brand names counterparts. The difference is usually that brand names have huge advertising budgets while clones do not. The same is true for clone golf clubs.

The golfing industry adheres to strict standards that cover all club makers – be it the major brands or lesser-known ones. The weight specification of clone club heads is exactly the same as named brands. Materials used for club heads by major brands are also used by clones. Almost all irons, be it branded or clones, are made of 17-4 stainless steel, or 431 stainless steel. The same goes for most metal woods; which are made of 17-4 stainless steel, or 6AL4V Titanium.

And the actual manufacturing of the club head is done by less than 10 foundries that  together have a market share of 90%. These foundries manufacture heads for Titleist®, Cobra®, Callaway® and Wilson® to name a few. And clones club makers are able to get their clubs from these same foundries as well.

Essentially, golfers are able to get the same quality branded of clubs from clone clubs. But why the huge difference in cost? Understandably many golfers are hesitant to buy cheaper clubs because they think the quality is cheap too. The difference in cost, as mentioned above, is because the major brands spend millions every year on advertising.

Some people may argue that clones are riding on the popularity and advertising budget of brand names by claiming to be “similar to” so-and-so brand. While this may be true, a golfer who is out to look for quality but inexpensive clubs shouldn’t trouble himself too much by studying advertising costs.

The bottom line is that the consumer is entitled to choose from various options. All golfers should be given the chance to purchase quality golf clubs at a budget that is suited for him. And clone golf clubs are a great option for buyers looking to purchase quality clubs at an affordable price.

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