Buying used golf clubs is the easiest way to upgrade your bag without blowing your budget, and after years of doing it myself, I’m convinced most golfers are overpaying for new gear they don’t need.
Buying Used Golf Clubs: Why I Do It
I’m a 16-handicap weekend golfer, not a tour pro, so I don’t need this year’s release to play well. Manufacturers put out new “must-have” clubs every single year, which means last year’s clubs (still excellent) end up on the used market at 30-50% off. That price drop has nothing to do with performance and everything to do with marketing.
My own bag is a mix, and that’s the point. My irons are Callaway Apex Pro 2021s that I bought pre-owned. My driver is a Callaway Epic that I picked up as an unused demo unit, which got me a steep discount without anyone else having played it. My 3 wood, 3 hybrid, and 4 hybrid are Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke, all gifts from my wife. My wedges are a 52-degree gap wedge and a Titleist SM10 58-degree. Every club earned its spot a different way, and none of it is “this year’s release.”
What to Check Before You Buy Used Clubs
- Grooves on irons and wedges: worn grooves mean less spin, especially out of the rough. Ask for close-up photos.
- Grip wear: cheap and easy to replace, so don’t let bad grips scare you off a good deal.
- Shaft flex and length: make sure it matches your swing speed, not just whatever was popular when the club was new.
- Face wear on drivers and woods: look for paint chips or scratches right on the strike zone, which can hint at heavy use.
- Demo units: ask the retailer directly if a “used” club is actually an unplayed demo. Demos are often in better condition than pre-owned clubs at a similar price.
- Return policy: always buy somewhere that lets you send it back if the fit is off.
Where I’d Buy Used Golf Clubs
I just signed up as an affiliate with 2nd Swing Golf, and it’s worth a look if you’re shopping used. They carry over 100,000 new and pre-owned clubs across every major brand, every one of their stores has certified fitters, and they’ve been a Golf Digest Top 100 Club Fitter every year since 2013. That combination (huge selection plus real fitting expertise) is hard to find anywhere else for used clubs.
If you’d rather trade in your old clubs while you’re at it, 2nd Swing also buys and trades used equipment, which is exactly how I’d offload my old gamers if I ever upgrade again.
For accessories and balls, I still use Amazon. My current go-tos: Titleist Pro V1 and a regripping kit for when a used club needs fresh grips.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need this year’s clubs to play good golf. You need clubs that fit your swing and that you trust under pressure. Buying used (or scoring a demo deal) gets you there for a fraction of the price, and it’s exactly how most of my own bag came together.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, including to 2nd Swing Golf and Amazon. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.