New golf clubs keep getting more and more expensive. The good news is that there are plenty of affordable used golf clubs on the market. At first, you may be on the fence about whether or not used golf clubs are worth it. I get that.
However, if you are smart about what you buy and where you buy from, used golf clubs can be a great solution for your game.
This guide features the best places to buy used golf clubs, what to look for in used golf clubs, and how to ensure you don’t get scammed.
Is It Worth Buying Used Golf Clubs? (Pros and Cons)
As with any other golf-related purchase, there are both positives and negatives. Used golf clubs can work well for many golfers, but it’s certainly not going to be a fit for everyone. As you go through this process of finding the best used golf clubs, here are some of the positives and negatives to keep in mind.
| Pros | Cons |
| Used golf clubs have lower upfront costs than new clubs | Some issues with golf clubs being in poor condition |
| Can sometimes find custom golf clubs fitted to your needs | Have to do quite a bit of research |
| Easier to keep your equipment current without spending too much | Typically can’t be ordered custom |
| Wide selection across a variety of websites | Grip and clubhead condition is not always perfect |
Places To Buy Used Golf Clubs
Now that you have some of the positives and negatives in mind, it’s time to determine where to buy the best used golf clubs. The shopping experience for used clubs is slightly different than for new ones.
Expect to do a bit more research and some price comparison. The sets are not always the same from one website to another.
Here are my top suggestions for where to buy used golf clubs.
Local Golf Stores
The local golf store is still a thing! So many local golf shops have a large selection of used golf clubs. Players that buy and sell clubs will go to local shops because they don’t have to worry about shipping.
In addition, people like local golf shops because they can work with an individual person instead of a large company.
Local golf stores do their best to have some of the latest inventory in stock as well. If they have a place for you to hit the clubs, you may find that this is an excellent place to compare a bunch of used equipment.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook marketplace has become a great spot to purchase used golf clubs. With Facebook marketplace, you will have a mix of people who fully understand golf clubs and their worth and those who do not.
This can be a good thing.
Sometimes people will put a set of clubs up for sale that is underpriced. Sometimes people get left with a garage full of clubs, and they just want them to go. If you are diligent about checking the Facebook marketplace often, it is a great resource to consider.
Amazon
Amazon has both new and used golf clubs. Sometimes they refer to the clubs as being refurbished. Take a look at Amazon seller ratings before deciding if this is a good option for you. Sometimes the Amazon used clubs do not have individual pictures of the set you will be purchasing.
If you want to ensure you get the most for your money, always try to see what the set looks like. In addition, return policies with Amazon individual sellers will be a bit different than that of standard Amazon, so keep a close eye on that.
eBay
eBay has always been the gold standard for used golf equipment. The company knows how to help people create listings with plenty of information, it’s relatively easy to search for gear, and you can get accurate shipping estimates right from the start of your search.
Keep in mind that eBay also has some new equipment that is discounted. Be sure to read exactly what you are getting.
If you are serious about buying used golf clubs, also look at certain sellers. You can see the golf shops out there selling hundreds of golf clubs a season, and they typically have this process down to a science.
One thing that can be a little difficult on eBay is searching for custom golf clubs. You can look for something 1 inch longer or ½ inch short, but it tends to throw off the search results. So instead, you may have to spend a bit of time looking at the individual specifications of each club that interests you.
Global Golf
Global Golf is another website that offers a great selection of used golf clubs. One of the things I love about Global Golf is that they offer both used and new equipment. So if you are searching for a set of Callaway Apex irons and a used Apex set is available, Global Golf will show it in the search results.
This makes it so much easier to make decisions regarding the quality of the clubs as well as the pricing of the clubs.
Related: 5 Best Sites for Used Golf Clubs (for the Budget-Minded)
Manufacturer Website (e.g., Callaway Preowned)
Callaway Preowned is one of the internet’s largest used golf club resources. These are all Callaway golf clubs, and searching through them is very easy. Callaway does a great job of giving you information about the club specs and any customizations made.
With Callaway Preowned, the pricing is fair, and they usually offer free shipping. Some other small brands also provide this type of preowned resource on their website.
What I love about this is the customer service. If you run into an issue, Callaway is a pretty reputable company to be working with. Certainly, a bit more reputable than the garage sale around the corner should you find out the clubs have a problem.
2nd Swing
2nd Swing is another large online retailer with a lot of used golf equipment. With 2nd Swing, you will notice that pricing is fair, and the company is straightforward to work with. If you happen to be trading in some of your old clubs for your new ones, 2nd Swing makes that process easy.
With a company like this, you must do additional research to find something custom-made for your game. However, if you are smart about it, 2nd Swing will be a resource worth checking before making your final purchase.
Through Friends, Family, and Neighbors
We all have that golf friend that can’t stop buying equipment. Just because he has 14 drivers in his garage doesn’t mean he wants them all. Talk to your friends about what equipment they have; sometimes, they may have something they are willing to sell you so that they can upgrade.
In addition to your friends and family, take a look at local garage sales. These garage sales can help you save a good amount of money, but you have to be available to get there when the sale is happening.
There are certainly some deals out there to find for golfers that have some time on weekends to go to these yard sales and community events.
Related: Best Used Drivers
Tips For Buying Used Golf Clubs
Here are a few of my best tips for buying used golf clubs.
Always Use A Reputable Source
Some websites are better than others when it comes to buying used golf clubs. Any of the options on this list are known for being reputable. However, you should also do your research.
I can tell you that if you see some sort of crazy deal where the pricing is excellent, it could mean that there is an issue. Sometimes if something seems too good to be true, it is too good to be true.
Know Your Pricing Beforehand
Before you search for a used set of golf clubs, try to get a general idea of how much you should be paying for what you are looking for. Let’s say, for instance, that you are looking at two-year-old irons.
If these irons initially sold for $1200, they may be reduced to $800 or even $700. However, some clubs hold their value longer, and the price could be considerably higher.
The key is to compare the pricing between a few different websites. So if one set is sold for $700 and another $800, you have a general idea of what this set of irons costs used. There are also some online trade-in or used golf club value calculators that you can use to help.
Spend time learning about pricing, and you will be glad you did. This is the best way to spot a deal.
Read Reviews On The Website/Seller
Look at seller reviews or even the reviews of a website like Global Golf or 2nd Swing. If you are comfortable with how people describe the service and process, you will feel better investing with this company or seller.
There are some bad reviews out there, and these should be considered, as you won’t want to get involved in a situation where the clubs are not as described or there is actual damage with no return.
Take A Look At Shipping Costs
Shipping costs can get expensive. It’s best to look for flat-rate shipping or a seller that will give you a shipping estimate before the purchase is complete. Some golf clubs over a certain amount will have free shipping costs.
You can expect to spend anywhere from $10 to $30 on shipping a new set of irons, so free shipping is certainly a benefit worth taking advantage of.
See Pictures Of The Actual Set
My top advice or tip for buying used golf clubs is to make sure you see pictures of what the set looks like before completing the purchase.
We all know what the Callaway Mavrik or TaylorMade SIM Driver looks like. You will want to see what the actual club you are going to purchase looks like. If you don’t do this, there could be a dent or a scratch that bothers you when you play.
Most clubs with scratches will not have a significant impact on their performance.
However, there are times that a scratch across the top of the clubhead throws off your vision and the way you play the hole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ten-year-old golf clubs do not have technology comparable to what we see today. However, this does not mean they are not worth purchasing. You simply can’t compare the distance and forgiveness capabilities of a 10-year-old golf club with a brand-new golf club.
Used golf clubs are priced based on their original purchase price, age, and condition that they are in. The better the condition and the newer the club, the more expensive it will be.
Garage sales can be a great way to buy used golf clubs. Make sure to have your phone with you to check the values of the golf clubs online while you are checking them at the garage sale. If the costs seem good, compare it to what you can get online and ensure it’s genuinely a good deal.
Beginners can and should buy used golf clubs. The key is finding a club with a good mix of performance for your golf game. Beginners should consider used clubs that are forgiving and high-lofted, not just look for cheap equipment.
A decent set of used golf clubs will likely be around $600-$900. Even used golf clubs have high costs, and this is standard. If you are looking for a great way to get out on the golf course with some impressive equipment that may have been hit a few times, used golf clubs are the way to go.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have a plan now to find yourself some great used golf equipment. If you are smart about this process, you can save hundreds of dollars. Follow these tips, and you will probably have this set of used golf clubs in your bag for years to come.
The bottom line is not to give up on a set of clubs simply because someone has hit them a bit; golf clubs will last quite some time!
