Buying Used Golf Clubs Worth It? My Take | StickHawk
Posted by Colin on Oct 07, 2026
New golf clubs are expensive. A new driver can cost double what comparable used driver might cost. So it's fair to ask whether buying used is a smart way to save or just a way to end up with someone else's problems.
In my opinion **for most golfers, buying used is one of the best moves you can make.** You just have to know what you're buying, and who you're buying it from.
Where the Savings Come From
Golf clubs lose value fast, and most of that happens in the first year or two. Once a club isn't the newest model anymore, even though it performs exactly like it did the day it came out, its price drops a lot. It's the same concept as buying a new car, as soon as you drive it off the lot, the value drops by 30%.
Club technology does improve, but slowly. A driver from two or three seasons ago is very close to this year's model. The average golfer won't notice a difference between 2026 driver and a 2021 driver in a blind test. Honestly, it would take a very competent golfer to notice a difference in 10 year old driver. Once a driver is 15 years old is about the age where golf clubs start to feel and perform noticeably different.
A Titleist GT1 Driver was released in February 2025 for $650. Just under 2 years later we are selling this one for $400. Titleist GT1 Driver 10* Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Black 65g Stiff RH NEW and that one is still in plastic!
**That individual club is probably gone by the time you click, but check out these other GT1's that range from $300 to $400 -->Titleist GT1 Drivers
What to Watch Out For
Buying used goes wrong when you can't see what you're getting. Here's what matters:
Counterfeits - Fake clubs are a real problem, especially on open marketplaces. They look right in photos and play terribly. Buy from a seller who checks authenticity.
Face wear - A worn-out face on an iron or wedge (especially smooth, shiny grooves) costs you spin and control.
Shaft damage - Cracks, dents, or splintering near the hosel can mean a shaft that's about to fail. Check graphite shafts carefully.
Dents and sky marks - Dents on a driver crown can hurt performance. Sky marks (scuffs on the top from popping the ball up) are mostly cosmetic but should be priced accordingly.
Worn grips - Easy to fix, but budget for it. Slick, cracked, or hard grips need replacing.
The wrong specs - A great club in the wrong flex, loft, or length is still the wrong club. Check that the specs match your game.
When Buying New Makes More Sense
Used isn't always the answer. New might be the better call if:
You've been custom fit - and need specific lengths, lie angles, or shafts that are hard to find used.
Vanity - You want the newest model the week it launches. That's a fine reason, just know you're paying for it.
Necessity - Wedges wear out faster than any other club. If you practice a lot, a fresh wedge makes a noticeable difference. (Although, if you're buying them often and wearing them out quickly this is probably a reason to buy used, who's to say.)
How StickHawk Makes Used a Safer Bet
Buying used should mean saving money, not taking a gamble. Here's what we do:
Every club is hand-inspected by a real person before it's listed.
Every club is authentic - We don't sell knockoffs, ever.
Honest grading - Every club is graded as New, Average, or Heavy Wear, and while words are nice, pictures are worth one thousand of those. We take pictures of every club we list so you know exactly what you're getting before it shows up.
Free shipping - How nice is that?
Return Policy - There are companies that have generous return policies and then there are companies that have GENEROUS return policies, I tend to believe we firmly plant ourselves in the latter group. Be reasonable, be kind, and we will take care of you.
The Bottom Line
If you know what to look for, or buy from someone who checks for you, used clubs get you nearly all the performance for a fraction of the price. That leaves more in your budget for rounds, lessons, or the next upgrade. Go through any cost-benefit analysis or pros and cons list and the outcome for will be the same, used clubs are the way to go.
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