Used Golf Clubs vs. New: Is It Worth Buying Pre-Owned?

It’s a well known fact that to golf is to say goodbye to the lovely green friends in your wallet. In fact, it’s a familiar name on many “Most Expensive Sports to Get Into” lists including this one from BroBible where it ranks number 8 after sports like F1/Auto Sports, Equestrian, and Elite Sailing- you know the biggest of the big when it comes to sports. 

So when you’re just getting into golf, it’s probably going to be a bit intimidating looking at the cost breakdown of everything you need to be on the greens. And the last thing you or I want is to quit before you can experience the freeing movement of your first swing; or that “kaplunk” sound you get when your ball finally rolls into the hole. 

That brings us to why we’re here today, a question that’s been asked countless times by both newbies and seasoned pros alike: Used Golf Clubs vs. New: Is It Worth Buying Pre-Owned?

We’re going to answer that question as well as talk about other related inquiry’s based on this popular topic.

In this article we’ll talk about:

• Pros and Cons of Used and New Golf Clubs
• Golf Club Durability 
• Where to Buy Used Golf Clubs 

With so many makes and models of golf clubs out there, it’s no wonder why there’s so much debate on if you should go used or stick with new.

Pros and Cons of Used and New Golf Clubs

There are pros and cons to buying both used and new golf clubs, so let’s set 'em out for you so you can get a clear idea of what we’re talking about here.

Pros to Buying Used

• You’re spending less money. Probably the biggest pro out there in terms of used versus new is saving your wallet some stress. New golf clubs are costly, sets can come upwards of $1,800, while individual clubs will run you anywhere from $300 to $600 each. When you’re going through a reputable seller, you’re looking to save hundreds, if not thousands, on a complete set. That money can be used to book future tee-times, pay for repairs, and other expenses of the sport.
• You’re testing the waters, or greens if you will. Golfers are always trying to improve the way they swing and that means their golf clubs from when they started might not be the right fit for them anymore. Constantly buying golf clubs when you’re unsure of what works best for you is definitely not a smart idea. Especially when you’ve yet to really find your groove in the game. You don’t have to commit to a big price tag just yet, and that’s why used is gonna be your best friend.
• You’re a casual player, or looking to be casual. If you aren’t looking to be out there consistently improving your game to make it to the big leagues, then there’s really no reason to be buying a new model every time they come out. Used clubs offer just the same value as newer models, maybe even more so in some cases.
• Older models work just as good as newer ones- (most of the time). Sure, with every new golf club that comes out, there are advancements on previous models. But there are some clubs that are perfect, and are considered to be perfect by the general golfing community along with the greats that play with them in tournaments. There are so many kinds of clubs out there and with that comes the guarantee that you’ll find a more-than agreeable set that’s just as good as ones that have yet to even come out. 
• You won’t deal with the regret. We know about buyer's remorse, it happens when you make a big purchase and a few days, weeks, or months later you say to yourself “what the heck was I thinking?” That can happen with golf clubs, and it’s even worse when the clubs you thought fit your swing right aren’t up to par with you right now. Keeping things fresh, ironically means buying old so you can continue to save and find the rest clubs that feel good on the fairways. 

Cons to Buying Used

• You might be more likely to be scammed. Depending on where you go, there’s a chance you might not be getting what is being advertised. Online individual sellers might not be as honest as they claim to be which can lead to unhappy customers. You want to find reputable sellers like StickHawk, 2nd Swing, and other known golf retailers to ensure you’re getting what you’re looking for.
• You might be facing a quality drop-off. Although many used golf clubs are just as good as their successors, some of their predecessors are in need of that upgrade. And when you buy used, you’re missing out on potentially enhancing your swing.
• There’s a lack of warranty. Most, if not all the time, when buying used, that’s it. You’re one and done, you buy it, you keep it. And if you want to re-sell you’re gonna have to resort to local shops who accept trade-ins or post them online. If there’s a problem or they don’t fit your swing like you thought, you won’t be able to give them and get your money back.

The best kind of clubs you can buy are the ones that best fit your body’s natural movements.

Pros to Buying New

• You’re getting the latest in golf-tech. When you’re buying new, you know you are getting what golf-club makers deem to be “the best” right now, and if you’re someone who's always looking for what’s shiny and new this could be a huge draw for you. With the golf climate always changing and advancing, having something that’s considered good to be an upgrade on an old favorite isn’t a bad shout.
• You’re getting a custom fitting and custom clubs. When you go to get your first custom fitting from a professional, they will give you the exact stats and clubs you need so you can play your best and we’d say 80% of the time it’s always going to be “new” or “new and custom.” Custom clubs that are built from the ground up will be your best chance at a score you’re happiest with.
• You won’t need to buy any again for a while. If you’re buying new then you probably won’t need to buy any golf clubs again for the foreseeable future. Especially if you’re buying something from 2024+. They are being built with the best quality materials, which means in a decade you’ll still be swinging with stuff that’s more than agreeable.

Cons to Buying New

• You’re going to be spending a lot of money. Similar to our “pro’s” column, with new clubs you’re going to be out a pretty penny. And if you’re just getting started, that can be a real bummer to spend all that money and not play the way you want, or have time to get to the courses as much as you thought you would. 
• Your current swing might change. Your goal, like with any sport, is to improve the more you play. So buying new clubs that are fit for your current build and wanting to improve might be costing you in the long run, and not just money. 
• They’re less user-friendly than older models. You know when you buy a new pair of shoes and it takes like a week or so for them to feel good on your feet? Think of that happening for golf clubs as well. Golf clubs can be broken in and new ones right off the rack won’t feel or hit nearly as good as ones that have had some hours put into them.

Golf Club Durability

When you’re thinking about golf, one of the first things you think about is that classic image of a silhouette swinging their arms back and driving that baby as fast and as far as possible so they can get it closer to the hole.

A little bit of luck, skill, and hope will get your ball where it needs to be- every golfer knows this.

One aspect that we believe isn’t talked about nearly enough when it comes to the debate of “used versus new” clubs is the durability of these clubs. Yes you’re swinging hard and fast with your driver, but with the way things have advanced in the last twenty years, a lot of clubs are going to last you a long while, and that means the used ones you’re considering buying are going to be just as good as the new ones.

For example:

Drivers have stayed the same in terms of the technology and materials used to build the club for a while now, there hasn’t been any huge swings (hah) for this type of club which means as long as the face isn’t cracked you’re looking to enjoy your driver from anywhere between 5 to 10 years.

Woods and Hybrids are driver’s cousins and they, unlike the driver, have seen improvements in recent years to warrant an upgrade. But since they are constantly improving, you will more than likely have a decent shot at keeping them in your bag for a long time, meaning any used clubs you pick up will be more than up to snuff. You can enjoy any model from the last decade and be more than happy with them.

Irons are built to last. We can’t stress that enough. Made with stainless steel, you will be able to pick up an iron set from a decade plus ago and still feel like it’s just off the shelf.

Wedges can take quite a beating considering they are the club used to get your ball(s) out of sticky situations, so we’d recommended getting a used wedge in “good” quality condition at the very least. They can handle a bit of wear and tear though since they are built exactly for their purpose, so any from the last 5 years oughta do you good.

Putters are the club that like irons, will last you pretty much forever. Pros on the TV will use the same ones they’ve had since the beginning of their career and that means any you shop for in the used market will be more than worth the buy.

Where to Buy Used Golf Clubs 

Remember when we talked about how you need to find a reputable vendor for all of your used golf clubs? Well we have one, one that just so happens to be loved by many and is as reliable as they come. You’ll be able to get the right kind of quality used golf clubs you need with no extra hassle and no unnecessary fuss.

Our story is a simple one, what started out as a side-venture in the highs and lows of selling shoes on eBay, has now turned around to be a business with 20 full-time employees, a 15,000 square foot warehouse, and relationships with private golf courses all over the U.S. At StickHawk you can make your putting dreams come true as we sell quality drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, iron sets, single irons, wedges, putters, complete club sets for those who need the basics to play today, and accessories.

We want to match you with the golf club(s) of your dreams. You can take our “Club Decider Quiz,” which is clickable on the bottom right hand side of our website, and it will help you decide the exact right make and models you need to feel good while you’re on the course. 

One aspect, amongst many, that makes us stand out from the crowd is our fast and dependable shipping. There’s no need to worry about finding the right club and then not getting it in time to go on the greens. We want you to get out and play just as much as you do, that’s why we offer free shipping on all domestic orders, (unless you choose expedited shipping at checkout).

Find your used golf clubs here at Stick Hawk!

So, when it comes down to used golf clubs vs. new, we think we’ve decided to align ourselves with old reliable. There are many more pros when it comes to getting used clubs rather than the shiniest model off the shelves and we hope you consider StickHawk to be the place you next visit so you too can partake in joining us on the greener side of things.