Hey,

What are your thoughts and experiences on cloned golf clubs from "proper" manufacturers in the US?

I found a place called gigagolf and they seem to have some pretty good reviews on there.

Let me know if this place is decent??

I'm keen on some new irons and am not keen on spending $1000 plus on brand names.

I have used clone irons before and found them to be ok

QUOTE: mattlach @ Apr 30 2007, 10:09 AM

Hey,

What are your thoughts and experiences on cloned golf clubs from "proper" manufacturers in the US?

I found a place called gigagolf and they seem to have some pretty good reviews on there.

Let me know if this place is decent??

I'm keen on some new irons and am not keen on spending $1000 plus on brand names.

Most things are not made in the USA but in China

Yes, most components are made in China, but then are assembled in the USA.

I just want to know if anyone knew of this company/site or could tell if their products were decent?..mainly irons.

mattlach,

The quality of any club is determined by two things - the quality of the components and the knowledge & skill of the clubmaker.

So if you use good quality shafts and grips with your clone heads and the clubmaker has the skill and knowledge to correctly make head weight adjustments and loft and lie adjustments, then the club should play just as well, if not better, than an OEM club.

I have only had experience with a few of the lines of clubs used by this clubmaker. The prices seem to be reasonable but shipping will make them less do. While the web site is impressive, it is impossible to know the clubmaker's knowledge or skill levels.

I would recommend that you see a local clubmaker. You may pay slightly more but, if clone heads are used, the price will be in the same ball park as imported clone clubs. Further, you should get better service and be able to be properly fitted.

Mick

So are you suggesting to buy just the clone HEADS? and then buy shafts/grip over here at a local clubfitting guy and have them sort it out from there?

If this is what you are saying, what can i expect to pay per shaft over here?

I've been told by several friends from the US that Gigagolf is quite big over there, and is a quality place to go to.

QUOTE: mattlach @ Apr 30 2007, 10:38 PM

So are you suggesting to buy just the clone HEADS? and then buy shafts/grip over here at a local clubfitting guy and have them sort it out from there?

No. Most clubmakers here will stock the same or similar clone heads. All I am suggesting is that, for a slightly higher price (but within the same ball park), a local clubfitter can properly fit you with the same or similar clubs.

What can i expect to pay per shaft over here?

Again, most component prices will be slightly higher in this country than the US even after shipping is taken into account. However, a local clubmaker should give you a level of service that cannot be equalled overseas. For instance, if something is wrong with a club, simply take it back and it will be replaced (without further shipping costs).

Also the clubs will be properly fit. This is impossible when ordering clubs on-line.

Mick

Lastly instead of clone heads, have a look at the component makers, such as KZG, Wishon, SNakeEyes and Maltby. There are some fantastic quality components in that lot for WAY cheaper than OEM.

Or - go and buy some second hand clubs. RAC LT2 or Mizuno MP30 or RAC TP - Ping S59, all these clubs can be bought cheaply on eBay - and you can customise them with a bit of help.

Enjoy

Add the Alpha irons to Virges list

To give you an example, I paid a clubfitter here $75 to fit me and give me the exact specs I needed. Then I ordered a set of Snake Eyes 600c's with dynamic gold SL shafts from a reputable club maker in the US and got the clubs landed here is OZ for $80 each. The clubs here are $149 each RRP with an average shaft in them. They were delivered in 10 days and the club maker apologised for the delay as he does not stock the SL shaft. Clubs normally take 7 days from order to delivery. All in all a very good experience and just one way of doing things.

QUOTE: philsom68 @ May 1 2007, 12:55 PM

To give you an example, I paid a clubfitter here $75 to fit me and give me the exact specs I needed. Then I ordered a set of Snake Eyes 600c's with dynamic gold SL shafts from a reputable club maker in the US and got the clubs landed here is OZ for $80 each.

This is all well and good. But the trouble is that, even if you know your exact specs, there is no way of knowing if they will come as ordered.

For example, how do you know that your lie angles are correct? And don't say because I am 2° upright, because that means nothing. If you were to buy from a local clubmaker, he would be able to do a dynamic lie fitting WITH YOU, AFTER the clubs are assembled. This, of course, cannot be done by an overseas clubmaker.

Mick

But thats still pretty pricey considering the effort you are going to.

That gigagolf site lets you choose your own shaft and specs.

I'm thinking i get the clubs from them, then maybe take them to my local drummond or golfmart and have them shave them down to my perfect specs etc.

If i did this, how much would one of these places charge for such service???? Ballpark figure is fine.

Thanks guys.

QUOTE: vman @ May 1 2007, 04:54 PM

This is all well and good. But the trouble is that, even if you know your exact specs, there is no way of knowing if they will come as ordered.

For example, how do you know that your lie angles are correct? And don't say because I am 2° upright, because that means nothing. If you were to buy from a local clubmaker, he would be able to do a dynamic lie fitting WITH YOU, AFTER the clubs are assembled. This, of course, cannot be done by an overseas clubmaker.

Mick

I would be very interested how many people on this site have been dynamically tested after their clubs have been assembled - not many is my bet. Anyway we are here to help Mattlach make an informed decision and not to cirticise one method over another.

At the end of the day Mattlach you need to do what you feel comfortable with. The clubs I got are a quality club with a quality shaft and definitley worth the cost. My local Pro will change shaft length for $10 a club and change lie angles for $5 a club. Fitting session can range from $50 to $75 to determine your requirements.

QUOTE: philsom68 @ May 1 2007, 06:55 PM

I would be very interested how many people on this site have been dynamically tested after their clubs have been assembled - not many is my bet.

I got my clubs from Ben and after going through the initial fitting and getting the clubs made, Ben asked that I go back two weeks later to fine tune the clubs. I went back two weeks later and Ben fine tuned each club.

At the end of the day if the price is right then go for it.
Just have your lofts & lies done once they are in your bag.

QUOTE: philsom68 @ May 1 2007, 06:55 PM

I would be very interested how many people on this site have been dynamically tested after their clubs have been assembled - not many is my bet.

Anyone who wants to play good golf should have.

Anyway we are here to help Mattlach make an informed decision and not to cirticise one method over another.

I thought that was what I was doing. There was no critism on my part. I was just pointing out that what might seem to be very cheap clubs may not be once you factor in the costs of shipping and any post purchase adjustments that need to be made.

QUOTE: Reike1 @ May 1 2007, 08:40 PM

I got my clubs from Ben and after going through the initial fitting and getting the clubs made, Ben asked that I go back two weeks later to fine tune the clubs. I went back two weeks later and Ben fine tuned each club.

That's exactly what should happen and is the reason why IMO it is worth seeing a local clubmaker.

QUOTE: timatldg @ May 1 2007, 08:59 PM

At the end of the day if the price is right then go for it.
Just have your lofts & lies done once they are in your bag.

That is another option but by the time you do this, you will be paying roughly the same price as you would have buying them here.

Mick

QUOTE: Sheezy @ Apr 30 2007, 05:46 AM

I've been told by several friends from the US that Gigagolf is quite big over there, and is a quality place to go to.

Never heard of them here in the States.

Well I have heard of them and I am in australia!!

Hey,

What are your thoughts and experiences on cloned golf clubs from “proper” manufacturers in the US?

I found a place called gigagolf and they seem to have some pretty good reviews on there.

Let me know if this place is decent??

I’m keen on some new irons and am not keen on spending $1000 plus on brand names.