Hi All,

I was referred to this site by a friend, and hoping to get some advice, I have been reading some old threads on Clone clubs, unfortunately it still doesn’t answer some of my questions, basically my skill level is sitting somewhere between beginner and intermediate.

I have done enough research to convince my self I will be able to get just as much out of a clone set than is to a branded set.

However with all the brands out there I am not sure exactly which one to get, common sense tells me to try out the branded clubs first at a pro shop and then find the corresponding clone clubs, but I am having trouble finding site where it’ll tell me which clone set are counterparts of the branded set, if you guys can point me to the right place it’ll be much appreciated.

Also it’ll be good if anyone can give me couple of quality brands of clones so I can continue my research.

P.S. is there any Melbourne golf shop that can order and fit clone sets for me, Sydney ones are also fine.

Thanks

try LIND GOLF
a sponsor of this site ?

I have seen this name mentioned in other threads will check them out, thanks.

Any other advice ?

There was a mob in Sydney doing this sort of stuff as well, don;t know if they are still in business or not. ‘Concept Golf.’

i think locally LIND is as good as it gets ?

Hi KYC, couldn’t agree more and I am a very strong advocate of Lind on this site. However, he did ask if there were any other options.

Tour Specials by Srixon
if you consider these ‘clones’ ?? not too bad….

By clones do you mean fakes? Your best bet with golf gear is to buy good equipment 2nd hand. The market these days makes 2nd hand gear cheap as chips. I would buy decent stuff that is a year or so old. You will get a very good deal if you do a little searching on here and ebay.

I’m curious about the status of these “clone” clubs? Have there been any test cases re design infringement?

It looks to me that some “clones” are open about being straight copies of prestige brands like TM, Callaway and Ping. If you change the badge and colour scheme is that OK?

there are clones – just lookalikes….
there are knock offs – real cheapo imitation

Another company to check out…Golf Clubs Down Under…..appear to be very similar to Lind but different colour scheme and names.
Like Lind they also state “comparable to Ping, Callaway etc etc” They also have the custom club offer with shaft options etc.

Can’t comment on the quality but pics will show you that they are definite clones/copies of the more expensive brands.

Like Muntz has queried, I’m also curious as to the legality of design infringements. One must assume that it’s been tested if they advertise openly? The blurb the other company puts out to justify their actions in regard to “clones/copies” points out other areas of manufacturing that have the same or similar practices with re-badging issues. Some companies may be using different metals but the same design to skirt the issues, I am not aware of the amount of leeway they have to play with in such cases.

This is an example of what’s available from USA distributor.

http://www.diamondtour.com/...

This site is China check out their products
Counterfeit ? There are dozens like this.
One which I remember but can’t locate now were offering Scotty cameron putters for US 49.00 odd You be the judge

http://www.made-in-china.co...

Another company to check out…Golf Clubs Down Under…..appear to be very similar to Lind but different colour scheme and names.
Like Lind they also state “comparable to Ping, Callaway etc etc” They also have the custom club offer with shaft options etc.

Can’t comment on the quality but pics will show you that they are definite clones/copies of the more expensive brands.

Like Muntz has queried, I’m also curious as to the legality of design infringements. One must assume that it’s been tested if they advertise openly? The blurb the other company puts out to justify their actions in regard to “clones/copies” points out other areas of manufacturing that have the same or similar practices with re-badging issues. Some companies may be using different metals but the same design to skirt the issues, I am not aware of the amount of leeway they have to play with in such cases.

That’s not a hook, it’s just a fade that didn’t come back.

thanks for this site
checked it out
not too bad
looks identical to the real thing !!
HOWEVER, they do not leave any contact info even an email address ?
dodgy ?

KYC
Try wwwDOTgolfclubsdownunderDOTcomDOTau…the entire site comes up with large menus offering access to complete company info, club specs, prices, order forms etc…they are based in Aussie with addresses, phone nos etc all listed.

I must point out that I’m in no way connected with them and I have never done any business or bought from them. It’s starting to sound like I’m plugging them, I’m not, just replying to a question asking for help on this forum. I have my own thoughts on the entire copy club issue.

By clones do you mean fakes?

no I mean brands like LIND, Gigagolf > Preception, power max

Tour Specials by Srixon
if you consider these ‘clones’ ?? not too bad….

If Tiger plays Lefty will he be that good ?
You sure Square is Good ? Don’t Think So !
Good Golf is Fun plus the Great Outdoors…
In the Bag: Clubs and Balls. My Handicap is Bad Golf.

I had a look at them, at golfdiscountwarehouse the selling a set for 699, at that price I can probably go for a second hand set of pretty much anything.

Like Muntz has queried, I’m also curious as to the legality of design infringements.

I think they tweak the design enough to suggest is a different product, like when nike came out with the air max shoes, other companies just changed the lay out of the air bubble and sold it as another product.

This site is China check out their products
Counterfeit ? There are dozens like this.
One which I remember but can’t locate now were offering Scotty cameron putters for US 49.00 odd You be the judge

http://www.made-in-china.co…

This I am not sure, a guy I played golf with said he used to make golf products, and he said the real cost of shafts and heads are around 50c for shafts and less than 10 dollars RMB for heads, and most of the big brand make their equipment in China and assembled it over seas, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they are the real stuff.

HOWEVER, they do not leave any contact info even an email address ?
dodgy ?

I think that site is for bulk buys, for companies who want to import from China, and I think the site takes a commission hence why no emails etc.

Agree with chris9485,

why bother buying a cheap imitation of something when the 2nd hand prices are so low. Will you save that much ? If they are rubbish what is the resale value?

KYC
Try wwwDOTgolfclubsdownunderDOTcomDOTau…the entire site comes up with large menus offering access to complete company info, club specs, prices, order forms etc…they are based in Aussie with addresses, phone nos etc all listed.

I must point out that I’m in no way connected with them and I have never done any business or bought from them. It’s starting to sound like I’m plugging them, I’m not, just replying to a question asking for help on this forum. I have my own thoughts on the entire copy club issue.

That’s not a hook, it’s just a fade that didn’t come back.

thanks my apologies
yes there’s the full details of contacts

must say some of the drivers/clubs look exactly like the real deal minus the brand

How about you purchase the real deal instead of clones/fakes?

You wouldn’t sleep with a tranny just because it looked like a woman on first glance.

also check out hireko golf.com for more info on clones….

Will you save that much ? If they are rubbish what is the resale value?

Well this is the reason why I am researching, so far I have seen a couple of golf shops selling so called clone ones, especially the gigagolf range, I am not very concerned about resale as I probably give it to my brother later on.

How about you purchase the real deal instead of clones/fakes?

You wouldn’t sleep with a tranny just because it looked like a woman on first glance.

The Leper has spoken.

Here is what I don’t really understand, some people tell me the clone ones are exactly the same as the real deal, same factory different marketing, sure I can get a set of brand name clubs, but why spend the money when I can buy a similar set for less than half the money.

I mean it’s like when Honda invented V-Tec and Toyota took it modified it and called it VVTi, original vs clones.

but I could be wrong, hence why I am seeking more advice.

Btw, I haven’t considered buying a second hand set before, for a intermediate player what kind of clubs should I be looking at for under 300(clubs or irons only)??

You wouldn’t sleep with a tranny just because it looked like a woman on first glance.

Hey, don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.
...Giggity