KENNY HUTTON WARNS AGAINST BUYING FAKE CLUBS ON E-BAY

FROM KENNY HUTTON
PGA Professional at Downfield Golf Club, Dundee.

The number of fake golf clubs being sold on the Internet to innocent golfers is getting completely out of hand, and it's about time as many golfers as possible out there knew about it.

In the last week, I have seen three people who have bought fakes online from different sources, for a lot of money, including one junior member who was absolutely devastated when he realised he'd been ripped off for £120 for a fake R11 3 wood.

That was his last eight weeks' hard-earned paper delivery money lost! 

The counterfeiters are pitching their prices about 15 - 20% less than normal prices for authentic golf clubs, and golfers think then that they are buying genuine goods. 

I know that a lot of people don't believe this but we genuine retailers don't make 20% of a profit on these clubs, so it's not possible for them to be sold at these prices.

I wish the golfers in the generla public would realise that you can't buy a genuine Taylormade R11 driver for £199, or a set of the latest Mizuno irons for £400.

The retailers pay much more than that direct from the suppliers so why would any genuine retailer sell them for less than they paid for them in the first place? 

The only way to stop golfers getting ripped off is for all you golfers out there to stop buying clubs that you know are at a price that's too good to be true. You are buying clubs made of tin and plastic.

As a major stockist of Taylormade and Ping, it is against the terms of my retail contracts with them to sell any of their new clubs on auction sites, or I will get my account closed. Every other genuine retailer is in the same boat.

Not only are the golfers getting ripped off, but the golf trade in general is really suffering due to the number of counterfeiters continuing to make a living.

There are too many golfers out there who think they are being clever and are saving themselves a few pounds? All you're being is naive and stupid.

True statistic: 70% of the Callaways, Taylor-Made, Mizune, Ping etc clubs available online on E-Bay are fake. Buyers find this out a week weeks later when the club breaks or the head falls off.

Remember manufactuters don't sell direct to the general public and there is no such thing as a direct sale from a wholesaler. Check that the seller is an authentic supplier and that they sell all types of golf items.

Some counterfeit retailers set up what look like genuine websites but they appear and disappear every two or three months as they get found out.
You've been warned, so stop being stupid with your money. Buy only genuine golf clubs from genuine outlets.
MOST GOLF AND PRO SHOPS OUT THERE ARE NOW ULTRA COMPETITIVE AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO MATCH ANY OF THE GENUINE INTERNET PRICES BEING OFFERED.
I hope you see fit to print this and try to help stop this madness.
Thanks
Kenny Hutton
PGA Professional
Downfield GC