The number of consumers who will purchase golf equipment online is growing rapidly. While this trend is creating huge sales numbers and opening doors for many new business’s, it is also bringing a lot of negative to the golf industry. Online auction sites like eBay and DHGate have many sellers who are selling replica golf clubs and claiming they are authentic. eBay along with Paypal have taken means of eliminating these sellers, but getting rid of them all is impossible. DHgate, which some might be unfamiliar with, is a total different story.

DHGate is a wholesale trading marketplace based out of China. They have sellers marketing all kinds of products like golf clubs,ipods,clothing,consumer electronics, televisions, and much more. They claim the golf clubs come from China OEM factories and are authentic. This is the first sign you are buying knock off golf clubs. The brand name golf companies(Taylor Made, Callaway, etc..) will tell you there is no such thing as buying their golf equipment directly form the factory. The brand name companies purchase the golf club components and then professionally install them in the United States. The sellers on DHGate will advertised prices that look to good to be true. They are!

If you have already bought your new golf club and are curious if it is authentic or not there are a few ways to check yourself.

1. Go to Google images and search the club that you have bought. Compare the picture to the club in your hand. Are the color schemes the same? Are the logos the in same place? Do the shafts look alike? If the picture and the club in your hand have any differences at all you have a knock off.
2. Check the hosel of the club where the head and shaft are connected. Is there areas around that connection that look hand painted? If so you’re probably looking at a knock off.
3. Was the golf club you purchased ordered and shipped from China? If so, chance are you have a knock off. The majority of the fake/knock off golf clubs originate from China.
4. Finally, the easiest way to tell is to contact your local golf club retailer and give them the serial number located on the hosel of the golf club.

To prevent yourself from purchasing non authentic golf equipment do your research prior to purchasing anything! This will save you a lot of time and money trying to get refunds and having to pay return shipping charges. Best of luck out there consumers.

Follow these tips to clean your golf cart and protect the finish.

If possible, park your golf cart in the shade and in an area that allows the water to run off onto a permeable surface, such as a gravel driveway, patch of dirt, or grassy area. This prevents any chemical pollutants from running directly into the storm drain, where they make their way untreated into nearby lakes and streams.

Remove any equipment from the cart that could be damaged if it gets wet. Take out the floor mats and clean the floorboards with a broom or shop vac. Scrub the floor as needed and rinse with water. Let dry.

If you have removable seat covers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to wash and dry your covers. Wipe down the vinyl seats with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner if needed. Wipe down the dash, steering wheel, and any interior plastic parts with a damp cloth and mild cleaner.

Next comes the body of your cart. Fill two buckets-one with an all-purpose golf cart solution diluted in water and the other with clean water. A soft sponge will do; however, to avoid scratching your cart’s finish, you may want to use a sheepskin wash mitt. This is your best bet to avoid catching dirt or grit and grinding it deeper into your cart’s finish.

Rinse the wash mitt in clean water and rinse the cart. Clean your cart in sections to avoid letting the soapy water dry on your finish before rinsing. Dry off the cart with soft, clean towels, such as microfiber or waffle-weave. Apply a fresh coat of wax if needed. Scrub the tires with soapy water and a stiff brush. Detail tires as needed.

Take extra care when washing your windshield. There are two basic types of windshield material: acrylic and polycarbonate. Both materials can scratch, but poly scratches more easily. Use mild soapy water and a soft cotton or microfiber cloth to clean your windshield and mirrors. Never use paper towels or glass cleaners such as Windex on your windshield. These could scratch the surface. You can add a bit of automatic dish detergent to prevent spotting. Blot your windshield dry.

If your windshield is already scratched, you may be able to rub out surface scratches with a special windshield polish. You can also use a restorer to freshen up fiberglass, plastic, rubber, and other surfaces on your golf cart.

Cleaning your golf cart on a regular basis will help keep your cart looking as good as new. You can also keep it clean between washes for longer with a golf cart storage cover that slips on and off easily and includes a zipper for convenient access to the interior.