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.