New to the game of golf? Debating whether you should pick up that brand-new set of golf clubs for $1000+? One big driver (pun intended) behind your decision will be how quickly your new clubs depreciate in value. This leads us to the focus of this article – do golf clubs hold their value?
On this page, we’ll be diving into golf club values and how to avoid getting burnt as a new buyer. We’ll cover how quickly most clubs depreciate, what can cause their value to go down, and how to make your money go further.
Read on to up your golfing knowledge.
In a Nutshell – Why Golf Clubs are Like Cars
One golfing analogy we see a lot is that golf clubs are a bit like cars in one respect – from the moment you ‘drive them off the lot’ (in this case, swing them on the green), the value of your clubs will fall.
After a year of use, a set of clubs can see its value plummet significantly. If you’re hoping to find a set of clubs that will hold its value for many years to come, we have some bad news for you. It’s best to temper your expectations to avoid disappointment down the line.
How Fast do Golf Clubs Depreciate in Value?
The specific rate at which clubs lose their value depends on the brand you choose and to some extent how well you treat them when playing. In general, however, you shouldn’t be surprised if your clubs lose as much as 50% of their value after a year or so.
In some cases, this can even be closer to 70%.
Do Bigger Brands Hold Their Value Longer?
So, can you stave off the slump of sinking value by choosing brands that are better known? This can help to an extent, but don’t hold your breath. Even sets from the biggest brands around become significantly less valuable after a year of use.
One exception to this may be Callaway clubs. We explore the reason for this later in our article.
So Golf Clubs Don’t Hold Their Value – What Can You Do?
While it certainly seems unfair, the fact is that your new clubs simply won’t hold their value as long as you might like. On a brighter note, there are a number of options available that may help you avoid burning quite as much money!
Read on to become a savvier shopper.
Forget Buying New
Embracing the fact that golf clubs aren’t a commodity that hold their value is the only way to go in our opinion. While it can be tempting to pick up that brand-new set, this isn’t exactly a smart financial decision.
One upside of golf clubs’ tendency to lose their value quickly is that you can often find real bargains if you know where to look. Instead of spending $1000+ on a full set, you may be able to part with $400 instead. It all comes down to how lucky you are when searching.
The key is to see the clubs in person wherever possible. While most second hand clubs perform excellently, you’ll want to watch out for damaged or warped sets. Wondering how to test clubs before buying? Sites like Globalgolf offer testing schemes that let you dip your toe in the water.
For $25 or $50, you’ll be able to test the clubs for up to 14 days.
If you’ve got a ton of disposable income and love trying out the latest and greatest each year then knock yourself out. Otherwise, it can pay to opt for something second hand.
Don’t be Afraid to Shop Around
Patience is a real virtue here. Just because they’re not available today, that doesn’t mean they’ll be impossible to find. Over time you’ll learn which sites and shops in your area often stock decent clubs.
Maintaining a watchful eye can pay dividends – you just have to learn to wait.
Take Advantage of Trade-In Bonuses
Already have an existing set of clubs? Some companies offer trade-in bonuses that reward brand loyalty. Callaways’ scheme in particular can be very generous – some users online report bonuses of up to 150%!
To find out how much your Callaway clubs could get you when trading in, follow these basic steps:
- Add the new clubs you’re looking for to your cart
- Choose the ‘trade in’ option and enter the details about your existing clubs
- You’ll be asked to provide information about their general condition and how long you’ve used them
- The Callaway site gives an estimate for how much your old clubs are worth
Other trade-in schemes from different brands do exist, but Callaway’s is one of the best we’ve seen.
Why Do Golf Clubs Depreciate in Value?
So what is it that makes golf clubs lose their value so quickly? The parallels to cars continue here. Read on to learn more.
Damage From Use
Even the most durable of golf clubs will begin to sustain damage over time. Each time you strike the ball, you’re making miniscule indentations on the head’s surface and gradually changing the shape of the club’s shaft.
After a few years of regular play, most clubs will have lost at least some of their original luster. This dip in performance results in a lower asking price.
More: Do dents affect golf clubs?
Perceived Damage From Use
But what if you’ve barely played with your clubs? Why does this only seem to make a tiny difference to how much you can get for them? The trouble is that, much like second hand cars, the perceived damage is still very much there.
While of course a better condition can fetch a slightly higher price, prospective buyers are still going to look at the age of the set and think twice. There’s only so much you can do to keep the value of your clubs high.
Do Golf Clubs Hold Their Value – Final Thoughts
It sucks, but golf clubs simply don’t hold their value very well. Your best bet is to buy second hand when you can and take advantage of your preferred brand’s trade-in scheme if they have one.
Good luck on your search!
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