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Today, there are so many top golf brands competing for your attention, be it PING, TaylorMade, or Callaway. As such, most people turn to these brands to find the best clubs for their games. But in reality, cloned clubs present a viable alternative to recreational golfers.
But what exactly are cloned clubs, and what are some of the brands you need to be aware of?
Here, we offer a compelling case for the use of clone clubs and help you understand why certain brands can help you save money as you invest in your golf bag this year.
What is a Cloned Golf Club?
As the name suggests, cloned golf clubs are those that have been manufactured to represent (or clone) one of the leading brands in the business. Companies that clone golf clubs model their designs on brands like Callaway, TaylorMade, and PING, as well as others.
When you buy cloned clubs from legitimate brands, they don’t try and hide the fact that they’re selling cloned clubs. In fact, many brands market this fact, as they’re able to offer clubs that are very similar to the leading clubs in the market at a fraction of the price.
You can buy a broad range of cloned golf clubs, from drivers and woods to wedges and putters. Doing so is often an effective way to keep the cost of golf clubs down, given how expensive they are from brands like Titleist and TaylorMade.
So, if you’re looking for affordable golf clubs at a reasonable price, cloned clubs might be a good option for you. Read on to find out what you need to know about cloned golf clubs before investing.
Are Clone Golf Clubs Legal?
Provided that they’re compliant with the USGA and R&A rules, cloned golf clubs are perfectly legal. But remember, there are lots of different brands producing cloned clubs, so you need to examine each club before adding it to the bag.
For instance, a company might decide to clone an oversized driver to appeal to players within the long-drive market. The fact that it’s a clone of an oversized club means that it doesn’t conform to USGA rules and is not permitted for tournament use.
On the other hand, if a company clones a standard driver from a brand like PING, there’s no reason why it can’t be used in tournament play just because it has been cloned.
So, make sure that you check the features and size of any cloned clubs before buying them, as this will help you discern whether or not they’re legal. If you’re unsure, reach out and ask the company directly if their clubs are conforming.
Are Cloned Clubs Worth it?
Cloned clubs are a great option for so many golfers, as they enable you to get your hands on premium golf clubs for a fraction of the price of clubs retailed by big brands like PING, TaylorMade, and Callaway.
Brands play a huge role in people’s buying habits in the golf industry, which is why so many people turn to these big brands time after time. The biggest brands also have the biggest marketing budgets, which further adds to the appeal of a select number of brands.
What you need to remember is that cloned golf clubs have been manufactured by following a very similar process to those that you pay a premium price for. While the branding and some of the materials will differ slightly, you’re getting a very similar club for a lower price.
So, if you’re not particularly bothered about brand recognition, then there’s absolutely no reason not to try cloned golf clubs, as they can save you money and improve your game at the same time.
What are the Best Clone Golf Clubs?
There are lots of clone golf clubs out there from brands that you might have heard of, particularly if you’ve been researching affordable, game-improvement golf clubs. Some of the best clone golf clubs include:
- Lazrus* – You can buy wedges, irons, hybrids, drivers, and complete sets from Lazrus golf. Although not particularly well known, Lazrus is one of the best brands in the game improvement market and offers outstanding quality and value to all players.
- Founders Club** – Like Lazrus, Founders Club is in the business of providing excellent clone clubs for an affordable price. You can pick up a complete set of Founders Clubs plus a carry bag for less than $500, illustrating their value for money.
- Mazel*** – Mazel Golf is another worthwhile clone brand to check out, with a range of excellent drivers, hybrids, and irons available. We love their 460cc titanium driver, which retails at just $135!
While the above brands might not dominate the market, like PING and Callaway, their clubs certainly compete with the biggest brands and are a great option for beginners and recreational players.
Clone Golf Clubs for Sale?
Amazon is a really good place to find clone golf clubs for sale, as many brands (Lazrus included) have a decent presence on the platform. You can search for clone brands that are available on Amazon and order the clubs that you choose based on their reviews.
Alternatively, most clone brands have e-commerce websites that you can use to buy clubs directly, which saves you from having to look around for a retailer.
One of the reasons that Clone brands are able to offer such great value is that they don’t deal with middlemen and aren’t available at major retailers. This saves them from expensive markups and means that they’re able to offer the savings to consumers.
So, if you’re looking for cloned golf clubs to buy, simply search for the brand on Google or Amazon and press ahead with your purchase! It’s a great way to save money as you level up your golf bag this season.
Golf Club Clones vs. Named Brands
It’s difficult to make a direct comparison between cloned and named brands, as clone companies don’t necessarily disclose which make and model of clubs their sets are based on. More generally speaking, golf club clones and clubs from named brands are practically the same.
The huge markup that you pay for clubs from the leading brands is a direct result of their marketing prowess and the fact that their clubs are played by the leading professional golfers in the world.
The fact of the matter is that many golf club clones are manufactured with exactly the same materials and follow the same processes as the biggest brands. Some are even produced in the same warehouses in different parts of the world!
So, if you’re not precious about being seen playing the latest and greatest clubs from the biggest brands in golf, you can save yourself a lot of money by investing in a clone set, which is likely to do a very similar job as far as your golf game is concerned.
Are Pinemeadow Clubs Cloned?
Yes, Pinemeadow golf clubs are cloned, and the Excel EGI hybrid set is one of the best clone options on the market. They feature a striking design and excellent technology, providing you with outstanding value for money.
Pinemeadow is a similar brand to Lazrus, Founders Club, and Mazel, and although they’re not particularly well known in the golf industry, they’re an excellent option for all recreational players.
You can buy a wide range of clubs from Pinemeadow including the PGX club, kitting out your full bag if you wish. The best place to buy clones from Pinemeadow is directly from their online store, as you’re also guaranteed the best possible price.
So, no matter the brand that you go for, cloned clubs are a great option for your game and your wallet! Whether you’re looking for a spare set of clubs or are keen to upgrade your old irons, opting for a cloned set will save you money.
What About Custom Clone Golf Clubs?
While brands like Pinemeadow and Lazrus don’t offer customization, you can find component parts of cloned golf clubs online. For instance, Monark is a great online store for buying cloned clubs, and allows you to customize the clubs that you carry in your bag.****
This is a good option if you don’t want to buy golf clubs off the rack and want to make adjustments to your shafts, grips, and various other component parts. While it’s more expensive than buying cloned clubs outright, it’s much cheaper than buying custom clubs from leading brands.
Another option is to buy a set of cloned clubs from one of the aforementioned brands before taking them to a custom club fitter who can help you make the necessary adjustments.
So, while there’s not really a huge selection of custom clone clubs to choose from, you can get a little creative if you’re looking to customize your clubs without spending a huge amount of money.
Conclusion
While they might not have the best reputation, cloned golf clubs actually offer recreational golfers a great option when it comes to cost-effective game improvement clubs.
The likes of Pinemeadow, Lazrus, and Founders Club are all great examples of cloned clubs that are affordable and high quality, saving you a considerable amount of money.
So, if you’re looking to buy some new golf clubs for the bag this season, there’s absolutely no reason not to go for cloned clubs, particularly if you’re hoping to save some money.
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