TAYLORMADE Iron Authenticity (pics), your thoughts?

[duffing_daily]

Aloha All,

 

Purchased a set of speedblade irons on eBay and was able to compare to my brothers set he bought new a few years ago from Roger Dunn. There are some striking differences and wanted to see if you think this is normal variation for different lots / production times / locations.

 

1. Grips are different, no blue cap. Also TAYLORMADE symbol a little smaller font on new set.

 

2. Iron numbers are slightly different sizes

 

3. Speedpocket more inconsistent on the new set

 

4. Serial number font slightly smaller on new set

 

5. Back of iron , where TAYLORMADE is, slightly lighter color on new set. Also the old irons have a tightly machined "dimple" on the bottom right of the T that is non-existent in the new irons

 

6. Blue color of 85 grams on the new is darker, which could be age?

 

The box looks ultra legit, UPC codes and stickers match up. The only odd thing is I bought a 4-PW set but the box says it comes with an A wedge but that is scratched off with sharpie...idk when or why the box was opened to remove this.. Seller has assured these are legit, wanted to get your thoughts on the descrepencies.

 

Sorry for the trouble and really appreciate your thoughts!

[brew4eagle]

Looks suspicious as you indicated, I'd call TM and have them check the serial #.

[BreakingPar]

Serial # check won't do you much good.

 

These look legit to me. Source: I owned a set that came custom with KBS Tour straight from TMAG and grips didn't have the blue caps.

 

Other differences you point out can be manufacturing tolerances/different factories. And obviously repacked to sell at a lower price point without the A wedge.

 

You're being really nit picky IMO. Who did you purchase from?

[brew4eagle]

Serial # check won't do you much good.

 

These look legit to me. Source: I owned a set that came custom with KBS Tour straight from TMAG and grips didn't have the blue caps.

 

Other differences you point out can be manufacturing tolerances/different factories. And obviously repacked to sell at a lower price point without the A wedge.

 

You're being really nit picky IMO. Who did you purchase from?

 

Serial # will provide a definitive answer. I'd bet fake if forced to wager.

[alexdub]

Taylormade won't do anything with the serial #. You give them. It's a dead end.

 

There is no definitive way to know if these are fake or not. I'm guessing they are real, and the differences amount to them being Asian spec irons. If you look at the box, there are Asian stamps on the end. They wouldn't come in that box from Asia if they were from US stock.

[toc]

What happens when you hit them?

[browne11]

There have been a lot of threads about ksouth on eBay and whether his stuff is authentic. Everyone of the threads ended with his stuff being legit. I would say you are safe.

[brew4eagle]

Taylormade won't do anything with the serial #. You give them. It's a dead end.

 

There is no definitive way to know if these are fake or not. I'm guessing they are real, and the differences amount to them being Asian spec irons. If you look at the box, there are Asian stamps on the end. They wouldn't come in that box from Asia if they were from US stock.

 

I haven't dealt with TM, but I have called PING with serial # verification requests for ebay purchases on multiple occasions. Each time they've verified that the serial # is in their system and provided the specs that the club(s) were built to. If it's a made up serial #, then it's very likely that it wouldn't be in the manufacturer's database, which means they're very likely fakes.

[timmy8151]

There have been a lot of threads about ksouth on eBay and whether his stuff is authentic. Everyone of the threads ended with his stuff being legit. I would say you are safe.

 

If this was purchased from Ksouth then these are legit.

[brew4eagle]

^ agree having dealt with ksouth, but then TM has some explaining to do, especially looking at the sole slot. That's a design element (not cosmetics) and shouldn't vary like that.

[Glaze22]

Don't forget some times a company will make a slight revision on their product without telling the public, kind of like a 2.0 version. Like others have pointed out they look like they are Asian specs witch we know are usually a little different.

[BreakingPar]

Serial # check won't do you much good.

 

These look legit to me. Source: I owned a set that came custom with KBS Tour straight from TMAG and grips didn't have the blue caps.

 

Other differences you point out can be manufacturing tolerances/different factories. And obviously repacked to sell at a lower price point without the A wedge.

 

You're being really nit picky IMO. Who did you purchase from?

 

Serial # will provide a definitive answer. I'd bet fake if forced to wager.

 

You either have a lot of money, or you don't know what you're talking about. Or both. Definitely the latter though.

[12aces]

^ agree having dealt with ksouth, but then TM has some explaining to do, especially looking at the sole slot. That's a design element (not cosmetics) and shouldn't vary like that.

 

This is exactly what I was thinking. That sole slot is horrible. I know everyone keeps saying they're legit because they're from Ksouth but why is it that the authenticity of Ksouth's clubs keep coming into question? Does he deal with a lot of "revisions" like Glaze is saying?

[duffing_daily]

Confirmed these are from ksouth. With the research I did on here I felt confident buying the set and definetly lean towards them being authentic... but these differences tripped me out. I haven't run the serial number because they'll just want me to send the clubs in. If these are fake then I'm sure they'll check out on paper.

 

I wasn't aware that TM had different specs for Asia's market and a unannounced "2.0" version makes sense. Like others mentioned I'm really interested in finding out why TAYLORMADE alows variations this drastic that I feel would affect performance. I was looking forward to this set and if is use the irons I cannot return so I'm in a tough spot.

[Fleopold11]

I bought a set of PSi irons from Taylormade and there was a slight difference in the shape of the numbers in my set that was similar to the 2 irons and slots you showed above. So it could be a tolerance thing.

[brew4eagle]

Serial # check won't do you much good.

 

These look legit to me. Source: I owned a set that came custom with KBS Tour straight from TMAG and grips didn't have the blue caps.

 

Other differences you point out can be manufacturing tolerances/different factories. And obviously repacked to sell at a lower price point without the A wedge.

 

You're being really nit picky IMO. Who did you purchase from?

 

Serial # will provide a definitive answer. I'd bet fake if forced to wager.

 

You either have a lot of money, or you don't know what you're talking about. Or both. Definitely the latter though.

I'd wager against your reading comprehension skills.

[GoIrish17]

Taylormade won't do anything with the serial #. You give them. It's a dead end.

 

There is no definitive way to know if these are fake or not. I'm guessing they are real, and the differences amount to them being Asian spec irons. If you look at the box, there are Asian stamps on the end. They wouldn't come in that box from Asia if they were from US stock.

 

I haven't dealt with TM, but I have called PING with serial # verification requests for ebay purchases on multiple occasions. Each time they've verified that the serial # is in their system and provided the specs that the club(s) were built to. If it's a made up serial #, then it's very likely that it wouldn't be in the manufacturer's database, which means they're very likely fakes.

 

Ping and TM respond to this request differently.

[brew4eagle]

Taylormade won't do anything with the serial #. You give them. It's a dead end.

 

There is no definitive way to know if these are fake or not. I'm guessing they are real, and the differences amount to them being Asian spec irons. If you look at the box, there are Asian stamps on the end. They wouldn't come in that box from Asia if they were from US stock.

 

I haven't dealt with TM, but I have called PING with serial # verification requests for ebay purchases on multiple occasions. Each time they've verified that the serial # is in their system and provided the specs that the club(s) were built to. If it's a made up serial #, then it's very likely that it wouldn't be in the manufacturer's database, which means they're very likely fakes.

 

Ping and TM respond to this request differently.

 

Good to know. Another reason PING >> TM.

[duffing_daily]

UPDATE: As TM cannot given definitive answers without inspecting I was able to get a customer service to review the photos and give his opinion:

 

"I definitely see what you’re saying. The speed pocket looks off to me and the serial number is definitely different. No doubt there can be cases where a set can be manufactured a little off with things like the speed pocket and serial number but considering how noticeable it is that really looks counterfeit to me."

 

It is very possible this is just a sketchy batch for TM but I will be returning them to err on the side of caution. I appreciate everyone's help and wish I had the means to send to TM for actual verification. If, by chance, these are precision fakes it is extremely unlikely the seller is aware.

 

Mahalo!!

[CBNBAC]

Taylormade won't do anything with the serial #. You give them. It's a dead end.

 

There is no definitive way to know if these are fake or not. I'm guessing they are real, and the differences amount to them being Asian spec irons. If you look at the box, there are Asian stamps on the end. They wouldn't come in that box from Asia if they were from US stock.

 

I haven't dealt with TM, but I have called PING with serial # verification requests for ebay purchases on multiple occasions. Each time they've verified that the serial # is in their system and provided the specs that the club(s) were built to. If it's a made up serial #, then it's very likely that it wouldn't be in the manufacturer's database, which means they're very likely fakes.

 

Ping and TM respond to this request differently.

 

*these requests

[12aces]

http://golfclubbrokers.com/blog/counterfeit-taylormade-speedblade-iron-set/

 

Interesting write up. I might be leaning towards fake. I know ksouth has a good name here on but there has been a lot of smoke over the years.

[Krt22]

They are either fake or factory rejects. Cast clubs should be very repeatable and that sole slot is way off

[browne11]

http://golfclubbrokers.com/blog/counterfeit-taylormade-speedblade-iron-set/

 

Interesting write up. I might be leaning towards fake. I know ksouth has a good name here on but there has been a lot of smoke over the years.

 

His pictures do look almost exactly the same as the fakes in this article, especially the thinner speed slot. I have always been hesitant to buy anything from Ksouth due to all the accusations over the years on here but they always came back as legit. I would certainly be even more hesitant now.

[lsf_21]

Its amazing how good the slot on the 5 iron looks for how bad the one on the 6 iron looks. If somebody were to ask me I would look towards fake just because of how poor that slot on the 6 iron looks.

[Deezz]

They do look strange. . I've seen some of the different "2.0" versions that Taylor made puts out at retail stores. Usually a year or two after their original release when they are marked down but still relevant- they often look cheap and just sort of "clunky" but resemble the originals enough to get sales... In my mind TM basically makes fakes of their own stuff ( if that makes sense).. Taylor made already put out a 2.0 of the speedblade though. It was called the speedblade HL. No speed slots, No satin finish. They looked like a set you would get from a starter box set. So to see a 3rd variation would concern me. Just my opinion

[Meanmachinemoe]

Ping, Titleist, and Mizuno all will verify serial numbers and glad to do so. TM has a horrible tracking system and will not even check. Callaway is a little better. They will check but must inspect before authenticating. The problem with both TM and Callaway is that they sell so many clubs through so many different outlets, they just can't keep up. Ping and Titleist have very strict sales policies and very tight controls.

[nbg352]

^ agree having dealt with ksouth, but then TM has some explaining to do, especially looking at the sole slot. That's a design element (not cosmetics) and shouldn't vary like that.

Nothing wrong with the pocket. It's an overrun of the filler.

 

Clubs and box look legit.

[Mukky]

I wish I had something to add to the discussion about the irons, unfortunately I don't, however I will say that due to this thread I saw the name ksouth9 posted and I haven't checked his eBay items recently. Thus, I looked up what he had for sale and he had 6 dzn b330 for sale that was ending in 3 minutes... Needless to say there are 6 dozen b330's on their way to my doorstep for $120 bucks. So I have to thank you OP! Lol

[12aces]

^ agree having dealt with ksouth, but then TM has some explaining to do, especially looking at the sole slot. That's a design element (not cosmetics) and shouldn't vary like that.

Nothing wrong with the pocket. It's an overrun of the filler.

 

Clubs and box look legit.

 

What is it about the clubs that look legit? Every pic he posted shows an inconsistency. If tmag did overfill the sole slot how do you explain the picture of the 5 irons? The slots looks totally different from each other. I'm leaning towards Ksouth9 selling some form of 2nds. I don't get why he has this weird following on Golfwrx where everyone instantly defends his credibility because they once bought a shaft from him that was real. When does the smoke become fire?

[RookieBlue7]

TaylorMade uses several facilities to manufacture clubs. The ones coming from different facilities always have minor differences. The reason they don't authenticate via serial alone is because counterfeiters take legit serials off legit clubs and put them on their counterfeits. That's why TM requires them to be sent in for authentication. It's actually a safer method to verify authentication than a phone call with a serial number like a few others do (though the others sell a lower volume and aren't counterfeited as offer with the exception of Titleist and Vokey wedges and Cameron putters).