Could this be a fake Titleist 816 H1?

GeorgeHWB · June 20, 2019

I'd like to lean on the expertise of wrx'ers who have a Titleist 816 H1 or H2. I own an 816 H1 25 degree (set to 24) and an 816 H2 21 degree.

I decided to try a Titleist 816 H1 in 21 degrees and bought one new in plastic on ebay from a seller with 400+ feedbacks with no negatives. The seller owns a brick and mortar golf discount store in the United States.

When I got the new in plastic 21 degree H1 I checked the sole weight and it weighs an accurate 11 grams. I weighed the head itself and it's the same weight as my H2 21 degree hybrid. The shaft is a Diamana Blueboard and the graphics are identical to the two 816 hybrids I already had. I checked the heads closely for differences in engraving or quality, and detect nothing unusual.

However, comparing the serial numbers, the New in Plastic H1 I just bought has a slightly different font. It is more bold. The other two hybrids I already owned have a thinner font.

I called Titleist to check the serial number but they were only able to confirm that the serial number was consistent with that of an 816 hybrid.

I have photos below. Three are of the hybrid I just received in plastic. The other is the H1 25 degree club (used) I already had so you can compare the serial number fonts.

Does anyone think the difference in serial number thickness is troubling? Is there anything else I can do to check the authenticity of the club?

Any help is appreciated.

GoIrish17 · June 20, 2019

As strange as it may sound, serial numbers are possibly the worst way to identify fakes. Different production facilities may have slight variation in their serial number stamping/ engraving. And, counterfeiters usually copy actual serial numbers. I’ve actually owned many Vokey wedges, bought from legitimate sources (or even straight from Vokey), that the serial numbers aren’t even remotely close. Different fonts, different orientations, etc.

Your clubs looks legit, though I am no expert. I owned a 816 H2 for about two weeks once.

GeorgeHWB · June 20, 2019

> @GoIrish17 said:

> As strange as it may sound, serial numbers are possibly the worst way to identify fakes. Different production facilities may have slight variation in their serial number stamping/ engraving. And, counterfeiters usually copy actual serial numbers. I’ve actually owned many Vokey wedges, bought from legitimate sources (or even straight from Vokey), that the serial numbers aren’t even remotely close. Different fonts, different orientations, etc.

>

> Your clubs looks legit, though I am no expert. I owned a 816 H2 for about two weeks once.

Thanks. I've poured over this hybrid and cannot find anything remotely questionable other than the serial number font. If this is a fake, it's the best I've ever seen.