Are the days of good deals on used clubs over?

[DoughBack18]

Maybe i’m just getting older and crotchety, but I feel like you used to be able to find some steals on used clubs. Whether it was on ebay or the occasional consignment rack, many of my club purchases in the past were used clubs at a bargain. 
 

Now it feels like those deals are very few and far between. 9 year old AP1’s selling for $550 and a decades old Yonex blade putter selling for $450 on 2nd swing. Gimme a break… And the problem is that seems to establish the market so everyone else follows suit. About the only decent deals i’ve found recently are though global golf when they are trying to clear inventory. 
 

I know that new clubs have obviously gone up over the years, but does that mean the resale value of older stuff automatically has to go up too? Obviously people are buying so I know the answer is yes, but it just makes me scratch my head. 

[ClarkGriswold]

Callaway pre-owned on a sale week is tough to beat 

[SteelieD]

I’d say the “steals” are not nearly as common as before but there are still good “deals”. 
 

$700 - $800 or so for a set of near new irons that retail at $1300 ain’t bad. 
 

It’s the folks that want to sell that near new set for $1100 that are delusional. 

[Pens #1 fan]

Supply & demand, prices will eventually go back down. But as stated above, when new prices keep going up so will resale. 

[mantan]

50 minutes ago, SteelieD said:

I’d say the “steals” are not nearly as common as before but there are still good “deals”. 
 

$700 - $800 or so for a set of near new irons that retail at $1300 ain’t bad. 
 

It’s the folks that want to sell that near new set for $1100 that are delusional. 

 

That's the adjustment we mentally have to make.  A lot of golfers aren't willing to pay $600 for a driver for $1400 for a set of irons. So the demand for used club has increased as well.  It used to be for club hos and people looking for bargains.  Now a lot more golfers are fishing that pond.

[naj959]

I think the golf boom of 2020 has finally reached it's plateau and the market seems to be getting back to normal. I just picked up a 2019 CLK hybrid for $66 and a set of Yamaha Tourmodel irons for under $90. Sure its not the latest equipment but deals are out there. Might snatch up a TSI3 driver for $260 if I can move some other things. 

[mantan]

6 minutes ago, naj959 said:

I think the golf boom of 2020 has finally reached it's plateau and the market seems to be getting back to normal. I just picked up a 2019 CLK hybrid for $66 and a set of Yamaha Tourmodel irons for under $90. Sure its not the latest equipment but deals are out there. Might snatch up a TSI3 driver for $260 if I can move some other things. 

 

It'll be interesting to see how that carries into spring. It feels like the equipment market this time of year is for diehards and early adopters, but as spring rolls around everybody comes back full force.  Tee times are so much easier to get right now then fall....but I'm not optimistic that it'll last.

[MattM97]

Don't have to pay what some people or stores are asking. Plenty of deals out there, new drivers come out the previous generation you can score on the BST for under 300 often sometimes with a good shaft. 

 

Irons there's a ton out there to pick from. 

 

Wedges, let's not go super cheap on those. 

 

Putters there's endless options as well and no need to buy a Yonex Super Forged.

[Greenie]

What I have noticed is that the more current models seem to be a better deal at a discount. When you look at the older stuff it seems people are asking way too much. My friend is looking for an older 7w to match his 3w. I've been looking on Ebay and I can't find one for less than $100. I sold him the 3w for $100 back in 2013. 

 

My 8yr old hybrids people are asking 80-100 on Ebay. I bought this year's TEE E722 hybrid used for 100. 

 

The asking prices on the old stuff is crazy.

 

[sm_watts]

I paid $120 for an almost mint TEE C721 driver this winter that’s challenging my ping G425 max from rock bottom golf. 
 

The problem with eBay is that very few are on auction anymore. Most put high buy it now prices on them and just let them sit for 30 days at a time. Can’t hurt to message the seller and make an offer though. 

[PARETO]

There are deals to be had if you look into some sleeper brands and models of various ages. Last year I used a 30% off sale along with some trade in value of clubs I never play to get some Wilson Staff D7 forged irons (new) for $450 CAD. Regripped them myself and had a club builder friend bend them to my stock 1 flat and off I went. 
I love hunting for used deals too over the winter as a time killer. This months treasure find was my $170 CAD Maxfli A10 Nickel 3-p / 3 Vokey set. Cleaned them up, wet sanded the fine scratches out, hit them with the metal polish and regripped. I am 100% gonna game these. Even busted out some lead tape to placebo effect my way out of over drawing. 😉Can’t wait to play this set up. Early indoor dome sessions are proving to be very positive. 
Rolling into a shop and dropping $2K CAD on i230’s makes me feel a bit sick. Lol. I’m happy hunting on the Maxfli and Wilson’s of the world. 
 

[New2golfer]

Golf equipment like everything else comes in cycles. I think eventually it’ll start coming back down once the golf boom starts to settle down.

[mantan]

42 minutes ago, sm_watts said:

I paid $120 for an almost mint TEE C721 driver this winter that’s challenging my ping G425 max from rock bottom golf. 
 

The problem with eBay is that very few are on auction anymore. Most put high buy it now prices on them and just let them sit for 30 days at a time. Can’t hurt to message the seller and make an offer though. 

 

I literally haven't been on eBay in nearly a decade. But your post brought back fond memories auctions back in the day and hoping to snipe a set only to be outbid at the last minute.

[Roejye]

steals are going to become few and far between especially for older stuff for the time being, as others have said you're probably more likely to get a good deal of an iron set on clearance than getting a steal on some older irons especially if they have some cache to the name. I was thinking about this the other day and remembering how I got a brand new Cleveland wedge for $50 off ebay, it was from 2015 and I got it in 2020. I've seen it working in retail, companies are being smarter/cheaper about how much product they'll release and buyer's are being a little more responsible/stingy with how much product they're going to get. There just isn't as much old product sitting around collecting dust that companies just want to get rid of. 

 

You could probably find some steals if you look for lesser name brands and got lucky, or are willing to put some work into them.

[naj959]

3 hours ago, mantan said:

 

It'll be interesting to see how that carries into spring. It feels like the equipment market this time of year is for diehards and early adopters, but as spring rolls around everybody comes back full force.  Tee times are so much easier to get right now then fall....but I'm not optimistic that it'll last.

That's a good point. Living in California, I often forget that people in other parts of the world haven't even started playing yet. 

[dwboston]

I think one thing people need to keep in mind is shipping costs (for private sellers) for golf clubs.  When it costs $35-$50 to ship a single club these days, asking prices are going to reflect that. 

[vtpachyderm]

Here in Norway the prices of used clubs are very brand dependent. Callaway, TM and Titleist rule the roost, and prices are fairly steep on stuff that is less than 5 years old IMO. Older than that, and you can find some good deals, but expectations of sellers are quite optimistic. However, they seem to sell so it's the market setting the prices.

 

Cobra, and Cleveland though seem to be looked down upon, and bargains can be had. Good deals can be had for stuff older than 5 years or so.

 

Case in point - I picked up a set of MIM Tours (5- PW) towards the end of last season with project X LZ shafts for $400, and a SZ driver in almost mint condition for $150. Paid $140 for a 54 and 58 CBX2 wedges. Built up a set to practice indoors with softer graphite shafts and picked up a 2016 M2 3 Wood and Hybrid, a F9 5 wood, and 5-P F7 irons for a total of around $500. Overpaid a bit on the irons I think but they are in mint condition, and it's hard to find quality graphite shafted irons in the GI space. Hoping at least one of my kids will get back into the game this season.

[rukahs]

I remember 10-15 years ago when I started collecting Scotty camerons, there were so many bargains. Tour putters for less than $500. I found one of Poulters tour camerons for 250 and shouldn't have sold it. 

[R.Patrick]

Ebay fees and shipping costs have only gotten higher.
I search for heads only, for the most part.

Most sellers will send out offers once you have something in your watchlist, and then you are able to make counter offers

[jomatty]

There are still deals but you just have to put in a lot of time to find the actual steals.  You can’t just go on second swing and search up what you are looking for and find a great deal.  I enjoy spending way too much time finding good deals so if you don’t account for my time then I find some amazing deals.  Nowadays it definitely takes a good bit of effort although and that just isn’t worth it for a lot of people.  If I didn’t enjoy the hunt then the deals alone would definitely not be enough to account for the hours I spend browsing and searching.

[bvanlieu]

the VID hurt the use market with a demand uptick and supply meh.

 

Inflation (gotta mention it) has not helped as new goes up, used market will react.

 

I agree CPO is damn hard to beat, but other then folks on BST who do sell below the Bay, patience is required to find a really good deal on things. I was not in a hurry on a spare set of iron heads, and eventually scored some like new P760s on the bay for below what i would consider average market. 

 

If your time is valuable, then just find what you want and go enjoy. Some of us like the hunt 😄

 

[ShortGolfer]

Best deal ever is $80+$11shipping for a 22* XXIO 12 5 iron.  Most likely too low in loft for someone to elevate off the fairway so they got rid of a brand new iron.

Classic case of low demand dropping its market price way below the list price.

 

Golf seems pretty safe the the locations I plan to retire, but I'm  not so sure in places where water rights are looming disaster.

Edited February 14, 2023 by ShortGolfer

[this_is_golf]

As someone said above, it’s really hard to find steals but there are definitely deals out there on used clubs. I’ve been able to save some dollars on used clubs over the last few years. 

[dekez]

9 hours ago, SteelieD said:

I’d say the “steals” are not nearly as common as before but there are still good “deals”. 
 

$700 - $800 or so for a set of near new irons that retail at $1300 ain’t bad. 
 

It’s the folks that want to sell that near new set for $1100 that are delusional. 

 

Pretty much everyone who tries to sell on GolfWrx Classifieds.

[R.Patrick]

35 minutes ago, dekez said:

 

Pretty much everyone who tries to sell on GolfWrx Classifieds.

Gotta list it high to combat the buyers that assume everyone selling must be a crack addict

[ANimz]

I saw a used LTDX LS sell for about $180 total last night, used.  You can find deals, just not as many out there.  I agree with R. Patrick though.  Lately, anytime I try to sell something the buyers try to cut it in half out the gate.  

[Neilvice]

5 hours ago, dwboston said:

I think one thing people need to keep in mind is shipping costs (for private sellers) for golf clubs.  When it costs $35-$50 to ship a single club these days, asking prices are going to reflect that. 

Just spent $32 to send clubs from New Orleans to New Hampshire. Ouch. 

[MtlJeff]

Callaway Pre-Owned is very good as has been mentioned. And their quality is usually better than advertised

 

Also you can just buy PXG 0211 line which is very inexpensive , and good quality

[third-times-a-charm]

Nope. Always good deals around, you just have to look pretty hard and know what you're looking for.

 

The career flip selling has ruined almost every hobby and that includes golf. There are people who dont golf and hate golf that will buy up golf clubs and resell them - same with watches, shoes, cards, toys and anything else these flippers can make $10 or more off of.

[GHIN n Juice]

It doesn’t help that online retailers now have to collect tax.  I think the hay day for deals was pre-internet tax and pre-shipping increases for golf boxes.

 

However, deals are not gone.  I picked up an LTDx ls, new in the wrapper, for $220.  CPO 30% off sales are awesome too.  Now days the onus is on the shopper to dig deeper and find what used to be obvious.