If you have been redirected to this page it is because the website you were attempting to visit has been shut down by a court order due to its sale and distribution of counterfeit golf products in violation of federal laws. Please take a few moments to review this website for more information on how you can avoid purchasing counterfeit golf products and help to "Keep Golf Real."
Who We Are
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group is an organization dedicated to stopping the production, distribution and sale of counterfeit or "fake" golf equipment across the globe. Formed in 2004, the group is made of five of the most well-known golf manufacturers in the world –Callaway-Odyssey; TaylorMade-adidas Golf whose brands include TaylorMade, adidas Golf, Adams and Ashworth; PING; Srixon, Cleveland Golf and XXIO; and Acushnet Company whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron. These manufacturers came together to protect the integrity of the game and to protect the consumers they've served for so many years.
The group works internationally with law enforcement and government agencies to identify and eliminate counterfeiting operations while simultaneously working to raise consumer awareness of the issue. This isn't a brand issue, it's an honesty issue, a quality issue, and in some cases, a safety issue. For the good of customers and the game, the group is committed to putting an end to these fakes.
Join us at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show! The group will be in attendance to discuss the counterfeit problem and what consumers can do to help Keep Golf Real.
Spotting a Fake
For golfers, the issues with counterfeit clubs can range anywhere from a loss of distance and accuracy to a safety issue—with shafts that shatter and heads that fly off mid-swing. Some golfers look online and see what they think are top-of-the-line clubs at bottom barrel prices, so they buy them. But as the old adage goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Although we would like to educate golfers on how to spot a fake, the truth is the most reliable way to be sure someone is purchasing an authentic product is to buy the product from an authorized source. There will always be a risk that a product purchased from an unauthorized source will be counterfeit. Counterfeit manufacturers are constantly changing and it's becoming more and more difficult to spot counterfeits…until you play golf with them.
Authentic clubs maximize a golfer's performance. To ensure the golf equipment you're purchasing, or have already purchased is authentic, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I purchasing my new golf equipment from an authorized dealer?
To ensure that you are purchasing authentic golf products, please buy from an authorized retailer/dealer. A list of authorized retailers can be found at each manufacturer's website, or by contacting the manufacturer's customer service department. - A number of websites offer discounted golf products and claim to be OEM's or approved vendors. Are they legit?
Probably not. There has been an increase in the number of websites that offer deeply discounted golf products. These sites are mainly based in China. If the site is not identified as an authorized retailer / vendor according to the manufacturer's website, it is likely selling counterfeit products. - There are slight differences in the appearance of the club, including different shades of color, or slightly different engravings. Did I purchase a fake?
Most likely. Most golf manufacturer's do not sell "blems" or "seconds", so there will not be different versions of golf equipment in the marketplace. - The golf club that I purchased off of a website was shipped from China. Should I be concerned?
Yes, if the product is shipped from China, chances are high that it is fake.
WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T BUY IT! SAVE YOUR GAME!
Counterfeit Problem
It's estimated that as many as 2 million counterfeit golf clubs are produced each year. To put that number in perspective, if you laid every fake club end-to-end they would stretch from Bethpage Black to Pebble Beach and back again. That's more than 5000 miles. And that doesn't even take into account the millions of fake balls, bags, gloves, and apparel produced. It's a major problem.
The growth of the Internet and rogue websites selling fakes has led to an increase in the sale of counterfeit golf products over the last decade. As a result, consumers purchasing golf equipment from unauthorized dealers are often times duped into spending their hard earned money on fake goods. The efforts of the group have led to raids and seizures of a substantial number of counterfeit clubs, but there is still considerable work left to be done.
News
Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group Nets Nearly 150,000 Fakes in Milestone 2014
January 12, 2015
On the heels of another successful year in the fight against fakes, The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (The Golf Group) enters 2015 having exceeded a milestone of 1 million fake products seized by governmental officials over the last decade. Last year, the group’s 10th year in existence, Chinese authorities confiscated 150,000 golf items – most recently seizing nearly 400 counterfeit products in Tangxia.
Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group Continues Crackdown Against Fakes in China
August 12, 2014
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (The Golf Group) announced today the successful raids of two China-based counterfeiting targets carried out over the past two months. The operations, which were executed by Chinese law enforcement with the assistance of the Golf Group, resulted in the seizure of almost 62,000 counterfeit golf products. Additionally, The Golf Group announced the sentencing of two criminals charged and convicted of selling fakes in a separate case.
Two Weeks, Five Raids: Nearly 90,000 Fakes Seized in Latest Efforts by Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group
June 30, 2014
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (The Golf Group) announced today the successful raids of five China-based counterfeiting targets, carried out over the past month. The operations, which were executed by Chinese law enforcement with the assistance of the Golf Group, resulted in the seizure of nearly 90,000 counterfeit golf products and continued the momentum that the Golf Group and Chinese authorities have built toward stopping the spread of fakes.
Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group Efforts Lead to Significant Sentences in Ongoing Fight Against Fakes
May 21, 2014
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (The Golf Group) announced today the convictions and sentences of seven men charged with manufacturing and selling counterfeit golf products, another critical step in the Golf Group’s efforts to enforce anti-counterfeiting laws internationally. The Chinese court system handed down the sentences in two separate court cases last week.
Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group a Hit at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show
March 18, 2014
Back in late January, the Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group took part in the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show down in Orlando, Florida. Group representatives along with experts from many of the Group's member brands manned the booth for the 3-day trade show and spoke with thousands of golf lovers, including industry professionals, distributors, consumers and PGA pros.
FAQs
What is the Golf Group doing to get rid of counterfeiting in golf?
It comes down to two things — education and enforcement. Since forming the anti-counterfeiting group we've worked with law enforcement officials around the world to conduct raids and to chase down those involved in this criminal activity.
Education may be even more important to our efforts because as long as people are willing to buy these fakes, counterfeiters will continue to make them. We are committed to educating golfers on the risks and pitfalls associated with these clubs. This website is just one part of our education efforts.
How are your efforts going?
In 2012, the Golf Group’s efforts with the help of Chinese law enforcement led to the seizure of more than 500,000 counterfeit golf products highlighted by a clustering campaign initiative resulting in the arrest of more than 30 suspects from raids of 14 different locations.
Continuing that momentum into 2013, the Golf Group helped law enforcement seize thousands of counterfeit golf products throughout the year and saw its efforts lead to more than 250 websites selling counterfeit golf products having been shut down. The Golf Group looks forward to building on its recent success and continuing to increase consumer awareness and preventing the production, distribution and sale of fake gold equipment across the globe.
How can I be sure that I purchase authentic products?
The only way to be sure is to always buy your golf equipment from an authorized dealer.
I think I purchased fake clubs. What can I do?
Although it's up to you to decide what's in your best interest, here are several options you might consider:
- Dispute the charges with your credit card company.
- File a claim with PayPal (if you used their services).
- Report the incident to the Internet Crime Compliance Center at www.ic3.gov.
Where are fake clubs made?
While the vast majority, more than 90 percent, of counterfeit golf products are made in China, they can be made anywhere. The Golf Group has investigated and raided counterfeit manufacturers in China, Thailand and Vietnam, to name just a few locations.
Group Members
