We are the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group. Our mission is to stop the spread of counterfeit golf products, and “Keep Golf Real.” If you have been redirected to this page, it is because the website you were attempting to visit violated federal law by selling and distributing counterfeit golf products. It has been shut down by a court order.
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.”
COUNTERFEIT PROBLEM
It’s estimated that as many as 2 million counterfeit golf clubs are produced each year. 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 consider the millions of fake balls, bags, gloves, and apparel produced.
It’s a major problem.
The growth of the internet and auction sites has led to an increase in the sale of counterfeit products over the last decade. As a result, consumers mistakenly spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year on fakes. The efforts of the group have led to raids and seizures of millions of counterfeit clubs, but there is still considerable work left to do.
It’s estimated that as many as 2 million counterfeit golf clubs are produced each year. 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 consider the millions of fake balls, bags, gloves, and apparel produced.
It’s a major problem.
The growth of the internet and auction sites has led to an increase in the sale of counterfeit products over the last decade. As a result, consumers mistakenly spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year on fakes. The efforts of the group have led to raids and seizures of millions of counterfeit clubs, but there is still considerable work left to do.
WHO WE ARE
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group is dedicated to stopping the production, distribution and sale of counterfeit or fake golf equipment across the globe. Formed in 2004, the group is made up of six of the largest golf manufacturers in the world: Acushnet Company, whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy, Vokey Design and Scotty Cameron; Callaway-Odyssey; Srixon, Cleveland Golf and XXIO; PING; PXG and TaylorMade Golf.
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 counterfeit operations while simultaneously working to raise consumer awareness of the issue.
This isn’t a brand issue; it’s an honesty issue, it’s a quality issue, and in some cases, it’s a safety issue. For the good of customers and for the good of the game, the group is committed to putting an end to these fakes — because fake clubs are for fake golfers.
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group is dedicated to stopping the production, distribution and sale of counterfeit or fake golf equipment across the globe. Formed in 2004, the group is made up of six of the largest golf manufacturers in the world: Acushnet Company, whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron; Callaway-Odyssey; Srixon, Cleveland Golf and XXIO; PING; PXG and TaylorMade Golf.
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 counterfeit operations while simultaneously working to raise consumer awareness of the issue.
This isn’t a brand issue; it’s an honesty issue, it’s a quality issue, and in some cases, it’s a safety issue. For the good of customers and for the good of the game, the group is committed to putting an end to these fakes — because fake clubs are for fake golfers.
CAN YOU SPOT THE FAKE?
Spot Fake 1
It’s becoming more and more difficult to spot counterfeit products just by looking at them. Counterfeiters are constantly changing, and there isn’t one giveaway that indicates whether a product is fake. Scroll through to see if you can identify which of these products are counterfeits.
Spot Fake 2
Scotty Cameron putters are frequently counterfeited. In this case, shoddy paint jobs and poor engraving are two indicators of these fake products. Both putters are counterfeits.
Spot Fake 4
You have to look closely at these Callaway drivers to see the very subtle differences between the two. Notice the different screws used to connect the shaft and the head? How about the slight difference in the center weight? In this picture, the real product is on the left, and the club on the right is counterfeit.
Spot Fake 5
When place side-by-side, the differences in these PING drivers are clear, but which one is real? The driver on the left is the only one of the three that features a matching shaft and club head. The colors on the other two are different, and those two are fake.
Spot Fake 9
These XXIO drivers are almost identical, except in a couple places. The “10.5” and “XXIO” engravings differ in thickness and sharpness. The real product is on the right, but it’s often difficult to see these differences if you’re buying online or don’t have a side-by-side comparison.
Spot Fake 10
When cut in half, counterfeit clubs often reveal their true colors. The real irons, on the left, are partially hollowed out based on technical specifications and quality standards of professionally manufactured clubs. But how often do you get to cut your clubs in half to find out what’s inside?
Spot Fake 3
It’s not only clubs; counterfeiters will manufacture anything if they think they can make money from it. The real golf balls are on the right, and feature a uniform, multi-layer core. The balls on the left are unbalanced, and the material is far from professional grade.
SPOTTING A FAKE
Counterfeit clubs can result in anything from a loss of distance and accuracy, to safety hazards – 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.
The most reliable way to be sure someone is purchasing an authentic product is to buy from an authorized retailer. There will always be a risk that a product purchased from an unauthorized source will be counterfeit. The truth is: counterfeit manufacturers are constantly changing, and it’s becoming more difficult to spot fakes – until you play with them.
To ensure the golf equipment you’re buying, or have already bought, is authentic, ask yourself the following questions:
Am I purchasing golf equipment from an authorized dealer?
A list of authorized retailers can be found on each manufacturer’s website, or by contacting the manufacturer’s customer service department.
Some websites offer discounted golf products and claim to be OEM’s or approved vendors. Are they legit?
Probably not. If the site is not identified as an authorized retailer or vendor according to the manufacturer’s website, it is likely selling counterfeit products. Websites that offer discounted products may be selling fakes. These sites are mainly based in China.
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 manufacturers don’t sell “blems” or “seconds,” so there won’t be different versions of golf equipment in the marketplace.
The golf club that I purchased online was shipped from China. Should I be concerned?
Yes, if the product is shipped from China, the chances are high that it’s a fake.
WHEN IN DOUBT, DON’T BUY IT! SAVE YOUR GAME!
Counterfeit clubs can result in anything from a loss of distance and accuracy, to safety hazards – 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.
The most reliable way to be sure someone is purchasing an authentic product is to buy from an authorized retailer. There will always be a risk that a product purchased from an unauthorized source will be counterfeit. The truth is: counterfeit manufacturers are constantly changing, and it’s becoming more difficult to spot fakes – until you play with them.
To ensure the golf equipment you’re buying, or have already bought, is authentic, ask yourself the following questions:
Am I purchasing golf equipment from an authorized dealer?
A list of authorized retailers can be found on each manufacturer’s website, or by contacting the manufacturer’s customer service department.
Some websites offer discounted golf products and claim to be OEM’s or approved vendors. Are they legit?
Probably not. If the site is not identified as an authorized retailer or vendor according to the manufacturer’s website, it is likely selling counterfeit products. Websites that offer discounted products may be selling fakes. These sites are mainly based in China.
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 manufacturers don’t sell “blems” or “seconds,” so there won’t be different versions of golf equipment in the marketplace.
The golf club that I purchased online was shipped from China. Should I be concerned?
Yes, if the product is shipped from China, the chances are high that it’s a fake.
WHEN IN DOUBT, DON’T BUY IT! SAVE YOUR GAME!
NEWS & CONTENT
NEWS
CONTENT
NEWS
CONTENT
Share your counterfeit story by emailing us at
keepgolfreal@gmail.com
* By sharing your story with us you consent to allow us to use details of this story and your first name in order to help educate other consumers on the dangers of counterfeit golf products.
Share your counterfeit story by emailing us at
keepgolfreal@gmail.com
* By sharing your story with us you consent to allow us to use details of this story and your first name in order to help educate other consumers on the dangers of counterfeit golf products.
FAQ
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 shut this problem down at the source.
Education is as 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?
We have seized millions of fake golf products over the years and continue to make progress in keeping counterfeit products out of the marketplace through our education and enforcement efforts. With the proliferation of peer-to-peer and other e-commerce websites, we are also dedicating more resources to internet investigations and have shut down thousands of websites trying to dupe consumers.
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?
First and foremost, contact the manufacturer. Going to the manufacturer opens a line of communication that can lead to a more comprehensive investigation. On each manufacturer’s website, there is a place to report suspected counterfeits:
- Acushnet Company (Titleist, FootJoy, Vokey Design, Scotty Cameron)
- Callaway Golf (Callaway, Odyssey)
- Cleveland Golf (Cleveland, Srixon, XXIO)
- PING
- PXG
- TaylorMade Golf
If you purchased the products from a peer-to-peer e-commerce site, like eBay, file a dispute with the seller immediately. It’s also important to remember that counterfeiters are criminals. If you bought a fake product, these criminals have your credit card information. Be sure to diligently check your statement for fraudulent charges and report them if appropriate.
What should I do if I think a website might be selling fake clubs?
Let us know! Email the website’s URL to the group at keepgolfreal@gmail.com so we can investigate.
Why shouldn’t I buy a fake?
Fake clubs are made without the technical specifications and quality standards of professionally manufactured clubs. Counterfeit clubs are not only inauthentic, they’re inferior. 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.
Where are fake clubs made?
About 90 percent of counterfeit clubs are made in China, but they can be made anywhere. Since the group’s inception, it has also investigated and raided counterfeit manufacturers in Thailand and Vietnam.
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 shut this problem down at the source.
Education is as 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?
We have seized millions of fake golf products over the years and continue to make progress in keeping counterfeit products out of the marketplace through our education and enforcement efforts. With the proliferation of peer-to-peer and other e-commerce websites, we are also dedicating more resources to internet investigations and have shut down thousands of websites trying to dupe consumers.
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?
First and foremost, contact the manufacturer. Going to the manufacturer opens a line of communication that can lead to a more comprehensive investigation. On each manufacturer’s website, there is a place to report suspected counterfeits:
- Achushnet Company (Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron)
- Callaway Golf (Callaway, Odyssey)
- Cleveland Golf (Cleveland, Srixon, XXIO)
- PING
- PXG
- TaylorMade Golf
If you purchased the products from a peer-to-peer e-commerce site, like eBay, file a dispute with the seller immediately. It’s also important to remember that counterfeiters are criminals. If you bought a fake product, these criminals have your credit card information. Be sure to diligently check your statement for fraudulent charges and report them if appropriate.
What should I do if I think a website might be selling fake clubs?
Let us know! Email the website’s URL to the group at keepgolfreal@gmail.com so we can investigate.
Why shouldn’t I buy a fake?
Fake clubs are made without the technical specifications and quality standards of professionally manufactured clubs. Counterfeit clubs are not only inauthentic, they’re inferior. 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.
Where are fake clubs made?
About 90 percent of counterfeit clubs are made in China, but they can be made anywhere. Since the group’s inception, it has also investigated and raided counterfeit manufacturers in Thailand and Vietnam.
CONTACT US
Have a question about counterfeits? Want to report a website or retailer? Connect with us below.
U.S. GOLF MANUFACTURERS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING WORKING GROUP
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