Last Updated on May 29, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
When you purchase your clubs, you may not think all that much about the resale value of them. Having played golf for over 30 years, I’ve collected my fair share of old clubs. They hang out in the garage in old golf bags, and when friends come to town, I have options for them to use. I’ve thought about selling or donating some of the clubs and then I look up resale values and get discouraged. Even golf clubs in good condition are not worth all that much. I’ll give you five ways to tell if your old golf clubs are worth anything.
5 Ways to Tell if Old Golf Clubs Are Worth Anything
Here are five ways to tell if your old golf clubs are worth a few dollars or if you should find another use for them.
Are They Premium Clubs Purchased in the Last Three Years
If you purchased your clubs in the last three years, they may be worth some money. They will have to be premium branded golf clubs like Callaway, Titleist, Ping, etc.
You can usually put these clubs on Facebook and see if there are golfers in your area who are interested.
EBay is another option, but you’ll have to figure out how to ship the piece. These clubs are, of course, worth more when the club head is in good condition and you’ve taken care of them.
In fact, if you recently purchased particular clubs and you don’t love them, the sooner you sell them, the better.
The Condition of the Clubface
Check the condition of the clubface for wear and tear. Clubs with minimal wear on the sweet spot sell for more money.
The problem here is that most older clubs (even those rarely used) are not worth that much money.
Technology changes so much that people who are searching for new clubs want some of the latest equipment that is still in great shape.
Premium Golf Shafts
We all worry about the club head and making sure it stays in good condition, but if you have a premium golf shaft in your clubs, it can also be a great way to make a little money. Lower handicap players and golf enthusiasts are very particular about the shafts used in their golf clubs.
If you know you ordered a premium shaft upgrade in your driver or fairway woods, see if you can get some money for those. They can be reused in different clubheads, so many golfers won’t care if the clubhead is not what they are looking for.
Historical or Collectible Models
If you happen to come across vintage clubs or antique golf clubs, you may be able to get some money for them. Sometimes, hickory shafts or rare finds that were limited edition releases will yield you some good money from collectors.
Keep your eye out at garage sales for these, but do a little research first to make sure you know which ones are the right ones to get. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a garage full of classic clubs that aren’t worth a dime.
Learn about Brand and Model Popularity
There are some clubs that, even with age, are still worth money. For instance, many Scotty Cameron or Ping putters still sell for a good amount. The condition of the club and whether or not it was a special edition can help.
A quick and easy way to determine if you have rare clubs is to look at the pricing for your model on eBay. If you see some high numbers and your club is in excellent condition, you may be able to get good money for it.
What to Do with Old Golf Clubs Aside from Selling Them
If you are like me and your old Titleist irons or Cobra drivers aren’t worth all that much money, then you have to figure out what to do with them instead of selling them.
Here are a few things I’ve done that I have found to be just as good. Like you, I have difficulty selling a set of irons I bought for $750 for just $25. Instead, here are a few things I did:
Donate to Junior Golf Programs – Or Give Them To Your Kids
Junior golf programs always look for great clubs to give to kids in your local area. They use these for the camps and programs they run, so even if your set of clubs is not in the best condition, it won’t matter. Many times, they cut the clubs to a variety of lengths, put junior grips on, and let the kids go at it.
I also have a few drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and wedges in decent condition that I’ll give my kids to use. I can cut them down, throw a new grip on them, and make them an affordable option for those in between sizes.
Kids don’t stay the same height as teenagers for all that long, so having a cheaper but decent-quality set is a good option. For really young kids, purchase the lightest junior clubs on the market; otherwise, you may discourage them from playing.
Create Something for Your Home
I had an old wooden shaft golf club that wasn’t worth all that much but still had sentimental value. I hung it in my office for years, and it was a nice addition. I’ve seen people use golf clubs for a variety of different decor around their homes, and it’s a decent option if you can’t get high prices for the clubs you own.
Donate To Charity
Donating your clubs to charity is a nice thing to do. You may give someone a chance to purchase clubs at a very low price, or you may help an organization that does good things for all types of golfers.
Use For Guests
Put together a decent set of clubs for anyone who comes to visit you. Travelling with golf clubs is expensive and risky, so when you can offer your guests a full set of clubs to choose from, it’s a nice benefit to staying with you.
There’s a good chance your equipment is good enough for them to use for a few rounds of play.
Trade Them In?
Check with a local golf retailer or even some larger online golf retailers about golf club trade-ins. They typically offer a value guide so you can get an estimate. Then you send the clubs in they evaluate them and let you know what type of credit you can get.
I’ll warn you, this is not how you will get the most money for a used set of clubs.
Remember, they still have to flip these and sell them again. Therefore, you won’t make nearly as much as you may think.
Where You Can Sell Your Old Golf Clubs
If you have determined that your clubs are from the big brands, are relatively new, and are in decent condition, some of the best places to sell the clubs are eBay, Craigslist, Facebook, and even local golf shops with trade-in programs.
In addition, you can use websites like 2nd Swing Golf, Golf Galaxy, and even Play It Again Sports. A new set of clubs can cost $2000 or more. Even if you make $150 off of your old set, it’s a nice discount on the new set.
Just remember, most golfers think their old equipment is worth much more than it actually is!
Final Thoughts
Here’s the bottom line and how I’ve narrowed this down. If you are worried about the price of golf clubs, buy yourself a good set and then use them for 7-10 years. They won’t be worth much, if anything, when that time is up, but you got a good value for them through the years. Or you can purchase new clubs every year or two and sell them for a decent amount. The key is not to hold on to newer equipment you aren’t using; that’s where you lose the most value. Do you hold on to your old clubs or trade them in each time you upgrade?
