WHAT IS A GOLF CLUB “CLONE” OR “KNOCKOFF”?
Our definition would be a golf club with a design similar (but not exact) to an advertised name brand. This “similar to” practice is also common in the computer industry (IBM clones), the food and pharmaceutical industry (generic brands), the automotive industry (aftermarket parts), etc. WHO MANUFACTURES THE HEADS? There are fewer than 10 foundries worldwide that produce 90% of all golf club heads sold in the U.S. These foundries manufacture heads for Titleist, Cobra, Callaway, Wilson, Taylor Made, and a whole bunch of smaller golf companies. These same foundries manufacture heads that we are able to purchase through particular golf club importers. The vast majority of these foundries are in Asia, and yes these major brands are not manufacturing their own heads; they are buying their heads from these Asian foundries. (The one major exception – Ping manufactures their own iron heads, and does so here in the U.S.) THE MAJOR BRANDS SEEM TO COST 2-3 TIMES AS MUCH AS THE CLONES/KNOCKOFFS. D
