Anyone who has tried to buy golf equipment over the last year knows that instead of being a joyous occasion, supply chain issues, along with shortages of some shafts, grips and components, have made many players wait for weeks or months to get their gear.
People who make and sell counterfeit equipment know that frustrated golfers are looking for the quickest and least expensive ways to get the clubs they want. That creates motivation and opportunities.
Knowing that maybe it should not come as a surprise that the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group announced recently that a series of three raids bagged 9,769 pieces of clubs and components, as well as 10,600 pieces of trademark labels. Brands with gear being counterfeited included XXIO, Titleist, TaylorMade, PXG, Callaway and Ping.
The three raids were conducted on June 2, and they were made with the cooperation of the Shanghai Police in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China.
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group is a gathering and partnership of six golf companies, including Acushnet (Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron), Callaway, Cleveland/Srixon/Xxio, Ping, PXG and TaylorMade that was formed in 2004. The group works with local authorities to investigate counterfeit goods and coordinate raids that seize items made illegally. The group’s work has led to the shutdown of more than 1,500 websites and, and more than two million counterfeit golf products have been captured and kept off the market.
“The job of protecting golfers across the world from counterfeiters is one we take tremendous pride in,” said Lisa Rogan, Director of Brand Protection for Titleist. “Successful raids like these serve as a poignant reminder to all counterfeiters that their work will not be tolerated and that our group will work swiftly with law enforcement across the world to stop these illegal acts.”
Unfortunately, the increase in golf’s popularity has pushed counterfeiters to make more fake club heads, shafts, grips, golf balls, bags and headcovers. In 2020, the largest counterfeit golf equipment raid ever seized 120,000 pieces of fake golf equipment seized and 15 defendants were detained and arrested.
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group warns consumers that if a price for a piece of golf equipment being sold online seems too good to be true, it probably is, and the club, ball or accessory may well be counterfeit. You can get lots of tips on spotting fake and counterfeit golf equipment on the groups website, keepgolfreal.com.
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