Quick Answer: Buying used and ex-demo golf clubs can be a cost-effective way to access quality golf equipment for less. Used clubs have typically been previously owned and played, while ex-demo clubs are generally used for demonstrations or fittings. Before buying, check the club's condition, shaft, loft, length, lie angle and grip, and make sure its specifications suit your swing and game.
Buying used and ex-demo golf clubs can be a smart way to upgrade your golf equipment without paying the full price of brand-new clubs. Whether you are a beginner building your first set or an experienced golfer looking for a premium driver, irons or putter for less, the key is understanding condition, specifications and whether a club actually suits your game.
In this used golf clubs buying guide, we explain the difference between used and ex-demo clubs, what to inspect before buying, which specifications matter and how to get better value from your budget.
Ex-demo golf clubs are clubs that have been used for demonstrations, fittings or similar purposes rather than being sold as brand-new stock. Because their use may have been relatively limited, they can offer an attractive middle ground between new and second hand golf clubs.
At Golf Gear Direct, for example, ex-demo clubs may have been used in controlled settings such as fitting centres or demo days. The company states that these clubs are often in near-new condition with relatively limited signs of wear.
That does not mean every ex-demo club will be cosmetically perfect. A driver may show ball marks on the face, an iron may have light sole wear, and a grip may no longer look untouched. Condition should therefore be assessed on the individual club rather than assuming that the term "ex-demo" guarantees a particular standard.
The main difference between used and ex-demo golf clubs is generally their previous use. A used club has typically been owned and played by another golfer, whereas an ex-demo club has normally been used for demonstrations, fitting sessions or similar retail purposes.
As a result, ex-demo golf club condition can sometimes be closer to new. Used clubs vary much more widely: one may have played only a handful of rounds, while another could have several seasons of regular golf behind it.
Neither category is automatically the better purchase.
An excellent-condition used driver with the right shaft, loft and specifications for your swing may be a much better choice than an ex-demo driver that does not suit you. The goal is to find the right combination of condition, specification, performance and price.
Buying pre-owned golf clubs can allow you to put more of your budget towards the equipment specifications and brands you actually want.
For example, the same budget that restricts you to an entry-level new club could potentially open up previous-generation or premium models on the second hand market. This can be particularly useful when replacing several clubs at once.
Used and ex-demo equipment can make sense for:
Buying used golf clubs is still about finding equipment that fits your game. A low price does not represent good value if the club has the wrong specifications or needs immediate repairs.
A good used golf club should be structurally sound, accurately described and free from damage that would make you uncomfortable playing it. Cosmetic marks are normal on second hand golf equipment, but buyers should distinguish ordinary wear from potentially significant damage.
A useful golf club condition guide should cover the head, face, shaft and grip.
Look closely at photos of the actual golf club wherever possible to check that it is in good condition.
Normal sole scratches and cosmetic marks are to be expected on used irons, wedges and woods. More important concerns include cracks, severe dents, loose components or signs of unusual damage.
Pay particular attention to the face. The face is responsible for contact with the golf ball, so its condition deserves more attention than cosmetic marks on the crown or sole.
For wedges and irons, examine the grooves and the area where the majority of strikes have occurred. A useful condition or rating guide should cover the head, face, shaft and grip so buyers can judge wear consistently. Normal wear does not automatically make a club unsuitable, but heavy wear may influence whether its price represents good value.
Golf Gear Direct states that the photographs displayed for its ex-demo and used clubs show the actual club being sold, which gives buyers an opportunity to assess individual condition before ordering.
The shaft connects the golfer to the club head and has a major influence on how the club feels and performs.
For steel shafts, look for significant rust, dents, bends or other obvious damage. With graphite shafts, pay attention to cracks, splitting or damage to the material.
You should also confirm exactly which shaft is fitted. Two identical club heads fitted with different shafts can produce very different results for the same golfer.
A golf club grip provides the player's direct contact with the club. A grip that has become excessively smooth, hardened, cracked or badly worn may need replacing.
A poor grip does not necessarily mean you should reject an otherwise suitable used club. Instead, factor the potential cost of replacement into the total price you are willing to pay.
Before buying used or ex-demo golf clubs, check the club's handedness, loft, shaft model, shaft flex, length, lie angle and grip specification where applicable. These characteristics can affect launch, feel, strike and overall suitability.
Do not assume that a club is standard simply because the listing does not mention modifications.
Golf club shaft flex describes how much a shaft bends during the swing. Common categories include ladies, senior, regular, stiff and extra stiff, although terminology and actual characteristics vary between manufacturers and individual shaft models.
Rather than choosing a flex simply because it sounds appropriate to your ability, consider how the complete shaft specification works with your swing.
Golf club loft influences launch and distance, but the number stamped on a club does not tell the entire story. Modern club designs can produce different launch conditions even at similar stated lofts.
With adjustable drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, check both the original specification and the current hosel or weight settings. If an adjustable club requires a manufacturer-specific tool, confirm whether one is supplied.
Golf club length affects how you address and deliver the club, while lie angle influences how the club sits relative to the ground.
Golf Gear Direct's fitting process considers measurements such as golfer height and wrist-to-floor distance alongside swing characteristics when assessing appropriate club length. That illustrates why simply buying the same specification as another golfer may not produce the same results.
If a used set has previously been lengthened, shortened or adjusted for lie, find out before buying.
A golf club fitting can help establish which specifications suit your swing before you spend money on used equipment. Even if you ultimately buy a pre-owned club, understanding suitable shaft, loft, length and lie specifications can make it easier to narrow down your options.
Golf Gear Direct operates a Performance Fitting Centre in Headcorn, Kent, with fittings available for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters. Its fitting process uses swing data alongside physical and equipment measurements to make recommendations.
This can be particularly valuable when buying used irons or a driver, where superficially similar clubs can have substantially different specifications.
If you already know your preferred specifications, shopping for used and ex-demo golf clubs becomes much more focused.
Drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters can all be purchased used, provided their condition and specifications are suitable. The inspection priorities differ slightly for each type of club.
Check the crown, face, sole, shaft and hosel. On adjustable models, confirm that the adjustment mechanism is intact and that you know the current setting. Driver technology changed noticeably between 2018 and 2023, so model year matters more here than in some other categories. Even so, drivers from roughly the last two to four years can still offer excellent performance for used buyers.
Previous-generation woods can be worth considering if they provide the launch, forgiveness and specifications you need without the price of the latest model. Fairway woods from three or four years ago are still capable from the fairway or as an alternative from the tee, and hybrids from two or three years ago are often sensible used buys.
With used irons, consistency across the set matters. Check that the shafts and grips match where they are supposed to and look for signs that individual clubs have been replaced or modified.
Also inspect the faces and grooves, particularly on the shorter irons that may have received considerably more use.
Condition deserves extra attention when buying wedges because the face and grooves are central to how the club interacts with the ball.
Look closely at face wear and establish whether the wedge has been altered or re-grooved. Golf equipment used in play must comply with the applicable Rules of Golf, and The R&A publishes equipment rules and information covering club conformance.
With a used putter, inspect the face or face insert, shaft, alignment features and overall head condition.
If the model has a face insert, look for obvious damage or separation. You should also check putter length, head style and grip because these characteristics can affect set-up and feel on the green.
Premium models, including pre-owned Scotty Cameron and other leading golf brands, can sometimes make the second hand market particularly appealing to golfers who want a particular putter without paying its original new price.
There is no single correct used golf club price because value depends on the model, age, specification, condition, original retail price and current demand.
Instead of focusing only on the size of the discount, compare the used price against equivalent new and ex-demo alternatives.
Ask yourself:
The cheapest golf clubs are not necessarily the best-value clubs. Spending slightly more on the correct specification in excellent condition can make more sense than buying something cheaper and replacing it again soon afterwards.
Normal wear does not automatically make a previously conforming golf club non-conforming. The R&A states that if the performance characteristics of a conforming club change through normal use, the club remains conforming under the applicable rule.
There are, however, rules governing golf club design and modification. Players who compete should be particularly careful with unusually modified equipment and older clubs where conformity is uncertain.
The R&A maintains official Equipment Rules and information on conforming equipment. Checking these resources is sensible if you have doubts about an older or modified club.
Both can work well. Buying online gives UK golfers access to a huge range of used golf clubs for sale, while shopping in person lets you shop with the benefit of inspecting equipment directly and seeking advice.
For online purchases, detailed condition information and clear photos become particularly important. Check exactly which club is being sold rather than relying solely on generic manufacturer images.
Golf Gear Direct displays photographs of the actual used and ex-demo club being offered for sale, allowing customers to assess visible condition before purchasing.
If you are unsure about specifications, combining online research with professional fitting or expert advice can reduce the risk of buying a club that looks right but does not suit your swing.
Trading in existing clubs can help reduce the effective cost of upgrading because the value of equipment you no longer need can be put towards another purchase.
Golf Gear Direct offers a Trade-In Trade-Up programme covering golf equipment including drivers, irons, wedges and putters. Clubs are valued from the information supplied, after which eligible golfers can use the resulting credit towards other equipment.
If you have unused clubs sitting in the garage or an old driver that has already been replaced, checking its trade-in value before buying your next club can make sense.
Before buying any second hand or ex-demo club, confirm the exact model and specification and inspect its condition rather than judging it on price alone.
Check:
For an iron set, also confirm exactly which irons are included. A listing described casually as a "set" may not necessarily contain the club configuration you expect.
Buying used and ex-demo golf clubs gives UK golfers another way to access quality equipment while controlling the cost of an upgrade. The best purchase is not simply the cheapest club or the one with the fewest cosmetic marks; it is equipment in appropriate condition with specifications that suit the golfer using it.
Golf Gear Direct stocks a changing range of ex-demo and used golf clubs from leading brands, with availability regularly changing and examples at times including taylormade or titleist models, along with fairways in stock. Because second hand stock depends on the clubs available at any particular time, models, specifications and condition will vary.
Shop the current used and ex-demo range online, or speak to the Golf Gear Direct team if you need help understanding which specifications could suit your game. If you are replacing existing equipment, you can also explore the Trade-In Trade-Up service or visit the Performance Fitting Centre in Headcorn, Kent.
This guide provides general golf equipment information only. Individual equipment requirements vary according to swing characteristics, physical measurements, playing preferences and ability. Where you are unsure about club specifications, consider obtaining professional fitting advice before purchasing.
