No Research and Design Costs. I have a mixed bag of Name brands and clubs from Giga Golf. as far as I know, Bang Golf has their own designs as well. 5,6,7@ one length and 8-gw @ a shorter length) a year ago. For all 3 testers, the TaylorMade Burner produced measurably higher clubhead speeds than the clone. the consumer. So if the name-brand companies are fine with it, why would anyone, that decides to save money on purchasing similar product, be doing the wrong thing? Who is going to take those remarks seriously? I have a loft lie machine in the basement, so no big deal. These shafts do perform differently from one another. All you have to do is make a few changes to keep anyone from suing you, Zhu said of equipment that walks the fine line between whats legal and whats not.. Odyssey Putters; Clearance Golf Clubs Up to $180 Off TaylorMade Stealth Golf Clubs; PING G425 Golf Clubs; Shop All PING Golf Clubs; Super Game Got it, thanks! WebGigaGolf Custom Golf Clubs FREE STAND BAG with $500 custom Learn More a GIGAGOLF EXPERT for club fitting assistance or to place an order by phone (M-F) 8 to 5 est Learn More Play better golf with custom clubs fit Make yourself aware. T. he loft gapping is slightly larger than traditional irons; this is to maintain a proper distance gap between clubs. Accuracy When it comes to accuracy the results are less cut and dry. My DTG S2 Pros were both on spec. somebody earlier stated that no PGA professional would recomend to a student or anyone for that matter that they purchase copy/clone clubs. Some, like Frank Thomas (former USGA Tech. Anybody that uses a cheap clone head should be able to figure out why theres such a difference in price. Sadly, thats ignorance on the consumers part. Expected an article comparing clone(s) plural. I no longer build drivers or sets, because I was checking iron set I received and the individual weights varied as much as 12 -15 grams which can be huge. As a mechanic, Ive been building my own clubs for the past 26 years, and yes I have quite an inventory. Has anyone ever stolen a customer of yours? I came across them a couple times online and their prices are very competitive, but are they any good? If however, you place a premium on accuracy, though not as conclusive, there is some suggestion that the clone could be the more accurate of the two heads. Counterfeits or a Copy, are much harder to tell and that is why the Golf manufacturers are in fact going after these factories. I bought it and it was perfect. Our all-weather studio is strategically positioned to face the golf range. Fast forward to now and Dynacraft is Hireko complete with Jeff Summit, a go to guru on club building and perfotmance that worked Dynacraft with Tom Wishon. The guys whose clones (similarly designed recreations of clubs from the big golf companies) rattle proudly in their bags, and there are the guys that wouldnt dream of playing something that wasnt made by a name EVERYBODY knows. In the end, it is hard to figure out the quality of a specific model of golf club without using it for a significant amount of time on the course after buying it. I know Maltby designs their clubs but does Hireko design theirs? Are Acer and Pinhawk owned by Hireko? PING, in an older Golf Digest article, seemed pretty adamant that their stock offerings are on par with anything sold in the aftermarket. The topic were covering in Edition #2 of the MyGolfSpy Labs is one of the most debated topics the golf equipment industry has had for the past 30 years! The truth is..most component companies just follow the lead of the Majors and put their spin on the productnow that is a FACT! I found that both sets hit almost exactly the same distance with the same loft, atleast I cannot notice any difference. No matter what your skill level, you want to play better golf. Web275g head weight with hosel weight bore allows assembly to any single length between 35.5 and 37.5 while still being able to achieve a reasonable range of swingweight/MOI Clones what good are they? Asfar as the lower end of components go, the only ones that really deserve the bad rap are the "clones". Not the muscle blade. Im talking pure clones not Bang, Geek, Krank, etc. Although I have made several sets of look alikes mostly from Hireko I have found the Irons are great and although they should always be checked for loft and lie after assembly that using a good shaft the work just great. He is a Callaway Master Fitter and serves on the National Board of Callaway Fitters. Both my Acer XKs and XFs were all either on spec or less than one gram off (.8g being the farthest off). GigaGolf offers True Temper shafts as their standard shaft and you can upgrade to different shafts and grips of your choosing. They may have similar names Turner T7, Gallery, and so on. They just cannot afford it! all play a role not only what we think of a club design, but also how we perceive performance. Of course, the Tour Burner was produced before things took a slightly downward dip. Web1 Acer SR1 Fairway Woods $94.99 Acer XV Irons $44.99 Rating: 3 Acer XV Pro Irons $44.99 Rating: 1 Acer SR1 Hybrids $79.99 Acer XDS Fairway Woods $94.99 Rating: 6 Acer XDS Extreme Draw Fairway Woods $94.99 Acer XDS Extreme Draw Titanium Driver $159.99 Rating: 1 Acer XV Ultimate Thriver $169.99 Rating: 9 Acer XV Thriver Mini . Clothing manufacturers have been battling this issue for many years. Then if it is assembled, how well is it assembled. Theyre still something to consider, its just they dont get the play on Tour or heavy ad-machines compelling people to buy their stuff. Okay, you somewhat mixed it up. Introduce Yourself/ WIYB (What's In Your Bag), Lessons, Drills, Mental Game, and Fitness Tips. But: Fatigue, digestive progress of our breakfast, coffee, momentary humor, stance vaiation, conversational distraction, realizing the consequences of the hit, ball life, audience . There is a difference between Branded Merchandise and Clones, and that is largely quality control. For the name-brand model we tested a TaylorMade Tour Burner 2010. GOLFSHOT APP and the MGS MEMBER VIRTUAL TOUR TRYOUT AND ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT!! All you did was test one club head pretty worthless really. Theymay not be fancy looking and after 8 years playing with them over 150 days each seasonin Alaska the paint is scraping off the titanium club head a bit, but that doesn't effect the way it plays. Looks As you might expect the Burner looks much more refined. Also, Gunmetal mentioned Maltby suffered from the poor clone quality. and its fitted perfectly to you,(from your pros stats) everyone looks at my clubs, and get really impressed by the beauty,..and they play very good. SEARCH ALL Used GOLF CLUBS FROM ALL BRANDS. I switched to Dynacraft Prophet cavity backs and have not looked back. It is less and less common. I dont play clones because I cant afford the name brands. Bottom Line: For some folks a clone will dodepends on what kind of player they are -or want to become.Ive used a Pinemeadow clone putter and holed just as many shots as I have with an Odyssey White Hot Two Ballmethinks the main problem with clones might be psychological as one wonders how much better the real thing isand of course clones have zero resale value if that becomes an issue later on down the road. Do a couple of irons too, test a 9, 7 and 5 iron from 4 or 5 different popular clones and their OEM twin. The 2nd tier often makes some of the mid-size golf companies that a lot of you play but they also make some of the top components and clones for companies like Golfsmith, Hireko and Diamondtour. Jethro Liou is an expert in the knockoff business. In 1997 R.J. Liou reached a settlement with Callaway. Looking at the performance, there isnt, in my mind, a clear winner. ! After school he would make cold calls for his father, Ren-Jei (R.J.) Liou, asking pro shops and discount stores if they wanted to order from his line of clubs. Women's MyGolfSpy (WMGS) General Discussion Forum, Lessons, Drills, Fitness and Training Aids, Suggestion Box - Reach out to the Forum Staff (Open for All Member Responses). Irons: 3-PW Mizuno MP37, Recoil Proto 125 F4 (reshaft in progress, slowly); 1i &3-PW Golden Ram TW276, NV105 S; 2-PW Golden Ram TW282, RIP Tour 115 R WebLet Hireko custom assemble your golf club to your exact specifications. Unless its done in jestof course. There are better clone models of this driver, although we decided to go with a mid-tier model. Note that Pinhawk is a This topic has been pretty taboo and heated for many reasons. I agree that most component companies copy other designs. However: the result you provided does tell us that one club seems not twenty-five percent better to justify the cost difference, but as with a new suit, cost is a factor to most people some believing the lower cost buys the good-enough quality and some believe they deserve the best, and humans equate best with price. My opinion, I think that what ever works best for you is what you should buy. Turner T7 that resembles a TaylorMade r7. Knock-Offs operates under the same principle. I have hit them myself and compared a set of them with my name brand and really with the same shaft,,,, they were every bit as good and a bit better in some respects cause I made them to fit and every component was checked. Some golfers place an absolute premium on distance. Iron 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,Pitching Wedge,Approach Wedge,Sand Wedge or, Set with Graphite/Steel Shafts for Right Handed Golfers, Iron 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,PW for Men & Women,Right Handed, Set for Men & Women (4,5,6,7,8,9,P,A,S) or Individual Iron 7,Left/Right Handed,37.5 Inch, 7 for Golfer Slower Swing Speeds, Reduced Strain on The Old Elbows and Wrists, Help Shots Go Farther, Men & Women Right Handed, Iron Set, Mens Right Hand 5-6-7-8-9-PW-GW, (2&3) Right or Left Hand Steel Shaft Regular Flex. Oneday 8 years ago I saw an add from Hireko for their THRIVER. There just simply is not the time or money right now to go after them. The important thing to me is the name brands hold there value and sell quickly used where you dont get hardly any interest advertising used clones and almost have to give them away to get them out of the garage. Square headed drivers made from wood in the 1800s. Jeff Makowski In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Clubhead speed, and launch angle are both significant factors in determining ideal spin. Maltby has been around since the mid 1970's I believe. I started getting their catalogs in the 80's and buying from them. While I remember the ACER Couldnt make up my mind as to which one I liked best. Hmmmwe think maybe theres a chance it might.Lets go to the lab! Of course the currently have their hands and funds fully committed going after Counterfeit Clubs. Why else would a top tier golf ball cost up to $5 maybe advertising and exorbitant overheads? Even with a $2700 bag of Pings latest game improvement sticks. They must have played some part in your tests. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, (your email address will not be published), Costco Kirkland Performance + Golf Ball (Version 3), Costco Kirkland Signature Wedges Version 2, http://www.diamondtour.com/golf-bags.html, http://www.pinemeadowgolf.com/golf-clubs/accessories/. I have a dynacraft hollow body driving iron that I got from hireko for $17 (for the head). But I think it would surprise most to know that only by 5.8 yards (2.2%). The reasons are many why this topic has not been fully addressed and this is one of the reasons we felt so compelled to cover it for you. These cases have been won in other industries. All those statements do is hurt the component biz. It would have been interesting to see how the original performed. As far as woods go, I stick with the name brands because there is a lot more to a wood than just to look like the other. 2nd Swing offers the largest selection of used golf clubs both online and in our stores, including every brand and model imaginable. Dont lump everyone into a category. However, it was 72 degrees, blue skies with great company and cold beer. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Hireko has existed since 1981 per something I've seen online. I'm looking at the Acer XV Pro heads because they have progressive bounce which I have come to really like. I'm happy with it. The adjusted average numbers look even better for the clone as, with the 2 best and 2 worst shots removed from each tester, the clone is 3.5 yards closer to the center line on average. . Play like poor mans Taylor Made P790. 1. I have used this club as my driver.It has a 13 degree face, It have spent way over $1,000 on drivers and never satisfied. Im not a big fan of clones or knock-offs. I do proudly carry 3 PW Maltby MMBs (forged blades) with Project X shafts, custom fit to my length. For those who want to play Knock-Offs, yes it is your right. Since early 2000, that practice has become more and more limited as the most contracts between OEMs and Foundries, prevent the foundry from producing Clones. If you line 50 men up of varying heights with hands at their sides you will find almost all, regardless of even 56 or 66, their hands will all be at about the same height. Counterfeits like we said are NOT the same as clones and the counterfeit equipment is often the cheapest and lowest quality equipment. I am very happy with them but often wonder if I spent double on brand names would it be worth it- they would have to be heaps better ! Can you point me in the right direction? Golf Galaxy Certified Club Technicians use Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. It's a combination driver and fairwaywood. So thinking that only clones and counterfeits are made there is just preposterous. 3 golfers were asked to hit a series of 12 shots with each driver. Great article! Clones have come a long way since the dark ages. Too bad the comparison wasnt between those brands and TaylorMade rather than a head that was a copy of TaylorMade. The later hurts the Golf Manufacturers and the integrity of their designs, thereby hurts all involved, Reps, Retailers, and yes ultimately the game of golf. (first most important,.get an thoro golf fitiing from a pro- for what your going to build, the truth is out there! I believe it was good for MGS to write about this since it eduates people about the other choices they have. I haven't tried anything of theirs yet, but now I am willing to. And I have the benefit of custom fitting and the best components. I picked these up as a 20 HC and played them. In no way do I have the means to measure every single piece of equipment to find out how many clones or OEMs were outside of tolerance but Im willing to bet its not as much of a disparity as some people would lead you to believe. WebThis Meant grips, shaft, length and even tweaking the head itself. Oh and I like their hybrid and fairway wood models. Cool. I worked in manufacturing for over 50 years and watched all kinds of products being manufactured from high quality aircraft bolts to electronic equipment to toys. In addition, the swingweight and flex are also the same. Definitions: WebGolf Clubs. That was a great article, anything that can spark so much emotion and debate is a good thing. Enjoyed playing with them. We took a quick reading on the DigiFlex and found only a 2 CPM difference infrequencybetween the two clubs. All Levels of Golfers Beginners to Advanced. That is a ridiculous statement to make thatthe component industry has more firsts then the Majors!! A Clone or Knock off is not hard to see. If you have a greater tolerance for the absence of feel, or unpleasant sound (and we know many do), then perhaps its time you stopped paying big bucks for name brand equipment, and started looking into a quality clone. When it came to heads Golfworks was the best. So, they go in that direction. The one reason that the numbers have diminished is simply because there are less clone companies in existence compared to 5-8 years ago. I now own a complete set of the GigaGolf forged cavity backs along with a set of Giga woods and play to a legit 7 handicap. Counterfeit Clubs and Clone Clubs, the operators who sell and produce, contribute to higher prices of the legitimate brands. WebLoft & Lie Adjustment. Lots of spin when needed but now that is as much the ball as the club. By being all the same length, lie, balance and weight as a 7-iron, there is no need to change your posture, stance or ball position so you only have one thought process for every swing with your irons and wedges. with hosel weight bore allows assembly to any single length between 35.5 and 37.5 while still being able to achieve a reasonable range of swingweight/MOI (depending on shaft weight and grip weight), Looking for more consistency from your iron game? After all, there is no way on this green earth that a clone with an assembled price of less than $100 ($59 head only) could outperform a club from a popular golf company with an initial price tag of $300 right? From affordable golf clubs for those on a budget, mint golf clubs, and many used golf clubs with light cosmetic wear. While not a tremendous amount in raw form, from a percentage standpoint it works out to an increase of 15.7%, which when youre trying to keep a ball in the short grass, probably is a significant amount, and helps to explain the difference in accuracy between the clubs. The assertion made that many Clones are made in the same factories as OEM clubs is unsubstantiated and simply incorrect. HeIl, we may even have completely different views on what best means. Visit the Cobra Golf Store. Ill use Infiniti as an example. Clone equipment is within the patent and trademark limits and for the reputable companies selling clones is 100% legal. In the case of the Burner Tour vs. A former assistant groundskeeper about to become the Masters champion. While I cant speak for GolfSmith, Hireko is also considered partly a clone company. Not so much. Note that Pinhawk is a trademarked line of golf clubs not designed by Hireko Golf. Read further and you will find that the same factories involved are also producing Clone Clubs. Cookies help us deliver our services. Because MyGolfSpy Labs doesnt put a score on things, rather than have our testers fill out our surveys, we simply had a discussion about the subjective aspects of our two drivers. E.M. They might could provide you with design answers/informationyou might have. still hitting clone irons. Our staff of skilled club fitters and club builders are passionate about providing the highest level of customer service. Sorry the average golfer is not able to drop $3-400 for a driver or fairway wood. As much as I preach performance first, theres only so much Im willing to sacrifice in terms of esthetics, sound, and feel. Clones destroy the credibility of Maltby, Wishon, Alpha, KZG, and even what Jeff Summit is doing today with Hireko. Note: The FTC considers the terms Clone and Knock-Off to be identical. Go to eBay, or Diamond Tour. The customs people thought my father was [the primary distributor of] King Snake, which in its heyday had something like 10% of the market, Jethro says, but a lot of people were importing that product. Its almost laughable to make those type of statements! Your previous content has been restored. Someone else designed it, so theyre going to laser copy it, skip the R&D, use cheaper material, spend nothing on advertising the new design, and take money from a certain consumer segment. KZG couldnt afford them. Ive been eyeing the Dynacrafts, and drooling over the KZGs. There are different levels of counterfeiting, says Debra Peterson, a U.S. customs official who was involved in Project Teed Off. Sorry bub. Whether you are just getting into the game or the seasoned vet trying to score a great deal, we have it. Id love to see MGS compare irons. Other than that they work. SWIFT) Determination of trademark infringement is tough to prove and costly. This is a topic Im always interested in. They specialize. Keep them coming! For those that are dead set against clonesyou should remember this.many name brand models are modeled after other companies designs as well. Oh , incidently, this thing about the heights of people I feel is not an important part of the fit. Regarding Acer, most likely but don't know for sure. Spin While many manufacturers are promoting less spin off the driver, the truth of the matter is that the distance equation is far more complex than less spin = more yards. In my humble opinion Geek and Krank and maybe Bang are all longer than the Rocketballz Driver with similar shafts. WebGOLFDOM is THE Golfer's Store, complete with everything our customers need for on AND off the course. Most companies are trying to get it right with their stock shafts. Thanks for the help. Of course, this is my individual experience. Also illegal is a club that is very close to a direct copy and is termed either confusingly similar (if it infringes on company trademarks) or substantially similar (if it infringes on design patents). Counterfeit golf equipment is NOT the same as clone equipment. The suggested mens length for the Pinhawk SL's is 37", which is a typical 7 iron length. Are shafts or heads manufactured to a large (+-) tolerance with the (-) tolerance being the norm or are the parts manufactured to close tolerances? Steve Almo is among the most knowledgible individuals Ive ever met in the Golfing industry, and if I had to make a judgement on whose opinion was more accurate Id have to support Mr. Almo every time. Hireko acquired Dynacraft somewhere in the 2000s, I don't remember exactly when. Looking at the group as a whole, we found that the Burner produced swing speeds that were on average 2.39 MPH faster than the Heated clone. Are there bad clonesYES. Great review! Just ask yourself, have you ever had someone take credit for your hard work? What condition are your used clubs? Tim not only is a popular fitter but one of the most sought-after instructors. Unless its Oscar Peterson. Of course, that has to be with an * because of of all the stuff I mentioned earlier. I would like to see head to head comparisons of drivers, irons, hybrids, etc. Copyright 2023. I give them 5 stars. When it comes to sidespin, the Clone generated an average of 81 RPMs less. (circa 2013)https://mygolfspy.com/ultimate-review-acer-xs-driver/. On 5/20/2020 at 10:38 PM, aerospace_ray said: On 5/24/2020 at 9:08 AM, aerospace_ray said: On 5/24/2020 at 10:48 AM, Guest Delete said: ltby?" Stupid autocorrect! Results I got tell me Im sticking with what I have for now. Copyright 2023 1757 Golf Club All Rights Reserved. So I just bought a real Titleist driver. The cost of 4 through PW with customization, tax and shipping came to less than $400 and they were at my door Caveat, Ihave not built any of their(Hireko)newer models but I have with GolfWorks. Might as well play with a half set. I am now ordering today,shafts, grips and epoxy plus a three wood rescue club from them. So you are saying that geek golf that you run is just a spin off as well. There is a difference in this world with having the right to do something, and doing something with honor. Keep up the great work! No need to point that out and recommend starting a new thread for those who insist on making that there lifes mission. Pab, if you have read the posts above you should come away confused (as I am) as to whether non OEM brands might be best. The clubs were built with FST 90 regular tip trimmed shafts for a 6 iron. You were basing most of your information on PssstWanna buy some clubs?, which only talks about Integra and Trophy Sports (owned by the same family). Custom fitting can have a dramatic effect on your game. I like them a lot, price was great, looks are great and pleased with the performance. I have the Acer XK driver and 3w, the XF driver, XK 3h, XK irons, XF irons, XB wedges and San Miguel putter even though the XKs have been relegated to the dugout, I wouldnt trade any of them. If your shooting 92 at your home course with a set of Pings you can shoot a 92 with clones. many of us are affiliated with our own equipment companys therefore recomendations tend to be biased but for those not in a position to get decked out in an expensive set my staff and i gladly help put them in pre-owned/used name brand equipment for often times much cheaper than a new set of clones and even if it does cost a little bit more they make it back in peace of mind. A test such as yours would better be done on mechanical equipment such as the ball manucturers use. What is legal is the generic look-alike that does not infringe on a companys trademarks or patents. I dont care what a club looks like or sounds like, if it feels good in my hands and performs well for accuracy. It may still happen, but it is less and less. . Copyright 2022 MyGolfSpy The 2nd tier often makes some of the mid-size golf companies that a lot of you play but they also make some of the top components and clones for companies like. I play the Pursuit cavity back forged too. I used Geek Drivers in Senior Long Drive Competitions, none of which I won, but it wasnt because of the Geek equipment, it was a faulty swinger (me) not the equipment.
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hireko single length irons