How to find golf club bargains

One consequence of the recession is that golf equipment bargains are busting out all over.

"There have never been better deals — ever," said Michael Livingston, general manager of Puetz Golf. "It's unprecedented."

The equation is simple: Bad economy equals reduced prices.

The golf retail business was no stranger to sales before the recession because that's how a lot of inventory gets moved. Think of golf clubs as cars. When the new model comes out, the old model goes on sale.

In golf, the sale price is sometimes below 50 percent of the previous price. Old inventory has to move to make room for new products. Last season's hot driver can cool off fast. And in the golf industry, some manufacturers come out with new lines twice a year. A lesser-known car-golf comparison: many stores take "trade-ins."

Some tips on getting the most yardage from your golf buck:

April and early May is always a big time for sales in the golf industry but other sales follow. April is the first month of decent weather in northern climates. A lesser reason is that April comes not long after the PGA Merchandise Show in Florida in February.

Secondhand clubs are a real option. Some golf stores sell them. There are plenty of used individual clubs and club sets on Craigslist and eBay. Also, check the classifieds.

Sometimes, you can get lucky at a garage sale, especially in a golf-rich neighborhood like Mill Creek. This upscale community in southern Snohomish County allows garage sales only twice a year — on the first Saturday of May and October.

An oft-stated rule is never buy anything you haven't hit, at least into a net. If you can't take what you are considering buying to a nearby range, you might want to at least carry some plastic practice balls to whack. When pondering whether to buy used clubs, check the grooves (make sure clubs still have them) and the grips to make sure they won't need immediate replacement. If they will need replacement, factor that into your decision whether to buy.

Occasionally, good clubs surface at big rummage sales such as the Lakeside Rummage Sale held by the private school twice a year.

Some golfers have reported good luck buying clubs at sporting goods stores that specialize in second-hand equipment and what appear to be factory over-runs of new gear.

Your chances of finding good equipment at a charity second-hand stores such as Goodwill are remote. Most of the equipment we have seen in such stores isn't worth a second look.

Still, you never know where you might find a putter that serves you well. The putter is the most personalized club in the bag. Just as you never know where you will meet your future spouse, you never know where you will find a putter that will work for you. It could be in a barrel of used clubs.

Savings are often available by shopping online. Just take precautions to make sure you don't get shafted. According to the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) report issued in mid-2008, Internet sales of golf clubs have more than doubled in the past five years to 16.5 percent of all club sales. Internet golf sites have sales, too, just like stores.

Manufacturers hold "Demo Days" at courses and ranges where customers can hit new clubs and sample the clubs with different shafts. Also, bargains sometimes can be found at golf shows.