The Advisor

Golf Digest, June, 2001

Dear Golf Digest: I have been spending some time on some of those auction websites. A lot of them have used golf equipment for sale. Is it safe to buy these clubs online? M.S., Schaumburg, Ill.

Buying used equipment online is like shopping at a huge, worldwide flea market. You evaluate the merchandise and decide how much you're willing to offer.

It's now much easier to find that old Haig driver you remember from when you were a kid, but you won't really know what you bought until it comes by mail. That does take a certain amount of trust. And there's usually no refund.

Auction sites like eBay and golfclubexchange.com try to make sure you get what you pay for, but the best sellers will happily give you any extra information they have about their clubs--and extra photographs. Since the online auction market is huge, shop around until you find someone agreeable.