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I would recommend that if you are just starting out, and learning the game, start with an inexpensive set such as knock offs. After a year or two and you are playing alot, you'll need to buy the major brand for the quality, and they also hold up better. Good news is that if you buy last years models, or older models new, you be buying them almost as cheap as some of these lesser brands. Check out your nearest clubhouse or ebay for some great buys. Research really pays off in this area! brand for the quality, and they also hold up better. Good news is that if you buy last years models, or older models new, you be buying them almost as cheap as some of these lesser brands. Check out your nearest clubhouse or ebay for some great buys. Research really pays off in this area!

The biggest difference I have noticed on the clones is the shafts and grips are not as good as the top manufacturers and unfortunately, that is what makes the biggest difference in the quality. I tried some Nike clones and was rather disappointed. I will never by off brand again.d some Nike clones and was rather disappointed. I will never by off brand again.

Myelf said to me Roundy isnt this the same as Im a chevy man!Then another more sensible voice says I wonder if a top PGA or LPGA player could play under par with some clones,copycats,cast or cockeyed!!!!!!!

There are also some off brand companies out there that sell quality product. For instance Tom Wishon or SMT have very good quality products. Most of the items you cannot just order. They want you to go to a clubmaker that they deal with so that you get fit to the best equipment for you.go to a clubmaker that they deal with so that you get fit to the best equipment for you.

I do believe there are some independent small club manufacturers out there that make a quality product that is just as good as the "big boys" clubs. Some look similar to the big name clubs and some simply say they are clones. Those that claim clones I'm suspicious of, because they are trying to sell their clubs based on the quality and name of the club they're copying...which makes me wonder why they don't sell their clubs based on THEIR quality. Then there are other companies that have clubs that may look like a name brand but they don't say that nor try to market their clubs by using the name of a big name club. GigaGolf is one such company that I believe makes a quality product. I'm sure there are some bad companies out there, beware of companies that guarantee their clubs will "drop x number of strokes off your game" or guarantee "you WILL hit the ball LONGER and STRAIGHTER" with their clubs, or can outfit you with a "complete set for $129.95", etc. I believe you get what you pay for but I also believe you can get a quality iron set in the neighborhood of $250-$350. Remember, the big boys are in a VERY competitive industry. They pay MEGABUCKS in bigtime marketing, advertisin

I do believe there are some independent small club manufacturers out there that make a quality product that is just as good as the "big boys" clubs. Some look similar to the big name clubs and some sig, endorsement contracts, sales reps, tour sponsorships etc, etc, just trying and get a leg-up on the competition and a little more market share...guess who pays for all that? Yep, us, the weekend warriors who save for a year or more to buy the latest $900+ set and next year the big boys will be telling us we need the NEWER and BETTER technology to advance our game!(because they need to maintain market share.) Meanwhile, there are some small mom & pop operations that are quietly turning out some quality products that will perform just as well.
So do a little research and find some of these companies, they'll even build a set to your specs!

I have always found that you get what you pay for. This has rang true for me in the distant past when buying "clones". You just do not get the research and development that has went into making a finely tuned club. What you get is money spent on developing a club that looks as close to something else as patents will allow. But like another poster stated if you like them who cares what the name is.ly tuned club. What you get is money spent on developing a club that looks as close to something else as patents will allow. But like another poster stated if you like them who cares what the name is.

Well if you find knock off clubs that work well for you and you can hit them just as good then so what. But, my own experiance is I had some Ping knock off and the got the real thing, there was a big difference, and they have held up better too. I broke 2 of my knock offs and have had the pings for over 10 years with no problems, and they were used when I got them. Honestly, I don't mind paying a little extra to get the real thing, kinda comes down to you get what you pay for. difference, and they have held up better too. I broke 2 of my knock offs and have had the pings for over 10 years with no problems, and they were used when I got them. Honestly, I don't mind paying a little extra to get the real thing, kinda comes down to you get what you pay for.

The same 5 companies don't make all clubs or club components. There are many, many manufacturers of club heads and shafts, grips, etc. Almost ALL club components, heads, steel shafts, grips, are made in China today with a few exceptions. Pings may still be partly made in Arizona, I would bet the heads are cast or forged in Mexico or China. Clones are not copies, not in the way counterfeits are copies. They are based on the same technology, materials and manufacturing techniques, most of which are not trademarked or patented. Don't confuse counterfeit copies for clones, clone clubs are not the same as knock off or counterfeit clubs, any more than a Lexus is a Mercedes or Cadillac knockoff or copy. Similar technology, similar designs, same materials. in China today with a few exceptions. Pings may still be partly made in Arizona, I would bet the heads are cast or forged in Mexico or China. Clones are not copies, not in the way counterfeits are copies. They are based on the same technology, materials and manufacturing techniques, most of which are not trademarked or patented. Don't confuse counterfeit copies for clones, clone clubs are not the same as knock off or counterfeit clubs, any more than a Lexus is a Mercedes or Cadillac knockoff or copy. Similar technology, similar designs, same materials.