Golf Nut, I am thinking about upgrading my golf clubs by buying complete set of used clubs. Any suggestions on the best way and/or places to look for name brand used golf clubs?

I personally focus on three places when I look for used golf clubs. First is Ebay. That’s at www.ebay.com. Now Ebay is not like it used to be. You can still find bargains on golf equipment, clubs and complete sets, but you have to work harder. Ebay has matured now to the point where people and companies are selling high volumes of golf clubs, both new and used right through Ebay.

So it’s not a place these days where every golf club is a bargain out of someone’s storage room. The key, I believe, is patience and search, search, search. It’s too easy to find the brand you are looking for and then quickly rationalize yourself into jumping into a bidding war. You will end up with a good club probably, but pay too much.

Be willing to wade through the many auctions, to be picky, and to wait a few weeks as you lose a number of auctions and you can still find some real bargains.

The second place that I have had good luck with is www.callawaypreowned.com . They sell used Callaway golf clubs, golf accessories, and complete sets of irons in various conditions from “like new” to “average”. These clubs come with a certificate of authenticity, a12 month warranty, and a 90 day buy back program. All great assurances when you’re buying used golf clubs.

You also can trade your used Callaway clubs (if you have some) for Callaway PreOwned or even for new Callaway golf clubs. They also sell other brand name irons and drivers that they have taken in on trade. So you are not locked into the Callaway brand.

The third place I like is Play It Again Sports. It’s a retail store; they have a web site but don’t sell products online. But they have over 430 locations around the US so the odds are good that there is one near you. You won’t always find what you’re looking for, they do all sports, not just golf. So sometimes their inventory of golf clubs and golf equipment is limited.

But I have a number of friends who found great bargains on complete sets of used golf clubs that were in very good shape. They are still playing with them today.

Now there are other good places that I haven’t mentioned, but these are my favorite three and you asked.