Like most things in life, your golf gear is not going to last forever. While good care can make your gear last for a good long while, eventually you’re going to have to think about replacing it. While you don’t want to be buying new golf equipment every time the latest new thing hits the market, you also don’t want to be that golfer with the falling apart, ancient gear that’s held together with tape. And what’s more, after a while you may start to get the inkling that your gear is not performing like it used to – or like it should. But before forking out for some brand-new shiny gear, how long can you expect your current kit to last before you need to replace it?
Golf balls
While the pros might use numerous new balls per game, the average golfer shouldn’t need to replace them that often. While they may not look as new and shiny as a new ball, older balls will still perform pretty much the same as a newer one. As a rule of thumb, you can continue using a ball as long as scuffs, paint loss or damage on the face of the ball is smaller than the size of a five-cent piece.
Golf clubs
Golf clubs do wear out over time, but the rate at which they do depends on their frequency of use. Your long irons and your putter are not likely to need replacing as often as your driver and wedges, just because they don’t get used as often. And clubs such as your driver tend to absorb a lot more impact and stress than your putter. So, it’s hard to put a time frame on the longevity of golf clubs, as they can last anywhere from a year if used very frequently to 20 years if not used often and cared for well.
How to tell if your clubs need replacing:
- They are not performing as well as they used to, and you can feel the difference when hitting shots
- They are out of balance
- They break or are irreparably damaged
- They are difficult to repair
- A professional recommends that it’s time to replace your clubs
- People you regularly play with start passing you in distance
- You’re taking huge divots
- You’re seeing a lot of wear and tear on the clubs
- You can’t see the grooves on your clubface
- Your clubface is littered with dents
Be wary of changing your clubs too frequently however, as swapping and changing your clubs too often can have a negative impact on your game. As a rule of thumb, aim to keep your clubs for at least two years before changing them. If you don’t need to upgrade them for reasons such as improvements in your swing, you should be able to keep them even longer.
Click here to discover seven things beginner golfers should know when buying golf clubs.
Is buying expensive golf clubs worth the cost? Find out here.
Golf bag
Similarly, the longevity of a golf bag will depend on how often you use it and how you treat and handle it. Golf bags generally last a few years before needing replacement; more if you use it less often. If your golf bag doesn’t work as well as it needs to i.e., it has holes or tears, the clubs don’t slide in well or the zippers don’t work smoothly, it’s probably time to replace it.
When cleaning out your golf bag, don’t forget the essentials! Find out what you should always carry in your golf bag here.
Golf gloves
Golf gloves are one thing you can’t afford not to replace when necessary, as they can lose their grip and get slippery – not ideal when the whole point of a glove is to provide a better grip. Depending on the quality of the glove, a typical golf glove will last between 10 and 20 rounds of you take care of it correctly. High-performance gloves may actually not last as long as cheaper versions, so if you’re looking for something that will last longer, go for a lower quality option.
Tees
Golf tees are the equipment type that you’ll need to replace the most often, as they are not built to be long-lasting. It does depend on the type of tee you buy, however. For instance, wooden golf tees have a tendency to break more easily, while plastic ones will often bend. You could consider something like bamboo tees, as they won’t break or bend as often as wood or plastic ones, as they are made from a stronger material. Whichever way you go, be prepared to replace your tees often, and have plenty of spares on hand when you hit the course.
Golf buggy
The longevity of your golf buggy will very much depend on which brand your purchase. If you buy a cheap, overseas-built buggy, you can’t expect it to last too long, and you’ll need to replace it eventually.
However, if you buy a Parmaker golf buggy, you can rest assured that it will see you through countless rounds of golf. We’ve spent 30 years changing and improving our machines to make them strong and reliable, with the end result being a better built motorised golf buggy that will last and last. And in the unlikely case that a problem arises, our quick and competent after sales service can ensure that you are up and running again in no time. Many of our clients have owned their Parmaker golf buggy for 25 plus years, and the only thing that wears out is the tyres.
Have a look at our range here.
For more tips to get the most out of your golf buggy, click here.
How to make your golf gear last longer
- Treat all your gear with tender loving care and don’t handle it roughly
- Use head covers on your clubs when you are not using them
- Make sure you clean all your equipment after each use
- Pay particular attention to the grooves in your golf clubs, as dirt and grime accumulating in there will limit the effectiveness of your clubs
- Change your club grips every year
- Store your golf bag in a clean, dust-free and dry environment where it won’t get knocked around
Gear that’s treated carefully is likely to last much longer than gear that is roughly treated and infrequently cleaned. It may seem like an onerous chore to be constantly cleaning your golf gear, but those few minutes will be worth it in terms of longevity.
