Quality of clone components ?

[tonto]

I have built my own clubs for a number of years now, first using Golfsmith heads, then Hireko heads. I have been satisfied with the clubs, but I really don't know any better. Are the heads from major manufacturers any better than the clones or not?

[PlaidJacket]

I can't speak for clones. Clones meaning they are basically copies of existing mfg.rs clubs. I personally would not use clones/fakes (copies) However... there are designs by Golfsmith, Hireko, etc that are their original designs. Therein is the difference. Clones are fake Pings or Taylormade or Titleist, etc.

I play Wishon. I heard a guy one day after seeing my irons saying they are clones. Clones of what? Wishon? LOL He's ignorant and doesn't know it. If anything Wishon designs are quite original. He's had a ton of design firsts that the big boys rip-off. As for major manufacturers being better than clones? I'd say absolutely. As for custom designed clubs like Wishon, KZG, Alpha, etc. etc... yeah, they are better than clones and no less than equal or better than the big boys.

[McaseyM]

I've had good results with clone clubs in my life.

My first 2 sets of clubs were clones. In the early 1990s, my grandfather met the owner of Diamond Head Golf and as so impressed by him that he bought me and my brothers each a set. We went in for a full fitting and I played those ( off and on) until I was about 26. After speaking to a pro when I was taking a lesson, they told me they were basically Wilson clones. 

When i decided to take golf a little more seriously, i went to Golf Galaxy and did a super quickie "fitting" (read: hitting about 20 balls into a net while a golf pro told me it looked good) for Taylormade Burners, but being the frugal man I am, i just took that info to a local company Custom Golf Stop that carries clones and some other small OEMs (Bang, Alpha, Acer, Integra) and got the Silver Diamond Big S set and Burner woods. 

Those worked great for me and the whole set of 4-PW ( i kept my SW and LW from diamond head) and Driver, 3 wood and  5 wood cost me $300. 

I gamed those for 3-4 years, and then when I bought my last set of lessons at GolfTec, I used the last lesson as a fitting and was fit for my current irons. 

Custom Golf Stop knows and markets that they sell clones and they don't try to tell you they're not, but for someone starting out, it was a good, much less expensive option. They had the same specs as the TM burners and I didn't know the difference, besides saving $400. The Burner Brand fairway woods were pretty damn sweet, long off the tee and grass. The driver cracked more than once on me ( got replaced for free each time)  so my trust of that club was gone, but everything else played great for me. 

[BIG STU]

I can't speak for clones. Clones meaning they are basically copies of existing mfg.rs clubs. I personally would not use clones/fakes (copies) However... there are designs by Golfsmith, Hireko, etc that are their original designs. Therein is the difference. Clones are fake Pings or Taylormade or Titleist, etc.

I play Wishon. I heard a guy one day after seeing my irons saying they are clones. Clones of what? Wishon? LOL He's ignorant and doesn't know it. If anything Wishon designs are quite original. He's had a ton of design firsts that the big boys rip-off. As for major manufacturers being better than clones? I'd say absolutely. As for custom designed clubs like Wishon, KZG, Alpha, etc. etc... yeah, they are better than clones and no less than equal or better than the big boys.

LOL I have had idiots at the bag drop think Miuras are some type of clone. All three of the brands you cited are as good as far as steel and manufacturing process as any of the major OEMs. In fact If I was not capable of engineering my own stuff for the money I would have my clubs custom fit etc from one of those brands including Miura.

[jayjay0808]

I have found some clones to be of less quality as lets say a Ping, Mizuno, or Titleist. However original designs from KZG, Wishon, and Alpha are right on par with those companies. 

[Maverickping]

Clones are exactly what others have pointed out, I will add inferior in all aspects. Wishon etc are not clones and are on line with any other quality head. I used to use a SMT driver head one of the best heads ever for me.

[Peterpc2828]

I think we might be putting some brand like KZG and Wishon in the clone category, when I think clone I think this.

 

 

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[PlaidJacket]

I agree Pete. Look at that thing. The Heater... Taylor Fit Made. #1 in distance too. Who would have thought? LOL