Has MGS ever tested new vs. used clubs head-to-head

[frazzman80]

I got an Email from a retailer this morning and it was titled “New vs. Used” and when I clicked it, it was about price difference between new and used (it was moderately substantial between the two depending on condition).

But, that got me thinking. Has MGS, or any one of the testers here, ever done a performance comparison of the same club head-to-head new versus used. I’m talking same manufacturer, same model, same loft, same shaft, same grip, same everything but a New/10 version versus a Like New/9, version versus a Good/8 version versus an Average/7 version versus a Poor/6 or below version?

I am very intrigued to see if condition effects performance and at what level (if any) does it drop off and how it correlates to price savings/reductions (which I know many members here would be interested in).

Is there a difference for performance drop off by condition for drivers/woods versus irons or wedges (I’m sure used wedges would have to be less effective since they tell us to replace them after 75 rounds right?)? 
 

Curious if this could potentially be a future episode of Golf Science. Thoughts?

Edited August 17, 2023 by frazzman80

[cnosil]

54 minutes ago, frazzman80 said:

I got an Email from a retailer this morning and it was titled “New vs. Used” and when I clicked it, it was about price difference between new and used (it was moderately substantial between the two depending on condition).

But, that got me thinking. Has MGS, or any one of the testers here, ever done a performance comparison of the same club head-to-head new versus used. I’m talking same manufacturer, same model, same loft, same shaft, same grip, same everything but a New/10 version versus a Like New/9, version versus a Good/8 version versus an Average/7 version versus a Poor/6 or below version?

I am very intrigued to see if condition effects performance and at what level (if any) does it drop off and how it correlates to price savings/reductions (which I know many members here would be interested in).

Is there a difference for performance drop off by condition for drivers/woods versus irons or wedges (I’m sure used wedges would have to be less effective since they tell us to replace them after 75 rounds right?)? 
 

Curious if this could potentially be a future episode of Golf Science. Thoughts?

I have never seen an MGS test on this other than older model versus newer model performance comparisons.  I think it would be had to classify club grades as that are opinion based.  Is an unused club that has had all the paint removed and is basically bare metal a 10 or 6?  How about dents?   Also, once you hit a club is considered used so we all hit used clubs. 
 

IMO, the basics of new vs used is:

• Woods/hybrids:  no grooves to worry about so what gets impacted is stability of face.  You would probably see faster ball speeds off the face as a wood gets used more until the face fails. Probably need higher swing speeds to see this.
• irons/wedges: loss of grooves and friction off the face which would I,pact spin numbers.
• putters: unless there is damage to the face probably no impact.  

[frazzman80]

5 hours ago, cnosil said:

I have never seen an MGS test on this other than older model versus newer model performance comparisons.  I think it would be had to classify club grades as that are opinion based.  Is an unused club that has had all the paint removed and is basically bare metal a 10 or 6?  How about dents?   Also, once you hit a club is considered used so we all hit used clubs. 
 

IMO, the basics of new vs used is:

• Woods/hybrids:  no grooves to worry about so what gets impacted is stability of face.  You would probably see faster ball speeds off the face as a wood gets used more until the face fails. Probably need higher swing speeds to see this.
• irons/wedges: loss of grooves and friction off the face which would I,pact spin numbers.
• putters: unless there is damage to the face probably no impact.  

I don’t know, second-hand retailers give grades to any/all used clubs, so I’m not sure that is as difficult as you noted.

You might be right about results, but it would be interesting to see if $150-$250 less for the exact same driver and upwards of $500 less for the exact same used irons perform as well or nearly as well as the brand new ones.

Edited August 17, 2023 by frazzman80

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, frazzman80 said:

I don’t know, second-hand retailers give grades to any/all used clubs, so I’m not sure that is as difficult as you noted.

You might be right about results, but it would be interesting to see if $150-$250 less for the exact same driver and upwards of $500 less for the exact same used irons perform as well or nearly as well as the brand new ones.

I also read comments about how bad some of the grading is on clubs so it isn't a clear cut as you want to make it.

If in good condition and treated well they will perform the same.  roughly 5 years is life expectancy before new drivers might be better and irons are probably longer. 

[ShimmyCocoBop]

The beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

However, I've started to see Sellers on eBay under-rating their clubs with a "value" rating. to keep Buyer's expectations low.  Callaway Pre-Owned also did the same thing - don't know if they still do, but feedback used to indicate that they shipped nicer clubs that their description indicated.

Plenty of quality pictures really help.

[stratgolf]

Too much variance in second hand clubs to provide any feedback of value I'd say.