A warning to all the golfers out there who are playing more since the start of the pandemic—counterfeiters are trying to take advantage of the golf craze.

If you find a good deal for golf equipment on the internet, make sure it is the real thing.

Justin Conner, with PGA tour superstore in Atlanta, tells 95.5 WSB’s Bill Caiaccio that it is easy to spot counterfeit equipment, if you know what you’re looking for.

“It could come down to the spot used on somebody’s logo,” Conner explains.

Writing for Golfweek, David Dusek says, “People who make and sell counterfeit equipment know that frustrated golfers are looking for the quickest and least expensive ways to get the clubs they want. That creates motivation and opportunities.”

Conner adds that in Atlanta, while you could say the increase in golfers is a good problem to have, the high demand for equipment has led to some supply chain shortages.

>>Listen to 95.5 WSB Reporter Bill Caiaccio’s on-air report below.

A U.S. golf manufacturing anti-counterfeiting group is now keeping an eye out for phony equipment.

The working group reportedly announced that a recent series of three raids bagged more than 9,000 pieces of clubs and components, as well as 10,600 pieces of trademark labels. “Brands with gear being counterfeited included XXIO, Titleist, TaylorMade, PXG, Callaway and Ping,” Dusek writes.

He adds that the three raids were conducted on June 2, and they were made “with the cooperation of the Shanghai Police in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China.”

“The job of protecting golfers across the world from counterfeiters is one we take tremendous pride in,” said Lisa Rogan, Director of Brand Protection for Titleist. “Successful raids like these serve as a poignant reminder to all counterfeiters that their work will not be tolerated and that our group will work swiftly with law enforcement across the world to stop these illegal acts.”

If a deal looks too good to be true, Conner explains to 95.5 WSB, it probably is.

And the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group echoes those sentiments, and also encouraging consumers that to go to their website, keepgolfreal.com, for tips on spotting fake and counterfeit equipment.

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