Condition Rating Guide

10 - Brand new in wrapper

Clubs rated 10 are brand new and in the wrapper.

All clubs

Clubs rated 10 are brand new clubs that has never been hit and it will still have the wrapper on it. If there is no wrapper or if there are any marks at all on the club then this will not qualify for a 10/10 rating; no matter how “new” the club is.

9 - New, not in wrapper, un-used

Clubs rated 9 are unused, never been hit, but not in the wrapper.

All clubs

Clubs rated 9 have still not hit a golf ball. They are normally a display model with the plastic wrapping removed. There will be no marks on the club, if there are then then it will not qualify for a 9/10 rating.

8 - Minimal use - max. 2-3 rounds

Clubs rated 8 are in very good condition and used for 2-3 rounds at most.

Head and face

Clubs rated 8 will have only been hit a few times or played a maximum of 2-3 rounds of golf or minimal testing at the driving range. If there are any strike marks at all on the head, they will be barely visible and on the face. Strike marks anywhere else on the club will mean it does not qualify for a 8 rating. If the club has had more use than 2-3 rounds of use will not qualify for an 8 rating.

Shaft and grip

Clubs rated 8 will have only been hit a few times or played a maximum of 2-3 rounds of golf. If there are any wear marks at all on the shaft, then this will not qualify for a 8 rating. Grips on clubs rated as 8 will be like new.

 7 - Used, in great condition, no damage

Clubs rated 7 are in good condition, used, and with no cosmetic damage.

Head and face

Clubs rated 7 have been used but looked after. Drivers will have no scratches, sky marks or chips to the paintwork and the face will be in good condition. If there are any sky marks, no matter how light, on the top edge of the head clubs do not qualify for a 7 rating.

Irons will have signs of use but no wear to the face and no significant marks or chips anywhere else.

Please refer to our What We Don't Buy page if you are in any doubt.

Shaft and grip

On graphite shafts there will be no damage and no evidence of wear or rubbing. Any wear or rubbing on the shaft means that this club will not qualify for a 7 rating. All ferules should be intact and undamaged.

Steel shafts might see some of the stickers starting to fray or peel away. Any marks will be very light and there are no signs damage to the outer or protective chrome layer, or any signs of pitting (black specks showing on the shaft where the chrome has been compromised).

Grips with a 7 rating will not have any splits, wear marks or be shiny in appearance. They will still have a tacky feel to them and have a full season’s life in them before they need replacing.

6 - Used but some cosmetic damage

Clubs rated 6 are in fair condition, used, and with some cosmetic damage.

Head and face

Clubs with a 6 rating are in perfectly usable order but not quite deserving of a "good" rating. On drivers, there may be 1 or 2 light sky marks or small scratches resulting from normal wear and tear (not noticeable at address). There will be no heavy sky marks, significant scratching, dents or paint touch ups.

Irons might have 1 or 2 stone chips on the leading edge or sole (but not overlapping onto the face of the club) as well as other signs from normal wear and tear.

Please refer to our What We Don't Buy page if you are in any doubt.

Shaft and grip

Graphite shafts with a 6 rating might have minor wear marks where the club has rubbed against the bag. This will be cosmetic and will not have gone through any graphite layers. If you can feel an indentation on the area affected, then the club will not be accepted.

On steel shafts the stickers will be starting to fray and there may be some minor wear marks. These will have not worn through the outer or chrome protective layer. There will be no pitting (black specks showing on the shaft where the chrome has been compromised) and all ferules should be intact and undamaged.

Grips with a 6 rating will not have any splits, wear marks or be shiny in appearance due to age and should have at least 6 months life left in them.

5 - Poor condition - we do not buy

Clubs rated 5 (or below) are not items we buy.

Head and face

We do not buy clubs with a head or face that have a 5 rating. If you could describe either as poor condition, then it is unlikely we would buy it.

Club head and faces with the following flaws will not be accepted:

Dents or depressions, large sky marks or areas of scratching, excessive wear to the face, missing ferrules or plugs, chipped paintwork, discolouration, re-sprayed crown, and any cracks or splits.

Please refer to our What We Don't Buy page if you are in any doubt.

Shaft and grip

We do not buy clubs with shafts with a 5 rating. If you could describe the shafts as poor condition, then it is unlikely we would buy it.

Shafts with the following flaws will not be accepted:

Shaft wear over an area of greater than one inch, splits in shafts, any rattles, poor re-shafts, glue on head/hosel, and burnt hosels or poorly fitting ferrules.

Grips will be in a poor state either caused by splits, wear marks or are shiny in appearance. They will need replacing.