Demand for pre-owned golf equipment is growing sharply in the UK as consumers look for more affordable ways to take up the sport, according to new research that highlights both rising interest in golf and concerns over the cost of getting started.
Searches on eBay UK for ‘pre-owned golf club sets’ have risen 96% year-on-year, while searches for ‘pre-owned golf clubs’ are up 43%, suggesting the second-hand equipment market is becoming an increasingly important part of the golf retail landscape.
The figures come alongside research commissioned for eBay Live x PGA Golf which found particularly strong interest in the game among younger consumers. Some 42% of Gen Z adults said their interest in golf had increased during the past five years, compared with 31% of Millennials, 16% of Gen X and 5% of Baby Boomers.
However, equipment costs remain a significant barrier to converting that interest into participation.
The Censuswide survey found 68% of aspiring golfers believe the upfront cost of basic equipment puts people off taking up golf, while 55% said they had personally delayed getting into the sport because equipment costs were too high. Among parents of under-18s, 59% said equipment costs make it harder for children to get into golf.
The findings potentially create a significant opportunity for retailers specialising in used clubs. Among people who have played golf, 56% have previously bought second-hand equipment, while 57% have borrowed equipment rather than buying their own and 55% have purchased only part of a full set. Yet 50% of aspiring golfers were unaware that quality pre-owned equipment could be purchased online.
The research also indicates consumers may overestimate the financial commitment required to start playing. Non-golfers able to estimate the cost believed a beginner’s golf bag would cost an average £313, £47 more than the £265 average recalled by existing golfers who could remember what they paid.
GolfClubs4Cash, one of Europe’s largest retailers of used golf equipment and an established seller on eBay, believes the growth of the pre-owned sector can help remove some of those barriers.
Murray Winton, founder of GolfClubs4Cash, said: “Pre-loved equipment can be a great way to get into the game and find quality kit that works for you. Tommy Fleetwood playing with a £90 putter sourced on eBay at the European Masters in 2019 was a great example of that.”
Winton added that affordability is only part of the issue, with newcomers also requiring advice about which products are suitable for their game.
“For beginners, the bigger challenge can simply be knowing what to choose,” he said. “We can show people what they need, demonstrate different options and answer their questions in real time, so they can find the right kit and buy with confidence.”
That demand for guidance is reflected in the survey, with 66% of aspiring golfers saying they would find live shopping useful when buying equipment. The figure rises to 84% among beginner golfers and 79% among current players. Of aspiring golfers, 36% want guidance about what equipment a beginner actually needs, 26% want to see products demonstrated and 25% want to examine the condition of equipment more closely.
Last week saw GolfClubs4Cash and other expert sellers host dedicated eBay Live events at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where fans were able to explore pre-loved equipment, see products demonstrated and ask experts questions in real time before they made a purchase.
Sholto Mee, general manager of eBay Live, International Markets, said eBay Live was designed to connect prospective buyers directly with specialist sellers, enabling them to ask questions and receive advice before purchasing.
He said: “What makes eBay special is the strength of our community of buyers and sellers. eBay Live brings that community to life, connecting aspiring golfers directly with expert sellers so they can ask questions, get advice and discover pre-loved equipment that’s right for them. We want to give people the choice and confidence they need to get out there and enjoy the game.”
The Censuswide study surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,001 UK adults aged 18 and over between August 28 and September 2, 2026. The sample included 210 aspiring golfers, 153 beginners and 100 regular players.