Golfclubs4cash, Europe’s biggest second-hand golf equipment retailer, is reporting year-on-year growth that exceeds the pandemic boom of 2020 as golfers change their buying habits, driven by cost of living pressures.
“Our business is up 44% for the 12 weeks, June to August,” comments Dean Cracknell Head of Marketing at golfclubs4cash. “Golfers will always want to upgrade their equipment, looking for that extra edge to their game. But more golfers than ever before are realising that they don’t have to go down the ‘new’ route to find the quality they want. And they certainly love the value and range of clubs on offer at our two stores and online business.”
The trend is in direct opposition to the golf market as a whole, as reported by Golf Datatech. July year-on -ear sales for the whole golf market were down 10.6% in value with clubs down by 13.8%. Drilling further into these figures, high ticket items such as trolleys and woods were hardest hit, with year-on-year reductions of 27.2% and 24.2% respectively.
“During the summer months we have attracted 11,000 new customers to the business, and we are seeing growth across all categories,” added Cracknell. “The unique nature of our sport is that price is not the only important factor when it comes to purchasing equipment.
“Golf is a very brand loyal sport, so whilst there are value ranges on offer from various brands, most golfers want the credibility and recognition of one of well known brands. When customers see that they can upgrade to a nearly new driver or set of wedges for a fraction of the cost of brand new, then a ‘new’ addition to their bag is a lot easier to justify.”