The Golf Group seized more than 44,000 pieces of fake golfing equipment in a series of raids in Shanghai. The Golf Group

If something looks too good to be true, is usually is.

We have all heard tales about a golfer picking up a club from a questionable source at a bargain price only to discover it is falling apart after a few rounds.

The problem of fake golfing equipment has been prevalent in this region for many years, and dodgy equipment floods markets around the world, resulting in golfers and reputable companies getting hit in the pocket due to the illegal and inferior equipment.

A little vigilance and using trusted retailers is the simple way to ensure you are getting the best and you will also be helping cut off the criminals’ profiteering.

The Golf Group — an organisation dedicated to stopping the production, distribution and sale of counterfeit or fake golf equipment across the globe — recently highlighted that the issue is still rife, but they are fighting back.

They announced a series of raids against a golf equipment counterfeiters and sellers in China. Working with local police in Shanghai in April, assembly plants, warehouses and apartments in the Dongguan and Henan Provinces were targeted, with more than 44,000 pieces of counterfeit clubs, components, bags and apparel seized — including top ‘brands’ such as Srixon, Cleveland Golf, XXIO, Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, PXG, Callaway and Ping.

The Golf Group has seized more than two million counterfeit products by law enforcement since its inception in 2004.

“As golf continues to grow in popularity across the world, we are thrilled to continue our work to protect this great game and safeguard consumers from purchasing counterfeit golf equipment with these raid actions,” said Lisa Rogan, Director for Acushnet. “Counterfeit sellers are continuing to take notice of our efforts, and we will continue to work with officials across the world to find and punish these offenders to the maximum extent of the law.”

So, if you want to avoid the pain and disappointment of fake goods, remember to always buy from official retailers, many of whom have bargains in their nearly-new and used sections as well as the latest cutting-edge equipment.