What to Do with Unwanted Golf Clubs

Chances are, there's a set of golf clubs sitting in your garage or closet gathering dust. Maybe it’s your old starter set, the driver you replaced three seasons ago, or a classic persimmon wood from your grandpa. Instead of letting them collect cobwebs, you can turn those unwanted clubs into cash, new gear, or a great start for a future golfer. This guide will walk you through all the practical options for finding a new home for your old equipment.

First, A Quick Assessment: What’s in the Bag?

Before you decide what to do, it helps to know what you have. The value of used golf clubs can vary wildly, depending on a few factors: brand, age, condition, and technology. A 2-year-old TaylorMade driver will be worth a lot more than a 20-year-old off-brand wedge, but even older, quality clubs can have some value.

Here’s a quick way to gauge what you’re working with:

• Identify the Make and Model: Look at the sole and cavity of the club. Write down the brand (Callaway, Titleist, PING, etc.), the model name (e.g., Rogue, a Vokey wedge, G425), and any specifics like loft or shaft flex (Stiff, Regular, etc.).
• Check the Condition Honestly: Look at the clubs with a critical eye. Are the grooves on the irons still sharp? Does the face of the driver have any “sky marks” (dents on the top edge) or scratches? Are the shafts in good shape and are the grips still tacky or are they cracked and slick? Condition ratings typically range from "New" to "Poor," and this will heavily influence the price.
• Get a Baseline Value: The best tool for this is the PGA Value Guide. Many retailers and trade-in programs use this as their standard. You can input your club’s make, model, and condition to get a real-time estimate of its trade-in and resale value. This gives you a realistic starting point for any path you choose.

Option 1: Sell Your Clubs for Cash

Selling your clubs yourself will almost always get you the most money, but it also requires the most effort. If you’re willing to put in a little time cleaning, photographing, and listing your gear, this can be a very rewarding option.

Where to Sell Your Used Clubs

You have a few solid choices here, each with its own pros and cons:

• Peer-to-Peer Online Marketplaces: Websites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace put your clubs in front of a massive audience. You set the price, you handle the shipping or local pickup, and you keep the largest cut of the profit. This is the best route for getting top dollar, especially for desirable or rare clubs.
• Specialized Golf Buy/Sell/Trade Sites: Companies like 2nd Swing and GlobalGolf have a direct-selling option. They will offer you a cash price for your clubs. It’s less than you’d get on eBay, but it’s incredibly simple. You get a quote, use their prepaid shipping label to send the clubs in, and get paid once they inspect them.
• Local Options: Don't overlook low-tech solutions. A posting on the bulletin board at your local golf course or selling to friends in your regular group can be quick and painless. Consignment shops like Play It Again Sports are another option, you drop the clubs off and they do the selling, but they will take a significant percentage of the final sale price.

Pro Tips for a Successful Sale

If you decide to sell them yourself, presentation is everything. Think like a buyer.

• Clean Them Up: A little soap and water can make a huge difference. Use a brush to clean out the grooves and wipe down the shafts and grips. A clean club looks well-cared for and INSTANTLY increases its perceived value.
• Take Great Pictures: You don’t need a professional studio. Just find a well-lit area with a simple background (like your clean garage floor or a patch of grass). Take sharp, clear photos of the club head (face, sole, top-line), shaft (including any labels), and the grip. Honesty is key - if there's a notable scratch, take a photo of it. Buyers appreciate transparency.
• Write an Honest Description: Include the brand, model, loft, shaft flex, and condition. Be descriptive. Instead of saying “used condition,” try “Normal wear from 2 seasons of play, grooves are still in great shape, one small paint chip on the toe.” The more detail you provide, the more confident a buyer will feel.
• Price Them Realistically: Use the PGA Value Guide and check completed listings on eBay for your exact clubs. This will show you what people are actually paying. Price your clubs competitively to ensure a quick and smooth sale.

Option 2: Trade-In for an Upgrade

For many golfers, the trade-in route is the perfect balance of value and convenience. You won't get as much as a private sale, but the process is ridiculously easy. You’re essentially swapping your old gear for store credit to put towards that shiny new driver or set of irons you've been eyeing.

The Big Advantage: Convenience

The beauty of a trade-in program is its simplicity. There’s no photography, no writing descriptions, no haggling with strangers, and no boxing up clubs and heading to the post office. You can walk into a store with your old clubs and leave with new ones in the same trip. This is fantastic if your primary goal is to offset the cost of an upgrade with minimal hassle.

How the Trade-In Process Works

Both online and brick-and-mortar stores make it straightforward on purpose.

1. Get an Online Quote: Most major retailers, like PGA TOUR Superstore, Golf Galaxy, and Callaway Pre-Owned, have a trade-in section on their website. You select your club from a dropdown menu, specify the details, and get an instant quote for credit.
2. Visit a Store or Ship Them In: If you are near a physical retailer, you can just bring your clubs in. An employee will look them over, confirm the condition, and apply the credit to your purchase right there. If you’re doing it online, the process is similar - after accepting the quote, they'll email you a free shipping label to send your clubs to their facility.
3. Get Your Credit: Once the retailer receives and inspects the clubs, they add the credit to your account or email you a gift card. It’s that simple. Before you go, use the PGA Value Guide yourself so you know if their offer is in the right ballpark.

Option 3: Donate to Grow the Game

Sometimes, the best value isn't measured in dollars. If your clubs are older and don’t have much resale value, donating them is a fantastic way to make a real difference. You can clear out clutter, maybe get a tax deduction, and help bring a new person into the sport we love.

This is often the best choice for clubs that are more than a decade old but are still perfectly playable. They might not be worth much to a seasoned golfer, but to a kid just starting out or a beginner on a tight budget, that set could be pure gold.

Great Places to Donate Your Unwanted Clubs

• The First Tee: This is probably the most well-known youth golf organization in the country. Their mission is to teach kids life skills through the game of golf. They are always in need of equipment, especially junior sets, women's clubs, and beginner-friendly men's sets. A quick search will find a local chapter near you.
• Local Junior Golf Programs & High School Teams: Call the golf coach at your local high school or a nearby community golf course. These programs often operate on tight budgets and rely on donations to equip their players.
• Goodwill and Other Thrift Stores: This is the easiest drop-off option. While your clubs might not be guaranteed to go to a golfer, it’s a simple way to pass them on, and you’ll get a receipt for tax purposes.

Option 4: Give Them a Second Life by Repurposing Them

Finally, who says you have to get rid of them at all? Sometimes an "unwanted" club is just a club waiting for a new purpose.

Creative & Practical Uses for Old Clubs

• Build a Backup or Travel Set: A dependable second set is great for having friends come to town, traveling without risking your primary gamers, or just keeping in the car for a spontaneous trip to the range.
• Create a "Yard Club": Designate an old 7-iron as your official backyard club. Use it to hit wiffle balls, acorns, or pinecones without worrying about scuffing up your gamers. It’s also a great tool for practicing your swing mechanics at home.
• Introduce Someone to the Game: The best way to use old clubs is to pass on the passion. Giving your old set to a friend, family member, or coworker is a fantastic, no-cost way for them to see if they enjoy golf before they invest in gear of their own.
• Get Crafty: If you're artistically inclined, golf clubs can make amazing household decor. People have used old shafts and heads to make everything from bottle openers and coat racks to floor lamps and garden stakes. A quick search will give you a ton of inspiration.

Final Thoughts

Those dusty old clubs in your garage have a ton of life left in them. Whether you decide to sell them for cash, trade them in for an easy upgrade, donate them to a good cause, or repurpose them yourself, the goal is the same: get them out of the corner and back into the world of golf. There are so many good options, there’s no reason to let them sit there.

Of course, clearing out your old equipment often leads to decisions about new equipment. Trying to figure out which clubs truly fit your game and are worth the investment can be a challenge. That’s where getting personalized support can make a huge difference. Having a tool like Caddie AI in your pocket means you can get instant advice built around you. When you're facing a tough shot, you can even snap a photo of your lie and we'll analyze it to suggest the best way to play it, helping you make smarter, more confident choices on the course and feel like you have an expert opinion every step of the way.