There are many topics, concepts, ideas, strategies, niches, or what-have-yous regarding the infinity of golf thrift-dom. It would take a highly organized and detailed book to capture all of its nuances. My goal here is to simply vaguely outline a few tricks of the trade, and some easy questions to ask ourselves while shopping.

Thrifting is simply the act of buying a previously used product from a secondhand market. There are several reasons why you might choose to do this. Maybe buying a brand new set of irons is too expensive for your taste, or maybe you need an extra bag for the garage. Many people value functionality over aesthetics. Some people get a rise out of finding a deal.

Regardless of what the reason is, I am here to help you NOT end up with a giant plastic garbage bin full of golf clubs that you will just bring right back to Goodwill in 2 years.

• Budget: It’s what we never do, and it’s probably why we’re in the used universe anyhow. But seriously, I like to only use cash when buying from secondhand stores (we’ll get to eBay in a second), it helps me marginalize how much I am willing to spend on something. It also acts as a buffer from bad deals, they exist. If you tend to act on impulse while in a store, develop a fail-safe.
• Know the major/minor golf brands; stay away from obscurity: There are a few reasons to stick with the big boy companies while buying secondhand. One: resale value. Not much to explain here, more recognizable brands will sell better. Two: resources. These major companies have decades of research and development that go into these clubs. Just check out this R & D page of from Titleist. Three: establishment. Major brands simply have more of everything. More resources allocated, more reviews, more customer service, and an overall sense of security when making a purchase from them. Obscure brands, or clones (golf brands that purchase manufactured parts from larger brands), can perform very similarly, but they will not hold their resale value, and will have less information available online.
• Make a cheat sheet on your phone detailing everything you possibly can about the golf equipment you own, and what you would like to buy: This sounds tedious, but it has saved me tons of money. Let’s say I threw my 3 iron off a local bridge after a terrible round, and I’m in need of a replacement. I go to the nearest Goodwill, and look at the used clubs, and luckily I find a decent Mizuno 3 iron from the early 00’s. I need to know a few things about my own clubs, or else I may be purchasing something that simply does not fit. Use a search engine to match specs with the desired product (this is where knowledge of major golf brands comes in handy) and see if they coincide nicely with the set you own, it could be the lie angle, the loft, or even the head shape (shaft flex/brand is paramount as well!). Compare any of these details with your cheat sheet and save yourself some needless surprises.
• Use eBay as a resource for value: When eBay came out in the 90’s, it created a massive index for virtually any used product. It is not only a vast secondhand store in itself, but a useful tool. Nowadays we can use the app to quickly reference any product we find, so why not golf equipment? Secondhand stores make money by selling large quantities of used items, and they wouldn’t get them off the shelves if everything was priced according to eBay’s index. Know the value of what you are buying, especially if you plan on reselling. (I will make an entire separate post regarding eBay shopping!)
• Ask yourself existential questions: “Why am I waiting in the parking lot at 8am for Hoarder’s Corner to open?” , “Do I enjoy golf, or finding a good deal on a golf product more?”. This is simply a reality check, let’s not turn an innocent hobby into a full blown hoarder’s addiction. The most important question is “Why am I buying this?” We need to establish if the product is sentimental (you will stare at it/experience it) or practical (you will use it). My mantra for sentimental things is to be conservatively tasteful, positive memory. Does this thing add any value to my life, and does it match my life’s aesthetics. On the practical side is where the above research comes in handy. Also, this isn’t black and white, items will likely hold both practical and sentimental value, but typically the sentiments are developed after you bond with use over time. This is why it may be difficult for your dad to get rid of his old golf clubs, or buy a new wrench. Nostalgia is part of life, and all the more reason to be critical we don’t overlap it with practicality.

Ultimately, these are simply my own insights; this is what helps me search for what I want. For many, the thrill from thrifting is quite intangible. Maybe it’s part of the human condition to experiment with the unknown? In that case, why not experiment at a discounted price? Thrifting can be full of surprises, and people like surprises. Golf enthusiasts are no exception.