Buying Secondhand Junior Golf Gear
Junior golfers have an annoying habit of growing.
Golf shoes that fitted perfectly three months ago suddenly don’t. Trousers get too short, clubs need replacing and that expensive rain jacket may only see one winter.
Which is exactly why secondhand junior golf gear makes so much sense. A lot of golf equipment is made to last, and kids often outgrow it long before they come close to wearing it out. A good-quality set of clubs, bag, trolley or rain jacket can still be in excellent condition when it’s no longer the right size for its first junior.
That works both ways. Buying preloved junior gear can make the next size or piece of equipment more affordable, while selling the gear that’s been outgrown puts some of what you spent back into the golf budget.
And if something still has years of use left, passing it on makes far more sense than leaving it in a cupboard or replacing it with another new product. More golf, less waste. We like that.
Buying secondhand golf gear still means knowing what you’re looking at. Some things are very easy to buy used. With others — for example junior golf clubs — fit and condition matter more.
What junior golf gear is worth buying secondhand?
Quite a lot of it.
Golf bags and trolleys are probably the easiest secondhand buys. Good-quality golf equipment is designed to take some punishment, and a decent bag or trolley can easily last through more than one junior.
With a secondhand golf bag, a bit of fading wouldn’t bother us. A stand that doesn’t work would. Check the zips, straps, legs and base and make sure the bag is a practical size for your child.
The same goes for a used trolley. Check that it folds properly, the wheels run smoothly and the brakes and straps still work. There’s no real reason a trolley needs to be new if everything is functioning as it should.
Secondhand golf clothing and shoes
Golf shirts, shorts, trousers, midlayers and jackets are often outgrown with very little wear, making preloved golf clothing one of the easiest things to pick up secondhand.
Rain gear is particularly worth watching for. Good golf rainwear isn’t cheap, and juniors don’t always stay the same size long enough to get much use out of it. A quality preloved golf jacket that’s only seen one winter could have several more ahead of it.
Shoes are more dependent on condition. Some juniors outgrow a pair after a handful of rounds; others wear them until there’s very little left to pass on.
When buying golf shoes secondhand, check the soles, traction or spikes and wear around the heel and inside the shoe. And don’t rely entirely on the size printed on them if it’s a brand your child hasn’t worn before.
Buying secondhand junior golf clubs: fit first
There can be excellent value in used junior golf clubs. Kids move through club sizes as they grow, so a set may have had relatively little use before it becomes too small.
But don’t buy a set simply because it’s a good deal.
The clubs still need to fit your child.
Junior clubs come in different lengths and weights, with shafts and grips designed for younger golfers. A set that’s too long or heavy can make golf unnecessarily difficult.
And yes, buying the bigger set so they can “grow into it” is tempting. We’d rather have a junior playing clubs that fit now.
Age recommendations are a useful starting point, but check the manufacturer’s height recommendations too. If a secondhand listing says “used by my eight-year-old”, ask for the brand and size of the set. That tells you far more about whether it might work for your child.
If you’re unsure about sizing, our sizing guide explains what to look for before you buy.
What should secondhand golf clubs look like?
Used clubs don’t need to look new.
Scratches on the sole and clubhead are normal. Look instead for cracks, dents, damaged shafts or anything that has been repaired or altered.
Check the grips as well. Worn grips can be replaced, so they don’t necessarily rule out a good secondhand set. They do add to what that set will ultimately cost you.
And check what’s actually in the bag. Junior sets don’t all contain the same clubs, and used sets sometimes change over time as clubs are added, replaced or lost.
When is buying secondhand golf gear actually a bargain?
A secondhand price isn’t automatically a good price.
Before buying, see what the same item costs new or find the closest current equivalent. That gives you something useful to compare the asking price against.
Then look at condition and anything you’ll need to replace.
A R1,000 secondhand set that immediately needs R600 worth of work isn’t necessarily a better buy than the R1,500 set that’s ready to play. The same applies to a cheap trolley that needs a new wheel or a bag with a broken stand.
You don’t need to calculate depreciation on a seven-year-old’s golf trolley. You just want to know that the secondhand price makes sense for what you’re getting.
Don’t forget the value of the gear you already own
The secondhand junior golf gear market isn’t only useful when you’re buying.
Once your child has outgrown something, have a look at its condition before putting it away. Good-quality junior golf equipment can hold useful resale value, particularly clubs, bags, trolleys and outerwear that have been looked after.
That money can go towards the next set of clubs, the next pair of shoes or whatever they’ve managed to outgrow this time.
It also keeps perfectly usable equipment in circulation. Junior golf already comes with enough stuff; there’s no reason every child needs to start with everything brand new.
What to ask when buying preloved junior golf gear?
Especially when you’re buying online, don’t be shy about asking for information that isn’t in the listing.
- Does everything work?
- Is anything broken?
- Have the clubs been altered?
- What size are they?
- Can you see another photo of the grips?
- Does the trolley brake work?
For clothing, shoes and clubs, ask for measurements if you’re unsure about sizing.
For more expensive secondhand gear, seeing the item before paying is useful where possible. Otherwise, treat it like any other private online purchase and do your checks before sending money.
Where to find secondhand junior golf gear in South Africa
A surprising amount of secondhand junior golf gear never makes it onto a marketplace.
Ask around at your golf club or academy. Coaches often know when a junior has recently moved into a bigger set, and golf communities can be very useful when you’re looking for a particular size or piece of equipment.
General online marketplaces are another option, although you may have to do some detective work when a listing consists of three photos and “kids golf clubs, good condition.”
And we’re adding another place to look.
Buy, sell and pass on secondhand junior golf gear
We’ve created the Junior Tee Golf – Secondhand Junior Golf Gear Facebook group for golf families across South Africa.
It’s for the clubs that have become too short, the barely worn golf shoes, the trolley taking up space in the garage and all the other junior golf gear that’s ready for another child.
You can buy, sell or pass on preloved golf clubs, bags, trolleys, shoes, clothing, rain gear and other junior golf equipment.
The group is for private sellers only, with no dealers, bulk resellers or unrelated advertising.
Join the Facebook group →The Junior Tee provides the group as a community space. We don’t inspect or verify items, handle payments or take part in transactions. Buyers and sellers make their own arrangements and should carry out their own checks.
Before you buy everything new…
See what’s already out there — and have a look at what’s sitting unused at home.
Secondhand isn’t automatically the better option. The right size may not be available, the condition may not be good enough or the new price may simply make more sense.
But good-quality golf equipment is built to last, while kids are very good at growing out of it.
Buying secondhand junior golf gear gives that gear another round. Selling what your child no longer uses can put some money towards whatever comes next. And both keep perfectly good equipment on the course instead of sitting unused or being unnecessarily replaced.
Buy it. Use it. Outgrow it. Pass it on.
FAQs about secondhand junior golf gear
