"Strangely Cheap"... Golf Industry's War Against 'Jjaktung' (Counterfeits)

Domestic Golf Wear Counterfeit Market Exceeds 100 Billion Won
Accessories So Detailed They Are Hard to Distinguish from Genuine Products
Check Serial Numbers When Trading Used Items to Reduce Damage

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seohee] As the number of golf enthusiasts surges, the golf equipment industry is suffering from a ‘war against counterfeit products.’

Counterfeit goods have evolved to the point where there is almost no difference from genuine products in terms of design and price, increasingly deceiving consumers more cleverly. In particular, it is pointed out that 'beginner golfers' who lack knowledge about golf equipment are more likely to fall victim to fraud.

"The golf wear counterfeit market size likely exceeds 100 billion KRW"

According to the industry on the 4th, in June, the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police (hereinafter referred to as Special Judicial Police) arrested a large number of sellers who had been selling counterfeit luxury golf products at clothing stores in mixed-use apartment complexes and cafe streets, as well as golf practice ranges. According to the Special Judicial Police, these individuals were found to have sold counterfeit luxury brands such as Titleist, Dior, and Louis Vuitton for about 40 days starting from May 1 this year. During the investigation, 2,072 items were seized, which, when converted to price, amounted to 1.42 billion KRW. The counterfeit products seized were diverse: 1,963 clothing items, 19 bags, and 90 scarves, belts, shoes, and accessories.

The industry estimates that the domestic counterfeit golf apparel market size has already surpassed the 100 billion KRW mark. When combining golf apparel with golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, and shoes, the scale is expected to be much larger.

Major domestic golf equipment brands have even formed dedicated teams to fight against counterfeit products. Brands like Titleist and PXG, which sell golf equipment and apparel, have in-house legal staff who personally visit customs offices to provide genuine product identification training. A Titleist representative said, “As golf’s popularity rises, counterfeit products have also increased significantly. Although we have not released exact statistics ourselves, it is estimated that the number of counterfeit products still circulating in the market is higher than expected.”

Even experts find it difficult to distinguish... ‘Inheritance’ through secondhand transactions

The problem is that counterfeit products continue to produce victims as they are mixed in with genuine products. Buyers who unknowingly purchase counterfeit goods often resell them on secondhand trading sites or pass them on to acquaintances. It is not uncommon for consumers to discover that their products are counterfeit only after leaving them at official AS centers.

Especially for golf balls and golf clubs, it is difficult even for experts to distinguish counterfeits with the naked eye unless the product is cut open to examine the cross-section.

Titleist’s popular product, the ‘Pro V1’ golf ball, shows significant differences between genuine and counterfeit products in the thickness of the cover and the uniformity of the core. A golf ball consists of three parts from the center: core, layer, and cover. The thinner the cover, the softer the hitting feel and the longer the distance. Also, the more balanced and circular the core, the less the ball veers off course. When examining the cross-section of a counterfeit ball, the cover is thicker and the core is uneven compared to the genuine product. Although cheaper than the genuine product, its performance inevitably falls short.

The same applies to clubs. For PXG clubs, genuine products have a hollow structure filled with core material. Technologies are applied to enhance a soft hitting feel and ball speed. In contrast, counterfeit products have empty heads, produce a much louder and lighter sound when hit, and compensate for overall weight by making the face much thicker than genuine products. There is no visible difference from the outside.

No proper crackdown methods... “Check serial numbers and verify origin”

Although each brand has formed internal dedicated teams to respond to counterfeit products, considering the ‘fakes’ spreading through secondhand trading sites and acquaintances, there is currently no effective solution.

Experts advise consumers to avoid products that are excessively cheap and to actively be cautious from the purchase stage by calling the headquarters to verify serial numbers if counterfeit suspicion arises. By contacting the brand headquarters, consumers can confirm the authenticity of a product through the serial number printed on it. Additionally, visiting fitting shops to check specifications can help distinguish counterfeit products.

Professor Eunhee Lee of Inha University’s Department of Consumer Studies said, “With the activation of the internet, the distribution channels for counterfeit products have become much more diverse and complex,” and advised, “Buyers should be cautious at the purchase stage by using official websites and offline stores whenever possible.”