Counterfeit golf websites shut down

Leading golf manufacturers have taken a big step in the bid to stamp out the trade of counterfeit golf clubs by having 175 websites shut down for selling fake goods.

The U.S Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group, which works as part of a global Golf Group to tackle counterfeiting, has won a court battle in Florida to close the 175 sites which had been selling fake clubs, balls and other accessories to unsuspecting consumers.

When consumers now visit the sites a message will be displayed advising them that legal action is being taken against the owners of the website and that the site has been closed following the order of a preliminary injunction.

The Golf Group was set up in 2004 and comprises Callaway, Odyssey, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Ashworth, Ping, Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Never Compromise, Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron.

In January it announced 60 websites were to be closed, although representatives of the group insist there is still a long way to go and consumers need to remain vigilant when buying online.

“Over the last decade, we’ve seen a significant increase in counterfeiters using the internet as a tool to dupe consumers,” said Christa McNamara, director of corporate communications for TaylorMade-adidas Golf. “We’ve shut down a significant number of websites with this recent joint action, and it gives us momentum in our efforts moving forward.”

“We understand that as long as there are people buying counterfeit clubs, there will be counterfeiters out there to make them,” said Jud Hawken, associate general counsel for Ping. “That’s why education about counterfeit equipment is so important. Hopefully, future visitors to these websites will see that they’ve been shut down and realise that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”