With golf remaining so popular in 2021 and the global supply chain issues making the wait times for new gear longer and longer, criminals have plenty of incentive to try producing and selling counterfeit golf equipment. U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group has joined forces with police agencies in China and conducted several raids this year and just announced that a six-raid sting operation in September seized more than 21,281 counterfeit clubs, components and pieces of apparel.
The raids involved more than 100 members of the Shanghai Police and took place at assembly plants and warehouses in the Chinese cities of Dongguan, Guangzhou, Longhui, Shanghai and Shaoyang.
“As golf continues to grow in popularity, counterfeiters are taking drastic measures to deceive the public and threaten the integrity of the game,” said Daryl Rocco, Senior Paralegal for Callaway, in a release. “The enforcement efforts driven by the Golf Group are growing steadily, and we’re thrilled authorities in China are sending the message that producing and selling fake golf equipment is unacceptable.”
Among the products seized in the latest raids were trademarked gear from Callaway, Ping, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Titleist and Xxio.
The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group has several tips to help golfers spot fake gear online.
