Golf Central

Two people were arrested on Tuesday evening in North Carolina and charged with possessing counterfeit golf goods with intent to sell. The raid was made police using information supplied by Acushnet, manufacturers of Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra equipment.

Three thousand fake items were seized in China following raids on four counterfeit factories last August. The problem is such that the US Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (featuring Acushnet, Callaway Golf, Cleveland Golf, Nike Golf, PING and TaylorMade) is working overtime to protect itself from fraud.

Auction site eBay is considered the destination of the majority of fake clubs. So be careful before you buy…

The utility club market is manna from heaven for the equipment manufacturers; particularly now that the pros are carrying them. Cobra have been manufacturing hybrid clubs for nearly 25 years and they launch two new versions next February - the 2008 King Cobra Baffler DWS (RRP: £124) and Baffler Pro (£132). Rumours that the advertisment will feature David Feherty being beaten over the head with the new models by Ian Poulter and Camilo Villegas were completely made up for a cheap laugh.