A kid who loves golf can go through three or four sets before high school. They grow, the clubs get too short, and a set that cost hundreds of dollars sits in the garage. That’s exactly why used junior clubs are one of the best deals in golf.
This guide covers what to check on a used junior set, where to find one, roughly what to pay, and how to get some money back when your child outgrows it.
Why used makes so much sense for kids
- Kids outgrow sets, not wear them out. Most junior sets are sold because the child got taller, not because the clubs are worn. Many come up in very good shape.
- The clubs barely change year to year. A junior set from a few seasons ago is just as light and easy to swing as this year’s version. What matters is the size.
- You can sell it again. A good used junior set holds its value well, because there’s always another parent looking for that size.
First, get the size right
Before you look at condition, make sure the set fits. Junior clubs are sized by height, not age. Measure your child standing in their shoes, then match it to the set’s height range.
Our junior golf clubs size chart lists the height ranges for US Kids Golf, Callaway, Cobra and Ping junior sets. Sizing up by 2 or 3 inches is fine so they can grow into it. Going up a whole size or more makes the clubs too long and too heavy to swing well.
Many used listings don’t mention the size. Look for it printed on the shaft or a sticker near the grip (US Kids sets show a height number like “48” or “54”), or ask the seller.
What to check on a used junior set
Kids are hard on clubs: they drag bags, drop clubs on cart paths and leave them in hot cars. Go through this list before you buy.
| Check | What you want | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| All clubs there | Every club the set came with, including the putter and headcovers | A missing driver or putter, which can be hard to replace in the right size |
| Matching set | All clubs from the same set and size | Clubs mixed from different sizes or brands |
| Grips | Soft and a little tacky | Hard, shiny, cracked or torn grips |
| Shafts | Straight, no dents or deep scratches | Any bend, kink or crack, especially on graphite shafts |
| Clubheads | Normal scuffs and small marks | Cracks in the driver or wood head, a loose head that rattles |
| Bag | Zippers and stand legs work, strap is intact | Broken stand legs or a torn strap, if the bag is part of the price |
| Right hand | Lefty or righty, matching how your child swings | Listing doesn’t say, and the photos don’t show it clearly |
A few tips for checking:
- Roll each shaft on a flat table. A bent shaft wobbles as it rolls.
- Shake each club gently. A rattle can mean something loose inside the head.
- Look closely where the shaft meets the head. That’s where cracks usually start.
Worn grips aren’t a deal breaker. Replacing them is cheap, and small junior grips cost less than adult ones. Our grip guide shows how to tell when they’re done. For more detail, see our used club inspection checklist.
Where to buy used junior clubs
- eBay. The biggest selection of used junior sets, with photos and seller ratings. Search the brand plus the size, like “US Kids 54” or “Callaway XJ-3”, and add “LH” for lefty sets. Our guide to buying used clubs on eBay covers how to read listings and avoid bad sellers.
- Used-club shops. Online shops like 2nd Swing grade every club and offer return windows, which is helpful if the size turns out wrong. Local golf shops often have trade-in junior sets too.
- Friends, clubs and junior programs. Golf clubs and junior leagues often have parents passing down sets. Ask around.
Rough used prices
Used prices vary a lot by brand, size, age, condition and whether the bag is included. As a rough guide only:
| Type of set | Rough used price |
|---|---|
| Small starter set (3 or 4 clubs) | About $60 to $150 |
| Mid-size junior set (5 to 7 clubs, with bag) | About $120 to $300 |
| Teen set (8 to 10 clubs, with bag) | About $250 to $500 |
| Premium junior set (like Ping Prodi G) | Often more, depending on how many clubs come with it |
Compare a few listings for the exact set and size before you buy. A set with a bag in good shape is usually worth a little more than clubs alone.
Gloves and golf balls for kids
The clubs are the big purchase, but a couple of small extras make the game much more fun.
- A junior glove. It helps small hands hold on without squeezing. Junior gloves come in kids’ sizes. It should fit snugly, with no loose material at the fingertips. Most kids wear one on their top hand (the left hand for a right-handed swing). Gloves are cheap enough to buy new.
- Soft golf balls. Kids swing slower than adults, so a soft, low-compression ball (one that squashes easily when hit) goes farther and feels better for them. Look for balls labeled “soft” or made for juniors or slower swings. Recycled soft balls are a great value, since kids lose plenty of them. Our golf ball guide explains the differences.
- A bag, if the set doesn’t include one. Most junior sets come with a light stand bag. If yours doesn’t, a small used carry bag works fine.
Hand it down or sell it on
When your child outgrows the set, you have options:
- Hand it down to a younger brother, sister, cousin or friend. Junior sets often last through several kids.
- Sell it on eBay or trade it in at a used-club shop toward the next size up. Clean the clubs, take clear photos of every club, and list the height size and whether it’s lefty or righty in the title.
- Donate it to a junior golf program if you don’t need the money. Many programs welcome clubs for kids who can’t afford a set.
Let the builder find the right size
The free Used Golf Club Finder bag builder asks who the clubs are for. Choose a junior, enter their height, and it shows in-stock used junior sets in the right size. You can also browse our best used junior golf sets.
The short version
- Kids outgrow clubs long before they wear them out, so used junior sets are great value.
- Size by height first, then check that every club is there, grips are soft and shafts are straight.
- eBay has the most choice; used-club shops add grading and returns.
- Prices vary a lot, so compare a few listings for the same set and size.
- Add a junior glove and soft balls, and resell or hand down the set when they grow.
