A series of raids in Shanghai and Beijing has confiscated over US$3 million worth of counterfeit golf products ands led to the conviction of one man.

On 10 February 2006, Shanghai's Second Intermediate People's Court convicted Xie Fu Ping, a golf retailer in Shanghai of selling counterfeit products bearing registered trademarks of members of the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group. Xie was sentenced to 1 year's imprisonment (suspended for 1 year) and ordered to pay a fine.

The criminal conviction followed enforcement conducted by the Chinese authorities in August 2005 when the police raided Xie's store and seized counterfeit golf inventory valued at US$57,682.

The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group is comprised of Acushnet Company, Callaway Golf, Cleveland Golf, Nike, PING and TaylorMade Golf Company.

Loo Shih Yann, a principal with the international law firm of Baker and McKenzie and who is co-ordinating efforts on behalf of the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group in China said that this is the first criminal conviction against a counterfeit golf retailer in China and represents focused determination by the Golf Industry Group to pursue counterfeiters to the fullest extent of the law. It also shows a determination by the Shanghai authorities to clean up the city.

Following the criminal conviction, the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group assisted law enforcement authorities in Beijing and Shanghai, where further city wide raids were conducted.

In Beijing, the authorities raided 19 retail shops and associated storage locations of counterfeit golf equipment operating in Beijing's Central Business District and popular tourist areas. Approximately 5,000 pieces of counterfeit golf equipment were seized in the operation.

In Shanghai, investigations by the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group led officers to 12 retail shops where over 7,000 items of fake golf equipment ranging from counterfeit golf clubs, bags, balls, shoes and clothing were seized. The estimated retail value of the seized fakes exceeds US$3 million.

Many of the counterfeit golf clubs seized during the raids were counterfeit copies of some of the best selling golf club models belonging to well known brands including Callaway, Cleveland, Cobra, Nike, Odyssey, PING, TaylorMade and Titleist.

The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group is working closely with police authorities to bring more criminal prosecution and convictions, and more arrests are expected as investigations continue.

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1. By Jean – August 20th, 2009 at 5:00 am

   I was wondering if you know if the online website of topgolfmall.com is selling original clubs or are they knock off. I am specifically looking at Callaway FT-ibrid clubs. Do you have an information regarding this site and their clubs?

2. By Tom – September 11th, 2009 at 9:42 am

   I purchased Callaway Big Bertha Irons from topgolfmall.com.
   Definately knock-offs. Not even a question.

3. By oscar – September 15th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

   does Sakuragi golf Co. Ltd sells original golf clubs?

4. By Dan D – October 22nd, 2009 at 1:03 am

   Tom, Did you ask for a refund or end up keeping the clubs? I just received a set of Taylor Made Tour burner irons that I suspect are counterfeit from topgolfmall.com. I checked the serial number with Taylor Made and it is from a totally different set of clubs!

5. By Ted – October 29th, 2009 at 9:46 am

   Tom, I'm quite confused about your saying, my callaway x22 steel
   irons set shafts can be registerd on site, and I played them, They
   are ok, but i really don't know why their products are so
   inexpensive.

6. By rick – October 29th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

   hey Tom how are the clubs goin? Are they still reasonable quality as i have just ordered ( and probably been dudded) some callaway Diablos and cant get out of purchase as they have been sent. Ted how are your clubs as well? I supose we only get what we pay for!!!

7. By Mike – November 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

   I received my clubs ordered from topgolfmall several days ago, and played them. all are the same as my old ones. except for the paiting on heads a little bit faded, they explained to me the clubs are OEM factory extra orders. Though not quite understand what it mean, I'm satisfied with the performance and the prices. paiting means nothing to me. Rick, you are right, we get what we pay for. don't be too critical. enjoy our golfing

8. By martin – November 12th, 2009 at 7:46 pm

   fake ones? god! i have used my driver purchased from topgolfmall for two months, i never register the number on the shaft because it's in good performance until now~ and i have recommended some friends there~ i will take to my golf store to have a test. thanks

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