Are my Taylormade r7 TP Irons counterfeits?

[Olivavu]

Do you guys think these are authentic?

I ask because I noticed the shaft doesn't have graphite weave visible and I got them on ebay.

I spoke to the seller and he said that his wife got them for him brand new from golfonline. But I don't know him at all and he could be lying, of course.

I was just hoping someone here would know...

 

[1GG_Grumps]

Can't help you on this but you must be the unluckiest guy in the world if this is your second instance of fakes.

You may have to rethink your method of purchasing if you've got your fingers burned twice now. I've only ever bought a club off the likes of ebay once but that was from a pro shop's online store. I believe there's a whole section on ebay about fakes and what to avoid but I guess this is by no means foolproof.

 

[Olivavu]

I would feel very unlucky if they are fakes! I am just concerned that they may not be authentic as the shafts do not have the graphite weave that seems to be on other r7 clubs...

 

[Foxholer]

There should be a Serial Number on the clubs - used to be on the 5-iron - that can be verified with Taylor Made. Doesn't guarantee authenticity, but more likely to be fine if it's a valid one.

Comparing with other R7 TP irons would also be a good method.

 

[Olivavu]

There is a code on the 7 iron. All have TP85 etched on the hosel, while the 7 iron has a code on it.

I have registered it with Taylormade, but haven't been able to call to verify with them their office closes at 17:30.

 

[Olivavu]

These are not the exact same shafts, but they are similar and have the weave:

 

[Alex1975]

Good fakes if they are...

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Yeah they do look very good to me but I'm no expert.

 

[Olivavu]

As far as I can find out, the shafts for r7 tp irons should be REAX tp 115 - not 85.

The guy I got them from is responding and being helpful, so I don't think he would know if they are fake or not.

It just annoys me that I could have an expensive set of fake clubs. I emailed golf bidder to see if they could help. But didn't get much of a response.

Just waiting to see what I get back from Taylormade with regards to the Id number.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Two purchases and two fakes. What does that say. It is the one reason I'd never buy off e-bay as it is a lottery and the time and hassle involved in sorting out problems negates any bargain in price. I'd rather give my pro a few quid extra for a 2nd hand set, and the chance to try before I buy. There again if I was in the market I'd be looking new anyway

 

[Olivavu]

They play ok, and I didn't have any suspicions that they were fake until it turned out to r7 Superquad I got from American Golf turned out to be a counterfeit.

The guy I got them from is getting in touch with the place he got them.

 

[Olivavu]

http://www.taylormadegolfpreowned.com/custom/shafts.aspx

Looking at this, it doesn't look as though the TP85 shafts have the weave.

Confused!!

 

[One Planer]

I have a set of the regular R7 irons.

Compare the heads to these and see what you think.

If you want any more info, drop me a PM :thup:

 

[Olivavu]

Thanks mate. That is helpful.

I received a message from my contact at Taylormade last night. He said he will look into it today for me.

 

[GreiginFife]

Not really sure what "weave you speak of", if you mean the carbon fibre effect paint job then that's all it is. All graphite shafts that I have encountered are smooth and the ply weave is so fine (hence called micro-ply) that you can hardly (if at all) see it.
What you describe seems nothing more than a decorative paint finish that not all may have depending on the year of the model.
Looking at the TM website some of the Re-Ax shafts have this paint finish and some don't.

 

[Olivavu]

No, it is not painted on, it is under the shaft surface as seen here:



My clubs just have a matt black finish and no visible weave.

 

[GreiginFife]

No, it is not painted on, it is under the shaft surface as seen here:

View attachment 2358

My clubs just have a matt black finish and no visible weave.

That's still just a finish, either a paint finish or a vinyl shrink wrap made to look like carbon fibre. Shafts aren't made from woven carbon fibre well not TM stick Re-Ax ones. If you ran your hand over that "weave" it would still be smooth.

 

[Olivavu]

The weave is under the surface of the club on every genuine Taylormade REAX shaft I can find. There is just a matt black finish on the ones I have. Look at the pictures and you will see what I mean. And also see the Golfbidder guide to fake clubs - they say that the fakes either have a zig zag line painted on or just a black finish - ie no carbon weave visible under the surface of the shaft. It is clearly not painted on - as I can see when looking at the shaft of my r7 Superquad. It is carbon weave within the shaft, visible through a clear surface.

And I have had an email back from Taylormade - the code on the club cannot be found on their systems. Not definite that it is fake, but a good indication. He asked me to send on photos of the clubs, so I have. Just keeping my fingers crossed, but not hopeful.

 

[GreiginFife]

I have a TM Superfast burner that had a stock Re-Ax shaft, just checked it and it has no weave. It has a finish that is made to look like carbon fibre. NO STOCK SHAFTS ARE MADE FROM CARBON FIBRE WOVEN THAT THICKLY.
The fact TM cannot find a number on their system means squat in reality, if you are that convinced, take them to a pro to be assessed, maybe he can tell you about the "weave".

 

[Olivavu]

Look at the photos. You can clearly see it under the surface of the shaft.