At Ironfinder, we understand that most people prefer to buy new stuff. So, naturally the question is asked: How do you determine the condition of one previously owned golf iron from another? Ironfinder strives to be conservative and consistent in making evaluations on condition and offers the following guidelines as our standard for which we assign condition.
We have used this chart to illustrate the condition of 3 different Hogan Apex #3 irons. The irons shown are all different and from our stock.
| Excellent | Good | Fair |
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| Little sign of use; face should be very clean; only very minor or no scratches on sole; back should look like new; shaft should be like new with no defects. The previous owner of these irons bought them as a trophy! | Chrome may be worn or dingy, but must not be worn through sole or face; may have minor "bag nicks", faint freckles, or mild scratches, etc.; shaft may be original with light scratches from entry/exit of golf bag; or may have been re-shafted with a good quality replacement but must not be damaged. | Capable of being re-chromed without extra work; chrome may be worn through sole/face, but score lines and other markings must be sharp; any dents, scratches, etc., must not be so bad as to require welding; significantly more freckles but no rust; shaft may be original or a good quality replacement, but must not be damaged. |
When it comes to prior year or out of "production" irons, NEW is usually not obtainable. Although it's everyone's desire to get "new", reality dictates that these irons are years since being produced by the manufacturer's and the likelihood that someone bought one and never used it is unlikely (although we still get asked for new 1967 VIP irons!)
This leaves POOR which is not desired by anybody. These are melted down and sold as jewelry! ;-)