Are you an avid golfer always on the hunt for great deals on top-notch clubs and equipment? If so, you‘ve probably heard of 3balls.com, one of the leading online golf retailers specializing in both new and pre-owned gear from all the top brands.
But with so many options out there, is 3Balls really a cut above the rest when it comes to selection, quality, price, and service? I dug deep into what this popular site has to offer to help you decide if it‘s worth a swing. Let‘s tee off this in-depth 3Balls review!
What is 3Balls Golf?
Founded in 1998, 3Balls.com is an online golf store offering a huge variety of new and used golf clubs, bags, balls, accessories, apparel and more. They are one of the largest retailers of pre-owned golf equipment, making them a go-to destination for golfers looking to save on top brands.
In addition to selling gear, 3Balls also has a popular trade-in program where you can get credit for your used clubs to put towards a new purchase. With a wide selection for men, women, and juniors in various conditions, 3Balls aims to offer something for just about every golfer and budget.
Some key offerings that attract many golfers to 3Balls include:
- Pre-owned clubs, golf balls, and accessories at discounted prices
- Large selection of new gear from top brands like Callaway, Titleist, Ping, etc.
- Golf club trade-in program to offset cost of new equipment
- Variety of condition grades for pre-owned equipment
- Options for men, women, and junior golfers
- Golf apparel and accessories
Based on my research for this 3Balls review, their biggest draws seem to be the potential cost savings on used equipment, the trade-in program, and the extensive selection of both new and pre-owned gear all in one place.
3Balls Product Quality & Selection
Of course, when buying any golf equipment, especially pre-owned, the quality and condition are top concerns. No one wants to end up with a bum club that falls apart after a few rounds! So I took a close look at how 3Balls handles this crucial factor.
Product Selection
First off, 3Balls offers an impressive selection of golf equipment in both new and used conditions. You‘ll find all the big names like Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, Ping, Cobra, and many more.
Categories include:
- Drivers
- Fairway Woods
- Hybrids
- Irons
- Wedges
- Putters
- Packages Sets
- Golf Balls
- Golf Bags
- Men‘s & Women‘s Apparel
- Junior Clubs
- Accessories
Whether you‘re hunting for a specific club or just browsing the latest gear, 3Balls likely has at least a few options that fit the bill. With thousands of SKUs, their selection is quite extensive compared to many golf stores.
Quality & Condition
For their pre-owned clubs, 3Balls uses a straightforward condition rating system:
- Like New – Minimal signs of wear, very close to brand new
- Excellent – Slightly used, minimal signs of wear
- Very Good – Normal wear, fully functional
- Good – Signs of heavy use, but still very playable
- Bargain – Lowest cost option, expect heavy wear
3Balls‘ club experts carefully evaluate and photograph each club, noting any flaws or wear so you know exactly what to expect. Based on many customer reviews and my own experience, their ratings tend to be quite accurate, if not overly conservative – many buyers happily report their club condition exceeded expectations.
As for new clubs, 3Balls only stocks items from authorized dealers or directly from top manufacturers, so authenticity is virtually guaranteed. You can feel confident you‘re getting the real deal, not a cheap knockoff.
Are 3Balls‘ Prices Competitive?
Ok, so 3Balls has an impressive selection of high-quality equipment, both new and pre-owned, from leading brands. But all of that only matters if the price is right! Time for a cost comparison.
After analyzing prices on 3balls.com and several other major online golf retailers, here‘s what I found:
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3Balls‘ prices on new clubs and gear are comparable to other major golf stores. You likely won‘t find huge savings compared to the brand‘s website or big box retailers, but prices are fair and competitive.
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Pre-owned clubs on 3Balls are priced very well for the condition. You can often find "Like New" or "Excellent" condition clubs for 20-40% less than the new price.
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The 3Balls used club prices beat most other popular used golf sites and local shops. On average, comparable clubs on 3balls were 10-20% less than the competition.
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Promotions and sales can increase the savings on both new and used gear. At the time of this review, 3Balls was running sales on Callaway and Taylormade products, plus a closeout section with discounts over 50%.
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3Balls offers free shipping on orders over $99, bringing their prices more in line with some sellers who have higher sticker prices but always offer free shipping.
The Takeaway: While you may not see a huge price difference on new items, 3Balls excels at providing excellent value on their pre-owned equipment. With frequent sales and promotions, you can score great deals, especially if you‘re open to used clubs in good condition.
Getting Credit for Your Old Clubs: 3Balls‘ Trade-In Program
One of 3Balls‘ most popular offerings is their golf club trade-in program. It allows you to mail in your used clubs and get 3Balls store credit towards a future purchase. Here‘s how it works:
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On 3balls.com, get an instant quote for your club by providing some basic info like brand, model, condition, etc.
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Choose to receive an extra 10% credit if you opt for a 3Balls e-gift card instead of a shop credit.
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Ship your clubs to 3Balls using a prepaid label they provide. Shipping is free.
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3Balls evaluates your clubs within 3-5 business days of arrival and gives a final credit value. If you choose to accept, they issue your shop credit or e-gift card and you can start shopping!
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If you don‘t like the final value 3Balls offers, you can opt to have your clubs returned. You‘ll be charged a $9.95 return fee.
According to many 3Balls reviews from trade-in customers, the process is quick, easy, and transparent. While a few people felt their offer was a bit low, the vast majority were pleasantly surprised by the value provided, especially with the 10% bonus for choosing a gift card.
Overall, the trade-in option is a big draw for golfers looking to offload their old clubs to help fund a new purchase. If you‘re buying new gear from 3Balls anyways, it‘s definitely worth getting a trade-in quote on your used clubs to see how much you can shave off your total.
What Do Customer Reviews Say About 3Balls?
As part of my research for this 3Balls review, I analyzed hundreds of customer reviews from multiple independent sites. Overall, the feedback is quite positive, with a few recurring points of praise:
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Accurate, transparent condition ratings for used clubs. Many buyers said their clubs were "like new" despite being listed as "very good" or "excellent."
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Fast, affordable shipping. Most buyers received their order within 2-5 business days using standard ground shipping. Expedited options are available for a fee.
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Easy trade-in process with fair, even generous trade-in values. Several reviewers were happily surprised by their trade-in offer.
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Wide selection of products for all types of golfers. Even picky shoppers or those seeking a specific club were usually able to find a match.
That said, I did find a few complaints that popped up, almost always regarding customer service:
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Slow response times. A few customers had trouble getting timely help for order changes, returns, or refund status updates. Most issues seem to resolve within a week or so.
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Occasional minor mistakes. Once in a while an order had the wrong item or was missing a component. 3Balls typically corrects these problems quickly if you contact them.
Personally, I think these few negative experiences are the exception, not the norm, based on the many hundreds of rave reviews from happy 3Balls customers. No retailer is perfect, but they seem to make a solid effort to resolve issues when they do occur.
Bottom Line: You can feel pretty confident ordering from 3Balls based on their largely positive customer feedback. Chances are high you‘ll be satisfied with your experience, especially if you‘re open to buying pre-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions About 3Balls Golf
To wrap up this 3Balls review, I‘ll quickly run through some of the most common questions I see about this popular golf gear site.
Is 3Balls a legit site?
Yes, 3Balls.com is a legitimate, well-established online golf retailer. They‘ve been in business since 1998 and are now owned by parent company Global Golf.
Where is 3Balls located?
3Balls is an online-only golf store. Their corporate headquarters are in Raleigh, NC.
What brands does 3Balls carry?
3Balls stocks all the major golf brands including Callaway, Titleist, Ping, Cobra, Odyssey, Cleveland, Srixon, and many more. Their selection includes clubs, bags, balls, apparel, and accessories.
What is 3Balls‘ return policy?
3Balls allows returns within 30 days of delivery for a refund. Returned items must be in original condition with tags still attached. You can print a free prepaid return label from their website.
Does 3Balls have free shipping?
Yes, 3Balls offers free economy ground shipping for orders over $99 within the continental US. Expedited options are available for an added fee.
How long does 3Balls take to ship?
Most 3Balls orders ship within 1 business day, often the same day if placed by 12pm ET. Depending on your shipping method and location, delivery takes 2-7 business days after your order ships.
How do I contact 3Balls?
The best way to get help from 3Balls is to email [email protected]. Their phone number is 1-888-289-0300. Customer service hours are 9am – 6pm ET on weekdays.
The Verdict: Is 3Balls Worth It For Golfers?
So, where does this 3Balls review land when it comes to recommending this popular site? Here‘s my take:
3Balls is absolutely worth checking out for most golfers, especially if you‘re open to pre-owned equipment. With their expansive selection, excellent prices on used gear, easy trade-in program, and commitment to accuracy and transparency, 3Balls is a solid choice for finding great golf deals online.
While you may occasionally see a lower price on a specific club elsewhere, 3Balls offers the best combination of price, selection, and service when it comes to used golf equipment. Their prices are very competitive across the board, especially factoring in frequent sales and promotions.
As long as you pay attention to the condition ratings and read the product descriptions, you can feel confident that what you see is what you‘ll get. This reliability, combined with their generous return policy, makes buying from 3Balls a safe bet.
No online golf store is perfect, but 3Balls has developed a well-earned reputation for being trustworthy, affordable, and customer-friendly. If you want to save big on golf gear without sacrificing much in quality or service, give 3balls.com a shot!
Happy golfing!
