Are you worried that your clubs could be stolen?

[Ems]

Some stats from an article in USA Today - Wed. May 4th

Golf club thefts are likely to eclipse $200 million this year. That's about 10% of the $2 billion spent annually to buy new clubs.

Number of thefts and burglaries have declined (in the US) significantly, golf club claims appear to be on the rise.

6 in 10 golfers say that either they or someone they know has had clubs stolen. In 1998, fewer than 1/3 of golfers worried about theft, that number is now 53%.

In Myrtle Beach, S.C., clubs are frequently stolen from cars.

Word of advice, don't advertise your nice club in the open. Put a sock on it.

[AnnikaFan]

one of my playing parter...err my uncle's friend...got his club stolen right out of his own home....

he was doing some gardening at the back and left the garage door open...and when he went back to the garage..the clubs are all gone.....

he lives in a pretty well off neighborhood too....but apparently quite a few families around that neighborhood got their clubs stolen from the garage too..

so yea..don't put ur clubs in the garage!

[yuggy]

I think when i get my new clubs i'll worry a little bit more =)

But yes, sometimes when i'm at the range i do look back at my bag just to see that there is no extra activity going on.

I think it's pretty easy for someone to steal a club right out of your bag. e.g., when you go and get balls or something and leave your clubs unattended...someone can easily walk by when you have your back turned and swipe something.

[Ems]

My clubs are not brand name, so I have been very trusting with them.

[duffer_devon]

if you have house/contents insurance and replacement value, for the cost of your deductible you could use the theft to get a new set.

i'm not endorsing insurance fraud but there may be a silver lining if you're insured

[OOBs]

I'm with you EMS, if I can sometime afford new clubs though I'll probably be more protective of them.No place for thieves on the golf course.

[Ego Woods]

gives me an excuse to buy new clubs if they get stolen. :D

[Grass Roots Tour]

I never leave my clubs at the bag drop rack before or after the round. I put my bag on the patio right beside me. If its not on my shoulders or in my trunk, I keep them well within eye sight at ALL times. No exceptions.

Sorry to say I have had my clubs stolen right out of my car.

I bring my clubs in every time I've had them out. No exceptions. This also gives me a chance to clean them and store them right beside my big screen TV.

BTW ... Trunk storage means condensation = rust inside shafts.

[Ems]

Sounds like anyone who has nice clubs should get them insured. Do retailers offer that at all or is it only part of home insurance as mentioned by duffer_devon.

[Greywolf]

Like GRT said I never leave the sticks unattended, there is always one person left to keep an eye on them. Here is a tip, if you have some "higher" end equipment it is a good idea to use older headcovers instead of the brightly coloured ones that come with drivers, woods and putters these days. Some of these thieves know what to look for, everyone must be careful.

[Focker Singh]

I don't have great clubs but I am still cautious of them being stolen when I leave my bag outside while I go in the clubhouse. I work at a golf course and just this week, I heard someone snagged a couple of high end drivers from the pro shop. Hope they catch the thief.

[hammer]

The main thing to keep in mind is not advertise. When I got my R7 the first thing I did was put an unmarked head cover on it. Stealing golf clubs is so easy I don't understand why it isn't more common. You can get as much merchandise out of golf store now a days than you can some banks. Seriously, anybody can walk up to a clubhouse and walk off with any bag with $3000 worth of stuff. Does anybody actually pay attention to who's clubs are who's amongs a bunch of strangers? And it's not like the courses care. There not going to install video cameras and security for the players benifit. My buddy had a driver stolen from his bag while we were inside paying not 20 feet away. To bad for the thief they risked jail and a certain pounding if we caught him, for a really nice titliest head cover on a 10 year old killer whale.

Even though I leave my clubs unattended most of the time when inside paying I never do it when there are tournaments and days that are busy. Most of the time when I play there is nobody around so I don't worry about it. Ever person I have ever known to have clubs stolen happened on days when there were tournaments. Thiefs know there will be lots of people and therefore confusion and opportunity. I know 3 people that had there entire bag taken at tournaments one stolen from the trunk of his car while eating his meal.

If you have high end clubs make sure you have reciepts and serial numbers. Should something happen they are 95% gone but theifs are dumb so they could turn up on ebay, the local classifieds or pawn shops. if you have the numbers you can get it back and hopefully take a thief off the streets.

[Golftool]

Go ahead and take them! - They maybe doing me a favour;) I'm insured and its an excuse to get new clubs that the wife cannot disagree with:D

Just a little side note - i was playing at Pinehurst and finished the round and went and put the clubs in the rental car - as i was driving the cart out to the parking lot a foursome pulled in dropped all their bags off and parked their car. I went back in to grab a bite with the gang and came out 1/2 hour later and there was a sherriffs car there and the foursome talking to him. - It turns out the guy they left their clubs with didn't work at the course and took ALL THEIR BAGS!!! Always know what you're doing when you come to the course! it could ruin your day (or week depending if its a trip out of town!):(