If you care more about the price-performance ratio than brand names, you might want to check out products from Pinemeadow Golf. Pinemeadow is one of a growing group of “clone” manufacturers who offer recent technology for cut rate prices. The difference is that they are followers in technology, not leaders. They don’t have R&D budgets. Instead, they let the big boys do the work.

Don’t like clones? Think about this: Dell and Compaq computers started out as cloners, as did many other computer manufacturers that now are considered mainstream.

One good example of how last year’s breakthrough product has been copied is in Pinemeadow Excel Hollow Core Ti Irons. These have lifted their technolgoy right from Callaway’s Big Bertha Fusion Irons. And they make no bones about it, saying so right on the product page.

So if you’ve lusted after the Fusions, but couldn’t handle the thousand dollar price tag, you could have a clone at just $229. And they’ve got a 30 day money back guarantee, so if you don’t like them, you could send ‘em back.

Pinemeadow Golf has released a kids golf set that includes a 3 wood, a 5, 7 and 9 irons, a putter and bag. They all come with lightweight graphite shafts. Like all Pinemeadow stuff, its 100% guaranteed.

In any case, if your kid is playing with your old cut down shafts, do her (or him) a favor and get a set designed for kids. The lighterweight heads and graphite shafts with scaled-down kick points will promote the proper swing.

From Pinemeadow Golf comes the Synchron Medic Hybrid Irons.

Hybrids have to be the big story in golf equipment over the last couple of years. These are a clone of the Nike CPR clubs, and sell for just $39. Pinemeadow is confident that you’ll like them because they offer a 30 day guarantee. Buy them, play them and if you don’t like them, send ‘em back.

Pinemeadow’s blurb on the clubs:

The Synchron Medic Irons are a complete utility system for your golf bag! The latest Medic irons will lift your game to new heights. Innovative weight and distribution technology moves the center of gravity towards the soles and sides for higher angle and increased forgiveness. The head design of the utility wood allows you to make solid impact out of any lie on the course and they are also great replacements for those hard to hit long irons. Gorgeous candy apple red finish makes these clubs really standout with their look and play.

From Pinemeadow golf comes the Pinemeadow Matrix Hybrid Iron Set. I’ve replaced all of my long irons with hybrids, and have really improved my game. So perhaps the thing to do is to go to a complete hybrid set.

At the price these are offered ($169), I don’t think that I could do better even if I built them myself. And with a 30-day guarentee, Pinemeadow seems to be pretty confident that you’re going to like the clubs

I may give these a try.

Here’s Pinemeadow’s ad copy:

Forgiving consistent and great playability! The Pinemeadow Matrix irons employ the latest trend in easy to play iron sets. They feature three distinct head styles for each facet of play guaranteeing to make your iron game more enjoyable to play. The 3 4 and 5 irons have been replaced with ultra forgiving hybrid woods for golfers who have difficulty hitting longer irons but than again who doesn’t? The hybrid shape and wide sole makes the clubs very long and easy to hit. The unique sole design helps the club sit properly improving proper setup. The 6 and 7 irons feature a deep hollow muscle which pushes the weight down and back for a low center of gravity and high moment of inertia resulting in helping you get under the ball at impact and increased distance without having to sacrifice accuracy. The 8 9 PW and SW have a wider sole and traditional cavity back with a low deep weight for superior accuracy and control keeping consistency with the forgiving quality of the set. Set includes 3-PW with an option to add the SW for an additional cost. If you are considering this ultra forgiving set the [doublewall.1] is the most forgiving driver on the market making a perfect compliment. This club is available in custom lengths and flexes. Click for more info.

If you’re a budget-minded golfer looking for a new set of sticks, you might want to consier Pinemeadow Golf. Pinemeadow is an online clubmaking firm that offers “cloned” clubs, but says that its clones—unlike Chinese knockoffs—are made from the same top quality materials as the big boys ... for about a third of the price.

I like the look of the Bionik 201 Mallet Putter. Pinemeadow says that it:

has all the necessary features to instantly improve your putting stroke. The alignment design on the putter is made up of a white line followed by a row of ball bearings to give you a clear visual of exactly where you are aiming your putts. In addition the elevated center line and added ball bearing weight in the middle will assure that your putting stroke stays on a straight path throughout the entire swing. Combine these technologies along with the red anodized alloy insert that provides you a soft feel at impact and you have one of the most complete putters in the market today.

You can take a look at it, and other good looking clones at Pinemeadow Golf.

And if anyone has any experience with Pinemeadow Clubs, I’d really like to hear from you. You can leave a review or comment by clicking on the comments link below.