Our Inspection Process
Our Inspection Process
Every driver head we sell passes through a five-step protocol. Nothing leaves Tokyo without it.
This is what separates us from any used-club resale you've ever bought from.
Step 1 — Authenticity Verification
What we check:
- Serial number against manufacturer's known production sequences
- Stencil pattern, font weight, character spacing
- Weight signature (each model has a known weight range — heads outside it are flagged)
- Hosel adjuster (for adjustable heads) for original-equipment characteristics
Why it matters: Counterfeit driver heads are sophisticated. A used JDM Tour Spec head sold for $400 is squarely in the price band where counterfeiters operate. We sit on heads if we have any doubt.
Outcome: Every listed head passes authentication. If we sell it, we vouch for it (see Refund Policy Section "Counterfeit Guarantee" for the $100% refund + return shipping + authentication-fee reimbursement we back this with).
Step 2 — Cosmetic Grading
Our 5-grade scale:
| Grade | Description | Visual standard |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | Mint or near-mint. No visible wear from normal play. | Photos look like a retail box product. |
| A | Excellent. Minor cosmetic marks visible on close inspection only. | Typical of a single-season carefully-played head. |
| B+ | Very Good. Light face wear, minor sole scratches. | Played but well cared for. |
| B | Good. Visible play wear. Honest used clubhead. | What a typical year-old used driver looks like. |
| C | Fair. Heavy character. May have crown or sole scratches, deep face wear. | Honest value play — priced accordingly. |
Why our grading is conservative: We grade as if we were the buyer. If we hesitate to call it A+, it goes to A. If we hesitate at A, it goes to B+.
Outcome: What you see in our 12-photo dossier is what you receive. If our grading turns out to have been generous, see Refund Policy Section "Grading Dispute Process" for the partial-refund schedule and process.
Step 3 — Structural Inspection
What we check:
- Face — cracks, deformation, excessive wear in the strike zone
- Crown — paint condition, structural integrity (carbon fiber crowns get extra scrutiny)
- Sole — scratches OK; cracks not OK
- Hosel — adjustable mechanism function (for adjustable models)
- Internal — gravity check, weight port integrity, any rattle indicating loose internal weighting
Why it matters: Cosmetic wear is fine. Structural compromise is not. A B-grade head that strikes true is worth more than a chipped A+ head that won't hold its loft.
Outcome: Heads that fail structural inspection don't get listed. Period.
Step 4 — Loft & Lie Measurement
What we measure:
- Loft — measured at center face with a Vernier-grade loft gauge
- Lie — for adjustable heads, measured at neutral setting
- Face angle — for adjustable heads, neutral setting confirmed
Tolerance: Our published spec is ±0.5° from the manufacturer's stated loft. If a head measures outside that, we list the measured value (e.g., "Stated 9.0°, measured 9.4°") and price accordingly.
Why it matters: Used heads sometimes drift from spec — usage, weather, or previous owners' tweaks. We tell you the truth.
Outcome: Loft and lie are disclosed on every product page.
Step 5 — Photo Documentation
What you get:
- 12 photographs per head, at 4K resolution
- Standard angles: address, face, crown, sole, toe, heel, hosel, weight ports, serial close-up, "Made in USA" mark (where applicable), full overhead, scale reference
- Indexed and stored in our internal database — if a dispute ever arises, the photographic record exists
Why it matters: Used clubhead transactions live or die on visual trust. We give you so much imagery that there's nothing to hide.
Outcome: Photos are uploaded to each product page within 24 hours of inspection completion. You see what we see.
What's NOT Inspected (Important)
We sell driver heads only — no shaft, no grip, no headcover. We do not inspect or warrant any of the following because we don't sell them:
- Shafts (you choose your own)
- Grips
- Headcovers
- Tools (wrenches, etc.)
If you need a recommendation on a compatible shaft for a head you bought from us, email inspection@thecaddieschoice.com and we'll point you at a builder we trust.
Frequently Asked
Q: How long does inspection take?
A: 30–60 minutes per head. We don't rush.
Q: Can I request additional photographs?
A: Yes. Email inspection@thecaddieschoice.com with the order number and what you need. No charge.
Q: Why don't you offer "raw" (uninspected) heads at a lower price?
A: Because then we'd just be another reseller. Inspection is the entire value of what we do.
The Caddie's Choice — Hand-picked from Japan's deepest used market. Inspected by experts. Delivered to you.