At one time there was a "grey market" in golf clubs. Basically they were the real thing being sold by someone without an account. The most common ways were:
- A company would buy out remaining inventory from who ever and resell them to someone like say Costco.
- A large order would be placed from an off shore account and the order would never leave the US. It would be held a port shipping company and picked up there.
Years back, I had a friend that was a PGA Member and owned a small 9 hole golf course. He was one of the largest buyers of a "brand name" golf ball that was to be sold only to "green grass" accounts, as in must be a golf course. He was buying large amounts and reselling them to a chain of golf stores for resale. Everyone knew but kept their mouths shut.