The U.S. Golf Manufacturer’s Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group Starts the Year with Four Separate Criminal Raids Leading to the Seizure of over 100,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Golf Equipment
PHILADELPHIA, PA – January 21st, 2026 – The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (The Golf Group) today announced a series of four separate successful raids conducted by the Huizhou City police against notorious counterfeiters in China. The Golf Group’s investigation, which identified several assembling areas for counterfeit products as well as a counterfeit golf club head factory, led to the raid actions.
In total, eight suspects were detained by the police and 105,211 pieces of counterfeit clubs, components, tools, and labels bearing the marks of several Golf Group members were seized. With these seizures, more than 3 million counterfeit golf products have been taken out of the market since the Golf Group’s inception.
“As we enter 2026, raid actions like these are a constant reminder to counterfeiters across the globe that their actions have consequences,” said Jud Hawken, Associate General Counsel for PING. “As golf continues to grow in popularity globally, The Golf Group will work tirelessly to educate consumers on the dangers of counterfeit equipment, supporting law enforcement agencies across the world to prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.”
Since 2004, The Golf Group has brought litigation shutting down thousands of illegal websites, investigated and collaborated with government officials in over 300 raids, and seen over 200 counterfeit sellers and distributors convicted and sentenced for criminal activity. The Golf Group continues to conduct customs trainings globally as well as attending key industry conferences, including the 2026 PGA Show, educating the industry on the counterfeit golf problem globally, and how consumers can protect themselves from counterfeiters.
For information on how to avoid counterfeit golf products, how to report suspected counterfeit golf equipment sellers, and updates on The Golf Group’s efforts to protect golfers, consumers are encouraged to visit www.KeepGolfReal.com and to follow The Golf Group on Facebook Instagram & TikTok.
About the US Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group
The US Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group consists of six of the most well-known golf companies in the world—Acushnet Company, whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron; Callaway-Odyssey; Dunlop Sports Americas whose brands are Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO; PING; PXG; TaylorMade and Adams Golf. Formed in 2004, The Golf Group has supported the efforts of international law enforcement and government agencies to conduct raids and investigations of counterfeit operations, as well as raise public awareness of the issue. Since its inception, The Golf Group’s efforts led to the shutdown of thousands of websites and authorities have seized more than three million counterfeit golf products.
