Golf manufacturers release new club models in January and February — timed for the PGA Merchandise Show and the start of the US golf season. What this means for buyers: the previous generation of clubs (which are excellent) is heavily discounted in October, November, and December, when retailers need to clear inventory before the new models arrive. This is the most reliable and predictable discount window in the sport.
Month-by-month guide
January–February: New model launch season
Manufacturers announce new clubs. Retailers are simultaneously clearing out last season’s stock. This creates an overlap window where last-year’s drivers are at 30–40% off while new models are at full retail. If the previous model was released within the last 18 months, the discount is more attractive than the new model. The technology difference between generations is rarely worth the price difference.
March–May: Full retail on new models, modest deals on older stock
New models settle at retail price. Older stock (2+ years old) continues to discount but selection narrows. Best window for: 2-year-old irons and drivers at GlobalGolf and 2nd Swing — 40–50% off models that still perform well.
June–August: Peak golf season, minimal discounts
The highest-demand period of the year. Prices are at their most stable. Golf balls and accessories sometimes see summer promotions, but clubs rarely discount in summer. Avoid: major purchases June–August unless there’s a specific sale.
September: Early clearance begins
Retailers start clearing current-year inventory ahead of new model announcements. Discount depth is 15–25% — real but not the best of the year. Good time to buy if you can’t wait for October–December.
October–November: The best window of the year
The optimal club-buying window. Retailers are motivated to clear current inventory; new model announcements create urgency. Discount depth: 25–40% on irons and woods released earlier in the year. This is the month to buy clubs you’ve been considering all season.
December: Holiday deals — mixed quality
December has the highest volume of “deals” and the lowest signal-to-noise ratio. Many gift sets are designed specifically for the holiday market with lower specifications than standard club sets. Read the specs carefully. Genuine deals exist — particularly on launch monitors, GPS devices, and accessories bundled with gift promotions — but require more scrutiny than the October window.
The Off-Season Buying Calendar goes deeper into specific discount windows by product category, including the best retailer for each purchase and historical price data. Get it free at our Buying Calendar page.
By product category
Clubs (drivers, irons, woods):
- Best window: October–November
- Second best: January–February (previous season clearance)
- Avoid paying full retail: June–August
Golf balls:
- Discount regularly throughout the year via dozen + dozen promotions
- Holiday 2-dozen sets (December) are genuine value for premium balls
- Callaway and Titleist run periodic promotions — set up price alerts on their sites
Golf bags:
- Previous-season bags appear at 30–40% off on GlobalGolf clearance year-round
- Less seasonal than clubs — shop clearance sections regularly
Launch monitors and simulators:
- January sales are the most consistent window
- Black Friday deals on Garmin and Bushnell devices are real
- Avoid: new launch monitor releases (wait 6 months for first-generation issues to be resolved)
Golf shoes:
- End-of-season clearance September–October
- Previous-season shoes at 40–50% off — the technology doesn’t change year to year
The price alert strategy
If there’s a specific set of clubs you want, add them to your cart on GlobalGolf and check the price weekly from September. Most significant discounts appear in the first two weeks of October and then again in the two weeks before the December holidays. The discount on a current-year set rarely exceeds 35% before the model is discontinued; deeper discounts come after a model is two seasons old.
For new models: wait at least 90 days after launch. First-production pricing is always at or above MSRP. The first meaningful price movement typically happens at 60–90 days post-launch as retailers assess sell-through rates.