Nothing lasts forever in golf – not your swing, not your lucky ball marker that mysteriously vanished mid-round and certainly not that driver you were convinced would add 20 yards (spoiler: it didn’t).
While golf equipment obsolescence is practically an industry business model, there are a few heroic companies that stand behind their products, not just through the honeymoon phase, but until death do you part.
There’s an expression in the tool world that applies perfectly to golf as well: “Buy once, cry once.” The idea is you spend a bit more upfront on higher quality, better or just the product you truly want. You cry initially at checkout but between longevity, performance and your unbridled joy of owning the thing you really wanted, you more than get what you pay for in the long run.
The reality is few things in the golf world (or even the golf-adjacent world) have lifetime warranties. One to two years is pretty standard and while that’s not terrible, it’s worth calling out brands that actually stand behind their products for the long haul.
In some cases (like Vortex) it’s “no questions asked” while others offer “limited lifetime warranties.” As an example, Peter Millar might (just spit-ballin’ here) warranty the zipper on your favorite Kiawah Island-branded hoodie against manufacturing defects but if your puppy decides to use that same zipper as a teething toy (asshole), you’re probably out of luck.
Anyway… my point is that some restrictions typically apply but these companies still deserve recognition for going the extra mile.
So, with that said, here are six golf products that feature lifetime warranties.
1. Tour Edge golf clubs
Lifetime warranties are all but unheard of with golf clubs but Tour Edge is a remarkable exception. The company offers a lifetime warranty on every golf club they make. The offer applies only to the original purchaser but impressively includes the shaft as well.
As you would expect, there’s some boilerplate fine print but it’s still quite a bit better than what its competitors offer. While the big OEMs are busy convincing you that last year’s technology is practically paleolithic, Tour Edge is quietly saying, “We got you for life.”
2. Method Golf Co.
I hadn’t heard of Method Golf Co. until I started doing research for this story. It turns out the company makes a line of accessories to help carry your stuff on the course. For example, their PUSHSTACK PRO PACK includes a base that attaches to your pushcart. That base can hold your phone, rangefinder, a towel and a brush.
Similar kits exist for riders and walkers as well.
Billed as “gear you can trust. For life,” Method promises to repair or replace whatever breaks.
“If something goes wrong, we make it right – whether it’s a quick replacement part or a full unit swap. No fine print. No hassle.”
In a world where most accessories last about as long as your New Year’s resolution to practice more, that’s refreshing.
3. Vortex rangefinders
Vortex is relatively new to the golf space but the company is already making a name for itself with a robust line of feature-rich rangefinders meant to rival Bushnell in quality and performance.
What differentiates Vortex is their VIP (Very Important Promise) unlimited lifetime warranty. It’s fully transferable and no receipt is needed.
“It doesn’t matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. If you ever have a problem, no matter the cause, we promise to take care of you.”
That means if you accidentally run over it with your cart, drop it in a water hazard while trying to reach for your third ball of the day or your playing partner “borrows” it and returns it in pieces, Vortex has you covered. That’s not just a warranty; that’s practically a marriage vow.
4. Cobalt rangefinders
Like Vortex, Cobalt offers a lifetime warranty that’s fully transferable and doesn’t require a receipt.
“Bottom line, our warranty is about you, not us. Should any Cobalt laser rangefinder become damaged or defective such that it can’t be used, we will repair or replace your Cobalt product at no charge to you. If we cannot repair your product, we will replace it with a product of equal or better physical condition.”
In other words, the only way you’ll need a new rangefinder is if something even better comes along. That’s the kind of relationship commitment most people are afraid of but Cobalt’s ready to put a ring on it.
5. BOA Fit System
BOA doesn’t make your golf shoes but it sure as hell makes your golf shoes better. While BOA designs their dials and laces to be durable, the company understands that “things happen.” It doesn’t matter what brand of shoe, if a dial or lace fails, BOA will help you figure out what you need and then send you a free repair kit.
In a world where most golf shoes fall apart faster than a weekend foursome after someone accuses another of moving their ball, it’s nice to know at least the lacing system is built to last.
6. SKB hardshell cases
SKB makes a range of hardshell golf cases, and while each is designed to be rugged and durable, I think most of us understand that, given enough time and ambivalence about your gear, the TSA and the airlines can break damn near anything.
The fine print is that proof of purchase is required and SKB won’t cover the cost of shipping the case back to them but if your case breaks, SKB will supply replacement parts, repair the case or replace your case for as long as you own it.
When you consider the alternative – watching helplessly as your precious clubs tumble down the baggage carousel looking like they’ve been through a wood chipper – that’s peace of mind worth paying for.
The long game
When you think about it, lifetime warranties in golf are a special kind of irony. In an industry built on constant innovation and upgrade cycles (“This year’s model is 0.002% more aerodynamic!”), these companies are essentially saying, “We’re so confident in our product that you might never need to buy from us again.”
That takes balls. And not the kind that disappear into the woods on your first tee shot.
While nobody’s promising these products will improve your game (that would require an even more miraculous warranty), they are promising that the only thing you’ll need to replace is your excuse for that triple bogey.
What did we miss?
What about you? Do you know of any other golf products that come with lifetime warranties? Drop them in the comments below – we’d love to expand this list. And if you’ve ever had to use one of these warranties, we’d love to hear about your experience. Was it as painless as advertised or did you need a lawyer and three witnesses just to get a replacement part?
Darby Yarbrough
1 year ago
I can vouch for the Vortex VIP Warranty. While on a nature hike in the mountains, I took a tumble and in the process dropped a “stick” that had a $3600 Vortex “tube and glass magnifying device” attached to it down the side of the mountain. Bad day to say the least.
Vortex sent me a new one, all I had to do was send the damaged one back to them. They even covered shipping both ways.
Great products and Amazing customer service!!!