Used club condition grades, translated
"Average" at one store is not "Average" at another. Each store below publishes its own condition scale. Here they are in plain English, side by side, with a link to each store's own definitions.
Store definitions checked September 22, 2026 (Golf Avenue and Callaway Pre-Owned: September 30, 2026; Next Round: October 21, 2026). Stores can change their scales; the linked pages are the authority.
The short version
This table lines the scales up by how much a club has been used. The alignment is our judgment, made by reading each store's published definitions. Treat neighboring rows as overlapping, not exact.
| How used | 2nd Swing | GlobalGolf | Callaway Pre-Owned | Golf Avenue | Next Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Never played | 10 Brand New | New, Mint | Like New (some never hit) | New | Mint (some never played) |
| Hit a handful of times | 9.5 Mint | Excellent (at the clean end) | Like New | Excellent | Mint |
| Under about 10 rounds | 9 Above Average | Excellent | Very Good | Very Good | Excellent |
| Normal regular use | 8 Average | Very Good | Good | Good | Very Good |
| Heavy cosmetic wear, plays fine | 7 Below Average | Value | Average | Fair | Good |
| Considerable wear | 6 Poor | Not sold | Not listed | Not listed | Value (Fair) |
The Callaway Pre-Owned column is provisional. Callaway publishes its grade definitions as videos on its own site; its official eBay store describes Like New, Good and Average in text, and those descriptions fit the rows above. Very Good is placed by its position between them until we can confirm it.
What does Average mean?
It depends on the store, and the difference is big. At 2nd Swing, 8 Average is normal regular use: ball marks, sole scratches, perhaps a small sky mark. At Callaway Pre-Owned, Average is the lowest of its four grades, which Callaway describes as used but not abused, with the normal wear of frequent play; by our reading of its scale, that's closer to 2nd Swing's 7 Below Average. GlobalGolf and Golf Avenue don't use the word; their nearest grades are Very Good and Good.
So an “Average” club at Callaway Pre-Owned should cost less than an “Average” one at 2nd Swing. Compare the photos, not the word.
2nd Swing condition grades: 10 to 6
A numbered scale from 10 down to 6, with separate descriptions for woods, irons, wedges and putters. 2nd Swing says itself that its photos are the best judge of condition, and its used listings include photos of the item.
- 10 Brand NewNever used on a course; possibly hit indoors.
- 9.5 MintHit only a few times; very hard to tell it's been used.
- 9 Above AverageFewer than about 10 rounds; light face wear, clean crown.
- 8 AverageClear signs of use: ball marks, sole scratches, perhaps a small sky mark or paint chip. Grip may need replacing soon.
- 7 Below AverageWell used but not abused: plenty of marks and scratches, nothing affecting performance.
- 6 PoorConsiderable wear but still usable; on wedges, the grooves may be worn.
Source: 2nd Swing condition guide.
GlobalGolf condition grades: New to Value
Named grades rather than numbers, plus a separate Certified Preowned program: clubs that pass a 7-point inspection and carry a 12-month limited warranty. GlobalGolf is operated by Worldwide Golf Shops.
- NewNever used, owned or sold.
- MintNo previous use; any marks come from handling in the shop.
- ExcellentVery limited use, under about 10 rounds; minimal marks.
- Very GoodPlayed and cared for; typical wear for the model's age, all cosmetic.
- ValuePlayed frequently: moderate face and sole wear, dings, possibly light rust on irons. Fully playable.
- PoorNot playable. GlobalGolf doesn't sell clubs in this condition.
Source: GlobalGolf condition ratings guide.
Callaway Pre-Owned grades: Like New, Very Good, Good, Average
Callaway's own pre-owned division uses four grades: Like New, Very Good, Good and Average. Its official definitions are presented as a set of videos on its condition guide page, and it runs a formal process for disputing a grade after delivery.
What does Average mean at Callaway Pre-Owned? It's the lowest grade Callaway sells. Callaway's official eBay store describes it as used but not abused, with the normal wear of frequent play. Good is normal use, usually over several seasons, in better shape than average for the model. Like New is almost impossible to tell from new: hit very few times, if at all. Very Good sits between Like New and Good. Where a listing shows the actual club rather than a stock photo, look at the photos too.
Sources: Callaway Pre-Owned condition guide (videos) and the grade descriptions on Callaway Golf's official pre-owned eBay store listings.
Golf Avenue condition grades: New to Fair
Golf Avenue rates five parts of every club from 1 to 10 (the sole, the top or back of the head, the face, the grip and the shaft) and combines the five scores into one of five grades. Its used clubs are photographed individually, six photos each.
- NewBrand new, in the original packaging.
- ExcellentAlmost impossible to tell from new: used very few times, if at all, with almost no wear.
- Very GoodUsed, but in fantastic shape: a few scratches or signs of wear up close.
- GoodNormal use, usually over several seasons, but in better shape than average for the model. Some cosmetic marks.
- FairClear marks of use, still playable. Golf Avenue says it stocks few of these.
Source: Golf Avenue's explanation of its condition rankings. Golf Avenue doesn't use the word Average; its Good is the closest to 2nd Swing's 8 Average.
Next Round condition grades: Mint to Value
Five named grades. Every listing is one physical club, and Next Round says each product photo shows the actual club you will receive. It adds that rating condition is not an exact science, so look at the photos.
- MintVery little cosmetic wear: gifts never played, or store demos hit only a few times; some are still in the plastic.
- ExcellentMinimal time on the course: a few faint ball marks on the face, a few minor nicks and scratches; grips in top shape.
- Very GoodAbove average for their age and well maintained: ball marks and scratches on the face, sole and crown, minor paint chips.
- GoodAverage for their age and well played: scratches, nicks and paint chips on the face, sole and crown.
- Value (Fair)Moderate to heavy cosmetic wear: prominent paint chips, faded or missing badges, deep scratches, small dings. Playable out of the box.
Source: the condition scale on Next Round's product pages. Its Mint covers clubs hit a few times, so we sort it with 2nd Swing's 9.5 Mint; its Very Good describes normal regular use, and its Value the heaviest wear it sells.
Tour Edge Certified Pre-Owned
Tour Edge sells its own used clubs as Certified Pre-Owned, a single grade: "every Certified Pre-Owned club is rated at least 9/10 in condition before it's listed", and each carries the same lifetime warranty as a new Tour Edge club (Tour Edge, checked Oct 18, 2026). We sort it with Excellent and 2nd Swing's 9 Above Average, the floor it promises.
How to use grades well
Photos beat words. Where a store shows the actual club, look at the face, sole and crown yourself. A grade is a range, and good clubs often sit at the top of a lower grade.
Match the grade to the club. Crown cosmetics matter on a driver you look down at every hole. A scuffed sole on a 4-iron changes nothing. Wedges are different again: worn grooves affect spin, so buy wedges in better condition.
Know the return window before you buy. Return policies differ by store and by item type, and some limit how many returns you can make. Check the store's policy page for the club you're buying.