Help combat golf club theft

A new initiative has been launched to combat golf club theft which is estimated at £10 million every year.

Immobigolf brings industry experts together and calls on golfers to register their golf clubs for free on a national database. 

The database is already used by the police to recover stolen goods, but will also allow retailers and traders to track the entire ownership history of any golf club, quickly identifying stolen and counterfeit products. 

The new initiative, launched by American Golf, has come about thanks to co-operation between a number of businesses all of whom were being affected by the staggering increase in golf club crime. 

John Mantle, National Loss Prevention Manager at American Golf, was tasked to find ways to limit the impact of theft on the company and its staff. He commented: “In 2019, American Golf suffered an unprecedented amount of organised crime, which was having a serious effect on colleague morale as well as the loss to our business. 

“We met with Golfclubs4cash and Immobilise and between us we identified a solution that would tackle crime from the bottom up.  With the help of our partners, including Golf Care insurance, we hope that we can reach a situation where all golfers are using this free system to protect their clubs.”

Although every golf club has a unique manufacturer’s serial number on its hosel, it is almost impossible for police to return stolen goods because these identifier numbers are rarely registered to an owner.  

However, once these numbers are logged on the Immobilise website, traders, retailers and the police will be able to track the golf club’s entire ownership history proving categorically whether the club is stolen.  

For the system to work effectively golfers, golf facilities and retailers are being encouraged to get involved.

“It is easy for all members of the industry to get involved,” said Les Gray, from Recipero the company that operates Immobilise. “Golf clubs and retailers simply promote registration, which is entirely free of charge for them and their customers. Traders and insurers can then use Recipero’s CheckMEND and ClaimsCheck products to ensure due-diligence for every transaction. This reduces their risk, ultimately prevents crime and will be to the benefit of every golfer.  

“Simply put, if the entire golf community gets behind this initiative then stolen golf clubs will become too hot for criminals to handle.”

For just £14.99 golfers can also buy an Immobigolf pack at American Golf that will give golfers the means to show potential thieves that their products are protected. The pack includes identifier labels for golf clubs and bright deterrent markers that can be placed in car windows and on a golf bag.

Any retailers, golf clubs or PGA Professionals wishing to be part of the Immobigolf initiative should email support@immobilise.com to express interest and a representative will get in touch to take them through the set up process.

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