Abstract: A method for creating an authentication tag includes receiving, at an authentication server, tagging device data and item data from a tagging device, authenticating, by the authentication server, the tagging device using the tagging device data, generating an authentication tag, and sending, by the authentication server, the authentication tag to the electronic device. The tagging device is affixed to an item, and the authentication tag comprises a digital signature provided by the authentication server.

Abstract: A golf club comprises a club head having a hosel, a shaft disposed within the hosel, a ferrule disposed about the shaft at a coupling between the shaft and the hosel, and a tagging device coupled to the ferrule. The tagging device can be at least partially disposed within the ferrule, and the tagging device can be a wireless communication device.

Abstract: A system for authenticating and managing the ownership of an item comprises a tagging device affixed to the item, wherein the tagging device comprises tagging device data, an item information system receiving the tagging device data and associated item data and storing the tagging device data and the item data, an owner registration and transfer system receiving owner registration data and ownership change requests and storing the ownership history, and an authentication system receiving authentication requests and generating a response based upon the information stored in the system or a connected system.