Full Answer
When did the golf shaft come out?
History of the Golf Shaft. However, it did not catch on with the masses. Around the same time as the Shakespeare Company was developing its version of the graphite shaft, James Flood, an aircraft engineer, was developing his version which was introduced in April 1972 from which the Aldila company was born.
When did Shakespeare golf start making golf clubs?
In 1946, Shakespeare began manufacturing golf clubs with fiberglass shafts, which led to the introduction of the WonderShaft and marked the beginning of the company's involvement in manufacturing golfing equipment.
Who was the first golfer to win with graphite shaft clubs?
In 1931, Billy Burke won the US Open. He was the first golfer to win using steel shaft clubs. Frank Thomas of the Shakespeare Sporting Goods Company conceived and created the first graphite shaft in 1969. It was introduced at the PGA Show in 1970.
How did Spalding change the golf shaft design?
This technique allowed them to decrease the outside diameter of the shaft by creating a step-down design which tapered to fit into the club-head. This design helped create different shaft flexes for the golfers' individual needs. In 1930, Spalding released the Bobby Jones signature set of irons.
When did graphite golf shafts come out?
The graphite shaft was invented by Frank Thomas and introduced to the game of golf in early 1969 while he was working for Shakespeare Sporting Goods Co, as its chief Design Engineer. Graphite (carbon fiber) was developed in the mid-196o's by Union Carbide and used almost exclusively in the space industry.
When did steel golf shafts come out?
1925Around 1925 the steel shaft was introduced in the United States, although blacksmiths had experimented with them since the late 1890's. The R&A, named from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, is the governing body of the game of golf.
When were graphite golf clubs made?
Overview. Graphite shafts were introduced as early as the 1970s, but came into mass production in the 1990s.
When did they stop using wooden shaft golf clubs?
Hickory became the standard material for golf club shafts until steel shafts were introduced in about 1925 in the US, and became standard everywhere from the mid 1930s. They had the advantage as they did not break like the hickory shafts and could be produced reliably with uniform feel in matched sets.
When did woods stop being made of wood?
Modern Technologies Metal “woods” came along in the 1980s and soon replaced wooden-headed clubs altogether. The introduction of the strong, lightweight metal titanium allowed clubs to be designed with larger heads that could promote both distance and accuracy.
What were old golf clubs made of?
Early Golf Clubs (similar to today's wedges) and a putting cleek. After 1618, the Featherie golf ball was introduced which endured for more than 200 years. Club heads were made from tough wood such as beech, holly, pear and apple. Shafts were made from ash or hazel.
What is the oldest golf club in the world?
Musselburgh Old Links TheMusselburgh Old Links The Old Links at Musselburgh has been officially recognised by Guinness as the oldest golf course in the world; a fact that should immediately place Musselburgh atop any avid golfers wishlist.
What are old golf clubs called?
They were:Driving iron: 1 Iron.Mid-iron: 2 Iron.Mid-mashie: 3 Iron.Mashie iron: 4 Iron.Mashie: 5 Iron.Spade mashie: 6 Iron.Mashie-niblick: 7 Iron.Pitching niblick: 8 Iron.More items...
When did Shakespeare get his patent?
Shakespeare was granted a patent in 1896. The following year he formed the William Shakespeare Jr. Company, the predecessor to the handful of Shakespeare businesses in operation during the 1990s.
Who sold Shakespeare Flexible Controls?
Anthony Industries sold Shakespeare Flexible Controls, the successor to the foray into the automotive market in 1921, the year after the acquisition, but the remaining Shakespeare businesses were embraced wholeheartedly, adding considerably to its parent company's stature.
What did Shakespeare realize about his reels?
Shakespeare realized that no matter how successfully his reels sold, his company would still be fettered to the wide-ranging cyclicality of a seasonal business and vulnerable to the same market capriciousness that affected all leisure-oriented businesses.
What is Wonderod fishing rod?
The Wonderod quickly changed the face of the fishing tackle industry, making bamboo and steel rods virtually obsolescent. It also cemented the company's reputation as a maker of high-quality fishing rods and, equally important, it demonstrated the immeasurable potential of fiberglass.
What was the Shakespeare Company?
The Shakespeare Company was born out of frustration. Its formation celebrated the patented invention of William Shakespeare, Jr., and the elimination of one of the most burdensome chores plaguing fishing enthusiasts during the 19th century .
What was Shakespeare's first major diversification?
Shakespeare's first major diversification was into the automotive products industry, a business area that, like all facets of the automotive industry, was growing robustly during the early decades of the 20th century.
What was Shakespeare's response to the changing seasons?
Shakespeare's response was to diversify, to develop other businesses outside the sporting goods industry and thereby reduce his company's dependence on the vagaries of the nation's economy and the changing seasons.
What wood was used for golf shafts in the 17th century?
The golf shafts in the 17th and 18th centuries were not yet made of hickory, but rather from ash and hazel or whatever hardwood was available locally including wood from trees such as danga wood, ironheart, purpleheart, greenheart, bloomahoo and bulletwood. The US used other woods from what was being used in Great Britain, ...
Who made the first steel shaft?
In the 1890's club designers were experimenting with other materials such as steel tubes and solid steel rods. A Scottish blacksmith, Thomas Horsburgh made the first steel shaft in 1893. He was unable to gain any interest in it as it was solid steel and very heavy. He duly allowed his patent to lapse.
What is a whistler shaft?
Nicknamed the "Whistler", Lard's shaft was made from a solid steel bar that was bored out and milled to form 6 sides. To reduce its weight, it was drilled with hundreds of small holes.
Why is the Allan Lard golf shaft called a whistling shaft?
To reduce its weight, it was drilled with hundreds of small holes. The perforations helped enhance club head speed and reduced torque significantly. When swung, these holes caused a whistling sound, hence the "Whistler" nickname. But like the other steel shafts, they never caught on. Allan Lard's perforated steel shaft.
What wood was used for the club heads?
The US used other woods from what was being used in Great Britain, including ash and lancewood. Club heads were made from tough woods such as beech, holly, apple and pear. These were connected to the shaft using a splint and then bound using leather straps.
What is Spalding's shaft?
Spalding's steel shaft, painted to look like hickory. It was not until some advances were made in the raw steel material and new manufacturing processes were developed, enabling the production of a stepped-down shaft, that steel started showing signs of becoming a clear favorite.
When did steel shafts become legal?
In 1924, the USGA finally legalized steel shafts, although the R&A continued to ban them until the Prince of Wales used a set at St. Andrews in 1929 which helped force a rule change. In 1924, the first steel shafts were allowed in the US Open, They were allowed in putters only. The winner, Cyril Walker, used one.
Shakespeare Wondercast Model 1777 Spincaster
There were a couple of Penn 209's and a 285 Del Mar, a Heddon 205-R, a Mitchell 300, and this push button Shakespeare Wondercast Model 1777.
Shakespeare Wondercast Model 1777 Spincaster
There were a couple of Penn 209's and a 285 Del Mar, a Heddon 205-R, a Mitchell 300, and this push button Shakespeare Wondercast Model 1777.