what to look for in antique golf clubs

The wooden heads of these old classics are generally considerably smaller in comparison to today’s club heads, and they include an old look and feel. On the club heads you may find a stamp with the name of the club maker or a golf professional’s name and the golf course he was associated with, though not all clubs have these markings.

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Should you collect classic or antique golf clubs?

Having a collection of classic or antique golf clubs is not an unusual hobby. Developing a valuable collection, on the other hand, is a very different commitment. Like wine or antiques, classic and vintage golf clubs can appreciate in value over time. Not every club appreciates or appreciates in the same way, however.

What are the best vintage golf clubs to buy?

Vintage Rawling Lee Trevino Golf Clubs Complete Set Vintage Rawling Lee Trevino Golf Clubs… ANTIQUE VINTAGE OLD W J Rush Cromer Special WOOD WOODEN… ANTIQUE VINTAGE OLD W J Rush Cromer Spec… 8 Vintage Hickory Shaft Golf Clubs Mac Gregor Great For… 8 Vintage Hickory Shaft Golf Clubs Mac G… MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Vintage VIP Golf Clubs. Complet…

How to identify a golf club?

The Golf Club Identification and Price Guide II by Wilson and the GolfWorks is very helpful in identifying the exact year a club was made and also has some interesting golf manufacturer’s history. The Ironfinder Scrapbook by H H Jones has numerous pictures identifying various different irons woods and putters.

Where can I find classic golf clubs?

There are sites on Facebook dedicated to classic putters, persimmon woods and forged blades and a number of our GHS members collect them. During the 1970s, 80s and early 90s, the earlier years of the then GCS, players and collectors alike sought out what came to be known as the “classic” clubs.

How do you identify old golf clubs?

Common golf clubs can be identified by these traits:Aluminum caps on the end of the handles.Nickel, chromed or stainless steel heads.Dots, lines, hyphens or other face scorings.Stamps on the back for yard ranges.Phrases on the back such as accurate, superior, aim-rite, and other common sounding names.

Are 60 year old golf clubs worth anything?

Many clubs produced as recently as the 1950s and '60s are considered "classics." Some are worth $1,000 a set, and the right kind of sand wedge can bring $500 or more all by itself.

What are the most valuable vintage golf clubs?

What Are The Most Valuable Vintage Golf Clubs?Long Nosed Scraped Golf Club: this vintage club was sold at a Sotheby's auction in 2007 for $91,000.Square Toe Light Iron Golf Club: this club was auctioned at the Sotheby's 2007 auction for $151,000.More items...

What kind of golf clubs are worth money?

Here's a look at 11 classic golf clubs or sets of clubs from the past and what they're worth today.Cleveland VAS 792 Irons.TaylorMade Burner Bubble driver. ... Titleist 975D driver. ... Callaway Steelhead fairway woods. ... Callaway Big Bertha War Bird driver. ... Ben Hogan Apex PC Forged Blade irons. ... Tommy Armour Silver Scot 845 irons. ... More items...•

Are 20 year old irons too old?

There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.

Do old golf irons lose distance?

As we mentioned, truly worn out irons can be hard to come across, it would take me back to the days of using my dad's old clubs that were well past their sell by date. However, if you have truly worn your clubs out, you can lose about 7-10 yards on them.

Are old golf clubs worth any money?

Like all collectibles, a golf club is only worth what one is willing to pay, and more often than not the cost of refinishing will exceed its value. "Old" is a relative term, of course. Using wooden shafted clubs as antique criteria, the rarest and Spalding1.

What is the rarest golf club?

One of the oldest and rarest golf clubs in the world is the Square Toe Lined Iron Golf Club. This treasured and highly desired collectible was sold at a Sotheby's auction for $151,000 in 2007.

Are used golf clubs worth anything?

Yes, they are definitely worth money and each club in golf will earn you a lot more than sitting in your garage just taking up space. Like anything else, the total money you get from used clubs depends on the condition and viability to use today.

Does anyone want old golf clubs?

There are plenty of places to donate your unbroken used equipment. Charitable organizations such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Savers, and a host of others accept such equipment and sell them in their stores.

What are old golf clubs made of?

These golf clubs were made up of wood with the shafts being made from ash or hazel and the club heads being made from tougher wood like apple, holly, beech or pear. The club head would be connected to the shaft with a splint and then bound with a leather strap.

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...

Vintage Golf Clubs Value: A Short Guide

It’s fun to have an old set of collectible golf clubs that you can take out and play with occasionally. It’s obvious that a lot of golfers in the golf community are always looking to buy new golf gear. Why not, newer golf clubs are often equipped with new technology, some of which can be game changing.

What Are The Most Valuable Vintage Golf Clubs?

The key to the value of vintage golf clubs is the supply and demand. Certain models are highly sought after, so they may be more expensive than others. They’re not only valuable but are also playable. And the right collector will drop a decent price for a club that’s in decent condition with all the right features.

How to Identify Valuable Antique Golf Putters

When looking at antique putters, you have to look at the history, rarity, and the person who made the putter.

Timeline on Vintage Golf Equipment

Vintage golf equipment are those clubs invented around the 15th century by primitive methods having handmade, custom/unique, and even unusual qualities. These often lack the sophistication of the modern clubs, coming from the Scottish Shepherds up to the 17th century. Most of these are mostly out of reach.

Frequently Asked Questions: Antiques

Why many older sets of clubs can be worth just a few dollars, others can be worth in the thousands. There are many features that can drum up the value of golf club memorabilia. Golf clubs closer to the 20th century, from a reputable club maker, and in good condition can easily be worth more than a few thousand dollars.

What was the most common club used by golfers?

As irons became more popular, machines took over manufacturing. In fact, the ability to mass produce irons helped shaped the game. Before long, irons completely took over as the most prevalent club used by golfers. Most irons bore the stamp of their manufacturer, and a rare few were chrome-plated.

What is an engraving on a golf club?

Clubs were normally affixed with an engraving bearing the maker’s name. Today, these engravings help collectors identify these early clubs. In addition to the woods, players also carried one iron, which helped golfers chip the ball out of tall grass or other trouble—courses weren’t nearly as groomed as they are today.

What wood is used in Douglas McEwan golf clubs?

This is also when some standardization of clubs began. In those days, the heads of Douglas McEwan golf clubs (also sold as D. McEwan & Son) were made of beech while the shafts were fashioned from hickory, a wood whose elasticity allowed for the maximization of torque in a swing.

What is a fairway wood called?

The equivalent of today’s driver was the play club, which was used from the tee box. Fairway woods were called “spoons” and were designed to produce different lofts so a ball would travel varying distances. Most players packed three spoons in their bags. McEwan was only one of numerous Scottish clubs manufacturers.

What was the greatest golf innovation of the postwar decades?

But the greatest golf innovation of the postwar decades was probably the metal wood, which was introduced in the 1970s by Gary Adams, founder of TaylorMade. Metal woods are the only woods you see today, and makers have experimented with different metals such as titanium to make clubs lighter and more forgiving.

How many long nose woods are there in golf?

Long-nose woods gave players a lot of control, and since this was the era of feather balls, controlling shots was paramount. Golfers would carry about five of these long-nose woods, one being the putter, during a typical round of golf.

When were steel shafts used in golf clubs?

In the 1910s and ’20s, steel shafts were used in clubs, which gave all clubs in a set a consistent feel. In 1926, steel-shafted clubs were cleared for tournament play by the United States Golf Association.

What were golf clubs made of before the turn of the 20th century?

Before that time, shafts were made of hickory, all iron heads were forged steel and woods were hand-carved from a single piece of persimmon. Clubs from before the turn of the 20th century can be worth quite a bit, presuming they were made by a prominent club maker and are in good condition.

How long was the golf club missing from Hogan's bag?

The club was missing for some 30-plus years. Clubs like this one, if authenticated, would certainly generate a significant sum at auction. This particular club, however, was loaned for display to the USGA's Golf House Museum. Clubs owned by champions and presidents and celebrities can fetch tidy sums based solely on their previous and famous owners.

How long has golf been around?

Some historians say the game of golf has been around for more than 500 years. Clubs and other equipment can be dated back to different eras throughout that time. To find clubs with significant value, you need to look back, definitely before World War II and probably before 1930, the year steel shafts and matched sets became common in golf club manufacturing. Before that time, shafts were made of hickory, all iron heads were forged steel and woods were hand-carved from a single piece of persimmon.

Do golf clubs appreciate over time?

Like wine or antiques, classic and vintage golf clubs can appreciate in value over time. Not every club appreciates or appreciates in the same way, however . Era, historical significance, rarity and condition are just a few of the factors influencing price, and this influence can be significant.

Is collecting antique clubs a hobby?

Collecting antique clubs can be a fun and educational hobby.

Is authenticating golf equipment a challenge?

As with other antiques, authentication always poses a challenge with vintage golf equipment.

Is it a hobby to collect golf clubs?

Having a collection of classic or antique golf clubs is not an unusual hobby. Developing a valuable collection, on the other hand, is a very different commitment. Like wine or antiques, classic and vintage golf clubs can appreciate in value over time. Not every club appreciates or appreciates in the same way, however.

Who is the author of Classic Golf Clubs?

Classic Golf Clubs by Joe Clement is a pictorial guide to woods irons and putters. Golf Classics Price and Identification Guide by Mike Doherty pictures and prices of many classics. Putters of Distinction by Dalton Daves lots of classic putters.

What clubs were used in the 70s?

During the 1970s, 80s and early 90s, the earlier years of the then GCS, players and collectors alike sought out what came to be known as the “classic” clubs. Iron sets, wedges, 1 irons, putters and woods all had a collector following. The pros themselves were always in the market for a backup or different model persimmon wood or putter to put in their bag. There actually existed a network of individuals who scoured the countryside for clubs for touring pros to purchase at the Tour stops. Dealers from the past include Bobby Farino, Bob Kent, Guido Ianni, Roger Cleveland, Jim Butler, Bobby Grace, and even Jeff Ellis had a sales publication that included the classics.

Who were the dealers of GCS?

Dealers from the past include Bobby Farino, Bob Kent, Guido Ianni, Roger Cleveland, Jim Butler, Bobby Grace, and even Jeff Ellis had a sales publication that included the classics. While the early GCS readily accepted members whose primary interest was the classic clubs, most club interest was in earlier equipment.

Is a golf club rare?

They can be quite rare. The Golf Club Identification and Price Guide II by Wilson and the GolfWorks is very helpful in identifying the exact year a club was made and also has some interesting golf manufacturer’s history.

How many clubs are in a golf set?

Golf club sets are composed of 14 clubs which is the maximum legal amount allowed by the USGA. In a beginner golf club set you should look for a good mix of drivers, woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and a putter. Most importantly, you want the golf clubs to cover your distance gaps.

How to hold onto a golf club?

In order to hold onto a golf club, there is an eight-inch rubber grip that is glued onto the steel or graphite shaft of each golf club in your bag. This gives your hands something to hold onto so the club doesn’t slip out of your hands as you are swinging 80-120 mph.

What is loft in golf?

Clubheads are designed for launching the golf ball into the air when they make contact with the ball. Loft is ultimately what controls your ball’s flight trajectory. Different components of the clubhead can be summed up in this image of this driver but they also apply to woods, hybrids, and irons.

Why do irons hold the ball on the greens?

Irons are able to hold the ball on greens by producing lots of backspin on the golf ball thanks to the grooves on the club face. If backspin is over done, your golf ball can also spin back off the front of the green since most greens slope from back to front but this is a more common problem for professional golfers who generate higher spin rates than the average player.

Why use wedges in golf?

Wedges are designed for improving your scoring as you get close to the green. They are created with higher loft that produces more accuracy and higher spin to help you get more control over the golf balls distance. Bounce is another factor to consider when picking out wedges in your club set.

What is the clubhead on a golf club?

Overall, the clubhead is what moves the ball from the tee box to the green and the manufacturing companies (TaylorMade, Cobra, Titleist, Callaway) work hard to optimize the club head design to help it hit the ball longer and straighter.

Why are irons important in golf?

Irons are important for scoring well in golf. Golf course’s design most greens to be quite small and with various ridges and slopes. This makes it tough for a golf ball to stay on the green if you hit a line drive with a wood or driver, for example.