Why I play with vintage clubs!

[Skip Castaneda]

I play classic clubs because I appreciate the work that went into making those clubs. I don't care about ten extra yards, or having three strokes being shaved off my golf score that modern golf club manufactures would lead you to think. Just give me a Sunday bag with a 5,7 and 9 iron with two wedges and a putter and I'm good to go.

[stevemcgee99]

I still don't understand why anyone wants 10 extra yards. I can only imagine it makes sense with the driver, then you need it in the rest to close the 'gap'.

But the thing that I think is stupid is that we can always use a longer club. Why get 120 yards from a wedge?

[scomac2002]

It's an ego thing. You're going to feel better about yourself hitting a 7 iron 150 versus 125 for example. The assumption is that you will have a better chance being consistent with a 7 iron than a 4 which I suppose is true to a point. Having said that, you will notice a lot of the newer combo sets with hybrids are now going with hybrids right up to the 6! So, one wonders just how easy to hit is that 7 iron going to be? Is it really going to be any more consistent than an old school 5 iron? If that proved to be a problem there was always the option of a 9 wood and 11 wood to fill out your bag. In many ways it's just a repackaging of older ideas in a new convenient format that sells more wedges as a by-product.

[stevemcgee99]

Sometimes I hit a 6 iron from 30 yards off the green because I see that as the club that will get my ball closest to the hole, if not in it.

[BIG STU]

[quote name='stevemcgee99' timestamp='1445290603' post='12479002']
Sometimes I hit a 6 iron from 30 yards off the green because I see that as the club that will get my ball closest to the hole, if not in it.
[/quote]Good philosophy I like it. They do not ask how just how many.

[Slowstriker]

I keep a Ginty in my bag as a rescue club and another as a back up (cause they do 'chip away, piece by piece). Stan Thompson knew what he was doing. Taylormade 'copied' his keel sole in their Raylor. Great club when all is lost.

[Divot License]

My current clubs wouldnt be considered vintage (titleist 690mb) but ever since my Hogan Powerthrusts got stolen I've been left using them. Living in thr UK also seems to limit the amount of vintage sets available. So if anyone has some Hogan Redlines they want to donate....

 

My wife however plays some vintage circa 1960 Hogan Princess irons with original Apex shafts. If i could get her to part with them I'd happily reshaft them for my own use.

[gsea33]

For the last 10 yrs I have played Mizuno True irons. I have a set of Ping Eye 2 becu I was going to go back to this year. But I just picked up a set of 1965 Dyna Power irons and a set of 1970 Hogan Speed Slots 504's 1,3,5. This will probably be my summer set. I have for ever used John Letters Banker putter. Why play them, because I love the smell of fresh cut grass and the sight of a nice little fade landing like a bird with sore feet 5' from the pin.

[minimal45]

As I've replied before my clubs are not vintage but not the latest. I like some forgiveness but just a handful of clubs with no adjustables and I'm as happy as if I had a brand new top of the line just released 14 club bag. I play what I like and try to spend money playing rather than changing clubs.

[BIG STU]

I keep a Ginty in my bag as a rescue club and another as a back up (cause they do 'chip away, piece by piece). Stan Thompson knew what he was doing. Taylormade 'copied' his keel sole in their Raylor. Great club when all is lost.

Cobra did too with the wooden Baffler. In fact I cleaned a Baffler 4 wood up last weekend to go in the minimunist rotation. Trust me I have a couple of Gintys one of them is a 7 wood that came from the scrap pile at work and it looks like it has never been hit either

[Shallowface]

I keep a Ginty in my bag as a rescue club and another as a back up (cause they do 'chip away, piece by piece). Stan Thompson knew what he was doing. Taylormade 'copied' his keel sole in their Raylor. Great club when all is lost.

Cobra did too with the wooden Baffler. In fact I cleaned a Baffler 4 wood up last weekend to go in the minimunist rotation. Trust me I have a couple of Gintys one of them is a 7 wood that came from the scrap pile at work and it looks like it has never been hit either

 

Didn't Stan sue Callaway saying the Warbird soleplate ripped off his patented Ginty design?

 

Seems like I heard that, when Stan passed, Callaway acquired that patent from his estate.

 

Since a wooden club would never be high tech enough for today's market, Callaway should re-introduce the graphite version of the Ginty with the all graphite clubhead and the famous soleplate, perhaps slightly modified with a thin titanium full face insert.

[Nomad Golfer]

I hit my first shot in 1964.

I played professionally for 12 years. I spent way too many hours standing in the Pro Shop for the next 20+ years. I retired 3 years ago. I now spend my days building custom clubs, teaching a few how to play inside 100 yards, and playing golf with my friends.

I have played clubs with wooden shafts. I have played with the most current prototype from the Tour Van. I have had big companies build clubs to my exact specs. I've built my own clubs. I've used clubs built for others..18 handicappers to a Major winner.. I now know what I like, and more importantly, why I like them.

Most of the preferences for things we like are stored in our memory banks during our early years. When I see a1967 Corvette, reflect on a 17 year old girl I spent every waking hour with in 1973, or put my hands on a set of 1972 Hogan Apex irons, there is absolutely nothing that I don't like! In my mind these are the pinnacles, perfection unmatched!

I have two sets of these '72 irons and am working on a third. My persimmon woods.. Toney Penna TP-85 driver, Macgregor Tourney M65W 2 wood, Macgregor Silver Scot Tourney W693 4 wood, all with wonderful finish and perfect grain patterns, bring out these same feelings. Three Spalding wedges form the late '60's, all unique, slip easily into that warm and peaceful place in my soul.

I have massaged all these clubs into weapons that are like extensions of my body. Visually and mentally they leave no feelings of un-finished business. Ready for battle, they await my command.

If you could spend a day with me, this is what you would come away with. I'm comfortable anywhere, but the golf course is the place I prefer to be. I have no problem being by myself, but I prefer to be with my friends. I have no problem playing golf with the newest clubs of this era, but I prefer the clubs of my youth. I have no problem talking about your last round, but I prefer to discuss mine. I have no problem if you order us gin & tonic, but I will order us single malt. I have no problem if you disagree with my opinion , it just gives us more to talk about. Yes I have a few issues, but I have no problems.

I play vintage clubs for one reason...

THEY MAKE ME FEEL GOOD!!

And that is what I prefer most.

Custom made v mass produced. In the 60's I was into medium game hunting and had a BSA Majestic rifle hand built by British tradesmen left over from WW2. They don't make them like that any more.

[Nomad Golfer]

Seems odd (to me) but I'm time travellng backwards with my clubs. In a spare bag in storage is my 2014 driver and 3 wood, hybrid, CB irons and putter. Somewhere under a pile of household stuff is a 1989 approx King Cobra driver with Autoclave shaft which (if I ever find it) I would like to use again now I know how to get around the closed face which turns it into a demonic hook machine. My first set of 1974 Spaldings are long gone, and the only redeeming feature they had anyway was all weather grips. I wonder if any of those old wound balls (not the U.S. ones) that we played with can be found in an old bag somewhere.

[stevemcgee99]

I got some 60's Spauldings with mint leather grips with an old bag purchase. Only tried them once but they seem like they'll be good. Thick bar of metal right through the back of the ball.

[Nomad Golfer]

I got some 60's Spauldings with mint leather grips with an old bag purchase. Only tried them once but they seem like they'll be good. Thick bar of metal right through the back of the ball.

you do have some old stuff !

when your 2 & 4 woods were built, I was just starting highschool and I'm no spring chicken these days.

'56 was a good year, joined the Navy and really did see the world - best 9 years of my youth, then I took

up golf as a sport and it's been all downhill since (no not really)

[dmeeksDC]

Giving this thread a bump. How is everyone? Picked up

some 1963 Wilson Staff Dynapower turfriders, stiff shafts. Took them to the range to work on my drills to flatten my swing and just drilled them. Felt fantastic. So much better than perimeter weighting. Lofts are exactly one club weaker than modern clubs. 7 iron is 38 degrees -- hit it 155 yards, the same as my 38-degree 8 iron. Misses cost about 10-15 yards. These clubs make hitting balls rewarding!

[gsea33]

Giving this thread a bump. How is everyone? Picked up

some 1963 Wilson Staff Dynapower turfriders, stiff shafts. Took them to the range to work on my drills to flatten my swing and just drilled them. Felt fantastic. So much better than perimeter weighting. Lofts are exactly one club weaker than modern clubs. 7 iron is 38 degrees -- hit it 155 yards, the same as my 38-degree 8 iron. Misses cost about 10-15 yards. These clubs make hitting balls rewarding!

 

Great clubs, I have the 65s. The best SW ever use it no matter what set I'm playing. Curious as to the drills you do to flatten your swing. The great Mickey Wright said your swing can never be too flat.

[smorg]

I hit my first shot in 1964.

I played professionally for 12 years. I spent way too many hours standing in the Pro Shop for the next 20+ years. I retired 3 years ago. I now spend my days building custom clubs, teaching a few how to play inside 100 yards, and playing golf with my friends.

I have played clubs with wooden shafts. I have played with the most current prototype from the Tour Van. I have had big companies build clubs to my exact specs. I've built my own clubs. I've used clubs built for others..18 handicappers to a Major winner.. I now know what I like, and more importantly, why I like them.

Most of the preferences for things we like are stored in our memory banks during our early years. When I see a1967 Corvette, reflect on a 17 year old girl I spent every waking hour with in 1973, or put my hands on a set of 1972 Hogan Apex irons, there is absolutely nothing that I don't like! In my mind these are the pinnacles, perfection unmatched!

I have two sets of these '72 irons and am working on a third. My persimmon woods.. Toney Penna TP-85 driver, Macgregor Tourney M65W 2 wood, Macgregor Silver Scot Tourney W693 4 wood, all with wonderful finish and perfect grain patterns, bring out these same feelings. Three Spalding wedges form the late '60's, all unique, slip easily into that warm and peaceful place in my soul.

I have massaged all these clubs into weapons that are like extensions of my body. Visually and mentally they leave no feelings of un-finished business. Ready for battle, they await my command.

If you could spend a day with me, this is what you would come away with. I'm comfortable anywhere, but the golf course is the place I prefer to be. I have no problem being by myself, but I prefer to be with my friends. I have no problem playing golf with the newest clubs of this era, but I prefer the clubs of my youth. I have no problem talking about your last round, but I prefer to discuss mine. I have no problem if you order us gin & tonic, but I will order us single malt. I have no problem if you disagree with my opinion , it just gives us more to talk about. Yes I have a few issues, but I have no problems.

I play vintage clubs for one reason...

THEY MAKE ME FEEL GOOD!!

And that is what I prefer most.

Excellent.

[TimV]

My wife, who just started playing with me 6 months ago, and 2 of our friends played last Saturday. I was playing my Mizunos (see sig) a Ping Zing Laminate Driver and a Royal laminate 4 wood. My wife just told me a few minutes ago that our friend Dot who was playing with us had said to her "I don't know why he plays those. They're so pretty he should display them." I appreciate that she notices the pride I take in restoring and keeping my vintage stuff nice but understand that this woman has played with me for several years now and knows I play the vintage at least as well if not better than my set of Ping G10's. My wife's confession of this was prompted by her asking me what set I was going to play tomorrow with my friend George and me pointing to the same set and adding that I was going to also play this Ping laminate 3 wood I had just finished restoring instead of the Royal 4 wood I played Saturday. So she told me what our friend Dot had said and added "So why do you?"

My Answer?

These are finely crafted tools of the game. They were made to be played not put on a wall and stared at.

[ricklinens]

I love the sounds from older gear, the sound through the strike, and the unique sound when clubs rattle around inside the bag.

[Wilsonian]

These are finely crafted tools of the game. They were made to be played not put on a wall and stared at.

 

(Mounting Soapbox...)

I agree. I lament the fact that there are not people employed in this country making golf clubs like there used to be. I enjoy the fact that I am playing with a set of clubs made in the USA, and not in China. Spending my whole life in manufacturing, I like to think that someone's grandfather or father, or grandmother or mom made the clubs I play with. I realize that not everyone sees it that way, but that's part of the enjoyment for me.

(Dismount)

 

As a woodworker I too use old tools. I don't mount them on a wall and look at them. Plus it is just plain fun.

I am taking a 28 year old co-worker to play a round with Hickory clubs in a couple of weeks. I hope he gets the bug and starts to go the vintage route too.

[Cbad721]

Just acquired a set of pre-1949 Macgregor Byron Nelson irons with pyratone shafts (got on ebay - excellent condition). Played white tees (about 6,200 yards) today and hit 14 greens. Second time I've used them and just love the feel and set up. Except for scramble tournaments I'm pretty much using just old school clubs made between 1945-1975. I can't stop collecting clubs and don't want to (10 sets of irons and 50 persimmons).

 

Birthday is this Friday. Sounds like a reason to look some more

[Wilsonian]

Wow! Those are cool. How are the pyratone shafts? Notice anything unique about them? Thanks for sharing!

[Cbad721]

For the last 10 yrs I have played Mizuno True irons. I have a set of Ping Eye 2 becu I was going to go back to this year. But I just picked up a set of 1965 Dyna Power irons and a set of 1970 Hogan Speed Slots 504's 1,3,5. This will probably be my summer set. I have for ever used John Letters Banker putter. Why play them, because I love the smell of fresh cut grass and the sight of a nice little fade landing like a bird with sore feet 5' from the pin.

You can't go wrong with a set of dynapowers!

[Cbad721]

Wow! Those are cool. How are the pyratone shafts? Notice anything unique about them? Thanks for sharing!

These clubs are stainless steel (harder metal I understand) and the pyratone shafts are less flexible, less lag than modern of course, but the fun in playing them is trying mainly for accuracy rather than distance. I have a pyratone " hickory" colored set from around 1930 and those are even worse from a "feel" perspective. You never hit one flush! But these Macgregors are more like the 915 Tourneys (which is what Johnny Miler used in 1973) and set up so well at address (if you like blades). I can hit a 7 iron 150-160 (which is 15 yards shorter than my modern) which is really cool because i want to play them a lot in the future and I have only seen a couple of these sets for sale the past few years. So nobody I play with has ever seen these before. The grips are full leather original with the iron number on the knob (e.g. 7, 8 or 9). Truly unique

[Cbad721]

My wife, who just started playing with me 6 months ago, and 2 of our friends played last Saturday. I was playing my Mizunos (see sig) a Ping Zing Laminate Driver and a Royal laminate 4 wood. My wife just told me a few minutes ago that our friend Dot who was playing with us had said to her "I don't know why he plays those. They're so pretty he should display them." I appreciate that she notices the pride I take in restoring and keeping my vintage stuff nice but understand that this woman has played with me for several years now and knows I play the vintage at least as well if not better than my set of Ping G10's. My wife's confession of this was prompted by her asking me what set I was going to play tomorrow with my friend George and me pointing to the same set and adding that I was going to also play this Ping laminate 3 wood I had just finished restoring instead of the Royal 4 wood I played Saturday. So she told me what our friend Dot had said and added "So why do you?"

My Answer?

These are finely crafted tools of the game. They were made to be played not put on a wall and stared at.

 

I totally agree!! We are caretakers of fine clubs and custodians to pass on the history of these finely made pieces of art. However , the difference between art and golf collecting was best said by well known collector Jeff Ellis many years ago (he sold his set of 400+ clubs for $2MM a decade ago), "a painted lady golfer on a fine ceramic vase is nice, but let's face it, no golf ball was ever hit with a ceramic vase." And so we play to keep the tradition alive...

[baloo]

Wow! Those are cool. How are the pyratone shafts? Notice anything unique about them? Thanks for sharing!

These clubs are stainless steel (harder metal I understand) and the pyratone shafts are less flexible, less lag than modern of course, but the fun in playing them is trying mainly for accuracy rather than distance. I have a pyratone " hickory" colored set from around 1930 and those are even worse from a "feel" perspective. You never hit one flush! But these Macgregors are more like the 915 Tourneys (which is what Johnny Miler used in 1973) and set up so well at address (if you like blades). I can hit a 7 iron 150-160 (which is 15 yards shorter than my modern) which is really cool because i want to play them a lot in the future and I have only seen a couple of these sets for sale the past few years. So nobody I play with has ever seen these before. The grips are full leather original with the iron number on the knob (e.g. 7, 8 or 9). Truly unique

 

Those clubs look amazing.

[oldschoolrocker]

My wife, who just started playing with me 6 months ago, and 2 of our friends played last Saturday. I was playing my Mizunos (see sig) a Ping Zing Laminate Driver and a Royal laminate 4 wood. My wife just told me a few minutes ago that our friend Dot who was playing with us had said to her "I don't know why he plays those. They're so pretty he should display them." I appreciate that she notices the pride I take in restoring and keeping my vintage stuff nice but understand that this woman has played with me for several years now and knows I play the vintage at least as well if not better than my set of Ping G10's. My wife's confession of this was prompted by her asking me what set I was going to play tomorrow with my friend George and me pointing to the same set and adding that I was going to also play this Ping laminate 3 wood I had just finished restoring instead of the Royal 4 wood I played Saturday. So she told me what our friend Dot had said and added "So why do you?"

My Answer?

These are finely crafted tools of the game. They were made to be played not put on a wall and stared at.

 

I totally agree!! We are caretakers of fine clubs and custodians to pass on the history of these finely made pieces of art. However , the difference between art and golf collecting was best said by well known collector Jeff Ellis many years ago (he sold his set of 400+ clubs for $2MM a decade ago), "a painted lady golfer on a fine ceramic vase is nice, but let's face it, no golf ball was ever hit with a ceramic vase." And so we play to keep the tradition alive...

 

Well said. Curious at to which lady, in the thumbnail, is your best dance partner.

[Uncle T]

Good post.

 

I have been thinking about recreating the set I learned how to play with back in '68, but when I see the clubs on eBay they are too pricey for me. They weren't that good of clubs when I bought them brand new from the department store, but now just the laminated woods will set me back almost $100. Maybe I'd get the same experience using another 60's brand.

 

You'll be surprised what you can find in thrift stores, alot of people just donate their old golf clubs thinking they have no value. But to people like us they are treasure! I don't have any fond memories of playing vintage golf clubs when I was a kid, Buy when I see a set of old Wilson's or Spaldings irons or woods I'm like oh s*** what do we got here? I love buying this stuff and then researching it and trying to find out as much as I can about them. I got a complete set of Wilson Sam Sneads, 2 sets of 70's Spalding Execs with Laminated woods in mint condition. Overall I have probably 4 complete sets for the price of a Vokey SM6. I like to travel to the city next over from me which is about 140 miles and hit up their thrift shops for clubs.

[oldschoolrocker]

That is some kinda dedication UT. 140 miles one way. I bow to you sir.