The Death of Spalding Golf

[JungleJimbo]

48 minutes ago, Foozle said:

If anyone is interested, Talking Golf History have just released a podcast on the history of Spalding Golf - the rise and demise. 

Someone by the name of "Big Stu" gets an honourable mention as a vintage expert who lists the "bird on ball" irons as the third most beautiful irons ever issued. Surely there can only be one "Big Stu"? A quality endorsement if ever there was one.

Sorry I am too inept to provide a link but if you search "Talking Golf History" you should find it. 

I understand it is the first in a series on once great manufacturers now largely relegated to History.

@Foozle: Here is the Spotify Link to the "Talking Golf History" podcast 
 

(still skimming-through, to see if we can locate the timestamp for @BIG STU's honourable mention!)  🙂
 

 

Edited January 9, 2022 by JungleJimbo

[NRJyzr]

3 hours ago, Foozle said:

If anyone is interested, Talking Golf History have just released a podcast on the history of Spalding Golf - the rise and demise. 

Someone by the name of "Big Stu" gets an honourable mention as a vintage expert who lists the "bird on ball" irons as the third most beautiful irons ever issued. Surely there can only be one "Big Stu"? A quality endorsement if ever there was one.

Sorry I am too inept to provide a link but if you search "Talking Golf History" you should find it. 

I understand it is the first in a series on once great manufacturers now largely relegated to History.

 

 

[Shallowface]

On 4/28/2021 at 11:18 AM, Greg_B said:

I started playing golf in the late '80s and in 1991 joined my first golf club. I was astounded to see maybe half of the member's bags had a set of Spalding Executive irons in them back then. They seemed to be the go-to clubs to use at least at that place. Guys liked them because they were not expensive and easy to hit.  Like everyone starting out, I went through untold numbers of Top-Flite balls in those days. Later on when I could play a bit better I tried the Strata balls and quite liked them.

 

Some may remember that when Lee Trevino first hit the Senior Tour and was winning everything in sight there for his first few years, he was a Top-Flite tour staff player. He used a set of Top-Flite metal woods that I tried and quite liked, so I ended up buying a 5-wood first, followed by the driver and finally the 3-wood. Very small heads even for the time I believe, but they had some unusual kind of hybrid shaft that was mostly steel until just before you got to where the grip was, where the shaft then became graphite for the top 10"-12". Those worked well for me for a few years. The picture isn't of mine but the same model that I found advertised on a well-known auction site.

That's the 3 wood (the 14 degree version) I had in the bag for my second best round of all time, a 67 in 1992.  Still have it on display with the rest of the set from that round.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Shallowface
Additional Information

[Foozle]

Can anyone help ID / date these irons for me?

I picked them up "blind" recently as they effectively came free with a couple of woods.

I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived and I realised they were Synchro Dyned irons and also as they are intact with all ferrules, Rocket shaft bands, original grips and Spalding end caps in place. Someone has "cleaned" them rather aggressively with coarse sand paper or similar but I expect they will buff out not too badly.

However, I can find no information on them to help date them. I did see the grips elsewhere described as leather but I don't think that is the case- they are quite attractive though.

I am UK based so appreciate they may differ from USA issue.

I also have these Synchro Dyned irons.

Again, any help appreciated.

 

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

On 1/9/2022 at 12:18 PM, JungleJimbo said:

@Foozle: Here is the Spotify Link to the "Talking Golf History" podcast 
 

(still skimming-through, to see if we can locate the timestamp for @BIG STU's honourable mention!)  🙂
 

 

Entertaining, but factually tosh, and much of the invention defies common sense.

The original Jeannie Deans, reshafted by Victor East, and used by Jones in all legs of his Grand Slam is in the R&A museum, not Augusta National. The last leg was at Merion where an insert to repair a wear spot was applied by George Sayers, resident Pro and cousin of the maker of Jeannie, Jack White then of Sunningdale and later Gullane.

The replacement of Calamity Jane was occasioned by wear alright, but not by Jones hitting the ball out of the same place lol. Good players with blade putters hit the ball from all parts of the blade intentionally to get intentionally different effects. The wear mark was caused by repeated application of emery cloth to clean the face.

Still lolling.

btw, I have a replica of Jeannie as it appears in the R&A museum, made by the best person to recreate a masterpiece....the gentleman who made the original, Jack White then at Gullane.

[BIG STU]

On 1/9/2022 at 7:18 AM, JungleJimbo said:

@Foozle: Here is the Spotify Link to the "Talking Golf History" podcast 
 

(still skimming-through, to see if we can locate the timestamp for @BIG STU's honourable mention!)  🙂
 

 

I did not know anything on this until you mentioned it

[BIG STU]

On 1/10/2022 at 12:58 PM, Foozle said:

Can anyone help ID / date these irons for me?

I picked them up "blind" recently as they effectively came free with a couple of woods.

I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived and I realised they were Synchro Dyned irons and also as they are intact with all ferrules, Rocket shaft bands, original grips and Spalding end caps in place. Someone has "cleaned" them rather aggressively with coarse sand paper or similar but I expect they will buff out not too badly.

However, I can find no information on them to help date them. I did see the grips elsewhere described as leather but I don't think that is the case- they are quite attractive though.

I am UK based so appreciate they may differ from USA issue.

I also have these Synchro Dyned irons.

Again, any help appreciated.

 

Ok I am going to speculate some and I am not gonna say this is Holy Grail or anything. First off I have never seen a set like these. Now the script looks like the script on like the 77 Top Flite cavity backs. I have also seen the script on a custom set one time. Now speculating the profile on those irons in general seem like mid 50s. Also the script on the sole looks mid 50s as does the hosel length and the ferulles. I may be totally in left field over the parking lot on this so do not fault me if I am wrong Just my .02 FWIW

Edited January 11, 2022 by BIG STU

[Foozle]

13 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Ok I am going to speculate some and I am not gonna say this is Holy Grail or anything. First off I have never seen a set like these. Now the script looks like the script on like the 77 Top Flite cavity backs. I have also seen the script on a custom set one time. Now speculating the profile on those irons in general seem like mid 50s. Also the script on the sole looks mid 50s as does the hosel length and the ferulles. I may be totally in left field over the parking lot on this so do not fault me if I am wrong Just my .02 FWIW

Thanks for the input Stu - appreciate it. Ties in with my own date thoughts, Rocket shafts also put them in the '50's?

I certainly was not thinking grail with these. They were listed along with a couple of old John Letters woods with no detail on the irons other than "vintage irons 3-Sw" with fuzzy long range pictures which gave no more clue to identity or condition. The woods looked beat up but solid so I offered about £10 for the lot basically discounting the irons altogether. Hence my delight when they turned out to be so complete, intact and, of their era, good quality. 

They are on the list for a bit of a clean and paint fill. Will be interested to see how they turn out.

Grips are still intriguing, not seen others like these? Patent stamps on the collars all still present - Pat No 535324?

[Jiggered]

8 hours ago, Foozle said:

Thanks for the input Stu - appreciate it. Ties in with my own date thoughts, Rocket shafts also put them in the '50's?

I certainly was not thinking grail with these. They were listed along with a couple of old John Letters woods with no detail on the irons other than "vintage irons 3-Sw" with fuzzy long range pictures which gave no more clue to identity or condition. The woods looked beat up but solid so I offered about £10 for the lot basically discounting the irons altogether. Hence my delight when they turned out to be so complete, intact and, of their era, good quality. 

They are on the list for a bit of a clean and paint fill. Will be interested to see how they turn out.

Grips are still intriguing, not seen others like these? Patent stamps on the collars all still present - Pat No 535324?

 

I've got a ladies wedge the same as these, same grip too but it doesn't have a Patent stamp.

The loft is 54 degrees.

 

The head is marked "W" where yours are marked "M" and the shaft is a Rocket "L".

 

The grip is a reminder type and has a seam running the length of it. whether for decoration or an actual seam I'm not sure.

It has a Spalding butt cap too.

[Foozle]

2 hours ago, Jiggered said:

 

I've got a ladies wedge the same as these, same grip too but it doesn't have a Patent stamp.

The loft is 54 degrees.

 

The head is marked "W" where yours are marked "M" and the shaft is a Rocket "L".

 

The grip is a reminder type and has a seam running the length of it. whether for decoration or an actual seam I'm not sure.

It has a Spalding butt cap too.

Jiggered, mine have the reminder ridge too.

Do you have any thoughts on the grip material? I think it is just moulded rubber but, as mentioned, I have seen it listed as leather?

Pictures of the patent stamp and end cap.

Do you think the "M" is as simple as "Mens" with "W" being " Womens"?

I am impressed by just how complete these are; labels, ferrules, end caps etc. I suspect they have seen relatively little play.

I feel a little guilty about what I paid, I assumed scrap and bid accordingly....

Edited January 12, 2022 by Foozle
Add picture

[Jiggered]

10 hours ago, Foozle said:

Jiggered, mine have the reminder ridge too.

Do you have any thoughts on the grip material? I think it is just moulded rubber but, as mentioned, I have seen it listed as leather?

Pictures of the patent stamp and end cap.

Do you think the "M" is as simple as "Mens" with "W" being " Womens"?

I am impressed by just how complete these are; labels, ferrules, end caps etc. I suspect they have seen relatively little play.

I feel a little guilty about what I paid, I assumed scrap and bid accordingly....

 

I don't think the grip material is leather either, just doesn't feel like it.

Does yours have the seam? While the reminder ridge runs exactly down the back of the grip, the seam is canted off to one side, about 25 degrees to the left of the top as you hold the club.

 

My end cap is the same and the grip ferrule too, but without the patent number.

 

When I first got it I assumed that the "W" signified wedge but now having seen yours, and with the "L" Rocket shaft, I'm leaning heavily to the letter being men's and women's.

 

My wedge is also in excellent condition, although the stamping on the back of the head isn't very deep and I wondered if maybe it had been polished up, but the shaft and everything else suggest little use so perhaps it was just a weak stamping.

 

 

 

[Foozle]

1 hour ago, Jiggered said:

 

I don't think the grip material is leather either, just doesn't feel like it.

Does yours have the seam? While the reminder ridge runs exactly down the back of the grip, the seam is canted off to one side, about 25 degrees to the left of the top as you hold the club.

 

My end cap is the same and the grip ferrule too, but without the patent number.

 

When I first got it I assumed that the "W" signified wedge but now having seen yours, and with the "L" Rocket shaft, I'm leaning heavily to the letter being men's and women's.

 

My wedge is also in excellent condition, although the stamping on the back of the head isn't very deep and I wondered if maybe it had been polished up, but the shaft and everything else suggest little use so perhaps it was just a weak stamping.

 

 

 

My one has the seam at 9 O'clock as you look down the shaft at address and, yes, you are right, the reminder sits around 7 o' clock! I hadn't spotted that but then I have not ventured out with these yet.

The grip is curious having the "tackiness" of leather and, where rubbed, the look of leather but not the smell nor evidence of stitching on the seam. 

I am pondering what best to use to clean them up. Will probably start with just warm water and go from there.

On the men's v woman's, my wedge measures at 35.25" shaft length?

[Jiggered]

1 hour ago, Foozle said:

My one has the seam at 9 O'clock as you look down the shaft at address and, yes, you are right, the reminder sits around 7 o' clock! I hadn't spotted that but then I have not ventured out with these yet.

The grip is curious having the "tackiness" of leather and, where rubbed, the look of leather but not the smell nor evidence of stitching on the seam. 

I am pondering what best to use to clean them up. Will probably start with just warm water and go from there.

On the men's v woman's, my wedge measures at 35.25" shaft length?

 

Shaft length on my "W" stamped version is 34.25", I think that ties it up!

[cold_war_era_golfer]

I need better pics but I picked these up recently 1-SW.  

apparently the Executives were still a pro line in 1966 and cost more than the Dynapowers, Haig Ultras, and MacGregor Tourneys. 
 

anyone play these?  

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

I need better pics but I picked these up recently 1-SW.  

apparently the Executives were still a pro line in 1966 and cost more than the Dynapowers, Haig Ultras, and MacGregor Tourneys. 
 

anyone play these?  

I briefly played a set back in the 70s they hit good from what I recall but I liked the 66 Elite Irons better and then the Custom Elite irons I ordered around 76 or so. Back in my high school days I was a Spalding Man

[cold_war_era_golfer]

2 hours ago, BIG STU said:

I briefly played a set back in the 70s they hit good from what I recall but I liked the 66 Elite Irons better and then the Custom Elite irons I ordered around 76 or so. Back in my high school days I was a Spalding Man

Those 66 Elites look really nice.  They retailed for $200.  50 bucks more than a set of Executives and 53 bucks more than a set of a Wilson Staff Dynapowers.  Those musta been the highest end irons of 1966.   

[Jiggered]

11 hours ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

I need better pics but I picked these up recently 1-SW.  

apparently the Executives were still a pro line in 1966 and cost more than the Dynapowers, Haig Ultras, and MacGregor Tourneys. 
 

anyone play these?  

 They look lovely, I always like the iron number stamping in a slightly unusual position such as on the toe with these.  

It's the little things. 🙂

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

Focal Powered? I vaguely recall these might have been butt weighted to get the swing weights spot-on. You will know if it comes to a grip change.

[cold_war_era_golfer]

8 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

Focal Powered? I vaguely recall these might have been butt weighted to get the swing weights spot-on. You will know if it comes to a grip change.

Yeah Focal Powered.  They have replacement grips so who knows what's under there.  They are the original 1/4 longer than all the standard for the time length that all the other companies were using. 

One thing that caught my eye right off the bat with these is they have a thick top line which I like looking at during address.  

[cold_war_era_golfer]

Al Balding was onto something here….
 

[Soulstargurl]

edit: this was posted accidentally with no pics. Please refer to new post for pics.

 

 

Hi there I just found the most incredibly cool looking set of clubs and wanted to get some clarification as the only info that I could pull up on my research was this thread.  Just came upon a set of Jay Hebert Spaulding Pro clubs. They have Spades stamped across the face and the most beautiful leather grips. They look similar to Cold_War_Era golfers TopFlites but they’re different in the sense that they are according to the clubs “Pro Only” Professional model. I also looked through the photos someone posted of the guide to Spaulding clubs and there’s no mention at all of them being produced.  They also have two persimmon woods that came with them. So I’m assuming this was a full set? Any info or help would be appreciated.

Edited February 10, 2023 by Soulstargurl
Confused about wether it was approved or not

[Joe85]

6 hours ago, Soulstargurl said:

Hi there I just found the most incredibly cool looking set of clubs and wanted to get some clarification as the only info that I could pull up on my research was this thread.  Just came upon a set of Jay Hebert Spaulding Pro clubs. They have Spades stamped across the face and the most beautiful leather grips. They look similar to Cold_War_Era golfers TopFlites but they’re different in the sense that they are according to the clubs “Pro Only” Professional model. I also looked through the photos someone posted of the guide to Spaulding clubs and there’s no mention at all of them being produced.  They also have two persimmon woods that came with them. So I’m assuming this was a full set? Any info or help would be appreciated.

Post some pics

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

9 hours ago, Soulstargurl said:

Hi there I just found the most incredibly cool looking set of clubs and wanted to get some clarification as the only info that I could pull up on my research was this thread.  Just came upon a set of Jay Hebert Spaulding Pro clubs. They have Spades stamped across the face and the most beautiful leather grips. They look similar to Cold_War_Era golfers TopFlites but they’re different in the sense that they are according to the clubs “Pro Only” Professional model. I also looked through the photos someone posted of the guide to Spaulding clubs and there’s no mention at all of them being produced.  They also have two persimmon woods that came with them. So I’m assuming this was a full set? Any info or help would be appreciated.

What's with this 'Spaulding' spelling?

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

2 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

What's with this 'Spaulding' spelling?

 

You know how Americans drop the "u" from words like colour and armour? Well, those u's have to go somewhere, and they've found a new home in Spalding--or rather, Spaulding. 

 

I'm pretty sure this is covered by the Law on the Conservation of Matter.

[Soulstargurl]

Hi I’d love any info on these clubs that I can find. They look very similar to the Top Flites that Cold_War_Era_Golfer has but they’re also very different.  These are Spaulding Professional clubs with Spades stamped on the face. According to the pics someone posted of the book of Spalding clubs, there’s no mention of Spaulding making clubs with face stamped prior to those Top Flites being produced. So I’m wondering if these were custom made for Jay Hebert, and the fact that there’s 2 persimmon wood drivers makes me feel like this was a complete set. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I fell in love with them the moment I saw them, and went back to get them. The leather grips are gorgeous!!! I just wish I could cut the shafts down for my size.

[Soulstargurl]

On 2/8/2023 at 9:28 PM, Joe85 said:

Post some pics

Omg i thought my post wasn’t approved until they approved my account. But just posted with pics.

[Soulstargurl]

On 2/9/2023 at 12:42 AM, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

What's with this 'Spaulding' spelling?

Typo. For some reason my phone keeps correcting to that spelling.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

10 hours ago, Soulstargurl said:

Typo. For some reason my phone keeps correcting to that spelling.

Sorry to hear that, but not as sorry as the people who hold the rights to the Spalding name.

 

PT Barnum... 'No such thing as bad publicity as long as they spell my name right'

There is indeed an irony about the title of this thread and the case of a one time All American giant being dissed by another more current American giant, a software company.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

There's some posts under 'Spalding' back in 2019, page 5 of the search, which refers to Star lines using the names of famous touring pros of the time, 1960s and 70s. I've personally seen John Jacobs and Bruce Devlin models.

They were top end of the store line models apparently. Still good to play but not green grass lines.

 

"These Spalding "Signature" clubs ( Al Geiberger, Dave Stockton, Bruce Devlin, etc., ) were part of the store lines sold in Sporting Goods stores as well as Wholesale Distributors. Possibly a set of 2-9 irons" etc, etc.

[cold_war_era_golfer]

On 2/10/2023 at 5:29 PM, Soulstargurl said:

Hi I’d love any info on these clubs that I can find. They look very similar to the Top Flites that Cold_War_Era_Golfer has but they’re also very different.  These are Spaulding Professional clubs with Spades stamped on the face. According to the pics someone posted of the book of Spalding clubs, there’s no mention of Spaulding making clubs with face stamped prior to those Top Flites being produced. So I’m wondering if these were custom made for Jay Hebert, and the fact that there’s 2 persimmon wood drivers makes me feel like this was a complete set. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I fell in love with them the moment I saw them, and went back to get them. The leather grips are gorgeous!!! I just wish I could cut the shafts down for my size.

Not custom made for Jay Hebert.  They were in the Spalding catalog for at least two years.  Here are pages from the 1964 and 1965 catalog.  Not sure if you would consider them store line.  But they $84 where as the Professional models went for $154   I've been on the look out for a set of these for about a year now.  Nice find.