Popular Post JohnHayes Posted July 13 Popular Post Share Posted July 13 Hi All. I thought I would post some in process photos of Rory's Joe Powell "Poppy" Driver. Joe Powell Co was lucky enough to be asked to make this Driver for Rory. When asked we were given no design cues , only that it should commemorate his Career Slam. It was a huge time crunch to get this done--- Rory got it 3 weeks and one day after I first heard about the commission. Thanks to the Team at Joe Powell (Emma John & Scott) we got it done, including that beautiful headcover, which was done in house! For Rory's Driver, I used a Joe Powell Co. PT1W head. The head was soaked in Linseed Oil for about 2 weeks, back in Spring 2023, and has been curing ever since. The insert is made of G10, which is an extremely strong glass laminate which can withstand >50000 PSI! It is a bit heavier than a fiber or cycolac insert, which would mean it could increase the COG and reduce effective loft, but because it is so strong it can be made much thinner. This insert actually weighs less than a standard, more common fiber or cycolac insert. I made it Red and White for Northern Ireland, with a Small touch of green for Ireland, which I am glad he seems to appreciate. The loft is 10.5". Standard lie, x200 shaft butt weighted with 7g to reduce swingweight slightly and provide better feel and response. I used to be quite active on this board, but not much in the past several years. I used to go by the name "Persimmonpal". I hope to get back in the habit of posting here more regularly. I am happy to answer any questions, about Joe Powell, persimmon clubmaking and repair/restoration 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfingfanatic Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 very cool! Thanks for posting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyC59 Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 Awesome! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyMac Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 Very nice work John! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlayBadFast Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 From the video I saw, Rory seemed to genuinely appreciate the driver. So many nice little touches. Very cool to see some behind the scenes of this club and persimmon clubmaking in general. Thank you for the post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Tom Morris Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 Tough to source a .335 steel shaft nowadays? Quote Driver: Titleist 915 D2 9.5° A-4 setting Aldila Tour Green 65g stiff Wood: Titleist 980F 17° Aldila NV stiff Hybrid: Titleist 909H 21° Aldila Voodoo stiff Hybrid: Nike VR 24° Aldila Voodoo stiff Irons: Titleist 716 AP2 5- PW DG AMT S300 Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50°, 54°, 58° (DG X100 #8 iron) Putter: Odyssey White Hot #1 Tour Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foozle Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 Fabulous work and a beautiful club. I am curious about the soaking in linseed oil. Do you mean it sat in a linseed oil bath for 2 weeks and, if so, is there any movement/swelling in the head as a result which then reduces through curing? What is the finishing coat and how is that applied? I am assuming no lead in the head as the only place would be under the front slip or behind the insert? In which case it must be a particularly solid block to need counter weighting? Very special club which I am sure Rory will treasure. Credit to all involved, well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger_Stud Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 Nice job. What are the screws on the face for? They take so much of the aesthetics away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mocokid Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 Great John, glad to see you posting again, miss the guys who really knew their classic clubs, like you, Charley pena, stu, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shallowface Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 The thing that stood out to me was no whipping thread on the hosel. Quote "You think we play the same stuff you do?" --Rory McIlroy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine Golfer Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 Thanks for sharing, that is so cool. Quote Woods: Wilson Staff D7 10.5, Wilson Staff D9 5 Wood 18 , Sub 70 949X 7 Wood 21 (HZRDUS Smoke Blue) Irons: Ping Zings 2, 4-5 , Wilson Staff 1988 Goosenecks 6 - 8 Wedges: Mizuno T22 45 , Ben Hogan Forged 50 Titleist Sm5 Black 54, Wilson Sandy Andy 57 Putter: Acushnet Bulls Eye - Ball: Yellow AVXs - Other sets include: 1972 Wilson X31's 2 to PW , Hogan Redline's 1988 4 to E (no 7), 1988 Jack Nicklaus Super Eye-O-Matic (EOM) Persimmons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foozle Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 40 minutes ago, Shallowface said: The thing that stood out to me was no whipping thread on the hosel. It is whipped in final form. Simply stunning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHayes Posted July 14 Author Share Posted July 14 2 hours ago, Tiger_Stud said: Nice job. What are the screws on the face for? They take so much of the aesthetics away! The screws are there to provide a mechanical bond for the insert, and to be decorative. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElephantTusk Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 Was the final version the 3 or 4 groove version? Really love the 4 center groove version a la original M85s. I assume one was a backup for the house to keep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foozle Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 12 minutes ago, ElephantTusk said: Was the final version the 3 or 4 groove version? Really love the 4 center groove version a la original M85s. I assume one was a backup for the house to keep? Good spot! I think it was the 4 groove as it has a slight grain mark òn the crown that can be seen in the video with Rory. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHayes Posted July 14 Author Share Posted July 14 5 hours ago, ElephantTusk said: Was the final version the 3 or 4 groove version? Really love the 4 center groove version a la original M85s. I assume one was a backup for the house to keep? Good eye! Same head, but new insert. The first one I made I accidentally cut the scoring lines off center. It looked way off.i took the i seat out and made a new one. I mixed up all the photos! Thanks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHayes Posted July 14 Author Share Posted July 14 6 hours ago, Foozle said: It is whipped in final form. Simply stunning! Yes these are during the building of it. Whipping goes on just about last 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JohnHayes Posted July 14 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 14 8 hours ago, Foozle said: Fabulous work and a beautiful club. I am curious about the soaking in linseed oil. Do you mean it sat in a linseed oil bath for 2 weeks and, if so, is there any movement/swelling in the head as a result which then reduces through curing? What is the finishing coat and how is that applied? I am assuming no lead in the head as the only place would be under the front slip or behind the insert? In which case it must be a particularly solid block to need counter weighting? Very special club which I am sure Rory will treasure. Credit to all involved, well done! There isn't really much at all in the way of swelling. It does puck up a substantial amount of weight though! This head was 188g before soaking, and 212 grams afterward. After curing for 2 years (in my the weight was down to 206. Just about right. No weight needed. In fact, it was a bit heavy with the X200, and I butt weighted it. After the club is complete, I mask and seal the face and anything I dont want stained. When stain dries it gets 2 applications of natural grain filler. Finish is sprayed with a gun, "Diamond Clear".. Great stuff. Usually gets 3-4 coats. This one required more, thinner coats. Glad you like the club thank You! 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRJyzr Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 On 7/13/2025 at 2:06 PM, JohnHayes said: used to be quite active on this board, but not much in the past several years Welcome back, John. 😁🎉 Quote The Ever Changing Bag! A lot of mixing and matching Driver: TM 300 Mini, NV75 or NV85 X -or- Cobra DarkSpeed LS, HZRDUS Green Smoke 70 X Fwy woods: TM SIM2 Ti, Aldila Tour Blue 85 X; King LTD 5w, RIP Beta 90 X (this may replace hybrid below) Hybrid: Cobra King Tec 2h or 3h, Modus 105 S Irons grab bag: 3-GW Maltby TS4, Modus 105 S; Tommy Armour 986 Tours 2-PW, Modus 105 S; Mizuno MS-11, Modus 120 S Wedges: Maltby Max Milled 56° 1.05 -or- Cobra Snakebite 56° Putter: Cleveland HB Soft2 #8S, 34" Balls: Maxfli Tour, Callaway Chrome Soft Grip preference: various GripMaster leather options, Best Grips Microperfs, or Star Grip Sidewinders of assorted colors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHayes Posted July 15 Author Share Posted July 15 2 hours ago, NRJyzr said: Welcome back, John. 😁🎉 Thanks! Now if I can only get to the point where I can post more often! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen8802 Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 We look forward to you posting more. Your work is fantastic, and this is my favorite so far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldDunes Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 This is incredible. Please please make more posts like this. Your work is stunning and I love seeing the fabrication process and hearing all the details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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