This club is curious.  I purchased this from the estate of Jack Wilson.  To some, it would appear as a fairly common SF early iron, but what immediately caught my eye was the very thick hosel, crisp knicking, and the word “BELL” in all caps punched into the shaft.  I was able to find no other visible markings on the head, but what piqued my interest was the association with the surname Bell, among the early clubmakers. This is an exquisitely heavy iron, and while it doesn’t have a full five-inch hosel, it has a very thick one nonetheless; one that compares favorably (i.e. is thicker than) examples I have…

This early Alex Patrick of Leven wood club has a hickory shaft circa the early 1920s. This “Patent Applied For” Perfector Driver model has a distinct rounded sole and compact head. The original hash marks on the face are mainly worn away, and there is very little loft on this club, making it a challenge from anywhere but a tee.  There is an original stamped shaft; the length is 43 3/4”. The website, Antique Golf Clubs from Scotland, reports, “Alexander Patrick served an apprenticeship in Leven with his father, John, a cabinetmaker who turned to making clubs, and he inherited the business in 1866 when his father succumbed in the…

At 20-degrees, 30, 40 and a putter, this set of ladies smooth face irons bears the famed serpent cleek mark of Tom Stewart.  Forged for Tommy Currie, head professional at Dornoch Golf Club immediately after Donald Ross, these lovely irons have some of the most elegant markings I have seen; simple, clean, refined and non-fussed.  Knowing the legends of the ladies game who played at Dornoch, partially accounted for below, who knows whom may have used these clubs at one time or another?  These were offered on eBay for a buy-it-now price that was simply too low to pass up. They have all-original beautifully-stamped shafts, period sheepskin grips and underlisting,…

The story of George Lowe is uplifting, in ways.  He was a journeyman in the early years of the expansion of golf, and a gifted clubmaker.  And unlike many of his ilk, Lowe was recognized fairly generously for his craft.  This anti-shank mashie is marked with the common J.H. Hawkins’ “never rust” stampings, probably from the early 1900s.  I find that, with the advanced position of the leading edge, one can produce a reliable and low-boring draw with this club using a stringer-type swing, probably a terrific shot in windy conditions on any links course.  The look of the club at address if off-putting, but if one can ignore the…

This is my best auction find to date.  I found this distinctive instrument listed in a “clocks, stereophones, and canes” auction online.  It was the only golf club in the auction.  My guess is that it was in an estate with other canes (some of which were Sunday walking sticks with miniature golf heads on them).  I may not have been the only bidder on the item, but there weren’t many, and I venture to say, I got this for a song. The putter is known as a “Kinnell Pattern” putter. Per Ralph Livingston’s book, the putter is described as follows:  “The shallow face on this model is most effective…

Of John Gray, Jefferey Ellis writes in The Clubmaker’s Art, “Based in Prestwick Scotland, John Gray (1824-1903) was one of the first iron makers, or cleekmakers as they came to be called, to mark his work.  It is believed that Gray initially marked his clubs “J. Gray,” as seen in his earliest clubs.  Gray eventually began using “Jn. Gray,” the mark found on most of his irons.  John Gray is considered to be one of the premier early cleek makers.  His clubs are collectable in any form – lofter, cleek or track iron.” For years, I have been ogling Gray irons as I researched the pre-1900s era and the absolutely…

Heritage Golf of St. Andrews is a respected maker of modern golf clubs. It is also one of the few firms that uses traditional skills to handcraft historically accurate wooden golf clubs and traditional-style golf balls. Beginning with wood and metal, Heritage Golf’s craftspeople turn, cast, sand, stain, and finish wood and metal into reproductions of early 19th-century golf clubs by such famous Scottish makers as Forgan, McEwan, Philp, and Patrick. Heritage also produces sets of Tom Stewart clubs based on those popularized by golf champions Bobby Jones, Jr., in the 1920s. Modern clubs are pre-molded and assembled in fewer than a dozen steps, but more than 58 separate operations…

This niblick is 48 degrees, 36 inches in length and has a handsome D4 swingweight.  I use it primarily for 100 yard shots or less.  It feels though it will also be a handy club out of bunkers; but I have yet to play a round with it yet!  – Rob Birman It’s seller was Edward Joseph Keefe who was born on September 22, 1893 in Boston and died April 13, 1980 in the same city. Born and raised in Charlestown, he married Louise Sullivan in 1915 and became a restaurant cook prior to becoming a golf pro. At one time he was known around Boston for making golf clubs and…