 Previous Questions to Chuck:
From Frank: I am interested in finding the Spalding book by Jim Cooper, Do you have any info? Also, is there a set of rules for playing hickory golf? Type of balls required etc. I live in Connecticut and would like to find some people to play. The Cooper books are out of print and Mr Cooper is deceased. For tournaments (which have their own rules) contact the Golf Collectors Society at: www.golfcollectors.com I am 3 times World Hickory Champion 1994-5-6) and can provide you with playables if you need them.
Chuck Furjanic Another from Frank: I am interested in finding and buying playable hichory clubs. I would appreciate any information on some of the preferred playable woods. I sell playable woods for $150 each. In your championships what length and par were the courses and what kind of scores can you shoot? What kind of balls? Gutta? What are your preferred brands of regular balls? Usually the best scores are between 75 and 80. Courses are generally under 6.300 yards and I prefer soft cover balls. Is there any active hickory play in my area? Connecticut. Contact the Golf Collectors Society Here for a schedule of tournaments. Where best to look for a Jim Cooper book? Amazon? He is deceased and the books are out of print. Chuck From Robin: Dear Chuck, I am Robin Moyer, Editor in Chief of Golfing Asia Publications, currently in Beijing, China, doing some research for our new book, The Great Golf Courses of China. In one of my stories, I have discovered that a persimmon orchard was planted in a valley near Beijing by the Third Ming Dynasty Emperor Zhu Di around 1420, just about the same time that golf was emerging in Scotland. As luck (for my story) would have it, a nice new golf course has also been planted there, Taiwei Golf Club. It is a nice track which last year hosted Anika, Grace Park, Zhiang Liang Wei and Mike Weir in a skins game and next year, Goosen is on the cards. I would like to refer to the value of old hand made woods and wonder if you could either tell me, or refer me to someone who might know, the highest auction or sale price of an old wooden club, perhaps something fashioned by Morris or Robertson. Rarest of the rare. Who knows, maybe Taiwei will want to buy one to display at their club. I can refer them to you. We are on a mission to try and educate this country about the history of the game. A long uphill slog, but fun along the way. Many thanks in advance for your advice. FYI, I attach a snapshot on one of the holes.
Best regards,
Good luck with your golf course! First, you should acquire some good reference books on collectible golf artifacts. My book, "Antique Golf Collectibles, A Price and Reference Guide", covers all collectibles, including Tiger Woods items, and has three tier pricing as well as historical information. Cost of book and shipping to China would be $60. There have been several square toe irons C-1700-1750 that have realized in excess of $200,000. at auction. I may have a source, although the price may be closer to $300,000. at this time. NICE Morris long nose woods C-1860 are available for between $20,000.-30,000. I do have a source. You can contact me direct at: chuckfurjanic@hotmail.com Thanks, Chuck Furjanic From Kerwin: Dear Chuck, When I was 12 years old, my Dad was a marshal at the 1969 US Open at Champions Golf Club in Houston and I was allowed to tag along. I spent the first afternoon standing at the 18th green collecting autographs on an 8 1/2 x 14 yellow legal pad. I managed to get 22 signatures on one sheet, the most notable 12 being: Julius Boros, Lee Trevino, Al Geiberger, Billy Casper, Gary Player, Frank Beard, Bobby Nichols, Dave Stockton, Miller Barber, Arnold Palmer and Don January. The page of signatures laid packed away in a vinyl folder until we had the sheet properly framed and sealed in 1999. The yellow paper has turned a little brown over the years but the signatures are very legible. I also have the clubhouse badge from the tournament that I had to wear. Do you think there would be interest in this type of memorabilia at auction and if so, what price do you think this document might bring? Most collectors do not like autographed items on yellow legal pad. Also, pencil autographs are not popular as they fade over time. I would try EBAY and anything over $50. may be enough. Seems like it may be better to pass it along as a family heirloom...certainly has more value than the $$ it would bring. Chuck From Dawn: I have a set of older golf clubs, acquired through family. I know nothing about them. Can you help me? They would like to display them at city golf course, but I think we should find out first if they have any value and should be insured. Below is a list. 1. A wood shaft driver. Inscribe in script,AJ Spaling and Bros. Mild English Steel. KPO Elite, says sweet spot irons. Has a patent of Sept.13, 1921 or 1927. 2. A driver by Burke Golfrite Stainless with Ben Knight in script. Has #7 at tip with Niblick S.A.S. Has weight 15 1/2 oz and length 36 in. all original shaft looks like wood, but it is metal/wood look with metal ball on top. 3. Putter. All original. Says at tip M-1 Putter, 10-X My MacrGregor in circle with Dayton, O and four left clover. Metal shaft with fake wood grip look. 4. Another MacGregor, M-1 Mid Iron #2. Another all original with fake wood grip look.The club aboe (#3) and this one, have Metal MacGregor, Dayton Ohio on top with screw in something or another. 5. Wood Driver. Says on top of Driver, the MacGregor circle with four leave clover, Dayton Ohio with Yard Smore WW on it. There's 7 dots on the place where you would hit the ball. The bottom side that sits on the ground says world-win driver. US Patent Oct 21-19, Nov 14-22, Mar 27-22 Apr 24-23. Fake wood handle, black base. 6. Wood driver.Another MacGregor #2 Says first lady 710W. Says Louise Suggs on top? Metal shaft, with fake wood handle. 7. Another Wood Driver MacGregor. Says world win spoon. Rest is hard to read. Similar to (#5) above. Thank you so much for your help. Lost in Wisconsin! All are common. -WOODEN SHAFT GOLF CLUB VALUES- Auction houses and club dealers usually sell the finest-grade museum quality scarcities or rarities. Reports of these prices realized cause the uninformed to over estimate the value of grandpa's clubs. Metal shafted clubs with coated or painted shafts made to look like "cane" or "wood" have no collectible value to the wood shaft collector. Collectors and dealers feel fewer than 5 % of all wood shafted clubs have interest or value beyond decorative or playable worth. In effect, this means about 24 out of every 25 clubs you have or encounter at flea markets or garage sales are COMMON. One must realize during the period 1920-1935, MILLIONS of LOW GRADE clubs were made and sold through department, hardware, and sporting goods stores. Spalding, MacGregor, Burke, Kroydon, Hillerich & Bradsby, Wilson, Wright & Ditson and scores of others made clubs with line, dot, hyphen and other face markings. 99% of these are COMMON and have no value beyond decorative, conversational or playable items. You can identify common clubs by:
* No manufacturer's name, or names like: Biltmore, Hollywood, Thistle, We PURCHASE common clubs at the following price ranges-
IRONS $10.00 to 15.00 Clubs that have not been "cleaned, or refinished" that look all original and slightly used, bring prices in the higher ranges. Clubs that show use, have some rust or are not of 'high quality", bring prices in the lower ranges. Clubs that have been RESTORED, CLEANED, have WARPED or CRACKED shafts and or hosels, heavy RUSTING, PITTING, BAD,or MISSING GRIPS, bring substantially less. RETAIL prices for common clubs in OUTSTANDING, MUSEUM or PLAYABLE:
IRONS $20.00 to 40.00 Here's how to identify SCARCE or RARE clubs:
* Irons with no face markings, or unusual face markings. Clubs are valuable because COLLECTORS WANT THEM! Common clubs are not in demandby collectors. We are buyers of all wood shaft clubs. This book will help you identify and price clubs as well as all other golf collectibles: "Antique Golf Collectibles, A Price and Reference Guide", Revised 3rd edition, 2003, by Chuck Furjanic. Prices for Average, Above Average and Superb golf clubs, balls books, ceramics and other collectibles. Signed by the author. Post Paid $30.00 Chuck Chuck deals only in pre-1930, wooden shafted, antique clubs. Many questions have come in for Chuck on more recent clubs, that is clubs that are not antiques. If you have questions on other clubs, Chuck suggests you contact Ronald John at rorajohn@aol.com Don Horton From Betty: I have a Walter Hagen sterling silver putter by Lambert Brothers, New York, The markings are bold, especially sterling on hosel shaft silver end cap. Found an article that said this putter is very scarce and seldom offered. Asking price in 1999 was $600 to $1,000. What is this putter worth today? I am thinking about giving it away .... may change my mind. Yes, you have a valuable putter, however the prices today are not as they were pre 9-11. Depending upon condition, it is worth between $400 - $650. Chuck From Sandra: I have an Otey Crisman FM# First Flight mallet putter. The shaft is mountain hickory with leather grip. Can you tell me if this is a collectible item or simply a wonderful old putter to be used and enjoyed? You have a putter from the 1960's, it's valued at less than $40. Use it and enjoy it. Chuck From Terence: I own (and used well into the 1970s) a hickory-shafted putter with a wooden head weighted at the rear with a lead insert. A brass base plate bears the inscription 'Made in Scotland. Forgan St Andrews'. I can just make out a couple of narrow diamond shapes on the top of the head - indicating the correct striking spot, I think. Did Forgan become Forgan & Son and then revert to Forgan again? I'd be grateful for anything you could tell me about it. Robert Forgan & Sons conducted business in St Andrews until 1957. Clubs were stamped several ways. Forgan became so famous, only the stamp "Forgan" was necessary. Chuck From David: Did President Eishenhower sketch or commission art prints of Bobby Jones? Various prints? Relative worth? President Eisenhower did paint one Jones oil and the ORIGINAL is quite valuable. Sorry, I can't answer your other questions, this is not my area. Chuck From Paul: We live in Australia, my son Sam has had an old hickory handled putter since he was very young (a present from his grandfather) recently he was approached by a collector and offered some money. Sam describes the putter as in good condition with a leather grip and hickory down to within 5 cms of the face with the words "Handforged in Scotland", "Putter 4" with a lions head and "Defiance brand". I saw on a previous post a similar putter but the words made in Scotland were omitted, I know sometimes the country of origin can have a bearing on the rarity of an article. The collector is returning on Wednesday to purchase the putter and my son has no idea what price to ask. I hope you can help us. That is just a common putter. From Rick: I have received from my wife's grandmother, a set of Walter Hagen International Honey-Boy 305 irons. These clubs have never been played. In fact, my wife never knew her grandfather has a set of clubs. They found them in his club locker in Pittsburgh after he passed away. They are in mint condition. Any ideal when these clubs may have been purchased? I don't know when the clubs were purchased, but I can give an estimate of their value. These clubs were made both with HICKORY shafts and STEEL shafts. If they are Hickory, the set is worth about $300-500. If steel shafted, about $50. Chuck From Nancy: I have a golf print that I can't seem to find any information on. It is titled "First International Foursome", the artist is A.Stewart. It was put out by British Consol Cigarettes. I have found out that the foursome is John Patterson and the Duke of York-James VIII and 2 English Noblemen, playing in 1681. This is a print of this, do you have any information on it? The original (1919) hangs in the USGA Museum. Many prints and reproductions are available for less than $100. Chuck From John: I have a wooden shafted putter from Spalding called a Calamity Jane. Any idea on how old or if it is worth anything. Thanking you in advance. These were made several ways. The putters with steel shafts coated with plastic to resemble wood are common and usually sell for $20. There are remakes from the 70's with a RED ANVIL mark. These sell for about $25. Spalding Calamity Jane with Hickory shaft sell for between $150-450 depending upon condition. From Rick S: I just bought a set of "Registered Irons" (Reg No. JK 2643 ) made by Wright and Ditson. They are painted steel shafts, wrapped black leather grips and numbered (for each iron 1 through 9 ) rubber caps. I would guess made in the mid 30s? I realize that they are common and bought them to experience their play more than for any collector value they might have but I am intrigued about their history. Can you tell me more about them? The irons you have are Joe Kirkwood irons. Kirkwood was a famous trick shot artist and also was a champion golfer. He and Walter Hagen made several tours together including one notably world tour. 99% of all Kirkwood clubs were coated steel shaft. From Paul G: I have a wooden shafted putter with the name Forgan just discernable on the underneath of the head and clearly stamped in the shaft. The head also appears to be of wood with two metal plates at each end. Is this worth having valued? You have a fairly scarce c-1920's putter. It is called the "MAXMO". They range between $150-400 depending upon condition. The brass sole fromt and back plates were an attempt to do perimeter weighting.
From John: I have an old Walter Hagen blade putter with the original Walter Hagen crown logo,steel shaft, with the words Walter Hagen international on the back, no rust, good condition. What's the value? Your putter is common, value is $20-40. From Tim Mc: I know in the "old days" that golfers used to manually wrap their grips. I believe it was with leather. Do you know of anyone who still does? Do you know where someone could get the leather wraps to try some just for fun? If you don't know anywhere that sells them do you know what the measurements would be (length, width and thickness)? I could get a local leather shop to make a couple. Thanks for your inquiry. I do antique club refurbishing and sell period type calf skin grips and anything else you need. From Sam T: A friend of mine has 12 original Ping putters, various models, in their original shipping container, never opened. Any idea of the market for something like this? Contact the expert on PING....Email Bobby Grace at bgrace@bobbygraceputters.com. From Gary: I have an old Ping putter which I'm told is very rare and valuable.
PING BY KARSTEN Can you give me additional information, value, or history? They made reproductions of these. Contact the expert on PING....Bobby Grace at: bgrace@bobbygraceputters.com . From Mike H: I have a sand wedge that is approximately 50 years old with no markings and a very wide bottom. While receiving a lesson a few years back from a professional, he said the club was extremely rare and I think he called it a Wilon T-100. How can I tell if this is indeed what I have and the approximate value? They are fairly scarce, however my expertise is not with the steel shafted clubs. Try clekatsos@aol.com or John Rora at rorajohn@aol.com. They are knowledgeable in these areas. From Jorge F: I have a set of Macgregor Tommy Armour Iron Master R235. The set is 2- 9 iron total of 8 clubs they still have I believe the original shafts Tru-Flexion. I was wondering if these club have any value as collectables? Try John Rora at rorajohn@aol.com. He would be a great reference for these items. He has authored a book on Vintage golf that he can tell you about. From Deb: Found and bought an old set of golf clubs with wooden shafts, 3 of which are woods that actually have wood heads. The name on the clubs with metal heads (I'm not a golfer so don't know correct term for these things!)have the name Jack Hutchison on them. They have clovers on them with the recommended yardage for that club. Have you heard of this brand? Is it worth anything? I thought they said Jack Nicklaus which there may be some in there because my husband said that too. Your help will be appreciated! I actually have 11 total clubs and this old antique canvas bag. Seen alot of them on ebay for 200-300.00. Your clubs sound common. For more information see: Wooden Shaft Club Values From Sarah: I have a set of Barbara Romack irons, complete, with the original leather grips, in very good condition. I believe they're MacGregor irons. Recently, someone told me they were worth some money. Can you give me an idea of whether or not I should bother? Please donate them to the "First Tee" program. Call any Golf professional in your area. From Michelle: Hi, I found an old all wood club that is a Walter Hagen International Tom-Boy with a crown logo. Is this a woman's club and is it worth anything more than fire-wood? Your club is a common. For more information see: Wooden Shaft Club Values
Chuck, I was just wondering what the approximate value of a wood shafted putter I have might be. I have searched a lot of sites but haven't been able to find any mention of Defiance brand clubs. It is a wood shafted putter with a lion, and the words Defiance brand under the lion, and under that there is the word putter and near the top center of the head is the word hand forged and that's all the markings it has. It was my Dad's (age 55) grandpa's club, so I'm suspecting it was made in the early 1900's, but I'm not sure. Any help or suggestions regarding this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Thanks for your inquiry. Your club is C-1897-1900 and made by William Tucker, Binghamton, NY. Highly sought after and in all original, outstanding condition would bring $200.-250. Chuck, I have read somewhere that Ping Eye2 clubs have already become collector's items. Are you in agreement? I have a set of Eye2+ Becu irons that I bought in 1997 and I have this strong temptation to hold on to them for a while if their value may go up.
Thanks! Try Bobby Grace, he specializes in Ping: bgrace@graceputters.com Chuck, I don't know if they quite yet fall in the in the classic category, but I have a set of Cleveland Classic Byron Nelson 68.3 commemorative persimmon woods (1W,3W,5W). They are in very good condition. What might there value be? Any suggestions on where I might sell them? Thanks. Thanks for your question. These are out of my field of expertise as they are not Hickory shafted collectibles. I do, however, have a contact for you. Chris from Chicago will be able to help you. His phone number is 1-630-734-3000 and he may be emailed at clekatsos@aol.com.
Chuck, I have two dozen Maxfli golfballs with liquid asbestos centers. Description: one box is black and the other is red. Balls are mint. Never been hit. Still in sleeves. Where can I find information regarding prices on these items? These are a little out of my Pre-1935 time frame. Contact Paul Biocini, he has written a book on the subject "Ball Collector's Guide for the Modern Ball Collector, 1920-1980." He can be reached at: tballs@msn.com. You can purchase the book from him @ $17.00 post paid if you wish.
Happy collecting, Chuck, I'm trying to find a set of DeathStix. They were made by Fear and Loathing Sports several years back. They had cavity backs and blades. I want the blades. The blades looked like the old bullet blades. They have a number on the sole and a small skull and crossbones stamped on the back of the toe. Nothing else. The company makes hockey sticks but no longer make golf clubs. Club Scouters was no help, and local shops in Texas look at me like I'm crazy when I ask them about the clubs. I've checked ebay and other websites. I can't find them anywhere. Do you have any suggestions? Best bet would be to contact Chris at clekatsos@aol.com. He is an expert on modern (1950-1990) clubs. I deal in pre 1935 hickories.
What are the names of the old clubs and how do they relate to today's clubs? For examples, a mashie or a brassie or a spoon, etc.
Antique Club Modern Club ---------------------------- Play Club Driver Brassie Two Wood Spoon Three wood Bull Dog Four or Five wood Cleek One Iron Mid-iron 2-3 Iron Mid-Mashie 4 Iron Mashie 5 Iron Spade Mashie 6 Iron Pitcher 7-8 Iron Mashie-niblick 8-9 Iron Niblick 9-wedge Jigger Chipper
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