I receive lots of emails asking me for help in dating and valueing antique golf clubs. If you'd like some advice here's what you need to do:

1) First check that the shaft is made of real wood ( big tip: if a fridge magnet sticks to the shaft its likely to be worth under a pound/ dollar! )

2) Send me a clear photo (jpeg format) of the markings on the head ... a written transcription of the markings would help too!

3) I will try to give you as honest appraisal of the club as I can. I will also try to give you an indication of value. Please note I (very) rarely buy clubs without seeing them with my own eyes.

I do try to respond to all emails...please be patient.

Happy Golfing
Gavin Bottrell
info@antiquegolfdirectory.com

On Sunday 6th July I provided sets of hickory clubs for 250 people to play on Blackheath Common in London. Royal Blackheath Golf Club is celebrating its 400th anniversary and claims to be the oldest golf club in the world. However, official documentary evidence dates to *only* something like the late 1700's! Anyhow, 5 golf holes were laid out on the common as they would have been in times gone by. The first players teed off at 7:30 in the morning, the last at 5 pm. I'm pleased to report we only had 3 clubs break ( one struck by the club pro Matt! ). Distinguished guests included Prince Andrew The Duke of York ( shown speaking with me and inspecting a playing set ) , Bernard Gallagher, Neil Coles, and other notable sportmen from the world of football, golf and rugby. A great time was had by all. For more info about my hickory golf company please call me on 07708 661 659 or see my other website www.timewarpgolf.com
Cheers
Gavin Bottrell
Royal Blackheath Hickory Golf 1
royal blackheath hickor golf 2
royal blackheath hickory golf 3

I have a some Walter Hagen Viceroy irons and a Viceroy Brassie. These have
metal shafts that look like wood. Can you tell me the age of these?

Thanks You
Tim

A. Hi Tim, They are commonly referred to by collectors as pyratone shafts. When metal shafts first came into common use ( late 1920's ) golfers were suspicous of them and so the makers painted them to look like wood! . This style continued throughout the 1930's and 1940's so they are likely to date from one of those decades. Collectors only pay a pound/ dollar or two for them at the most but in another few decades time who knows??

Q. I have in my possession a club (photos attached) which I think may be a reproduction as there is no wear on the six grooves on the face.. It is stamped A Macleod on the top, a horn base and is weighted at the back and I cannot find any history of this item. I would be very obliged if you are able to give me any opinion or advice on this item.

Regards

Richard

A. Richard, I'm 99.9% sure this is a reproduction long nose putter. Reasons being the shape of the head, the smoothness of the horn, the type of black whipping used, the thinness of the grip, the grooves in the face and the staining ( you can clearly see the wood grain ). That said, and I know this might be confusing, it might be a very very badly renovated piece. It is is then all value as a collectable piece has gone anyway. It also looks weird around the edges of the lead weight. That said, making a repro piece does take some skill, but this piece is not valuable as a collectable.

longnoseputtermaybe1
longnoseputtermaybe2
longnoseputter3
longnoseputtermaybe4

Another Timewarp Golf day was held at Eastbourne Downs Golf Club on the 21st June 2008. Over 80 people took part sharing one bag between two players. A great time was had by all and I even managed to find an original hickory golf club stamped Eastbourne for them to give away as a prize.

If you wish to hire up to 50 bags of original antique hickory golf clubs contact me Gavin Bottrell on 07708 661 659

Eastbourne Hickory Golf 1
Hickory Golf Eastbourne 2
Hickory Golf Eastbourne 3
A good putt is sank on the 18th
vintage golf at Eastbourne
eastbourne 6

On the 16th June I took my 50 sets of hickory shafted antique golf clubs to Wimbledon Common Golf Club as the "club" is celebrating it's centenary year. However, golf was first played on the common in the early 1860's making it the second oldest layout in England still in play. All golfers have to wear red clothing by law to warn the multitude of people who use the common for walking, jogging, horse-riding, etc, and wow, it does get busy. This was back to grass roots golf, and the club officials and members are an extremely friendly bunch. Definately worth a visit! Click on the images for larger view.
Wimbledon Common Hickory Golf Day
Hickory Golf 2
wimbledon golf 3