Old School Golf

Bing Crosby at Cypress Point

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:14:00 +0000

Image by Slim Aarons, via The Selvedge Yard

The great Bing Crosby and a pal, enjoying Cypress Point. Bing, of course, scored the rarest of rare - an ace at the thrillingly perilous 16th. Judging from this pic he never tired of celebrating the feat! I'm assuming this pic wasn't actually taken on the day he holed the shot - maybe it was?

This past weekend on the PGA Tour was the Pebble Beach event. Born from Crosby's Clambake, it's almost unwatchable now. Corporate sponsorships keep the event alive but ruin it as well. Too bad. I'm sure it was a helluva fun party back in the 1950s when Bing was in his prime and running the show personally. Ah, the Golden Age.

To The Linksland

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:48:00 +0000

We had some fairly warm weather here yesterday and a lot of snow melted. The days are getting noticeably longer now too. Spring is still almost two months away but the signs are coming. If you're a northern golfer like me and you need a good book to get you back in the mood for golf, a book with serious old school leanings, check out Michael Bamberger's classic, To the Linksland: A Golfing Adventure.

To The Linksland is actually two books in one. In the first half, Bamberger caddies on the European Tour, detailing the life and psyche of professional golfers grinding away to eke out a living in the game. It's a great story that's full of interesting characters, exciting golf - the fun but rough life on the road, bouncing from town to town in pursuit of making the cut and getting paid, and maybe picking up a trophy. But the second half of the book is the real gem. There, Bamberger takes us to Scotland, where he rediscovers golf as it was meant to be played, and presents a game that's the antithesis of the pro golf described in the first part of the book. Reading it makes you fall in love with golf all over again. It's a delightfully told testament to old school golf, of rediscovering the things that make golf so special, and of shedding off those things that get in the way of the pure joy in playing. It's a great, fun read that only gets better and better as it moves along. Halfway through you'll find yourself unable to put it down, and by the end of the book you'll be completely in love with the game.

To The Linksland is my personal favorite golf book. If I could only have one golf book to read for the rest of my life this would probably be it. I can't recommend it highly enough.

GolfClubPix.com

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:14:00 +0000

I've just found a new favorite site, a golf equipment picture blog, GolfClubPix.com.

The site features a random mix of equipment coolness in the form of a single daily pic, including the occasional old school gem. Here are a few from the gallery that I particularly enjoyed:

Image - GolfClubPix.com

A nice Cameron Bullseye. I'm not actually a big Scotty Cameron fan, but I love Bullseye putters and he makes some cool ones. I had one of the Pro Platinum ones for a while but sold it on eBay. I've totally regretted letting it go. I'm on the hunt for another Bullseye blade to round out my putter rota.

Image - GolfClubPix.com

Wilson Staff blades. Ever-cool. Nice sets can regularly be had on eBay for under $200, often far less. Think twice before you pour $900 into new forged blades.

Image - GolfClubPix.com

Ping Scottsdale Anser. Maybe the greatest putter ever? Certainly one of the top three, no?

Image - GolfClubPix.com

This pic is the gem of the bunch. I literally gasped when I saw it. BeCu wedges galore! Look at the sole on that Ping Eye2 in the upper left corner. I had one of those wedges and I can attest they are spectacularly playable - name the shot, any lie, you got it. Look at that minty Cleveland Byron Nelson 50th in the middle, and another new-looking copper Cleveland peeking out behind it. I'm dying to get my hands on one of those. I see Staff and VIP wedges too. This shot has me drooling. I'm pretty excited about the upcoming golf show that hits Detroit every spring. I'll be making a bee-line straight for the used wedge barrels. With some luck I'll find something good.

We have a good foot of snow on the ground here, so golf seems pretty far away (in fact, it's snowing right now, again - arghhh!). I haven't thought about the game much the last couple of weeks. It's too painful! I really want to play but I'll have to wait about two more months. Finding GolfClubpix.com and seeing these great clubs is helping to get me excited again!

Oldplayer's K.U. Hills Persimmon Driver

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Images courtesy "Oldplayer"

I am very fortunate to have received photos of this neat K.U. Hills persimmon driver from 'Oldplayer,' a regular reader and commenter on this blog. We both wanted to share them on the web so hopefully we can find out more about the club. He just bought it recently, as he's giving the fun of persimmon a good go, but neither of us is familiar with the K.U. Hills name. Perhaps someone else can point us in the right direction.

Regardless of whether we find out more, it sure is a beauty, and Oldplayer has already had it out on the course and says it swings and feels sweet. I'm really excited for him, and jealous too - he lives in Australia where he can play year round, while I'm stuck here in Michigan under piles of snow! I don't know if I can stand to wait another three months before I can smoke a few drives with my Cleveland Classics RC85. I guess until golfing weather returns here in Detroit I'll just have to live vicariously through Oldplayer and his new 1-wood.

Oldplayer also shared pics of a pristine set of MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Classics that he picked up on eBay. Judging from the laminated woods (though laminates are certainly fine), we both feel it's not really a premium set, but they look really cool and should be a blast to play. Not bad for $100 - they're in near-new condition. That's the great thing about eBay. If you're into classic clubs you can find a lot of really nice stuff at bargain basement prices. While the rest of golfdom is shelling out huge money for the latest titanium behemoth, throwbacks like Oldplayer and I are foraging for forgotten gems and reaching back to a different kind of golf. It's a lot of fun.

Images courtesy "Oldplayer"

Thanks again, Oldplayer, for sharing the pictures. Have fun playing your new clubs, and let us know how they do.

To any other regular readers of this blog, if you have pics of your classic clubs and you'd like to share them, please drop me a line. I'd really love it if we could use this site to show off all our neat stuff.

NOT Old School

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:33:00 +0000

I'm definitely of the opinion that what golf needs is a more authentic, no-frills attitude. These days there's too much to distract you from experiencing golf as it should be. The following is brief a list of 'fluff' that is decidedly NOT old school:

Fancy Putter Covers
Do you think Jack Nicklaus put a cover on White Fang? It's okay to let your flatstick get dinged up a little. Also, having to constantly mess around with a cover, taking it off then putting it back on, it's just a pain in the rear. If you have a $350 Scotty Cameron to protect, then, well, I'm sorry but you paid too much. Get yourself an old Bullseye or a $60 bronze Ping. Some putter covers today are "worth" more than that you say? Well that's just sad. You only need one if you want to be a prima donna like most of today's tour pros. Oh yes, I almost forgot - if you have an insert putter (the insert needing protection) then please click away from this blog immediately and don't ever come back. Insert putters are terrifically awful.

Laser Range Finders
C'mon. We're not shooting artillery here, this isn't the army. Golf is a game of feel. You'll get more out of training your eye than relying on some machine. Leave the high tech gear for the Navy SEAL snipers.

Stand Bags
I don't know when golf bags became so special that you couldn't lay one on the ground. When I was a kid our bags didn't have legs, and they didn't need them. I still remember the first time a kid showed up at practice for our high school golf team with a stand bag. Sacrilege! The coach nearly died and the rest of us (rightly) called the kid a freak and drove him off the team (kidding). I won't deny it, I have owned and used stand bags, and have one still. But I can't get comfortable with it and prefer my good old standless Jones bag. I find it's a lot less fuss. If you want to walk but don't want to put your bag on the ground, or maybe you have a bad back and the bending over is an issue, go ahead and get a pull cart. They're a perfectly acceptable old school alternative to carrying your clubs on your shoulder.

Headcovers That Look Like Spacesuits
The worst thing about the latest in titanium drivers and fairways is the grotesque headcovers the manufacturers put on them. Most of them look like something out of a bad sci-fi movie. A simple faux fur barrel cover or, better still, a pop-pomed knit cover will give your clubs a nice touch of old school class. Also, I don't care what Tiger does, animals covers are ridiculous. The one exception I'll make is Ian Poulter's Ian Poulter cover, which has outfits matching his real outfit. That's the most hilarious paradoy I've ever seen, so I'll let it pass.

Do yourself a favor. Get back to basics. Forget all the fluff. Just play.

Anyone else have some ideas? What else can we do without in order to purify our golfing experiences?

Okay, I'll confess, I do usually use a putter cover on my Ping Anser. It's so soft and delicate. But I use a PLAIN one, not one with hula dancers or tartan-clad doggies on it. On the other hand, I am working on myself to let it go and allow the Ping to get nicked up a bit. That's called 'character' and it's okay.

Ouch!

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I knew I wasn't crazy when I bought a new titanium driver last fall and felt that its sound at impact actually hurt my ears. In response to a reader's questions about a driver so loud that his playing partners cover their ears when he tees off, Frank Thomas writes about loud drivers in this week's Golf Digest Equipment Q&A:

"When the large metal drivers -- about 190 cc -- were first introduced, there was not a problem with noise level at impact, even though the sound was very different from that of wooden heads. In an effort to make driver heads more forgiving ? higher MOI ? manufacturers increased the size to the point where they collapsed on impact and a new material for drivers ? titanium ? was introduced. This not only increased the ball speed, due to the unexpected spring-like effect produced by the thin face, but increased the noise (decibel level) to a point where it was becoming a problem. When the size of the drivers were made to the limit of 460 cc and the shape changed to increase the forgiveness (MOI) the noise had became unacceptable. Some drivers today have not yet corrected this problem."

Also, Golfblogger points out this piece from the BBC, which talks about medical research showing that the sound of titanium drivers at impact can actually damage your hearing (Thomas mentions this as well, but there' s much more info in the BBC piece).

Thankfully, the obnoxious and painful impact sound of my titanium driver inspired me give my persimmons another go. I was never so happy on a golf course as when at least I heard that wonderful thwack! again. Nirvana! I'm never going back to metal. From now on my "woods" will be actually made of wood, thank you very much. Any my ears will thank me.

It's That Time of Year Again

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Golf Digest just published the February 2009 issue, which includes its annual "Hot List," a compendium of the newest and "best" in golf equipment. It just arrived in my mailbox yesterday. I enjoy the magazine as much as the next golfer, but being the curmudgeon I am you can guess how I feel about these equipment features.

As usual, GD opens the feature with an article explaining, yet again, how all the new and improved technology is helping you, the average golfer. They even include a graph showing how USGA handicaps have decreased since the early 1990s in inverse proportion to the "greatest expansion in golf technology in history." The piece heaps praise on the "lot of smart people [who] have come to golf with ideas to make the game easier." Many experts are quoted, each explaining how the newest and best clubs will improve your game.

Um, okay. I'm sorry, but this is probably the most tired piece fluff I have ever seen. You know the old saying: there's lies, damned lies, and statistics. You can tell any story you want with a few superficial graphs. I know damned well the greatest new equipment, in the hands of a swing robot or expert player, produces more forgiveness and greater distance. But I think they're really making a stretch with the handicap claim. There could be a lot of factors driving those numbers and I think we should all think twice before accepting it as fact or truth.

The quotes from experts - those experts are R&D executives from Callaway and Taylor Made. No bias there.

And then, of course, the casual equating of 'easier' with 'better.' Is the game really easier? Maybe in some sense it is. Is it better? I don't think so. I can't see how changes in equipment have really made people enjoy golf more, or made the game so much more appealing to so many more people. Cheaper courses would do a lot more for the game in that respect.

What do I see when I look at the clubs show in the rankings? All I can say is they're sure getting uglier. It pains me to see the Cleveland name on a monstrosity like the new Launcher. Imagine that twenty years ago my persimmon beauties were made by Cleveland. And the Bobby Jones clubs, which had in the past combined technology with classic looks, well those things look like misshapen monstrosities, the kind of club that might scream out to shocked onlookers, "I am not an animal!" Gross. Dear Jesse Ortiz, please go back to making beautiful, handcrafted persimmon classics. Dear Jones family, please do not allow the winner of the 1930 Grand Slam's name to be placed on such ugly clubs.

The irons are such a disappointment. Not a true blade on the list, not even from Mizuno. I might have to cry myself to sleep tonight, honestly.

Some of the putters look like alien spaceships, more suited to being stop-animation models for a circa 1978 episode of the TV show Battlestar Galactica than for putting a golf ball. Truly, if this is what golf clubs are going to look like then I'm afraid I'm going to have to give up the game. If I had to play with clubs like that it simply wouldn't be worth it.

I know that my views place me squarely in the minority. I know that most golfers rush to the newsstands every year to pick up this issue, preparing themselves for the materialistic bliss of upcoming spring demo days at the local golf superstore. All I can say is - chumps! I can buy beautiful clubs on eBay for far less. Clubs that can shape shots and that sound beautiful when struck well. Yes, you need a little more skill to get the most out of them, but golf is supposed to be a game of skill, skill finely honed from practice, experience, self-knowledge, and wisdom. And I'll be spending the money I save on range balls and greens fees, and that is what will make me a better player. No matter how much technology there is you still can't buy game. You have to earn it, Hogan style. Dig it out of the dirt.

Please, take my advice. Skip the "Hot List" and proceed directly to page 162 (the very next article in the magazine) and read the remembrance of Tommy Bolt, Orville Moody and telecaster Jim McKay. These guys were old school and all class, and they gave the game far more than any titanium driver ever will.

Let's Hit the Links!

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:30:00 +0000

Golfweek , for serious golfers only: 1975-2008. Via robbiecamacho on twitter.

A beautiful piece on Seve Ballesteros by Bill Elliot in The Observer. Definitely worth reading.

"For me, now towards the blunt end of a sportswriting career that began 40 years ago, there have been only three heroes: Muhammad Ali, George Best and Severiano Ballesteros. Each had character to equal their talent. It may have been difficult actually to live with any of them, but it was impossible not to be a fan."

It's hard to disagree. Seve is a special sort of champion, who played with irresistible passion and flair. I never tire of watching him in the Masters or the Open Championship on those Golf Channel Classics shows.

Golfdiscussions.com, has a nice forum dedicated to classic equipment. There's usually some good pics being posted, and it's a great place to ask for info on classic clubs you have or are interested in. I root around in there from time to time and always find something interesting.

America's first golf course: Oakurst Links. Still played with sand tees, hickory shafts, guttie balls and sheep grazing the fairways. Man, I've really got to try some hickory clubs.

I found this old essay (from 1995) on Tom Weiskopf. It's pretty good. Weiskopf is certainly a very interesting figure in the game. I usually enjoy hearing what he has to say about the game today. I'll dig around and see if I can find some interviews with him.

My New Irons: Mizuno MP-14s

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:34:00 +0000

Images - Old School Golf blog

I thought I'd share a few pictures of my new irons, a set of Mizuno MP-14s I bought on eBay recently. I got the whole set, 2-PW, for about $290 shipped. They're in close to new condition, with just a couple of small bag nicks here and there and a little paint fill missing (which is pretty typical of any chrome-plated iron). They look like they've been played three or four rounds, tops.

According to Mizuno's retired club archive, the MP-14 was produced from 1992 to 2000. I'd say they're a transition iron falling somewhere between the true classic blades and the blades we've seen in the last five or so years. They do have old school lofts - the pitching wedge is 50 degrees - and they're certainly a no frills, no gimmicks iron. I had wanted a set for years but they were always a little pricey for me. Now you can get nice sets on eBay fairly easily, as fortunately a lot of MP-14s were produced during their long run.

People usually gush over how sweet the MP-14s feel. I haven't hit them yet because I just got them in December after our golf season here in Michigan was done for the year. I have chipped with them on the carpet a little and they do seem to feel very soft. We'll see in the spring. Given their reputaiton I don't expect to be disappointed.

What I always liked most about MP-14s is the face profile. They have a nice-looking high toe, a not too rounded but not boxy either, and a good progression through the set. The long and middle irons look lovely, and that look isn't lost in the short irons like it is in some sets of blades. I think they're one of the prettiest irons ever made.

I've heard they're very workable too. I've had sets of blades before and never found them too hard to hit. They don't intimidate me at all. The last time I bagged blades was around 1999. Since then I've had a few different sets of very good forged players' cavity backs. Somehow they always seemed a bit lacking to me, especially in the shotmaking department. My blades never failed me in that respect and most of my truly memorable shots involved really bending the flight of the ball with a blade iron. I'm sure some of it is that the ball has changed so much in the past ten years that it's just won't spin enough anymore for it to be worked by any club. I plan to try some spinnier balls next season too.

Regardless, I decided I had to go back to true blades. I want to enjoy the shotmaking aspect of golf more, and I want a lot of feedback from my clubs. I really do think that the more you feel the more you ultimately learn about your swing, and the better you get.

Alister Tait on Golfweek.com: "Out With the Old, In With The New"

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:30:00 +0000

I wanted to point out this nice Golfweek piece by Alistair Tait, where he raises some interesting thoughts about the 2008 golf season, and the upcoming 2009 season. In particular, I took note of what Tait had to say on the Open Championship, the PGA Tour schedule, and playing the game:

1. The Open Championship returns to Turnberry in 2009. I was aware of this, but failed to mention it the other day in my post on the 1977 Open, where Watson had his famous "duel in the sun" with Jack Nicklaus. It's been way too long since the championship was last played on this great course, fifteen years in fact, and I'm so glad to see the Open finally return there again this year. The sad part, though, is that the course has had to be redesigned to withstand the pressure of the distance players hit the ball now. It will be interesting to see how the course plays. Since it last hosted the Open in 1993 technology has totally changed the game.

2. Tate remarks on the overly full tournament schedules on both the US and European PGA Tours, hoping to see some events get weeded out. He also comments on the attitudes of some professional golfers relative to their lot in life. Tait hopes to see less moaning and more appreciation for the sponsors that pay for very fat tournament purses. I happen to agree. Professional golf is a victim of its own success the last few years, and it seems to me that too many players carry themselves with an air of entitlement. The modern pro and the modern Tour, good as they are, don't quite have the same class in my view when compared to pro golf years ago. They have it so much better than golfers did just twenty years ago that they've gotten spoiled and too corporate for their own good or the good of the game.

3. Lastly, Tait calls for a return to a simpler, more carefree style of golf:

If you’re like me, then you have too many thoughts in your head as you stand over the ball. Wouldn’t you just love to switch your brain off before you address the ball? I would. My main new year’s resolution is to stop thinking too much about technique before I become a basket case. We’d all improve with a simpler approach to the game. That’s my aim next year. Hopefully it will be yours too and we can both concentrate on what the game is all about – getting the ball in the hole.

Well said, and exactly in line with my own New Year's resolution to just play.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:44:00 +0000

First of all, thanks to all of you who have visited Old School Golf. Since starting the site a few weeks ago I've had a lot of nice feedback from golfers who share my interest in classic golf. I've had fun doing the site and look forward to keeping it going in 2009.

I guess I wouldn't be a blogger if I didn't post some New Year's resolutions. Here's what I'll be challenging myself with this year:

It's all about the short game:
I know, I know - it's almost cliche, except it isn't because the short game is truth. My pitching and chipping game was weak in 2008 and my putting was absolutely terrible. I really could have taken a good five strokes off my average round if I had a halfway decent short game. Four or five three-putts per round was not out of the ordinary. My speed was awful and I tend to push short putts. In 2009 I resolve to make time for two short game practice sessions per week. I know, I know - everyone says this every year, but it's soooo true and I really need it. Focusing on my short game in 2009 also gives me an excuse to get a new wedge or two!

Game persimmon only:
I'm going to leave my metal woods at home for the entire year and use only my persimmon woods. This won't be hard for me, except I know in some golfing circles the responses from others will be everything from raised eyebrows to outright mockery. I'll just have to ignore the sneers and giggles of others and game away with my babies. And when I still outdrive them, and hit more fairways, and win the Nassau, I won't say anything. I'll just smile.

Play Like Seve:
Golf is one of those games where it's so easy to just drive yourself crazy. You starting thinking about your swing, or get worked up about that lipped-out three footer, and pretty soon you're not enjoying yourself. And when you're not enjoying yourself you don't play well either. And then you start to hesitate, bound by fear. I'm going to have more fun playing this year. I'm going to just play. I'm not going to worry too much about my swing. Instead I'm going to try to hit more shots, I'm going to swing free, and I'm going to think only good thoughts and forget about negative outcomes. I'm going to play like Seve Ballesteros. In his prime he was absolutely beautiful. Total confidence. Amazing creativity. Playing by feel. He was definitely my favorite playing growing up, and this year I'm going to try to play in that spirit. I just want to enjoy golf, hit great shots and soak it all in, and not get messed up on swing mechanics and optimizing driver/shaft/ball combinations and nonsense like that. Those things don't make golf fun they make golf like work.

So there we go, my three golfing resolutions for 2009. I think 2008 was great for me in golf because I rediscovered something about the game that had gotten away from me. I'm looking forward to having fun with that in 2009 and sharing the love of old school golf here in this blog. Thanks again for your visits and encouragement, and all the best to all old school golfers everywhere in the New Year.

Cheers!

2008's New Classics

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Early in 2008 MacGregor came out with some lovely, traditional-looking forged irons in their MT Pro-M, and now Wilson is offering the Fg59. They look really awesome.

It's been a very good year for blade irons. Let's hope we see more classic-style clubs in 2009.

Final Hole, 1977 Open Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

For me, it doesn't get any better than Nicklaus vs. Watson. After an epic battle, Watson leads by one going into the final hole, and fires a perfect 178 yard approach shot to within a few feet of the cup. Nicklaus, in trouble off the tee, hits a brilliant recovery shot from under a gorse bush to the back of the green, thirty-five feet from the hole. Fighting to the last, the Golden Bear drains his long birdie putt, making Watson's short birdie try for the victory more than just a ceremonial tap-in.

Great players both, Nicklaus and Watson are also two of golf's greatest sportsmen. Despite shooting a final round 4-under par sixty-six, Jack came up a single stroke short to Watson's sixty-five. Gracious in defeat, the great man put his arm around Watson in congratulations as the two mighty champions strode together off the 18th green. Magic.

Without question, the '77 Open was one of the greatest ever. If you haven't, pick up Michael Corcoran's excellent account of the championship, Duel in the Sun: Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in the Battle of Turnberry. It's a fantastic telling of an epic match and a definite must-read.

Let's Hit The Links!

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Searching for Bobby Jones. Aren't we all!

All things putting on Puttistry.

"The putter is the most sacrosanct club in your bag. Putters are modern day samurai swords, the ultimate manifestation of aesthetics and science.

Puttistry obsessively covers the latest in the world of golf putters and design, putting tips, and golf training devices.

Our mission is twofold:
(1) To help you become a better putter thereby a better golfer
(2) To give putter manufacturers and artisans a forum to launch their cool products."

Great site! They've also compiled a fabulous putter directory - over 200 companies listed! I was kind of surprised there were that many. I never tire of the the seemingly endless variety in golf courses and golf clubs in this world. It really is part of the joy of golf.

Remember this site, Thor's Golf Links? It's one of the very first websites I remember, and certainly the first golf site I visited. It's the ultimate collection of golf related links, and it's still alive and kicking for, what, over fifteen years? Root around in there for a while, and I'm sure you'll find something interesting.

Check out GolfWRXr rich13's WITB. Persimmon woods and Hogan Cameo irons. Dig that old Hogan staff bag too.

Miura Series 1957 KM350 Blade Putter

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Images - Miura Golf

This limited edition forged blade by Miura literally oozes old-school-cool style. I can totally picture it in Billy Casper's hands.

Hogan Forged Blades Dirt Cheap on Golfsmith.com!

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:37:00 +0000

I cannot believe the prices on Hogan blades right now on Golfsmith.com. The '06 Apex (pictured, bottom) are priced at just $399.99, and the '03 Apex 50th Anniversaries (top) are only $299.99! If you want a sweet set of classic-looking blades these prices are phenomenal. I fear the the Hogan name is done for as far as clubmaking goes, so this could be your last ever chance to have set of brand new Apex irons. At these prices I'm definitely struggling to pass them up myself. Anytime you can get a set of good forged blades brand new for $400, not to mention Hogans, you should do it.

Look at those babies: the knurled hosel, the sunburst logo, the hogan script, red paint fill for the number on the sole, shiny chrome, red-ringed ferrules - that's old school bling at its finest!

Masters Tournament Badges

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Image - Augusta.com , Chris Thelen/Augusta Chronicle

A gallery of Masters tournament badges, on Augusta.com, a Masters-themed online publication of The Augusta Chronicle. Really, this is one of the very best Masters sites I know of. Excellent all the way around.

One of the most exciting things about this site is that you can purchase many of the photographs, or purchase items with the image printed on them. I'm absolutely dying to have this particular image made into a mousepad. A set of Masters badge coasters would also be really cool. Great gift idea for the golfer in your family, though I suppose it would have been better to find out about this before Christmas, huh?

Things Lost

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

A while back I posted about the last balata Titleists. They stopped production in 2002.

Here are a few other classics now gone from the game:

Jones Golf no longer makes golf bags. Though their website still shows a full line, I received this response when I e-mailed to inquire about the George Jones Classic model, which had been dropped from their offerings at some point:

"Unfortunately, we are no longer producing golf bags. Our Original golf bag was a real hit when we did have it available, and thank you for your support. I do apologize for this bad news."

I couldn't believe it, so I e-mailed again a few weeks later (using a different name and e-mail address) and received this response:

"Unfortunately, Jones Golf does not produce golf bags any longer."

I don't know what they do make, but I sure will miss their bags. Back when I was a high school golfer Jones was the name in team bags. They made the coolest, most classic-looking carry bags. Customization of colors and embroidery was the norm. You could even get them in plaid, whcih looked sweet.

For a while a few years ago you could still get a bag exactly like my high school team had twenty years before, the George Jones Classic. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they still made them.

I'm still carrying my sticks in a Jones bag, a really nice one I bought about six years ago. I can't recall the model name, and it isn't listed on their site so it was discontinued at some point before they stopped making bags altogether. But it's a great bag, a simple standless model with one strap and the big pocket on the side so you can also use it on a pull cart (the classic had the big pocket on the underside of the bag). I really like the one I have, I just wanted another one.

I guess the Ping Hoofer did them in, but I'd much rather have a good old Jones bag.

Check this out, Golf Pride doesn't offer the Green Victory grip anymore. The closest they have in their catalog is the V-55, though really it's totally different other than having that distinct alignment pattern on it. Personally, I don't care for the new grips everyone keeps coming out with, in all the garish colors. Look at this horrible thing that's new for 2009. It has fruit on it for Pete's sake. Fruit! I know it's a ladies' grip, but come on. I wonder how long before the Tour Wrap disappears. On the other hand, this new putter grip looks promising. Reminds me of the old Pro Score that I used to like. And at least you can still get it in black (though shockingly bright colors are available too if that is your thing).

In 2009 I think I'll be trying one of these GripMaster leather grips on my trusty Crenshaw blade.

I miss Cleveland's 588 RTG wedges. You can still get the old 588 chrome version , but they don't quite have that special quality. Cleveland has a nice lineup of very modern wedges, but nothing I like as much as the plain RTG model. They make the RTG+ finish on the 588 DSG model, which is decent, but just not the same. I do see that Golfsmith.com still has original 588 RTGs on sale for only $69.99. That's a really great price for a fabulous wedge. They have 53, 56 and 60 degree lofts available. I wonder how long these will last, as it is not a standard offering from Cleveland (it's not in their catalog and hasn't been for some time). Thankfully, we have Scratch. They do offer a genuine raw finish through their tour department.

Remember clubs made from Berillyium Copper (BeCu)? Weren't they fabulous? I had a set of BeCu Ping Eye2+ for a while which were soft as butter*. And before that, in high shcool, I had a nice BeCu sand wedge made by Lynx. BeCu is especially nice in wedges, not just for the soft feel but also for the heavier head weight and the low glare after the finish tarnishes. Mark Calcavecchia and other tour pros still use Ping Eye2 copper wedges out of old stocks held in reserve for the pros. Cleveland made 588 wedges in copper as well, and I think some 588 irons too. Of course, besides their Eye2 irons Ping also made a bunch of their putters in BeCu. Nick Faldo used a nice copper B60 for a while, if memory serves. Unfortunately, BeCu has been totally phased out of golf club making due to environmental issues. Thankfully you can still find them on eBay. Copper clubs and putters do tend to fetch fairly premium pricing however, a testament to their soft feel and playability.

I think Titleist needs to make simple brass Bulls Eye putters again. Sell them for about $60 each. To heck with Scotty Cameron. I'm not really into the $350 putter craze. Yeah, they're nice, but you don't need to spend that kind of money to get a great putter. Again, thank the Lord for eBay.

What other great standards are no longer regularly available? Please leave a comment on the things you miss.

*Editor's Note: Though I'm strictly a classic forged blade type of guy I will confess to having a very genuine soft spot for Ping Eye2 irons, especially those made of BeCu. They are, without question, the classic old school, cast, game improvement clubs. Your lifetime's golfing experience is not complete if you have never gamed a set. If you show up for a round with a bag full of Eye2s and a set of blonde Zing maple laminate woods you'll be complimented generously.

Happy Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

I think I know what St. Nick will be doing tomorrow ;)

Nice bag and shoes. I do believe I spy a hickory shaft as well. Santa looks a little bit like Old Tom Morris, doesn't he? Very interesting ...

Let's Hit the Links

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Wilson Staff Golf Club Collector Society. Great site with lots of pics of classic Staff irons.

The Doak Scale on Redanman.com. A guide to golf course rating taken from Tom Doaks famous (infamous?) book The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses. Both interesting and funny, I find it hard to argue with Doak's classifications. Read this and you'll never look at your local golf course the same way again.

Mac O'Grady went to Q-School 17 times!!!!! Wow. What a character. I'm really bored by the vanilla ice cream, corporate clone golfers we mostly see on tour today. I'll take the ambidextrous Mac any day.

What's In HK's Bag? This gentleman has some lovely wood-headed putters and a very fine set of custom blonde-finished Niblick DC woods, all by the Louisville Golf Club Company. Well done sir! Via the Persimmon Blog.

Hogan

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Knit Headcovers

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Image - Kewl Tubes

Knit headcovers are so old-school-cool, definitely. A set of groovy, pom-pom-clad covers for my persimmons is number one on my list of planned purchases for next season.

Available from:
Jan Craig
Kewl Tubes
Rocket Tour
Classic Headcovers
The Scottish Knitter

Any others out there?

Just Won on eBay: Corey Pavin's Shotmaking

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:43:00 +0000

Corey Pavin's Shotmaking

I just bought this on eBay for $0.99 plus shipping. Not bad for about $5 total. Hopefully it's a good book. I've always admired Pavin. He really is a brilliant shotmaker. We'll see how he does as a Ryder Cup captain!

Let's Hit the Links!

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:40:00 +0000

Free Drop - a blog on the rules of golf. While many golfers like to complain about golf's complicated, and sometimes strange rules, I happen to appreciate them. They're very much a part of what give the game it's great character.

The Golf Girl's Diary: "Depression Era Golf Fashion - Not Very Depressing." No, in fact they were very elegant and attractive in a completely ladylike way. Personally, I think the golfer-Barbie look that's becoming popular on the LPGA tour isn't particularly attractive. Anna Rawson, on the other hand, knows how to apply vintage styling cues to a modern woman's golfing wardrobe. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing a lot more of her now that she's secured her tour card for 2009.

Eddie Papczun: a passion for golf collectibles.

Scratch Golf 2009 '1018' Wedges

noreply@blogger.com (Old School Golfer) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:20:00 +0000

Scratch Golf 2009 '1018' wedge

Image - Scratch Golf

Hopefully you've already become aware of Scratch Golf. If not, let me introduce you. The young, Oregon-based company makes fabulous custom wedges. Forged from soft 1018 steel, they feel exquisite, and have gorgeous classic looks. The best part for sure though, is the amazing range of sole grinds available. Whatever type of swing you have, whatever type of turf you play on, whatever type of shot you want to hit - Scratch has a grind that will help you pull it off.

Despite being in business just a few years, Scratch is growing fast. Golfers all over, including on professional tours, are taking note of Scratch's exceptional quality and the amazing performance you get when the right sole grind is matched to your swing type. Scratch's Tour Department will make you a completely custom wedge, hand-ground to your exact specifications for loft, toe profile, sole grind, etc. You can choose from a wide selection of beautiful finishes and specify any stampings you like. They are the only company I know of that regularly offers this kind of tour level service and product to regular golfers.

They also have a nice lineup of stock-design wedges, and for 2009 they're re-vamping the line. Scratch's initial off-the-rack line, called the "JLM" series, was excellent. Now called "1018", the new 2009 line offers cleaner stampings, six different grinds, and a beautiful new finish called "Smoked Satin." I think it looks a lot like a raw wedge that hasn't rusted yet, which in my mind is just about perfect. They will also come stock with upscale KBS Tour shafts, and get this, they'll retail for $50 less than the 2008 models. The new wedges will be priced at $150 each. Though that's definitely still a high-end price these are without question the finest wedges available today. Scratch will also be releasing a cast 8620 line in 2009 that will retail for less yet still offer a variety of grinds to suit your swing. Cleveland and Vokey wedges are cast from 8620 steel, and I am quite sure the new Scratch 8620 wedges will give them a run for their money in price and feel.

This past fall I demoed several Scratch wedges and all I can say is they are amazing. They have classic looks, truly outstanding forged feel, and the best playability of any wedge I've tried. Their grinds really do make a huge difference. I will have one in my bag before 2009 is over, no question.

If you want to improve your game, do yourself a favor. Don't bother spending $400 on the next titanium monster in an attempt to buy five more yards off the tee. Buy yourself a good wedge or two from Scratch. They'll help your short game, and that will pay far greater dividends to your score than anything else in you can put in your bag.

Oh yes, Scratch also makes amazing forged irons, with the same options for complete customization as well as stock-spec. off-the-rack versions. I've been lusting after a set of their blades for a while.

Scratch is the kind of golf company we need. They're smaller, but better. They offer spectacular, classic-looking clubs of the highest quality, and they will build them to suit you. Imagine having a set of custom irons and wedges, ground, finished and stamped just as you want them, completely unique from any other set out there. That is as old-school-cool as it gets.