"name": "Swing Yard", The Executives were the bomb back in the day. Only until tomorrow until my hybrids come in and boom they're gone. We will miss Jim and his innovation ! Right now Ive been with the Execs 2 then 5 SW, Ram 64 wedge, 1 & 3 wood, both hybrids and putter. Its impossible to overstate Albert Spaldings vision and ambition. I dont know how people could justify any of the others. What about the Porsche irons? I actually have a set of 440s I bring them out every year or two when I am hitting the ball poorly. I dont think I paid more than $300 for all four sets combined- Im a Salvation Army searcher. Yes it has some smoother lines compared to some of the other clubs on the listbut you put that PowerBow as Nike says on any of those other irons and it is a dead ringer for this list of crazies. When youre in the market for Spalding clubs, bear in mind that they were branded as Top-Flite clubs for a while, so be sure to broaden your search to include Top-Flite models. I look forward to your future deeper dive into the history of the Hogan company. I STILL play with my Spalding Executive set 2 SW. 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos, 2023 The Honda Classic - Discussion and Links to photos, 2023 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to photos, 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Discussion and Links to Photos, 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - Discussion and Links to all photos. Spalding Golf Clubs: Do Still Make Them & How Much? I actually travel with it and use it at the driving range, so I dont have to rent clubs. No copy for them. Irons made during that time are distinguished by an anvil cleek mark. I am still playing with my set every week! Our mission is #ConsumerFirst. One with the sticker decal and one without. Its an interesting question to ask about a company that was a factor for over 125 years. And although Top Flite is still in business today, its a brand that most golfers associate with cheap equipment of inferior quality. Thanks for the history lesson and walk down memory lane. Remember all the other clubs, good to read. It was in A Disordly Compendium of Golf I cant find my copy (actually havent seen it in a few months) but I know it was in there. ), shoplifted about four dozen balls each from a failing department store in New York City. The Start Of Spalding Golf Clubs In 1905, a sporting goods company saw that golf was starting to become quite popular in the United States. I am on my 2nd set.I used to lovem and had friends that bought as they loved the ball flight and were also a great set of chippers. They are for sale. They say you learn from your mistakes. Spalding manufactured golf clubs for some of the leading players in the game, including the legendary American player Bobby Jones. My only wacky set now are some Macgregor MT Splitsoles in very gd cond which were bought at a Thrift store. All of the irons were labeled as a 7 iron, with the real number of the club micro stamped on the faces upper toe. It is my Go To clubmy favorite. Is it worth getting a new set of clubs, or should I focus on getting spikes and a gloves, ( I currently golf in thing sandles) 0. This putter is a remake of the model Bobby Jones used in the 1930s and features a head made from nickel plating over copper plating over forged carbon steel. Spalding quickly grew, making baseball gloves and uniforms and the first modern baseball bat. The companys lead-faced putters also provided better touch for players. Jones immediately put his Georgia Tech engineering degree to good use. I became a +2 handicap using those irons, and a lot of people scoffed at them early ontill they saw me hit them. They actually play pretty well. Thanks for the history lesson, truly amazing how fast Spalding unraveled. marrano patio homes lancaster, ny 9, Juin, 2022. horse property for sale pocatello, idaho; I have a full set of Exec XE irons. Still playing my cook titanics with the 1 iron. Callaway wound up suing Spalding for using its imagery on Spalding packaging. About half of our sales are with personal names or corporate logos in the back and given as gifts. Lots of wackiness. Spalding stopped making golf clubs in 2002, and their last clubs were branded as Top Flite Oversized irons. He was a pro at having fun when he played golf! 1968 Spalding developed the first 2-piece performance golf ball, the Spalding Executive. Spalding introduced many variations of hickory-shafted clubs to bring distance and control to the professional and duffer alike. Various . Just found and bought a set of Lil David Slingers. Man crush on Nicklaus led to this purchase. 0 bids. Spalding took off with sales and production with Bobby Jones joining the team. Shortly thereafter, Spalding signed him as spokesperson, vice president and director of research. ), Phat Golf Scooters Reviews (Good or Waste of Cash? Jim also marketed the first Graphite Shafts sold under the Aldila name. Knowledgable folk say its all in the mind. The 300XXL Driver was so lightawesome clubhead speed ! I just found a set of 10 plops slotz. Is my equipment holding me back? Brings back great memories! The company's unique "baseball mark" A.G. Spalding had helped put baseball on the map--was stamped on the clubs and below it "Made in Great Britain" appeared. "dateModified": "2022-05-12", Thanks for the article. In 1876 Spalding was the manager and ace pitcher of the Chicago White Stockings. Anyone hear of them? Club-makers traditional method had been to shape metal heads with an anvil and forge. What a great list! * Note: These irons were designed by Duke Duclos. I still have them and as a matter of fact I still use a copper Zing2 sand wedge 54. why did patrice o'neal leave the office; why do i keep smelling hairspray; giant ride control one auto mode; current fishing report: lake havasu Thanks, http://www.clubsofdistinction.com/cod3/ucir5177.htm. John is an aging, yet avid golfer, writer, 9-point-something handicapper living back home in New England after a 22-year exile in Minnesota. it was at my range's rental bin. * NOTE: Stan Thompson was an interesting guy and a well respected designer. One of the most famous Spalding clubs was the Cran Cleek (club with a narrow face and little loft) for poor fairway lies and even putts. The reason why Spalding clubs arent particularly valuable is that they have been widely available for so many years. I can't imagine them being worth a shit. I cant believe to Ping Zing 2s are on the list. It wasnt very sophisticated back then, and they wanted to add layers of sophistication that they had in their other businesses. His company quickly expanded into making equipment for every sport imaginable. They also made a set made entirely of woods. Your previous content has been restored. It was a popular cavity back iron and Spalding decided to sell it through general sporting goods stores, eschewing the golf pro. Great insight! The 1968 arrival of the Executive MV2 Bird Over Ball clubs are among some of Spalding's most easily recognizable clubs. Colin Montgomerie joined the staff, and Spalding had big plans. With a few months of work and some radical design modifications it was turned into the first modern Metalwood. I surely do remember those Dot balls that my brother and I would find on OFCC in south suburbs of Chicago because we couldnt afford them but you really had to pay attention to look at those balls before you grounded your club or you would put a significant cut in them. I would like to repay you with mine. Got the 3 PW for 3.99 a club, bought the 5- PW first, played two rounds and went back and bought the 3 & 4. Do You have any idea? Although they wont win any awards for innovation, Spaldings Molitor clubs are a decent game improvement set and a good option for beginners. werent as good. Copyright 2023. The Browning 440 was a marvelous clubas you say off the fairway!!! Great list of wild clubs. when were spalding executive golf clubs made MENU. Ive got a set of graphite Samurai ironwoods years ahead of their time lying around in the basement, I think. $77.83. By the early 1920s, Spalding began using a mechanical hammer to drop-forge heads in an assembly line, making the process faster, more consistent, and considerably less expensive. Brilliant writing! We (and tour players) figured out it was very stable in the wind and was 2 clubs longer with the irons. The brand was popular until the late 1990s, but Spalding opted for a new direction at the turn of the century and focused on other sports instead of golf. Really a zany=looking set of irons. Finally, I think a distinction needs to be made between the wackiest looking and worst irons made. Long irons with shallow faces, little offset and perhaps slightly softer shafts can be quite playable. I still have a set of samurai woods and irons,,and still use them,,had a pro hit my 7 iron once,,it flew his 7iron,,he was amazed,they hit great,,but graphite wears down over years and breaks,and when that happens,,its hard to find a replacement,,,. He also worked at Zevo when the LoB Irons were developed. Fascinating how these once great brands essentially disappeared altogether. Jim, If you are interested in writing about the history of the urethane covered golf ball at Titleist, I can provide all of the facts. In 1984, Questor sold off Spalding/Evenflo to a Venezuelan group headed by Gustavo and Ricardo Cisneros. Typically about 2 of the three would be OK, but if you hit one thin, you just threw it away on the next tee. He also was one of the best designers in the golf biz. "url": "https://swingyard.com/wp-content/uploads/Spalding-Irons-by-Year.jpg" How about Hogan Magnums and Magnum Plus irons big cavity backs from the 1970s. While theyre old-school, Spalding clubs are made to high standards and are built to last, making them a great option if youre looking for a cheap and cheerful set of clubs. MyGolfSpy, Inc. All Rights Reserved. What was wacky about the Bears? I shoot mid-80s like OP. The success of Spalding golf clubs had compelled the USGA to act, but this success was not destined to last forever. You can actually play Spalding golf balls again! In 1977 while having molds made for my new line of Irons at a mold makers in Oxnard California, I spotted a very interesting club in a bag at the rear of the shop. Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS Driver Review, Best Womens Golf Clubs for Intermediate Players, Ned Howard Retired PGA Teaching Professional. Another great history piece. When I eventually found a set of Magnums with regular shafts, I bought them but had been addicted to the graphite. Europe was a bit ahead of the United States when it came to golf, and the sport had only just started to explode in the United States. "@type": "Organization", The Spaulding Executive was just too far ahead of its timegreat club! Well these irons which were designed out in LA by Stan Thompson were made to capitalize on that same concept. Just make sure to mix in a few lessons with your local PGA pro, and you'll progress nicely. The latter is notable as the Wright of Wright and Ditson is one George Wright, a Hall of Fame shortstop for the Boston Red Stockings and a major mover and shaker of turn-of-the-century golf. John, The Zing2s were the first set I bought when I started playing golf. In 1993 Payne Stewart signed a multi-million-dollar deal to go full Top-Flite, a move that sidetracked Stewarts career. I speak with Nat Rosassco, former owner, of NorthWestern golf at least every 7 to 10 days and he holds Pat Simmons as one of the best club designers of all time as well. During the time of the KKR takeover I was employed as the Managing Director in Australia/ NZ Different, yes, but they are the only ones where you can really aim at the target! Leather Golf Grips Review: Should I Use Them? #15 - Stan Thompson Ginty Irons You might remember the popular Stan Thompson woods with the unique sole design. It made its mark in the 80s through leveraged buyouts buying undervalued or poorly managed companies with other peoples money, improving their bottom lines, and then spinning them off at a profit. MacGregor Doctor X. I had the Bears. Purespin (diamond face)? It was fun to have and I actually hit the thing really really well. Play to a 4 6 cap. Mismanagement and a growing golf market led Spalding to cease manufacturing golf products, selling off popular brands like Top Flite to Callaway in the early 2000s. I have a set of Fila Solerno irons/fairway woods that I havent been able to find anything about on the internet. The 1999 Hogan Apex, forged by Endo Manufacturing in Japan, remains a sought-after collectible, and a very playable blade, to this day. i knew a guy who was a 4 handicap, and he used the spalding executives. In one sense, Spalding suffered the same fate irrelevance as did fellow legacy golf brands Wilson Staff and MacGregor. Read on to learn more about the history of Spalding clubs and what you can expect from various models. Upload or insert images from URL. Unfortunately, Spalding has fallen a long way down the pecking order in terms of their sporting equipment, and it has been a long time since they manufactured a new set of golf clubs. The BIG BOYS missed on this one. And Spalding predated Mizuno by at least 60 years with a copper undercoating for its forged blades in the mid-50s. In April, KKR sold the Spalding name and all of Spaldings non-golf businesses to Russell Athletic for just $65 million. Pretty or not (thats the clubs), I have played Fila Latitude irons since they came out. By 1910, the company was selling aluminum fairway clubs and its Gold Medal series (1910 to 1919) featured aluminum bronze. LOL. And if the Nicklaus Bear irons were used to win the US Amateur, they shouldnt be on a worst irons list either. Thanks, John. He also had some copycat Browning irons in the trunk, but I refused I couldnt even look at them with a straight face. Still, the Uniques are the best irons I have ever hit! is fantastic, but the club is as stiff as an old water pipe and is accordingly harsh. I still have several sets of Hogan forged irons, Hogan/Bettinardi putters, several dozen Apex, and Tour Deep balls. What is it for weight transfer? We had hybrids back in the 80s. Irons made during that time are distinguished by an anvil cleek mark. }. These articles are all outstanding. Finally, my number came up along with everyone else in the product management and marketing teams.. I bought them new. I actually have these clubs. One day, I was caddying for him and he crushed a drive, but about 100 yards out, it just fell out of the sky. Both were smart, competent leaders but had little golf experience. 2 Iron Spalding . Spalding, along with Wright and Ditson, was importing golf clubs from Scotland. Great set. Still have the clubs in my basement. Im surprised that nobody has mentioned the Wilson Fat Shaft irons for ugliness. Great list! KKR wanted Spalding to make money the KKR way. Still bagging their wedges. Played dots a bit but later played a lot of Top Flites because I was a teenager, and the balls did not cut (this was back in the days of balata balls that cut if you looked at them hard). Ive owned a set of VAS, Zings, Slingshots and the Spaulding Execs (for vintage golf days). An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Perhaps they were a little ahead of their time (3-PW). For more than 25 years, he has contributed to a wide array of publications including "American Heritage," "American History," "Yankee," "VFW," "Golf," and "Golf News." The Black Dots and Red Dots were equivalent to the Titleist black numerals and red numerals. GolfWRX_Official I also had a set of Ping Zings too.. My partner had that set of Cleveland VAS and believe it or not we had a partner that bought a used set of Slingers I don't mind the executives though, don't really know much about them either. If so send us some picsdont worry we will keep it 100% anonymous . Jackie Gleason also owned a set. my Dad is still pulling new 90s & 2000s Top Flights from the closet to play lol. Bird on ball was a very popular club. I am surprised no one ever mass marketed them. BombTech Golf Reviews (These Golf Clubs Any Good? He changed from forged blades and balata balls to cavity back, investment cast irons and sold core balls, White tells MyGolfSpy. Seemed like big headed design with half the head chopped off to produce a bigger face!!! Spalding spent over 125 years as a sporting goods giant. We knew something was up, recalls White. Tommy Armour TI 100 need to be on the list, they were twice the size of any other iron produced ever. Callaway had long wanted Top-Flites ball factory and patents but didnt want to assume any debt. How about the Spalding Exec SE. Extra weight added to the toe keeps the center of gravity where needed and also keeps the club head square at impact, resulting in straighter shots.. he is a cleveland iron man now, but he still owns the spalding executives. The company was already selling golf balls when, in 1905, it became the first in America to offer its own brand of golf clubs. pend. beneath. Wed have monthly meetings at their West 57th Street offices in New York. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, (your email address will not be published), CONTEST Adams Pro Black Giveaway! This technology is a shank-proof hosel. Not the first or the last business to be destroyed by KKR. He traded a set of classic Burke PunchIrons to get the Lynx. Just remember, Its always the indian and not the arrow. Colgate-Palmolive bought RAM and Penfold in the mid-70s to sell more toothpaste but gave up after only five years. Learn how your comment data is processed. Ugly or unconventional, I felt a more confident with them and Stan Thompson fairway woods. It adjusts to every loft in a full bag, plus half lofts. "keywords": ["spalding irons by year","when did spalding stop making golf clubs","does spalding still make golf clubs","spalding golf clubs history","spalding executive golf clubs history"], They definitely arent the prettiest of clubs but I did enjoy playing them. Regardless, both are great sets. Met a friend in Costa Mesa at Mile Square Golf Club back in the early 1970s and he was with Duke Duclos., a friend from their McDonald-Douglas days. In the meantime, this should hold you over, https://mygolfspy.com/why-does-the-ben-hogan-equipment-company-still-matter/. The only thing a golfer needs is more daylight. - BenHogan. I finally gave it to a friend of mine who is a beginner and he says it is the only club he can hit reliably. My wife says I never met a strange-looking golf club I did not want to own and play with. Executives were my first real set of golf clubs. Somehow they squeezed 492 dimples on them Those balls were rocketships. The shelves are full of the latest and greatest technology (hybrids, woods the size of a frying pan, dozens of shaft offerings), in 20+ years people will be laughing at those funky sticks as well. Instead, well hit the highlights. I had a few customers back in the 1970s who ordered custom irons and would request the same number on the sole of their heads. Ironfinder has a good selection of individual Spalding Executive MV2 bird over ball golf clubs in stock to help you replace a missing single golf iron. Ever hear of Belmont (internal, removable sole weighting)? The name was acquired by the folks behind Nitro golf balls and they now have a full line you can buy on RockBottomGolf. Wanted them when I was in college but couldnt afford them then. I think Browning was leaving the golf business then and they were discounted last set in the store. I have not 1 but 2 sets of Browning 440 irons. MacGregors ownership carousel started in 1978 when it was sold to lumber conglomerate Wickes. Today, Spalding golf clubs still exist, but theyre nowhere near as popular as they once were. Alternatively, you can look on a discount site like Rock Bottom Golf. OK MyGolfSpyers, its time to get creative! Every iron ever made is ugly as hell when you hit it off the hosel. If you have a vintage set of Bobby Jones Spalding irons that are in great shape, you might be able to sell them at a slightly higher price, but theyre not worth a great deal of money in the current market. Those were real whacky.. bent shafts and roughly milled heads. My Nike Slingshots is the best set I have ever used. Made from 1989-1994 and originally sold for $680. Geek Golf This new construction was a major technological advancement in golf balls. As a former pro athlete, Spalding saw the value of using professionals to help promote both the game and his products. Thanks! You find them on eBay Gary? Under Chapter 363, it bid $125 million for Top-Flite. It was a low loft club used for poor lies and putting. Original? Today, collectors prize the narrow-faced Cran Cleek. I was wondering if anyone had ever tried Slotline Classic Copper golf clubs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By 1970, the ownership group morphed into the Questor Corporation, and Pyramid Rubber was rechristened Evenflo. We have been making them since 1992ship them all over the worldto soldiers, traveling execs, private pilots, cyclists, retirees that want to walk but cant lug a full set, and many other categories. While the Top Flite was initially scorned by better players as the rock flight, it probably caused a rule change. Would you make an iron set out of stone? I collect odd golf items. The original Strata ball was amazing when it came out spin for days! I'm 25 years old and I've been playing with my grandfathers Spalding executives for 10 years now, and I shoot about a 80-85. These skids are tapered from the leading edge toward the rear of the club head, raising the sole above the ground without raising the leading edge off the ground. C $75.53. Albert Spalding was a superstar. Started Yesterday at 04:29 AM, By One of my buddies gave me a Tiger Shark wedge the one with 3 different alignment lines, concave dimples on the face instead of grooves, and a funky dual bounce sole configuration. and I firmly believe the demise of Spalding was because a number of CEOs with little or no knowledge of the golf industry were appointed It is more of a you gotta be kidding me), an Integra 650 cc driver (you have to dig a ditch before you swing), etc. Fila Golf has developed this new iron using a patented design feature. In 1906 Bendelow designed the expansion of Atlantas East Lake Club, the eventual home club of one Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. Well spare you the decade-by-decade rundown of Spalding innovations (and there are many). I had a set of Tiger Sharks(the short irons hit the ball miles).The follow up Great Whites I love these old clubs. By KKR was established in 1976 by partners Jerome Kohlberg, Henry Kravis, and George Roberts. Decent? With KKR, it was a 180-degree turnaround. Ive seen several of those uglies up close over the years so this was fun to view. a beginner could really benifit from the Nike slingshot, they are easy to hit. They were good at it too, in one year selling off companies for more than $7 billion they had bought for only $1 billion. ], Golfers have always known that deep-grooved irons produce better control and spin. What can you find out about Wilson x 70 irons. Welcome back to the latest installment of Historys Mysteries. In 1962, Pyramid merged with Dunhill International and the AP Parts Corporation. The set I found is 2-9, but the 5 iron is gone. Almost , http://www.intheholegolf.com/store/f2is.html. A set of wedges were introduced several years ago claiming to be New and the best thing since sliced bread, but they looked strangely similar to the Golden Touch irons. While the idea of owning a golf company sounds great, the list of companies that tried and failed is long. He loves telling stories, writing about golf and golf travel, and enjoys classic golf equipment. Was: C $107.89. I have a set of Lynx Parallax irons that were my fathers. ), Takomo Golf Clubs Review: (As Good as Expected? Display as a link instead, I have been playing golf over 40 years and have owned many brands of clubs. Had a set of McGregor Irons called Doctor Rx, they felt good hit in the middle, they reminded me of a Pringle potato chip. Just saw a full set of them again today. The 1953 Top-Flite Synchro-Dyned irons were particularly innovative, featuring a matched shaft flex and head weight for each iron in the set. Spalding, seemingly, was on top of the world. As a golfer of a certain age, these history articles are fascinating! In 1880, Spaldings League Ball became the official baseball of the National League (and later of the American League), a position it held until 1976. What you supposed to do, cut your head off!!! (Sponsored by: GolfCircuit.com), CONTEST! Today, Spalding focuses nearly all of its commercial interests on basketball, producing balls, hoops, rims, and nets. I will admit to having a hankering for those slick lookin Zevo Lobs tho. Weird thing was I could hit the XL-4 long irons better and the Executives better from 7-PW. Eventually banned because it was too straight. Win a bunch of BogeyPro swag! Would the F2 wedges still be legal if the crank were a few inches further up but still keeping the same angle please. When my father would shot a 215 yard iron into the hole, his fellow golfers wold ask him what club he used. does ohma have a child [email protected] buy all 6 get free shipping) Let me know by ebay . The RB880 s by Northwestern are also knockoffs of the Browning 440 s. It wasnt long until Spaldings Executive golf clubs were launched, which were prevalent at all levels of the game. Heres a set of Slotline irons currently for sale on EBay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330561978331&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT, some years ago-I bought a trial 7 iron thru golg digest-some years later a friend of mine bought a used set at a second hand storeany way I think it was made by simmons or slotline?? Ive owned. By this time, Spalding was making everything from barbells, dumbells, punching bags, and rowing machines to fencing blades, whistles, shot puts, javelins, and golf clubs. Take the Spalding Executive line. If so, are they any good? Case in point: The article makes the statement that The (Cleveland) VAS irons have finally been dethroned from their previous top spot as Worst Iron Ever Made! I dont think Cory Pavin would have won PGA tour events and endorsed them if this had been true. Inside cavity: blue/back button; EXECUTIVE x EZ. MGS can never have too much content regarding the man, his company, or his impact on golf. And although Spalding would show operational profits, debt service kept turning those profits into losses. Any of you still have a set of these beauties laying around? I think all the readers as well as the golfspies would love to learn as much about these past designs as possible. i just hit a 8 iron in that series last night. The Titleist were a bit longer lasting but I (a poor college student) could afford the Spaulding balls. i was hitting 8 iron and was suprised how high the ball flight was. * Note: These irons were designed by Dave (cant remember last name) which was considered a very good designer by others in the business at the time and one that some felt did not get as much credit as he deserved. I got balls, well ProV1's anyway. ***GIVEAWAY*** Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge! In 1900, Spalding released the Vardon Flyer, the golf ball used by Harry Vardon. Cleveland was giving them away for free if you send in some coupon from golf digest. I take them out every couple of years and play a round with them just for fun. The company experimented throughout the 1920s and 1930s with lathe-turned hickory shafts that featured circular ridges spaced at standard intervals down the entire shaft. when were spalding executive golf clubs made. Each has a special place in my personal golf journey and is still some of the best equipment Ive ever used. Jeff Sheets had been Director of R&D for Top-Flite since 1995, and his first club for Hogan became a legend. Went to graphite (Vulcan Backfire hollow irons). Still use them. Spalding led the way with such deep-grooved designs as the "waterfall" and waffle-face irons. Upgraded my driver from R7 to Razr Hawk, but will never surrender my Slingshots. * Note: These irons were designed by Pat Simmons and ex-pilot and engineer which also had a part in the Zebra putter design. I have no ideabut I sure loved my Tommy Armour silver Scotts. I had a friend who worked for Gary Player and he sent me his brand called iGNITORS Those were fairly strange and not particular long!
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