when were spalding executive golf clubs made

Your link has been automatically embedded. Thanks for doing the digging! If so send them to contact(at)mygolfspy.com. Dynamiter wedges featured deep grooves, often in unusual shapes, that ultimately prompted the USGA to outlaw them. 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. Though he is a footnote in the PGA history he was briefly on tour in the 50s. 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 actually have these clubs. vicunas. Today, Spalding golf clubs still exist, but theyre nowhere near as popular as they once were. It was made by Salt Lake City Specialties. BarbaJo, you da man! A very interesting stroll down golf history. Brings back great memories! Keep up the great work. Havent been able to give them up since my Dad died in 99, Does anyone remember a set of irons made in the 80s (I think) that were actually a bunch of small woods, even the PW was made from wood. Their original design was a smaller headed Tony Penna model Innovator, they became the n1 and then the Bears came out when oversize irons hit the market. Spalding sponsored Vardons 1900 tour of America, culminating in Vardon winning the U.S. Open in Chicago. Jim also marketed the first Graphite Shafts sold under the Aldila name. unbelieveably so..!! From the 1950s to the 1990s Spalding was in the bag for many major victories, and was played on municipal courses across the country. Spalding lost $27 million in 2000 and another $20 million in 2001. Spalding was the big name in women's golf clubs by 1950. Im not sure how rare they are, but youd think there would be a trace of them somewhere. I play them still and love them. White says the KKR leadership team was much more hands-on than the Cisneros brothers had ever been, which is understandable if you just shelled out a billion simoleons for a sporting goods company. I bought a set of blue-backed Uniques back in the early 80s. * Note: These irons were designed by Don Wood remember the Plop putterswell they are back at it againyou can check them out here. It was if I walked into the store from a time machine. Long irons with shallow faces, little offset and perhaps slightly softer shafts can be quite playable. } They are a blade from the early 80`s. Whats fun is to find one of those old sets, regrip them and beat your friends with them! You find them on eBay Gary? Every time I take it out of my bag for some new modern wedge, I go back to it a few weeks later. Some crazy lookin clubs, Why didnt you include the 1st set of Ping Irons? About; Blog; Service; Contacts Norman credited the extra spin of the Tour Edition for winning the 1986 British Open. You can check it out at http://www.adjustablegolfclub.com. * Note: These irons were designed by Pat Simmons and ex-pilot and engineer which also had a part in the Zebra putter design. My Nike Slingshots is the best set I have ever used. The remaining golf company was re-named Top-Flite. Spalding got so inventive with their clubmaking, they had golf bags around America sporting 20-30 clubs. The success of Spalding golf clubs had compelled the USGA to act, but this success was not destined to last forever. Scott Stallings - WITB - 2023 Genesis Invitational. . we closed and then were just screwing around with some of the rental clubs. Get10% offat Global Golf with Code:SwingYard. 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 Knowledgable folk say its all in the mind. 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. Decent? Autore dell'articolo: Articolo pubblicato: 16/06/2022 Categoria dell'articolo: fixed gantry vs moving gantry cnc Commenti dell'articolo: andy's dopey transposition cipher andy's dopey transposition cipher It was fun to have and I actually hit the thing really really well. I have a left handed set that I got from a guy on the senior tour, Bob Carson, who also owned a golf course in Titusville FLA. They had fantastic fairway woods that I still take out for a spin every once in a while. The strangest set I play with at the moment is a matching set of 3 through 15 fairway woods made by Protactic Golf in Chicago (part of the remains of Northwestern Golf, I think). Bought the Slotlines new. Oddity? I just found a set of 10 plops slotz. How about the Spalding Exec SE. KKRs $25 billion takeover of RJR Nabisco was chronicled in the book (and tv movie) Barbarians at the Gate. The Early Years Starting in 1900, Spalding opened clubmaking factories in London and in Fife, Scotland, producing forged iron heads for Spalding clubs sold both in the U.K. and U.S. Right now Ive been with the Execs 2 then 5 SW, Ram 64 wedge, 1 & 3 wood, both hybrids and putter. Its factory could only make about six million dozen a year, and it was paying patent royalties. In an effort to keep golf a game of skill, the USGA implemented the 14 club rule that we see today. I have not 1 but 2 sets of Browning 440 irons. The reason why Spalding clubs arent particularly valuable is that they have been widely available for so many years. MacGregors ownership carousel started in 1978 when it was sold to lumber conglomerate Wickes. I see that a few from my list made it. When my father would shot a 215 yard iron into the hole, his fellow golfers wold ask him what club he used. There are worse things. The shaft collapses to 18 inches so it is great for travelsure beats the cost of checking a golf bag these days. Youve forgotten the worst offender. Just got Calloway X20s last week. Different, yes, but they are the only ones where you can really aim at the target! Previously, they manufactured equipment for golf, American football, and baseball, but they have downsized considerably in recent years. On top line: OVERSIZE. KKR was established in 1976 by partners Jerome Kohlberg, Henry Kravis, and George Roberts. Although they wont win any awards for innovation, Spaldings Molitor clubs are a decent game improvement set and a good option for beginners. The primary reason why Spalding halted the production of golf clubs was that they couldnt keep up with the competition. I have a set of Browning 440s and a set of Browning 500s I was in the midst of restoring them but Browning would not sell me original grips! When he would get ready to play, he would hold the club so that the sole was visible to everyone. Decided it was time for me to get some cavity back irons. Any of you still have a set of these beauties laying around? Started Thursday at 03:24 PM, Please put and questions or comments here, Please put any questions or comments here, Please put any questions of comments here. Man, some of my favorites on this list. President They come as a set and include eleven clubs, a golf bag, and head covers. Smooth tempo swingers Ventus Velo isn't working for me other brands/models suggestions? 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. I would appreciate any help you could offer! One day, I was caddying for him and he crushed a drive, but about 100 yards out, it just fell out of the sky. Callaway wound up suing Spalding for using its imagery on Spalding packaging. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. i used to work in a golf shop in ohio and we had the worst set i ever saw. The company was founded in 1973 and today produces high-quality golf clubs using the . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Spalding stopped making golf clubs in 2002, and their last clubs were branded as Top Flite Oversized irons. I wonder what Jack thought of them. It was a time-consuming, costly and inconsistent process. Its an interesting question to ask about a company that was a factor for over 125 years. Its high point came in 1998 when Mark OMeara won the Masters and the Open Championship for Spalding. After each sale, however, TaylorMades leadership team remained intact. Can you help me find the history of the club? ), Finn Scooter Golf Reviews (Are These the Real Deal? Shank no more, draw, fade, straight, you name it, my Filas do it. The market was changing rapidly, as well. 2 iron sw. Let me know if anyone is interested. Im a scratch golfer, and to date have found nothing that is better. Im sure Scott White would love to contribute. Im 65 and still playing to seven with them. Started Yesterday at 04:29 AM, By Placing the hosel behind the face eliminates the occasional `shank, creating forward-face progression. Quite honestly, we werent ready for that.. "https://www.pinterest.com/Swingyard/blog/" Sold them to a guy 30 years younger who also loved them. 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?? As the 21st Century dawned, it had impressive sales and deep-pocket owners, but in reality, it was staring down the barrel of a gun. Say what you will but I own a set of Ray Cook Titanic irons. Corey Pavin won the 1996 US Open Shinnecock with a purple set. There was a time when Spalding was one of the biggest brands in golf. * 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. During their time together, Vardon and Spalding agreed the best way to grow the game in the U.S. and grow the market for Spalding golf products was to build more golf courses. Really enjoyed them. Thats great. He also had some copycat Browning irons in the trunk, but I refused I couldnt even look at them with a straight face. In the mid-80s, Spalding introduced the solid core Tour Edition, and in 1996 it came out with Strata, a true game-changer for Spalding and the first multi-layer solid core ball used on Tour. This is because Spalding stopped manufacturing golf clubs in 2002, and most of the clubs available online today are vintage sets. TaylorMade, now owned by adidas, was rising, and Callaway was a major force. That was a great history lesson!!!!! I still have several sets of Hogan forged irons, Hogan/Bettinardi putters, several dozen Apex, and Tour Deep balls. I would like to repay you with mine. Im from SD, so I had a set. Terrific article as usual Mr. Barra. Thanks for you4 diligence and reporting. He re-gripped them and beats the Taylormade hand-me-downs of his friends. "height": "342", Cleveland was giving them away for free if you send in some coupon from golf digest. All are memory refreshing .. have been in golf clubhead design , manufacturing 25 years , familiar with the designs ! he is a cleveland iron man now, but he still owns the spalding executives. We had hybrids back in the 80s. Callaway had been making balls but never turned a profit. } A very easy to hit blade. I have a set of Ben Hogan AHS Hybrids and the SW is even a hybrid! 2 Iron Spalding . In April, KKR sold the Spalding name and all of Spaldings non-golf businesses to Russell Athletic for just $65 million. I don't mind the executives though, don't really know much about them either. There are a couple different models of this iron. That debt burden, however, finally proved fatal. 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. All that creativity has led to the great clubs we have today. I used to have a set of Ajay Pro Classics that were my dads. as well as honest reporting on the latest issues affecting the game I might suggest you also include input from Tom Stites who worked for Hogan in the 1980s before heading up Nikes golf (mis)adventure. Irons made during that time are distinguished by an anvil cleek mark. But, the #1 weird club goes to the Slingeryour #1 choice. They are for sale. Anyone hear of them? . Don Wood has the patent for the Plop Slotz Irons. Bought a set for $25 as to help out a young lady with cancer. Spalding, however, never dominated the pro game as Wilson and MacGregor did. Fugly yes looks kinda like a pancake spatula at address but effective. I take them out every couple of years and play a round with them just for fun. Geek Golf And continuity, leadership, and smart decisions matter. Wide sole. Finally, I think a distinction needs to be made between the wackiest looking and worst irons made. Shortly thereafter, Spalding signed him as spokesperson, vice president and director of research. I know that this is a very late reply but I actually knew the designer of these irons and spent time speaking with him. It overpaid for Spalding and borrowed heavily to do it. About half of our sales are with personal names or corporate logos in the back and given as gifts. You can post now and register later. [email protected] 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. ], If youre looking to buy or sell vintage Spalding clubs, the best place to do so is on eBay or Craigslist, where you can list the clubs in the condition that they are currently in. Zevo was a great brand and I played a Zevo Zv2 hybrid for almost 6 years because it was so easy to hit and had incredible feel. But $1 billion is a lot of cabbage, and KKR borrowed heavily to make the deal. The companys lead-faced putters also provided better touch for players. Its obvious that the maker of the Slingers spent SO much money on R&D that he had to use STICKERS instead of stamped lettering. Your email address will not be published. The name was acquired by the folks behind Nitro golf balls and they now have a full line you can buy on RockBottomGolf. PING was still PING, and Tiger was becoming Tiger. 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). "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"], Yes. pend. beneath. The set I found is 2-9, but the 5 iron is gone. The Strata, however, proved to be a gold mine for Spalding. However, the name of their popular brand Top Flite was sold to Callaway, and is used for discount clubs and balls. And if you did not have the exact lie to match your swing could cause issues with the toe or heel diving down at impact. Laugh if you must, but the design works. *We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. WITB Albums. The likes of Callaway, TaylorMade, and PING all enjoyed good commercial success in the late nineties, and Spalding couldnt match the same feats achieved by the biggest brands. In 1893, Spalding bought the Lamb Knitting Machine Company in Chicopee, Mass which made, obviously, knitting machines and, less obviously, eggbeaters, bicycle wheels, and rifles. MacGregor Doctor X. I had the Bears. Im not talking a couple of degrees, but for one shot you could make it a 5 iron and the next (with a quick adjustment) itd be a PW. What a mess that design was! (Sponsored by: GolfCircuit.com), CONTEST! * Note: These irons were designed in Belgium by the Belgium-Browning company. does ohma have a child [email protected] buy all 6 get free shipping) Let me know by ebay . I had a VAS 5 iron. info@pgatradein.com Mon-Fri: 9AM - 5PM EST . The greatest golfer at the time plays Spalding? Balata covers. There are so many different sets of irons available nowadays, Im happy with my Execs. The Zing2s were the first set I bought when I started playing golf. Yes, it did. But the funky look kept me from ever thinking about buying a whole set. In 1938, the USGA passed an edict limiting players to 14 clubs. I played Spaulding Black Dots back in late 60s. Ive seen several of those uglies up close over the years so this was fun to view. During his time with Spalding, Stewart dropped from 6th to 123rd on the money list, with his only win coming at the 1995 Houston Open. The Top-Flite line was to feature investment-cast irons and Strata balls sold through pro shops and off-course retailers, while Spalding was to be the value/recreational line sold pretty much everywhere. "publisher": { So I sent it in and got the iron. They dropped the Tour Edition moniker and focused on the expansion of their touring staff on the PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA tours. money, time and performance. Spalding also started the Spalding Athletic Library; a series of sports and exercise books published from 1892 through 1941. Can you come up with any info on these? Spalding hired Tom Bendelow as his designer, and Bendelow went on to develop many courses still in use today. My golfing buddy borrowed my old set, including the driver and had one of his best rounds ever. More on the tr600!!!! Every iron ever made is ugly as hell when you hit it off the hosel. 0 bids. It wasnt long until Spaldings Executive golf clubs were launched, which were prevalent at all levels of the game. What about Pax (Paul Goydos promoted them)? 1-949-642-6484 . Cleveland VAS was really great Iron. $89.99. Dont be ashamed thoughsome of these designs have actually been pioneering for the industry. The original Strata ball was amazing when it came out spin for days! Instead, well hit the highlights. I cant remember who made them, but I remember reading about an iron that was adjustable so its loft could be wildly altered. I tried to hit it oncenot a good idea! 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. By the following year, Spalding began making clubs in the U.S. Both are really great. Well they made execs for over 20 yearswhich ones do you have? 1 Iron Spalding Executive x EZ Oversize. Well these irons which were designed out in LA by Stan Thompson were made to capitalize on that same concept. When we got out there, his Black Dot was split all the way to the liquid core I played D1 golf in college and we got three Red Dots for every match. I was the Sales Manager of Stan Thompson golf company for several years and worked very close with Stan. I just searched eBay right now and saw a set for $139. Colin Montgomerie joined the staff, and Spalding had big plans. Remember all the other clubs, good to read. "sameAs": [ Jerry Barber Golden Touch shank-proof irons (BeCu, ideally), Powerbilt TPS with the Goalpost Alignment System, And I agree with a previous posters suggestion of the Spalding Cannon ADVANCE. Spalding, along with Wright and Ditson, was importing golf clubs from Scotland. Weve done a mini-history on the Hogan Company, with input from a couple of longtime Hogan employees. Especially in America. The Ping Zings were the worst! By General Albums. This technology is a shank-proof hosel. Thanks for the history lesson and walk down memory lane. Among Jones innovations: the first matched set of steel-shafted irons, the first set of irons with the sweet spot in the center of each club (denoted by a circle of dots on the clubface), and an iron set where the scoring irons were one length, the mid irons were one length, and the long irons were one length. Too bad. This new construction was a major technological advancement in golf balls. Design the future of bad golf! Spalding was the leading manufacturer of golf clubs in America throughout the mid-twentieth century, highlighting just how popular the brand was. Throughout America, the affordable Spalding clubs flew off the shelves and reaped huge catalog sales. The Black Dots and Red Dots were equivalent to the Titleist black numerals and red numerals. Just came back from the PGA Tour Superstore after reading this site last night. We used to say three-quarters of the golf balls manufactured in the world came out of the state of Massachusetts, says Ben Hogan CEO Scott White, who started his career as a golf ball product manager for Spalding in the early 90s. Spalding introduced the Vardon Flyer, a golf ball that was popularized by Harry Vardon. They also said this, Because titanium is 40% lighter than steel, yet incredibly strong, the Ray Cook design team was able to create club heads substantially larger than standard oversize irons and add significantly more mass in the heel and toe. (Cavity back blades???) lol..!! 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. "author": "Ned Howard", Not to belittle them because KKR is incredibly successful, but they didnt know the golf business the way we did, says White. 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).