when were spalding executive golf clubs made

As a former pro athlete, Spalding saw the value of using professionals to help promote both the game and his products. Copyright 2023. I cant remember who made them, but I remember reading about an iron that was adjustable so its loft could be wildly altered. Brilliant writing! I think a list of the craziest irons made should definitely include the Jerry Barber Golden Touch irons made over 40 years ago. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Im 65 and still playing to seven with them. * NOTE: Stan Thompson was an interesting guy and a well respected designer. The nineties saw the release of the Top Flite Tour Ti irons, which were among the last clubs that the long-standing brand would manufacture. Long irons with shallow faces, little offset and perhaps slightly softer shafts can be quite playable. What can you find out about Wilson x 70 irons. Display as a link instead, 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. I still have several sets of Hogan forged irons, Hogan/Bettinardi putters, several dozen Apex, and Tour Deep balls. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. "https://www.instagram.com/_swingyard_/", C $75.53. Actually, we used to produce more golf balls than Titleist. Still bagging their wedges. I might suggest you also include input from Tom Stites who worked for Hogan in the 1980s before heading up Nikes golf (mis)adventure. Image: Central Press/Hulton Archive via Getty Images. my 5w distance matches my friends new drivers in distance off tee,,they are amazed. Get the best deals on Spalding Executive Irons when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Every time I take it out of my bag for some new modern wedge, I go back to it a few weeks later. More on the tr600!!!! 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. Well done. Peter lived in Ridgefield,Ct. I have a set of Spalding exec XE love them- I dont play more than 5-6 rounds a year now, but they are so consistant , I could go a year between swings and still play the same- got them back in 1980- ish. I have a set of Fila Solerno irons/fairway woods that I havent been able to find anything about on the internet. Today, Spalding golf clubs still exist, but theyre nowhere near as popular as they once were. Yet again, the same fate as MacGregor had. The Roaring 20s gave us Babe Ruth, Knute Rockne, Jack Dempsey, and Red Grange. I became a +2 handicap using those irons, and a lot of people scoffed at them early ontill they saw me hit them. they were a good iron, that looked good at address, and were easy to hit. Copyright 2023. Lots of wackiness. The Zing2s were the first set I bought when I started playing golf. 6. Our mission is #ConsumerFirst. Just got Calloway X20s last week. No. "https://www.linkedin.com/in/swingyard/", Heres one for the booksTommy Armour EQL one length irons. } Smooth tempo swingers Ventus Velo isn't working for me other brands/models suggestions? Say what you will but I own a set of Ray Cook Titanic irons. 1-949-642-6484 . Sign In. Is my equipment holding me back? The primary reason why Spalding halted the production of golf clubs was that they couldnt keep up with the competition. So, if youre looking for a decent set of golf clubs without breaking the bank, theres no reason not to invest in a used set of Spalding clubs if you see a set that you like online. Man crush on Nicklaus led to this purchase. It wasnt long until Spaldings Executive golf clubs were launched, which were prevalent at all levels of the game. On sole: club# + SPALDING. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.You can also visit my Am. KKR was established in 1976 by partners Jerome Kohlberg, Henry Kravis, and George Roberts. Used them for about 10-15 years before I switch to 845s. 1 Iron (18) Spalding EXECUTIVE XE. They actually play pretty well. Bird on ball was a very popular club. Spalding Executive clubs were established in the 1960s, with the Top Flite Executive Synchro-Dyned golf clubs being the first in a super popular series. I have no ideabut I sure loved my Tommy Armour silver Scotts. They come as a set and include eleven clubs, a golf bag, and head covers. Amazing how so of the old stuff works better than the hyped up new stuff! 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). 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. I would love to have you include my Whole-In-One Adjustable Telescopic Golf Club in your mixdefinitely fits the criteria of unusual clubs. Spalding stopped producing golf clubs in 2022, focusing on other sports in the years since. Thanks. but fairly forgiving. So, if youre buying or selling Spalding clubs that are in reasonably good shape, you can set your expectations around $100 to begin with. The 1953 Top-Flite Synchro-Dyned irons were particularly innovative, featuring a matched shaft flex and head weight for each iron in the set. There are a couple different models of this iron. "dateModified": "2022-05-12", when were spalding executive golf clubs madeoregon dpsst training calendar. Placing the hosel behind the face eliminates the occasional `shank, creating forward-face progression. I have had many pros in proams hit them and fascinated by how the ball comes off the club face so fast,,good distance. What a great list! { Whats more, Spalding Molitor clubs currently retail at $280 for an entire set, which is a price point that is pretty hard to beat. And continuity, leadership, and smart decisions matter. 2023 Genesis Invitational - Monday #3. 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. 2023 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2. Whats more, KKR continued adding to its golf empire, buying Etonic in 1996 and Ben Hogan a year later. Fascinating how these once great brands essentially disappeared altogether. I remember a set called Canon I think, possibly a Spalding brand. Inventory available of individual, single, replacement or add-on golf irons and wedges for Spalding EXECUTIVE XE Irons. But unfortunately for the VASs they were dethroned from their long held position. Forward-face progression creates a hitting surface 20 percent larger than standard and 5 percent larger than over-sized irons. I have been playing golf over 40 years and have owned many brands of clubs. OK MyGolfSpyers, its time to get creative! But Zevo Golf is one of those on this list that was a pioneering. I learned the game on a set of used Spalding Execs-still have them today. They are also said to be legendary Canadian player Moe Normans favorite clubs of all time. I played Spaulding Black Dots back in late 60s. GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, Tuesday at 04:47 PM, GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, February 20, GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, February 13, GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, February 6, GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, January 31, By An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. The name was acquired by the folks behind Nitro golf balls and they now have a full line you can buy on RockBottomGolf. lots of memories here. today. He also was one of the best designers in the golf biz. They produced more premium balls, but we used to make 25-, 26-million dozen a year.. Spalding no longer makes golf clubs, and hasnt for some time now. Not sure if the Black Knight, Gary Players endorsement sucked allot of buyers into buying.LOL. Until the USGA banned deep-grooved irons, Spalding's Stop 'Em and Dedstop clubs brought a smile to countless players' faces. Getting sold doesnt have to be the end of the world, but it can be if the buyer doesnt do their homework and pays too much. 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. It adjusts to every loft in a full bag, plus half lofts. Remember when pros like Norman and Stadler and others with that bright red Spaulding Tour Bag. Quite honestly, we werent ready for that.. We had hybrids back in the 80s. When I eventually found a set of Magnums with regular shafts, I bought them but had been addicted to the graphite. Play to a 4 6 cap. Pat Simmons of Tiger Shark fame (and others) is the most underrated club designer of all time! What about the old Bullet Driver that was hollow in the center (like an inverted U shape)? Seu lugar para proteger o seu capital. They introduced the Browning 500 Series to counter that effect.But, they waited too long and by that timethe party was over! Balata covers. Made from 1989-1994 and originally sold for $680. Matched them to Wilson Pro Staff low compressions and I was a happy camper. Spalding, along with Wright and Ditson, was importing golf clubs from Scotland. GolfWRX_Official The Spalding brand, however, is still alive under the Russell Athletic umbrella, making basketballs and apparel. Was a fan of the TopFlite XL. My friends and I (and Im embarrassed to say this now! After each sale, however, TaylorMades leadership team remained intact. 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. Oh I didnt forget about thosethey almost made the list. Insurmountable debt, uncertain management, and stiff competition forced Spalding to stop production. He could not believe the smoothness of the Driver. Is that so? 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! You cannot do that with any other club. The "New York Times" frequently syndicates his work. higher loft is really your best bet for getting out of these difficult fairway lies, Top 10 Best Cheap Drivers (Updated 2021 Buying Guide), 5 Advantages of A Strong Golf Grip (Everything To Know), What Is An Overrun Golf Ball? (What Exactly Happened?). My golfing buddy borrowed my old set, including the driver and had one of his best rounds ever. What are the Most Forgiving Forged Irons? Current owner FILA Korea Ltd took Acushnet public, and the company has thrived ever since. I would like to repay you with mine. Clare. Ive seen several of those uglies up close over the years so this was fun to view. Pretty or not (thats the clubs), I have played Fila Latitude irons since they came out. The reason why Spalding clubs arent particularly valuable is that they have been widely available for so many years. MyGolfSpy, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The chrome Press J to jump to the feed. BarbaJo, you da man! i used to work in a golf shop in ohio and we had the worst set i ever saw. Our friends[], Amazing Ryder Cup Contest! I agree, though it does deserve a deep dive. 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. Never get tired of reading these types of articles. Albert Spalding died in 1915, but his company continued to flourish. Ive got a set of graphite Samurai ironwoods years ahead of their time lying around in the basement, I think. The solid core Strata now had competition from the Titleist ProV1. The only thing a golfer needs is more daylight. - BenHogan. "sameAs": [ I was wondering if anyone had ever tried Slotline Classic Copper golf clubs. So what did his famous Ginty patent actually mean? Spalding was the leading manufacturer of golf clubs in America throughout the mid-twentieth century, highlighting just how popular the brand was. Today, Spalding Executive clubs arent worth a great deal of money. I was the Sales Manager of Stan Thompson golf company for several years and worked very close with Stan. You have any pics of the Samurai irons Neilwould love to see them. spalding executive golf clubs please read DESCRIPTION BEFORE BUYING . Today its hard to fine a wooden golf club in a bag!!!! #15 - Stan Thompson Ginty Irons You might remember the popular Stan Thompson woods with the unique sole design. The 15 wood is only a little longer than an 8 iron (in my 70 yr old hands) so I put a 9 iron through sand wedge in the bag and away we go They are straight and land incredibly soft. Just terribleand never sold thruas well it shouldnt. (ENTER TO WIN) Super cool contest we have for you fellow GolfSpies today! Finally, my number came up along with everyone else in the product management and marketing teams.. I see that a few from my list made it. When I was starting golf, I went to the shop and these were the clubs that I hit the best (compared to cavity backs) and bought them. In that year, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) took shape, and many of the fledgling tour's stars already had endorsement deals with Spalding. Anybody know anything? Geek Golf Spalding also started the Spalding Athletic Library; a series of sports and exercise books published from 1892 through 1941. Today, Spalding focuses nearly all of its commercial interests on basketball, producing balls, hoops, rims, and nets. 2 Iron Spalding . Only until tomorrow until my hybrids come in and boom they're gone. Still playing my cook titanics with the 1 iron. Upgraded my driver from R7 to Razr Hawk, but will never surrender my Slingshots. He traded a set of classic Burke PunchIrons to get the Lynx. They are similar to the Nike slingshots as they have a powerbow looking thing on the back of them. ], They are also perfect in a steep slope due to the curved bottom of the club head. Club-makers traditional method had been to shape metal heads with an anvil and forge. Does anyone know anything about them? Im surprised that nobody has mentioned the Wilson Fat Shaft irons for ugliness. The company was already selling golf balls when, in 1905, it became the first in America to offer its own brand of golf clubs. Spalding club-makers paid as much scrutiny to shafts as heads. I had never seen the Fila irons before now. Brilliant idea? If so, are they any good? 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. Upload or insert images from URL. HellI know I dont and I have been involved in some type of internet golf business since[], THE WINNER OF THE CONTEST: Farve The Looper (CONGRATS!) The Endo-forged Hogan Apex Plus cavity back irons came soon after, along with a solid-core Hogan Apex ball. KKR had been trying to dump Spalding as early as 2000, but no one would take on the debt burden. If you are a beginner and are looking for a . By then the Cisneros brothers had taken the money and ran. Looking through eBay listings, you can find a range of vintage Spalding golf clubs in various conditions to suit different budgets. How about the Spalding Exec SE. The Titleist were a bit longer lasting but I (a poor college student) could afford the Spaulding balls. I remembered them from this article. Various . Thanks for the memories, John Barba. What the hey. "@type": "ImageObject", 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 is because Spalding stopped manufacturing golf clubs in 2002, and most of the clubs available online today are vintage sets. Steve Almo In 1910 Spalding started making fairway clubs made of aluminum, and heavier lead face putters. Make sense as I do have a Johnny Miller PW which looks just like an X 70. Great collection! These articles are easily my favorite content any of the golf sites out out. At the turn of the 20th Century, golf had stirred mild interest in the United States, and A.G. Spalding & Brothers sporting goods saw an opportunity. Original? pend. beneath. I have a Simmons Great White Shark putter with a 7 blade. Unfortunately, the remaining companys sales still couldnt support the debt. So, while Spalding is nowhere near as prevalent as it once was in the world of golf, you can still pick up a set of Molitor clubs for a very reasonable price online. . The Top-Flite acquisition made it a player. The ball was introduced in 1900. I also have a set of Browning TR600s. Thanks. I know that this is a very late reply but I actually knew the designer of these irons and spent time speaking with him. When he would get ready to play, he would hold the club so that the sole was visible to everyone. However, the name of their popular brand Top Flite was sold to Callaway, and is used for discount clubs and balls. Had a set of McGregor Irons called Doctor Rx, they felt good hit in the middle, they reminded me of a Pringle potato chip. I have a set of clubs with Belmont Power on them. Although the Inertial irons werent so lucky. The RB880 s by Northwestern are also knockoffs of the Browning 440 s. In the 1920s, Spalding started making irons and innovated an assembly line style forging process that was much cheaper, faster, and more precise than the ole hammer and anvil. With KKR, it was a 180-degree turnaround. 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. Scott was a highly respected individual in the golf industry during this period and he had the respect of both his staff and golf professionals Somehow they squeezed 492 dimples on them Those balls were rocketships. (Cavity back blades???) 1983 Still, if youre looking for more information about Spalding golf clubs, youve come to the right place. In the late 70s I also had a set of Unique irons which were great apart from the plastic covers covering the cavity back constantly falling out. Can you come up with any info on these? Love to see them. Would you make an iron set out of stone? I believe Robert Molitor was the fellow who developed the Top Flite. Every iron ever made is ugly as hell when you hit it off the hosel. I actually have these clubs. 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. CT. We had a very good amateur player, reputed to be one of the longest hitters in the state. Went back 10 years and got the 845s used. White says KKR management was hyper-focused on Callaway and TaylorMade, which may explain one of Spaldings biggest gaffes ever. They also made a set made entirely of woods. Spalding Executive Left Handed Golf Clubs There are several different types of left-handed golf club sets, so which one is the best for you? Cleveland VAS was really great Iron. It overpaid for Spalding and borrowed heavily to do it. My wife says I never met a strange-looking golf club I did not want to own and play with. Previously, they manufactured equipment for golf, American football, and baseball, but they have downsized considerably in recent years. LOL. Starting in the early 1900s, Spalding started making golf balls before manufacturing clubs. "image": { Theyre awesome. I had a VAS 5 iron. Im not sure how rare they are, but youd think there would be a trace of them somewhere. And Jim Furyk won the 2003 U.S. Open with the new Strata Ace, which featured playing card suits (a la Penfold) instead of numbers. In the mid to late 80s, my father had Spalding make him a set of custom irons. Irons made during that time are distinguished by an anvil cleek mark. Used to play traditional blades with the odd shank. Iomic Golf Grips: 8 Key Facts Before You Buy. Learn how your comment data is processed. Spalding took off with sales and production with Bobby Jones joining the team. What is it for weight transfer? Perception-wise that made Spalding a second-tier, big-box company compared to Titleist. Im a sucker for the odd things, I also had a Power Pod(big mistake). Laugh if you must, but the design works. does ohma have a child [email protected] buy all 6 get free shipping) Let me know by ebay . He also had some copycat Browning irons in the trunk, but I refused I couldnt even look at them with a straight face. Happily, I can say that I have seen these over the years, but none of them ever made it into my golf bag. The stickers are silver, but the Slinger logo is a black heavy type face and says pat. I would hand stamp #7 on all irons. I love them so much I have four sets, just a case a club breaks. Its pretty clear KKR didnt do its due diligence. They also specialized in unique clubs like the Cran Creek. I have one of those! Men's Right Handed. Throughout America, the affordable Spalding clubs flew off the shelves and reaped huge catalog sales. Yes, it did. I have a full set of Exec XE irons. 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. 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. I am a self-admitted admirer of Mr. Hogan having owned more than 2 dozen sets of various Hogan iron sets over the years and a former member of the only club to have a Hogan-designed course (actually 27 holes). At the same time, the Spalding Top-Flite Syncrho-Dyned irons (released in 1953) were well received, thanks to their flex shaft and copper undercoating. Another really well done article. In the 1960s, Spalding introduced the Spalding Executive line of clubs and balls and the Top-Flite Elite Professional irons with the Bird on Ball logo. He also had a head for business and knew a good opportunity when he saw one. I am the person that brought the first Metalwoods to the market. I am still playing with my set every week! Make Request. spalding golf clubs any good. I have a med flex shaft, 1 inch extension on each Exec club, and Golf Pride Velvet jumbo grips. Great nostalgia with the article. Within weeks, Top-Flite filed Chapter 11. 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. 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 started adding Tour staff during the 90s, with Greg Norman, Lee Trevino, Graig Stadler, and Nick Price all playing Stratas. Different, yes, but they are the only ones where you can really aim at the target! I know this is coming way after the article was published but I have a set of irons that are branded Fairway and the model I believe is Spider. my Dad is still pulling new 90s & 2000s Top Flights from the closet to play lol. Thanks, http://www.clubsofdistinction.com/cod3/ucir5177.htm. The Early Years of Spalding Golf Starting in 1900, Spalding opened club-making factories in London and in Fife, Scotland, producing forged iron heads for Spalding clubs sold both in the UK and U.S. I love these old clubs. Alternatively, you can look on a discount site like Rock Bottom Golf. Spalding got so inventive with their clubmaking, they had golf bags around America sporting 20-30 clubs. Spalding stopped making golf clubs in 2002, and their last clubs were branded as Top Flite Oversized irons. 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. Weve done a mini-history on the Hogan Company, with input from a couple of longtime Hogan employees. Regardless, both are great sets. Thanks for doing the digging! Thats great. The VAS irons have finally been dethroned from their previous top spot as Worst Iron Ever Made! Although from a phone-in interview Mr. VAS told us, I feel robbed. In April, KKR sold the Spalding name and all of Spaldings non-golf businesses to Russell Athletic for just $65 million. My first clubs were Spalding top flites. Typically about 2 of the three would be OK, but if you hit one thin, you just threw it away on the next tee. On top line: OVERSIZE. Non-Tapered Golf Grips: 8 Facts to Know Before You Buy! Maybe it is a good idea or maybe it is not. It is called a hollow wedge, but you can putt with it as well. I cant believe to Ping Zing 2s are on the list. My Dad had the XL-4s (I still have them), one Uncle had the Executives and another had the Cannons. "@context": "http://schema.org/", We had small layoffs on an ongoing basis, and people kept looking over their shoulder. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. i was pretty impressed with the club. The Black Dots were longest (for me) but that cover would smile back at you with the slightest mishit. This one in particular was interesting to me because I grew up in a Spalding family of sorts. Could not beleive how well I hit this clubs. Leather Golf Grips Review: Should I Use Them? I will admit to having a hankering for those slick lookin Zevo Lobs tho. Spalding, seemingly, was on top of the world. About half of our sales are with personal names or corporate logos in the back and given as gifts. These irons were designed in Belgium by the Belgium-Browning company. Don't let scams get away with fraud. ), Undersize Golf Grips Explained (8 Key Facts!). And Spaldings ace in the hole Strata was old news by the time the Pro V1 and Nike Tour Accuracy hit the scene. Since you mentioned it in the article, how about doing the history of Ben Hogan golf from its inception in 1953 to itd ultimate demise under Callaway and then its resurrection in 2015. I accidentally broke it in the late 1970s the shaft was installed over a milled section of the hosel! Norman credited the extra spin of the Tour Edition for winning the 1986 British Open. Jones famously retired from golf after winning the 1930 version of the Grand Slam. The greatest golfer at the time plays Spalding? You can actually play Spalding golf balls again! I look forward to your future deeper dive into the history of the Hogan company. ), Finn Scooter Golf Reviews (Are These the Real Deal?

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