Open at Merion.Įventually, the man contacted the USGA and Hogan himself to authenticate the club that had disappeared from Hogan's bag sometime between the famous shot and the playoff the next day. When he noticed the dime-sized wear mark on the sweet spot, he started to wonder if this could be the famous 1-iron used by Ben Hogan himself to force a playoff in the 1950 U.S. A man in Texas purchased an old Hogan 1-iron out of a bargain bin. A famous story first rose to the surface in the mid 1980s. HistoryĬlubs with a particular tournament or player history are one area of the market where you could find value in a contemporary club-but not necessarily. Values in the vintage club market fluctuate wildly based on many factors. Prices like these, while unusual, do happen now and again. One such iron, a rake iron designed to hit balls out of mud and water, was estimated to go for less than $300 at auction. Based on the unique qualities of their design or the fact that there may be only one or a few in existence can certainly raise the price. Custom clubs were made quite often in the days before 1900. Unusual or particularly rare clubs can be worth quite a bit in the vintage club market. Are you trying to put together a valuable antique collection or simply decorate your home with vintage items? Some classic, wooden-shafted clubs that are not worth much on the antiquities market will still look marvelous on your wall. Of course, you should gauge your budget based on what purpose your collection is designed to serve. There's always a chance you might find something worthwhile at a garage sale or in a bargain bin at your local driving range shop, but to find truly valuable clubs, sporting goods memorabilia shops and even antique shops are where you should start your search. Where to find these vintage clubs is an intriguing question. Andrews, for instance, could be worth a few hundred dollars or up to $20,000 depending on the model, condition and authenticity.
COST OF HOGAN IRONS DRIVER
A driver from the 1860s hand-carved by Old Tom Morris or Laurie Auchterlonie in St. Before that time, shafts were made of hickory, all iron heads were forged steel and woods were hand-carved from a single piece of persimmon.Ĭlubs from before the turn of the 20th century can be worth quite a bit, presuming they were made by a prominent club maker and are in good condition.
To find clubs with significant value, you need to look back, definitely before World War II and probably before 1930, the year steel shafts and matched sets became common in golf club manufacturing. Clubs and other equipment can be dated back to different eras throughout that time. Some historians say the game of golf has been around for more than 500 years. Era, historical significance, rarity and condition are just a few of the factors influencing price, and this influence can be significant. Not every club appreciates or appreciates in the same way, however. Like wine or antiques, classic and vintage golf clubs can appreciate in value over time. Developing a valuable collection, on the other hand, is a very different commitment. Having a collection of classic or antique golf clubs is not an unusual hobby.