Your Favorite Rams

Ever since I found my FLC Tour Grinds earlier this week I can't stop looking at Rams in general. They really made some pretty looking blades. I am very new to them so I thought I would ask you all what your favorite Ram irons are. I would like to possible get a set and would love to hear your suggestions and see any pics you might have. You can see the Rams I found here.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1248878-golden-ram-candy/

Thanks!

Please correct me here if I'm missing something.

You seem to give the impression that you are a fan of collecting old irons and all that goes with it, yet I see the Rams (and the bounce sole hogans) for sale on fleabay with the same images used for both.

[quote name='pdgolferman' timestamp='1445206009' post='12473992']
Please correct me here if I'm missing something.

You seem to give the impression that you are a fan of collecting old irons and all that goes with it, yet I see the Rams (and the bounce sole hogans) for sale on fleabay with the same images used for both.
[/quote]

That is correct. I am a fan of collecting but not in a position to only collect. I live in a 700 sq foot apartment with 2 kids and my lovely wife. Hopefully a day will come soon when I can collect more than a few sets at a time. Unfortunately, that time is not now. One modern set, one classic set. That's what I can keep. The rest are in the back seat and trunk of my corolla waiting to be sold for grocery money.

Any thoughts on Rams?

[quote name='pymmdcp' timestamp='1445206750' post='12474044']
[quote name='pdgolferman' timestamp='1445206009' post='12473992']
Please correct me here if I'm missing something.

You seem to give the impression that you are a fan of collecting old irons and all that goes with it, yet I see the Rams (and the bounce sole hogans) for sale on fleabay with the same images used for both.
[/quote]

That is correct. I am a fan of collecting but not in a position to only collect. I live in a 700 sq foot apartment with 2 kids and my lovely wife. Hopefully a day will come soon when I can collect more than a few sets at a time. Unfortunately, that time is not now. One modern set, one classic set. That's what I can keep. The rest are in the back seat and trunk of my corolla waiting to be sold for grocery money.

Any thoughts on Rams?
[/quote]

I wasn't questioning your morales or ethics on what you have to do to earn an extra dollar or two...I asked because you gave the impression via replies that these two sets were "keepers" and that you were "over the moon" at such finds. Posting pictures is usually reserved for "bragging rites" to ownership over fellow posters - myself included.

They are keepers, for someone in a position to keep them. I love seeing pics of clubs people find. So, I assume others do as well. Nothing more to it than that.

I love everything about it. Finding clubs, selling clubs, giving away clubs, cleaning clubs, taking pictures, sharing the find here. And someday soon I hope, when I have space, I can keep a lot more.

My favorite Rams were always Roman Gabriel, Roosevelt Grier and Deacon Jones

Well played, Bob!

[quote name='Ironmaster Oddities' timestamp='1445265426' post='12476810']My favorite Rams were always Roman Gabriel, Roosevelt Grier and Deacon Jones[/quote]

LoL, well played indeed. I will go with Warner. He had a run here in AZ, so why not?

For contrast, I'll give a straight answer

Generally speaking, there really isn't much difference between the various iterations of Golden Rams, once you get to the 1980-82 model. The obvious differences are the Axials, which are an oversized blade companion to the Frequency Matched models (87-91 or 92), the FX Nickel blades, which are from 96-97 or so, and the TG-898s, which were the last set of Ram Tour Grinds of which I'm aware, and slightly larger sized compared to the other models.

And, of course, the various custom sets, like the TW276, TW Custom Grinds, TW282, Pro Tour Camber Soles, and so on.

I'm generally ignoring the assorted CBs, since I'm not a CB guy, myself.

When I got into the Golden Ram world, the discussions on Ram generally agreed the 1980-1982 Tour Grinds and the Vibration Matched Golden Rams were the two best sets. The set of Vibration Matched that I own have a fair amount of heel/toe camber, especially in the short irons. The Frequency Matched set that were my first Ram purchase were a bit flatter in the sole than the Vibration Matched set I got later.

If I had to pick from the sets I've had, I'd have to go with my set of TW276 (Frequency Matched, fwiw). They have an interesting grind on the sole, looking like trailing edge relief.

Sadly, I've never had a set of 80-82 Golden Rams, or the FX Tour Grinds from 94-95, so can't offer personal experience.

I've heard other folks say they are unimpressed by the TG-898 set, but I rather like them, I have to admit.

Kind of long winded. So unlike me.

[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1445286868' post='12478692']
For contrast, I'll give a straight answer

Generally speaking, there really isn't much difference between the various iterations of Golden Rams, once you get to the 1980-82 model. The obvious differences are the Axials, which are an oversized blade companion to the Frequency Matched models (87-91 or 92), the FX Nickel blades, which are from 96-97 or so, and the TG-898s, which were the last set of Ram Tour Grinds of which I'm aware, and slightly larger sized compared to the other models.

And, of course, the various custom sets, like the TW276, TW Custom Grinds, TW282, Pro Tour Camber Soles, and so on.

I'm generally ignoring the assorted CBs, since I'm not a CB guy, myself.

When I got into the Golden Ram world, the discussions on Ram generally agreed the 1980-1982 Tour Grinds and the Vibration Matched Golden Rams were the two best sets. The set of Vibration Matched that I own have a fair amount of heel/toe camber, especially in the short irons. The Frequency Matched set that were my first Ram purchase were a bit flatter in the sole than the Vibration Matched set I got later.

If I had to pick from the sets I've had, I'd have to go with my set of TW276 (Frequency Matched, fwiw). They have an interesting grind on the sole, looking like trailing edge relief.

Sadly, I've never had a set of 80-82 Golden Rams, or the FX Tour Grinds from 94-95, so can't offer personal experience.

I've heard other folks say they are unimpressed by the TG-898 set, but I rather like them, I have to admit.

Kind of long winded. So unlike me.
[/quote]

Thank you so much for that. I am trying to find a new vintage set to use after I sold my Fluid Feels. They were beautiful and felt solid but the sole was just too thick and I had a lot of trouble consistently getting it through the turf. I didn't think to really include Rams in my catalog to pick from but have read some great stuff about them. I tried some of the feather lights but it didn't take.

I will keep searching and will look at Rams much more seriously.

Got to be my Raymond Floyd personal RAM irons!

Got to be my Raw Floyd personal RAM irons!

 

Why specifically? Are you a scooper or a digger? They have a great look to them.

This one always caught my interest:

[attachment=2999434:6c082769f1829de9f487aaca5e007373.jpg]

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1445291820' post='12479094']This one always caught my interest:

[attachment=2999434:6c082769f1829de9f487aaca5e007373.jpg][/quote]

Nevada?

[quote name='pymmdcp' timestamp='1445296497' post='12479424']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1445291820' post='12479094']This one always caught my interest:

[attachment=2999434:6c082769f1829de9f487aaca5e007373.jpg][/quote]

Nevada?
[/quote]

Montana. :-)

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1445301336' post='12479866']
[quote name='pymmdcp' timestamp='1445296497' post='12479424']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1445291820' post='12479094']This one always caught my interest:

[attachment=2999434:6c082769f1829de9f487aaca5e007373.jpg][/quote]

Nevada?
[/quote]

Montana. :-)
[/quote]

You win.

Got to be my Raw Floyd personal RAM irons!

 

 

Why specifically? Are you a scooper or a digger? They have a great look to them.

Because they are the clubs personally used by a multiple Major Champion, and I collect such things.

Texsport

Got to be my Raw Floyd personal RAM irons!

 

 

Why specifically? Are you a scooper or a digger? They have a great look to them.

 

Because they are the clubs personally used by a multiple Major Champion, and I collect such things.

 

Texsport

LOL, sound logic.

Axials. Unconventional beauty.

What always put me off Rams was the shafts. Never remember seeing any with Dynamic Golds. Always had Brunswicks or something different, and my preference was S300s. Yes, nowadays would have them fitted or do it myself, but not something I considered before and other shafts were always... an unknown quantity.

I weren't aware that they made anything other than the Tour Grinds. I mean, when you achieve perfection, why sully it?

[quote name='jonnygrouville' timestamp='1445315878' post='12480960']
Axials. Unconventional beauty.

What always put me off Rams was the shafts. Never remember seeing any with Dynamic Golds. Always had Brunswicks or something different, and my preference was S300s. Yes, nowadays would have them fitted or do it myself, but not something I considered before and other shafts were always... an unknown quantity.
[/quote]

I always thought similarly. But if you read the stuff posted here, [url="http://www.hirekogolf.com/index.php/dynamic-shaft-fitting-addendum"]http://www.hirekogolf.com/index.php/dynamic-shaft-fitting-addendum[/url], they seem to be saying that at least in respect of steel shafts, all the major shaft companies produced largely interchangeable products.

Specifically, Chapter 3 states:
[size="2"][size="2"]"In 1990’s clubmakers were aware of the fact that the world’s three leading steel shaft manufacturers, True Temper, Apollo and[/size][/size]
[size="2"][size="2"]Brunswick, all produce steel patterns which are said to be identical in design. For example, the Dynamic, the AP44 and the Pro Pel II[/size][/size]
[size="2"][size="2"]are all made with the same step pattern, the same tip and butt diameter specifications and the same pattern description of standard[/size][/size]
[size="2"][size="2"]weight with a high bend point. Likewise, the TT Lite, Spectre and Phoenix steel shaft patterns also are considered to be identical in[/size][/size]
[size="2"][size="2"]design, as are the Microtaper and Shadow patterns."[/size][/size]
[size="2"][size="2"]Experienced clubmakers are taught to use comparable shaft patterns whenever a particular pattern of choice is not available. For[/size][/size]
[size="2"][size="2"]example, if a Dynamic is not available, it has been said the AP44 or Pro Pel II will play exactly the same.[/size][/size]

[quote name='LittleLeftToRight' timestamp='1445321122' post='12481120']
I weren't aware that they made anything other than the Tour Grinds. I mean, when you achieve perfection, why sully it?
[/quote]

It's a funny thing, isn't it? Almost everyone who posts here has this in common, that we've got favourite clubs that were deemed obsolete by the manufacturer. "Latest and greatest" could be our shibboleth - but if you can say it with a straight face, you're barred.

[quote name='jonnygrouville' timestamp='1445315878' post='12480960']
Axials. Unconventional beauty.

What always put me off Rams was the shafts. Never remember seeing any with Dynamic Golds. Always had Brunswicks or something different, and my preference was S300s. Yes, nowadays would have them fitted or do it myself, but not something I considered before and other shafts were always... an unknown quantity.
[/quote]

The Axials I have are shafted Dynamic Gold "Frequency Matched" 5.5. Unconventional beauty in a very high toe sort of way. But quite enjoy playing them. Combined with a TW Scoring System wedge set, Axial persimmon driver and a Zebra putter, almost a complete Ram kit. Just need to find some persimmon fairways someday to round it out.

Got to be my Raw Floyd personal RAM irons!

 

 

Why specifically? Are you a scooper or a digger? They have a great look to them.

 

Because they are the clubs personally used by a multiple Major Champion, and I collect such things.

 

Texsport

 

LOL, sound logic.

These irons were made only in 1991, before RAM was bought out by Tommy Armour.

There were two models - TW276 and TW282 -commemorating two of Tom Watson's winning scores - '82 US Open and '83 Masters.

They were square toed, custom orders, only made 1 year, and almost all were made for, and played by the RAM Tour staff players - making them very, very rare and desirable.

I was very fortunate to find Raymond Floyd's set - he was a RAM staff player at that time.

Texsport

Add an image of a TW282 face below, showing the squared toe. The TW276 is somewhat rounder, I'll have to take a pic of one of my clubs at some point.

It's worth noting these were produced well before Ram was acquired by the TearDrop group, which was in 1997 or so. TearDrop had also bought Tommy Armour.

Only Rams I played were old Accubar micro matched I picked up in the summer. However, couldn't hit them for the life of me so sold them for cheap

I got these at a garage sale for 10$ total... Im digging the woods but not the driver.. but i can not find any information on these anywhere....

I didn't know how lucky I was. Soon after I started playing golf in 1990, the first set of irons I bought were the Vibration Matched Golden Rams, 1-SW. At first I didn't like them quite as much as the Wilson Staffs I was playing, but they felt different in a good way, so I stuck with them. I played those clubs for seventeen years and I sold them because I actually believed the hype that game-improvement clubs were more forgiving, when in fact they were not and the fact was that I was not swinging the club well. After experiencing very deep seller's remorse I decided to look online and see if I can reunite with my first love. I found another set of Golden Rams, but they were stamped differently. They did not say "Vibration Matched," but I quickly liked the stampings as the "RAM" was on the sole, "Golden Ram" was on the muscle, there was no "Vibration Matched," and "Tour Grind" was stamped below the muscle by the topline. The shape of the heads are identical to the Rams I had played, and waggling them I know they felt exactly the same as my Vibration Matched. The lengths were all whacked, with many of them needing shaft trimming or extensions, but after a while I had them to the exact lengths of my old set (5-iron at 37.5", 9-iron and PW at 35.5"). I bought separately a Ram Tom Watson Scoring System TW855 sand wedge which I like better than my stock Vibration Matched SW, which had less bounce and offset.

I will never forget the day I took them out to the course. They swung and felt just like my Vibration Matched Rams. It felt like going back to my first love.

Here is a picture of the set. Can anyone help me identify exactly which year this particular model was produced? I know they are certainly not the 1982 Vibration Matched models.

If ironfinder.com can be believed, they were produced from 1980-82. Here's the link:

[url="http://www.ironfinder.com/Individual-Irons/ram/golden_ram_%28tour_grind_on_back%29-80.htm"]http://www.ironfinde...on_back)-80.htm[/url]

HTH,





Kathy Marie

my golf professional as a junior/HS player was a playing Ram staffer. my most memorable set I got from his connection were FX Tour Grind with the old stepped FM Precision shafts and cord Victory grips. hitting those using a wound ball while wearing a fresh cabretta glove might still be the purest thing I've ever felt in golf.

[quote name='Kathy Marie' timestamp='1450234661' post='12725866']
If ironfinder.com can be believed, they were produced from 1980-82. Here's the link:

[url="http://www.ironfinder.com/Individual-Irons/ram/golden_ram_%28tour_grind_on_back%29-80.htm"]http://www.ironfinde...on_back)-80.htm[/url]

HTH,





Kathy Marie
[/quote]


You've got it, KM! Strong are you in The Force.

When I first hit the golf nerd internet world, the 80-82 Rams were considered by some to be the top of the line in the world of Ram (others voted Vibration Matched).

Sadly, I've never gotten around to having a set of the 80 Golden Rams. A hole in the resume, certainly. Maybe some day, when I unload some of the other stuff I have lying around....