Golf Flag Collection - Display Help

I've started collecting flags from the more notable courses I've gotten the opportunity to play over the years. My initial plan was to frame them and cover the walls in my home office. The problem I've run in to which I didn't anticipate is that not all of the flags are the same size (ignorant assumption, I know). Framing flags was already somewhat complicated given the thickness of the flag compared to a typical picture. I'd wanted to keep the presentation of them somewhat uniform (frame/mat size) but starting to think that might not be possible. I'd also like to stay away from shadow boxes.

Has anyone else done this? If so... did you do it yourself? Any advice? Picture examples? Places to order from? Frame thickness?

Lastly, I'm open to figuring out some other form of display which isn't a frame but haven't come up with any ideas. Does anyone display flags in other more non-traditional ways?

Thanks!!

I have been trying to do this and ran into the same problem! Before I started framing them, I noticed they were different sizes and the approach I took was to buy frames that the largest one would fit in. I forget the exact dimensions. This approach allowed me to have frames of all once size and this ill hopefully look better than buying different frames sizes for each flag.

In order to keep it relatively affordable, I bought generic frames from walmart for ~$20 a piece and then bought the frame matting separate. I cut it myself and centered the different sized flags in each frame. Overall, I would say it looks OK. The frames are cheap and unless you have a massive wall, it's still a little crowded when you put them all together. I don't have any pictures, but let me know if you have more questions. It was quite the process and took a lot of research to find an affordable option.

Thanks for the information! Given the thickness of the flag, did you have to buy extra deep frames to fit the mat and flag? How do you secure the flag to the mat, glue? Tape?

What I do is I just buy a canvas and Velcro them to the canvas. Then I just hang the canvas like I would a pictures I think walmart you get two for like 12 bucks.

BNGL has an interesting idea, I never thought of that.

I bought normal frames and the pressure of the backing against the plastic window is enough to hold the flags in place. The flags aren't that thick and I don't think it was too hard to get them to fit in a normal frame. That being said, this was a budget operation that was under $400. When I looked at better frames with glass or a slightly deeper window, it was 4 or 5 times as expensive. The strategy for optimally displaying these flags might be different if your budget is larger. But I went the cheap route and it ended up being very simple: $20 frame from walmart, matting, and then I just stuck all the flags in there and centered them respective to their size, so there is some difference in the final view as the sizes of flags vary.

A nice compound mitre saw (rent or own) can be your friend. You can make your own frames.

FWIW, my wife uses "open" frames (no glass) to display items that are a little deeper. She just mounts the item on the wall, and then centers the frame around the item.

Pretty cool look, and the glass is probably the most expensive item in a pre-contstructed frame.

Good luck & keep us informed on what you did, and how you did it!

Another Idea:

Get some plastic coated braided airline cable (we used to call it "clothesline")

String the flags from that, line pennants. Size won't matter, and it is easy to add/subtract without always trying how to figure out making the wall look "right":

I just pin them to the wall just below the ceiling. Looks cool in my man-cave. Even the women I've had over have commented on them. I wish more clubs sold them.

I am doing the same thing. The 12.00 plastic frame from Walmart looks cheap. Started to wait for the sale at Michaels and the 50% coupon.

Decided the 20x28 frame looks best.

Still have finished yet but I have a lot to still frame.

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Will keep you posted on what I decide to do. Part of me wishes I would've decided to do this with scorecards instead of flags but I've purchased too many flags at this point to turn back now :)

Feel free to leave any other comments or suggestions.

I know where you are coming from. My wife got my St. Andrews flag framed for me a long time ago. So I tried to do it myself with other flags, but the Boss didn't approve of my work because it didn't look good.

Michael's has become the answer. Definitely not cheap (typically ~$100 each) but they do a much better job than I can. I've filled up the walls with flags from courses I've played and autographed ones.

I've gotten to know the lady at Michael's pretty well to the point that she gives me the sale price even when there isn't a sale. Apparently there is a PGA tour rules official in my area that does the same thing. She's told me about all the signed flags he has. She said he has so many that he put in a glass floor with the framed flags underneath it.

Not sure if it's the same guy, but I've seen this and it's amazing. Must have taken some serious cash and expertise

I have 2 TPC flags from courses I've played. I haven't removed the flags from the plastic case I bought them in yet as I too am undecided in how I want to officially display them.

Another Idea:

 

Get some plastic coated braided airline cable (we used to call it "clothesline")

 

String the flags from that, line pennants. Size won't matter, and it is easy to add/subtract without always trying how to figure out making the wall look "right":

I did this at my old house with fishing line. Hung them from the ceiling.

I'd take the Walmart Canvas idea, get creative with some Jackson Pollock style paint splatter, velcro the flags directly to that, and not add any actual frame at all... the splattered canvas basically becomes a recessed/inverted matte and is loud enough that further framing isn't necessary.

Not the greatest example since it slid down in the frame (and is surrounded by tchotskes).

I like to use IKEA frames that come with a precut mat, then just insert a piece of thin black fomecore board behind the flag. Really makes them pop since so many flags are plain white.

I didn't do it on this one but the way you keep them from sliding is to just put a small-headed straight pin in the top two corners, angle them sharply down into the fomecore so they don't pop out the back. .

 

Not sure if it's the same guy, but I've seen this and it's amazing. Must have taken some serious cash and expertise

Interesting, where did you find that pic?

Pinterest...

Pinterest...

Just looked it up, yep that's him. I was given his name one time and it matches the Pinterest poster's name

I use Hobby Lobby when they do the 1/2 off deals. Redecorating the office with them.

Another Idea:

 

Get some plastic coated braided airline cable (we used to call it "clothesline")

 

String the flags from that, line pennants. Size won't matter, and it is easy to add/subtract without always trying how to figure out making the wall look "right":

I did this at my old house with fishing line. Hung them from the ceiling.

Can you post a pic?

What I do is I just buy a canvas and Velcro them to the canvas. Then I just hang the canvas like I would a pictures I think walmart you get two for like 12 bucks.

BNGL - could you post a pic?

I'm looking to do a low cost, home office for the 12 or so flags I have. Really appreciate the ideas on this thread. Any updates or more pictures for what has been done? Thanks!

Just the thread I was looking for. Winter blues making me fire up some DIY projects.

Here are a few in my office

Just make sure if you have any signatures you get glass/acrylic that has good UV protection. Ink will fade on fabric over time when exposed to light.

I usually let Hobby Lobby frame everything and use the museum glass. Costs a little extra, but worth it if you want them to last!

I finally got around to putting my small collection up here in my studio:

The challenge for me was finding frames I liked. These here worked out pretty great for the general decor I have around the house - most of my furniture is the trendy "barnhouse" style. Amazon.com - Craig Frames Jasper Picture Frame, 14 x 19 Inch, Country Charcoal Black -The front is plexi so there's a little bit of give to get them snugly mounted. The backings are just plain brown cardboard and there was some variance in size (the Old Course flag pretty much fills the frame, the Carnoustie one is a decent bit smaller and the ones from Pebble are just a touch smaller) so I just picked up some matte dark green spraypaint from Home Depot and sprayed em. Pretty happy with how everything turned out!

Our home is a blend of rustic modern. I have 28 flags that I took 1x4s and kreged them together and stained them. I then took black clips and nailed them into the top of the board and have clipped each flag to the boards. Gives it a great farmhouse/rustic look. Cost me about $4 per flag with all materials included. Also a cheap way of hanging them.

Don’t ask for pictures though as they were hanging in our mountain house and I just took them all down to sell the house as we look to buy another one on the golf course. Of course I forgot to take pictures. I’m a guy.

On 1/24/2019 at 4:39 AM, cardia10 said:

new to this forum....like many of you I am looking for ways to display pin flags from tournaments I have attended (about 40)....I have the wall space but framing is too expensive....I saw the response about hanging on canvas (any pics?)....any other options...

Thanks

KM Golf Fan

 

 

22 hours ago, KM Golf Fan said:

 

Here are a few that I've had Hobby Lobby do. Usually between $50-80 each. Way more professional than my attempts.