How To Identify An Original George Low Wizard 600?

The 8802 thread has taken a life of its own, with talks of the George Low Wizard 600 hijacking it, so I felt it was necessary to create a thread dedicated to this putter.

I did a quick eBay search and found various Wizard 600 putters, but I could not find exact specifications to what makes an original George Low Wizard 600. I couldn't even find it with the help of Google. Does anyone here know?

The 8802 thread has taken a life of its own, with talks of the George Low Wizard 600 hijacking it, so I felt it was necessary to create a thread dedicated to this putter.

 

I did a quick eBay search and found various Wizard 600 putters, but I could not find exact specifications to what makes an original George Low Wizard 600. I couldn't even find it with the help of Google. Does anyone here know?

I'm no expert, but here is what I know. Approximately 200 putters were made by the Hansberger brothers under contract with professional golfer, George Low in Melrose Park, IL (a western suburb of Chicago) between 1958 - 1962. They retailed for $15.50 at that time. The bottom toe of the putter has "Geo Low" in cursive or script running on an angle from left to right. The bottom middle of the putter states either "Sportsman" or "Bristol" with Melrose Park, ILL. (sic) below that and finally, "Wizard 600" on the bottom heel running horizontal to the face. There is no sight line etched on the top of the blade and the toe definitely is higher than the middle or heel when viewed from the front. The shaft is fluted and the grip is leather with the "Geo Low" cursive or script signature. If it says "Original", it's a 1980's remake. If it doesn't say "Geo Low", it's a copy or reproduction. If it says "Wilson" or "MacGregor", it's not an original Wizard 600.

P.S. I wish I had one...

A quick eBay search shows so many George Low putters, and I have a good idea which ones are remakes and imitations. It would be nice to sort out the originals from the copies--just look at the price.

Does anyone know the difference between the Bristol George Lows and the Sportsman George Lows? I know that the one Jack used was the Sportsman.

[i]I have one of the older ones and would like to know its value. Does anybody know? It's in excellent shape with[/i]
[i]original grip and the fluted shaft. Thanks for any input.[/i]

I sold a Bristol model a couple of years ago on Ebay in the $750 range. They don't command the big $$ that they did in the 80s.

For a side note, I was doing a little research on the life of George Low and his life was quite interesting. He was a hustler and probably never held a job in his life, and he lived as lavishly as possible without holding a job. He was perhaps the king of the leeches.

[url="http://articles.latimes.com/1998/feb/26/news/ss-23408"]http://articles.latimes.com/1998/feb/26/news/ss-23408[/url]

Here is a more detailed biography.

[url="http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076100/index.htm"]http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076100/index.htm[/url]

And finally, a picture of George Low himself. I cannot find his picture on Google, but through many twists I stumbled upon a picture of him with James Garner (attached). Perhaps the few of us who actually met George will confirm that this is indeed George Low pictured.

Interesting putting advice from Low here
[url="http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076103/index.htm"]http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076103/index.htm[/url]

HERE"S SOME GEORGE LOW INFORMATION

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[quote name='xgolfx' timestamp='1389793783' post='8464595']
HERE"S SOME GEORGE LOW INFORMATION

CHARLEY PENNA[attachmen[attachment=2022359:george low 1.jpg]t=2022359:george low 1.jpg][attachment=2022361:george low 2.jpg]
[/quote]

Great article. Thanks for posting!

Cool ad for Low putters