Different/custom version of Wilson Staff JP55 wedge?

[trapfade]

Hi to all.

 

My first post here after several years of lurking. Love the site and all the great information, and of course the fantastic people posting it!

 

I was wondering if anybody could help me identify an old club I picked up on Ebay recently. It is stamped Wilson Staff JP55, but it looks quite different to all the pictures of JP55s I've found on-line. I have attached photos of the "different" JP55 (on the right) next to a "standard" JP55 (on the left).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few key differences. The finish is satin, grooves are much more narrowly spaced, leading edge is sharp rather than blunted, sole is wider with less bounce, slightly bigger and more rounded face, stamping is in a finer font/not as deep. There is also a serial number etched into the hosel: DF4101. The ferrule was the same as the "standard" JP55 but I have re-shafted it and replaced it with a plain ferrule, as seen in the photos.

 

I've been really enjoying using older (mainly 80s/90s) clubs for the last few years, but finding sand wedge without too much bounce has been difficult. This club works very well for me, and opens up nicely for softer shots without the leading edge rising off the ground too much.

 

If anyone has any ideas about what this club is, maybe a custom order, re-release or even a fake, I'd be really interested to know.

 

Many thanks!!

[NRJyzr]

I would guess remake, evidenced by the narrower groove spacing, but I freely admit that's just a guess.

If you want wedges with little bounce, I suggest Ram Troon Grinds. VERY little bounce on those, great fun.

Check out the pics in this auction
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOM-WATSON-SCORING-SYSTEM-TROON-GRIND-TW-855-55-SAND-WEDGE-/130931912027

disclaimer: this is a random auction I found by googling "ram troon grind wedge." I am not affiliated with the seller in any way. No animals were harmed in the typing of this post.

[trapfade]

Hi,

It does look quite modern in some ways. Its funny the groove spacing is very like the Nike X3X grooves in their latest wedges.
If you compare the individual grooves between the two clubs in the photos they look to be the same dimensions (not spacing though), and are definitely v-grooves not square.

Something else that might help date it: I had to ream the hosel to insert a .355 taper shaft. The shaft it came with tapered to a narrower point. The inside of the hosel was also rifled/threaded which I've only seen in older clubs.

Thanks for the heads up on the Troon grind!

Now, how to buy [i]another[/i] club without the girlfriend noticing...

[NRJyzr]

The smaller hosel diameter suggests it's older. I seem to remember hearing about some Wilson clubs with .342 tapered shafts. I think some (or all) of the Firestick shafts were that diameter?

So much for the earlier guess, eh? LOL

[super20dan]

[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1401382951' post='9389907']
I would guess remake, evidenced by the narrower groove spacing, but I freely admit that's just a guess.

If you want wedges with little bounce, I suggest Ram Troon Grinds. VERY little bounce on those, great fun.

Check out the pics in this auction
[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOM-WATSON-SCORING-SYSTEM-TROON-GRIND-TW-855-55-SAND-WEDGE-/130931912027"]http://www.ebay.com/...E-/130931912027[/url]

disclaimer: this is a random auction I found by googling "ram troon grind wedge." I am not affiliated with the seller in any way. No animals were harmed in the typing of this post.
[/quote] love the troon grind wedge! seldom do you find a wedge with this little bounce.

[NRJyzr]

[quote name='super20dan' timestamp='1401398208' post='9391729']
love the troon grind wedge! seldom do you find a wedge with this little bounce.
[/quote]

I used to play nothing but Troon Grinds.

I never really had trouble with them out of bunkers, either. Go figure.

[BIG STU]

I am not a Wilson expert by any means but the shaft size suggests to me older and custom shop. I do know that Wilson , Spalding and Macgregor had extensive custom shops in the 60s and 70s and I do know Wilson had their custom shop still going in the mid and early 80s. I do know for a fact that Wilson built some custom clubs to old specs even in the 80s. One of my Dad's friends who also was a pro was a devoted Wilson man period. If he wore out a set of irons especially the wedges he would call up Wilson and have a remake done to his specs. What i am saying in a nutshell is that your paticular club may have been made in 79 or 80 or so but be to origional 50s or 60s specs. I know there were a lot of devoted Wilson fans out there along with the other mfgs. I know a guy that had a set of Top-Flites ground in the 70s to 53 profile and specs but they were marked different. the 53 Top-Flites were the "holy grail" to a lot of the Spalding fans. Whatever you have there to me it is a fine masterpiece good find

[MizunoMayhem]

Looks to be a mid 90s era JP wedge. The satin finish was fairly trendy at the time. The Wilson Staff script and shield definitely are from the 90s. Not sure about the smaller shaft though.

[BIG STU]

[quote name='MizunoMayhem' timestamp='1401453663' post='9395331']
Looks to be a mid 90s era JP wedge. The satin finish was fairly trendy at the time. The Wilson Staff script and shield definitely are from the 90s. Not sure about the smaller shaft though.
[/quote]I think all my JPs are from the 70s though but they are stamped different but those do appear to "sit " in profile like my older JPII s do

[trapfade]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the info provided. I think mid-90s sounds about right. It is certainly a great wedge around the greens!

I have a Troon grind on the way (I love eBay!). I'll take some pics and let you know how I find it.

Thanks again to all!

[super20dan]

please report how you like the troon grind wedge. its truly a unique wedge. whenever i have an important game -the troon goes into my bag. gives me supreme confidence around the greens

[Ironmaster Oddities]

The JP 55 model number puts it in the 1990's or late 80's, I think. Is it satin chrome on mild steel, or stainless?
The big bounce and narrower groves make me think that someone wanted an updated version of the R-90
Sand Iron from the 1930's and early 1940's.
Maybe contacting Wilson with the Serial # could answer your questions
Uncle Bob

[trapfade]

Hi Uncle Bob, thanks for your info on the serial number. Do you think it's from the custom shop then?

I would say it is satin chrome, not stainless. I will send an email off to Wilson and see if they have any records. It is certainly the best sand wedge I've ever owned.

[MizunoMayhem]

[quote name='trapfade' timestamp='1401898603' post='9429141']
Hi Uncle Bob, thanks for your info on the serial number. Do you think it's from the custom shop then?

I would say it is satin chrome, not stainless. I will send an email off to Wilson and see if they have any records. It is certainly the best sand wedge I've ever owned.
[/quote]

Not likely from the Wilson Custom. I worked in golf retail from 93-2003, I distinctly remember these in our store. I just don't remember exactly what year. Wilson should be able to clear thinks up. They were satin chrome and the narrow groove spacing was Wilson's marketing gimmick at the time.

[trapfade]

Thanks, I'm glad to hear it's not a one-off. If ever lose it there's at least a small chance I can find a replacement.

I like the narrow grooves, seems to spin the ball pretty well.