UK Classic Club Thread - John Letters, Ben Sayers, Slazenger, Dunlop, George Nicoll, Swilken, Petron

[Jiggered]

Nick, the cleek mark looks like Jack White to me, and I've seen Jack White clubs with that typeface as well. I've never heard of Jack Berry Golf Co London before though ... :)

 

Thanks Geoff, a very close match and a quick search turned up this club with, as you say, a similar typeface for R Pratt. I think I'll put it on the BGCS site and see if anyone can confirm.

 

[Chris122]

Jiggered;

Love your putters,I have a few but there's never the same variety to be found in lefty as there are right-handed,for me the great thing is that they (mostly) work very well and are fun to play with,well done and thanks for posting.

The last putter would be ideal for one of our members,I'm sure his first name is 'Right'.

[Jiggered]

Jiggered;

Love your putters,I have a few but there's never the same variety to be found in lefty as there are right-handed,for me the great thing is that they (mostly) work very well and are fun to play with,well done and thanks for posting.

The last putter would be ideal for one of our members,I'm sure his first name is 'Right'.

 

The curse of the left hander eh?

Unfortunately the Right Pratt putter isn't mine but one I found on the internet.

[Jiggered]

Dunlop Peter Thomson 3 to 9 plus wedge, the wedge isn't named on the bottom (apart from Dunlop Gt Britain) but on the back of the head where the rest are marked "Stainless" it's called a "Retriever", see picture. It's a new one to me.

There are so many variations on Dunlop Peter Thomson irons but I think that this is an earlier one.

Matching numbered ferrules and decent condition leather grips.

 

 

[GolfNutRiblick]

Cool looking Dunlops Jiggered.

[DM70]

Here is a Dunlop Peter Thomson ad from -57, explaining in detail what's good about the woods, the irons and also his "famous Retriever, built on the wedge principle". I think from this description your Retriever is part of the set (which I guess the ferrules also confirm :-)

 

Below that an ad from -62, they are listed as stainless and chromed in another similar ad. Below that a Mark V from -66, so named because it's "the fifth set a clubs designed by Peter Thomson for Dunlop", also stainless.

 

None of the sets match yours exactly, but sometime between 57 and 62 perhaps?

 

 

 

[Jiggered]

Here is a Dunlop Peter Thomson ad from -57, explaining in detail what's good about the woods, the irons and also his "famous Retriever, built on the wedge principle". I think from this description your Retriever is part of the set (which I guess the ferrules also confirm :-)

 

Below that an ad from -62, they are listed as stainless and chromed in another similar ad. Below that a Mark V from -66, so named because it's "the fifth set a clubs designed by Peter Thomson for Dunlop", also stainless.

 

None of the sets match yours exactly, but sometime between 57 and 62 perhaps?

 

Many thanks for the references DM70.

The clubs in the 1957 ad look to be the very same.

I've also seen the Contour Sole version and a slightly different version of the Mark V on ebay as shown below.

 

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Dunlop Peter Thomson 3 to 9 plus wedge, the wedge isn't named on the bottom (apart from Dunlop Gt Britain) but on the back of the head where the rest are marked "Stainless" it's called a "Retriever", see picture. It's a new one to me.

There are so many variations on Dunlop Peter Thomson irons but I think that this is an earlier one.

Matching numbered ferrules and decent condition leather grips.

 

 

 

Nice looking irons, Jiggered.

"Retriever" doesn't sound like a very auspicious name for a golf club!

 

If you're a dog lover, you should spray paint it gold.

[Chris122]

Jiggered;

Well done,fantastic set of irons,I assume that the 'Retriever' is a dual-service wedge as in older Macgregor sets,they have a Fluid Feel/Nicoll Powerbar look as well as the name of one of the greatest links players of all time.

[scruffynick]

Dunlop Peter Thomson 3 to 9 plus wedge, the wedge isn't named on the bottom (apart from Dunlop Gt Britain) but on the back of the head where the rest are marked "Stainless" it's called a "Retriever", see picture. It's a new one to me.

There are so many variations on Dunlop Peter Thomson irons but I think that this is an earlier one.

Matching numbered ferrules and decent condition leather grips.

 

 

Brilliant, just been in a second hand shop that had these in. Just looking for some info on them and came to this cracking thread....they bring back some great memories for me these clubs. Came with a jaguar bag...was in great condition too, might have to back tomorrow and get them

[shotmark]

Hope these are of interest. Every year Golf World used to feature all the clubs currently on the market. This is the 1978 crop.

[Jiggered]

Hope these are of interest. Every year Golf World used to feature all the clubs currently on the market. This is the 1978 crop.

 

Thanks, always good to get an idea of what was made when and a price/quality guide.

A shame they didn't include more pictures!

[Chris122]

This was always the source of great excitement,the 'Equipment' editions of Golf World and Golf Monthly (March or April?),hours spent scrutinising the listings in detail to check on the left-handed availability and being able to check prices rather than the 'phone for best price' in the ads.

I still enjoy looking at these!

Great post,thank you.

[rex235]

Jiggered-

 

+1 with Chris

 

Is the knurling on those Dunlop Peter Thomson stainless irons stamped "DELAFIT"?

 

 

 

This Dunlop Bob Charles "Stainless Forged in Scotland" 4 iron has the same knurling stamp, and it is from 1962.

 

Am noting how much those Peter Thomson irons resemble the iron models from Wilson/Walter Hagen from this period.

 

The "Contour Sole" stamping appeared on the Wilson/Walter Hagen Haig Ultra in the late '50s...

 

The other grinds shown have some similarities to the MacGregor iron models of the early '60s...

[Jiggered]

Rex, I've got two sets of Peter Thomson irons, those above and a later set shown below (for which I'm frustratingly missing the 9 iron) , the earlier set are DELAFIT but the later set below are unmarked so I assume not.

 

 

[Jiggered]

A couple of ebay purchases arrived today, it's going to have to stop soon or my marriage might be in trouble!

 

Ben Sayers, Ray Floyd "Power Ridged" irons, 3 to SW, a pity the ferrules are in such poor condition.

 

 

 

 

Pirie Turf King "Eric Brown" persimmons, 1, 2 & 3 which came with a very nice set of vintage leather head covers for Whitecraigs Golf Club. The heads are a little worn but the grips aren't too bad and have matching butt caps.

 

 

[rex235]

Jiggered-

 

Like these..

 

The Ben Sayers Ray Floyd model looks like a contracted model Floyd played in Australia, with crown framing of the irons like MacGregor? Special.

 

Note the shape of the Pine Turf King Persimmons- Driver, Brassie, Spoon... great soleplates and stampings!

[elwhippy]

I owned a later set of Ray Floyd's. Fantastic feel and very workable...once I got the lofts and lies sorted. QC was not good. Hit the 3 iron to 2 inches on famous 15th at North Berwick.

[Chris122]

" Redan ".........

Followed by a drive over a stone wall to a raised green divided into two parts or humps by a swale that looks as though someone has driven a bulldozer through and then returfed it.

Tough green to hit on 17 and then on to 18 and the serried ranks of cars parked tight along the right side of the fairway,many with starred windscreens where the power-fade has come in a bit early off the tee.

And the members watching from the balcony!

I salute you! I have parred it but only by scuffing a saving 9-iron chip close enough to make a putt.

 

Jigger......beauties!

The first set of Bob Charles lefty irons I bought were the mirrored design of your Peter Thomson's,muscle-back with a slightly flanged sole.

Many years ago I did nearly buy some Sayers 'Mentor' irons which were a forged blade authorised by Ray Floyd.

Great stuff.......explain to Mrs that you are doing your bit for World Heritage by rescuing these unloved items from the tip and saving for posterity.

[elwhippy]

Found an old Ram ball on our range this aft. A Ram+. Side markings said Ramlon. Never seen this model in 40 years of playing and our local stores stock Ram ammo for years and years.

[Jiggered]

Jiggered-

 

Like these..

 

The Ben Sayers Ray Floyd model looks like a contracted model Floyd played in Australia, with crown framing of the irons like MacGregor? Special.

 

Note the shape of the Pine Turf King Persimmons- Driver, Brassie, Spoon... great soleplates and stampings!

 

Thanks Rex,

Yes there are crowns framing the grooves on the irons.

 

The Pirie Turf Kings are indeed stamped driver, brassie amd spoon. The inserts are a little below the faces though, not sure if this is beacause they've shrunk or the heads have expanded. What's the best way to get these level again, sanding the head or shimming behind the inserts?

 

" Redan ".........

Followed by a drive over a stone wall to a raised green divided into two parts or humps by a swale that looks as though someone has driven a bulldozer through and then returfed it.

Tough green to hit on 17 and then on to 18 and the serried ranks of cars parked tight along the right side of the fairway,many with starred windscreens where the power-fade has come in a bit early off the tee.

And the members watching from the balcony!

I salute you! I have parred it but only by scuffing a saving 9-iron chip close enough to make a putt.

 

Jigger......beauties!

The first set of Bob Charles lefty irons I bought were the mirrored design of your Peter Thomson's,muscle-back with a slightly flanged sole.

Many years ago I did nearly buy some Sayers 'Mentor' irons which were a forged blade authorised by Ray Floyd.

Great stuff.......explain to Mrs that you are doing your bit for World Heritage by rescuing these unloved items from the tip and saving for posterity.

 

North Berwick has long been on my must play list, one day not too far off I hope.

 

I tried that with the Mrs, she told me I was failing in my bid as all I was doing was creating a tip in the garage.....

[DM70]

Got a tee-time at North Berwick June 2nd, playing with my old man. Can't wait!

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

North Berwick is a great course. On a golfing holiday many years ago we played there on the first or second day, then on the final day we nixed wherever it was we were to due to play just so we could go round North Berwick again.

[elwhippy]

North Berwick is a good course with several very tough holes but the price they charge and it's relentless lauding by Doak and other Americans is a bit OTT. Not a patch on Hillside or Southerness.

[stixman]

I played once about 20 years ago with Randy Jensen, Ralph Livingston and Scott Patrick with hickories. We all broke 80.

[Chris122]

The Glen at the other end of the town is a former municipal course that is quirky with some very good holes and spectacular scenery,looking out at the Bass Rock and north across the Forth to the Paps O'Fife.

With all respect to Scottish tourism I've never grasped the excitement that people find in the Bass Rock,to me it's a rock covered in noisy seabirds and their crap which I experience first-hand every day,seagulls on the roof of my flat squitting down the windows,homeowners have no defence and can be fined up to £25,000 for killing or injuring a gull.

I've not played the north-west but my pals who have tell me that Southerness and Silloth are awesome.

I was lucky at North Berwick,had an 'in' with a B&B owner who was a member!

Green fees at some courses have become ridiculous and don't represent real value for money,we're fortunate to have reciprocal deals with local clubs where subject to availability of tee times we can play for £10 on a weekday.

[stixman]

Southerness, (Ross McKenzie of Turnberry design fame) and Silloth are awesome and certainly Silloth is good value for money. Reasonably priced accommodation is available there as well, ask at the Club.

For Southerness, we stayed at The Steamboat Inn at Carsethorn

 

Edit, I had to remind myself of the Southerness lodgings

[DM70]

We're doing North Berwick, Gullane 2&3, Kilspindie, Leven, Monifieth, possibly Panmure, and one St Andrews course this trip. At £120 North Berwick is the most expensive, we were thinking about Gullane no1, but they really inflated the prices this year with the hosting of the Scottish open, we're not paying £175 for #1 when we can do 2&3 for £77.

[Chris122]

£175 !!!!

I am so out of touch with green fees these days,I bet the Old Course must be £20 now?

Sounds like a great trip but do go and have a look at the Glen.

 

Link; www.glengolfclub.co.uk

 

1st and 18th are wacky!

[shotmark]

We're doing North Berwick, Gullane 2&3, Kilspindie, Leven, Monifieth, possibly Panmure, and one St Andrews course this trip. At £120 North Berwick is the most expensive, we were thinking about Gullane no1, but they really inflated the prices this year with the hosting of the Scottish open, we're not paying £175 for #1 when we can do 2&3 for £77.

 

At under 5300 yds i'd say Gullane no. 3 isn't really a golf course. Much better options in the area such as The Glen as suggested in the previous post.