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

[oldschoolrocker]

Petron was founded by Peter Shanks in 1973. Previously UK Sales Director for Wilson Sporting Goods during the late 60s and early 70s, he grew the business to be the 2nd bggest UK producer by the 1980s. He employed 25 PGA Pros and 100 other staff and specialised in made to measure golf clubs at a very early stage in that market.

I played my best golf in the early 80s using custom fitted TPX Pure Blade irons and TPX Pittsburg Percies (1st generation) 8 degree driver and the irons were great, I still have the 1 iron, a true butter knife which frightens the living daylights out of my home Pro. Their fittting is still my standard set-up.

Their reputation was tarnished by some pretty iffy game improvement clubs like the Impala, although they seemed popular.

They aren't going to appreciate or find collector value, but if you like them, buy them, play them and tell us about your experences.

 

Often wondered where the name Petron came from. I understand now why he used this rather than his surname.

 

 

recently I've bought a bunch of unfinished and half-finished wooden clubheads

 

 

 

they came from a company - and I cite the seller:

 

" they were called Baron Golf based in East Kilbride Scotland the company was owned by two directors

Ron Goodchild was the main man that's why Ron features in the company name. He also joined up with

a Peter Shanks and formed a golf company called Petron. Me and my brother bought the company

when we where manufacturing golf clubs back in the 90s"

 

so the first part of Petron is PETer Shanks and the second part is RON Goodchild

 

now I wonder who the BA in BAron is ... and does someone know Baron Golf?

 

Someone exotic called Barracus, as in B A Barracus? I joke, of course. Good post, pallap

 

I pity the fool.

 

I’ll give you two an A for TEAMing up on the wit.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Petron was founded by Peter Shanks in 1973. Previously UK Sales Director for Wilson Sporting Goods during the late 60s and early 70s, he grew the business to be the 2nd bggest UK producer by the 1980s. He employed 25 PGA Pros and 100 other staff and specialised in made to measure golf clubs at a very early stage in that market.

I played my best golf in the early 80s using custom fitted TPX Pure Blade irons and TPX Pittsburg Percies (1st generation) 8 degree driver and the irons were great, I still have the 1 iron, a true butter knife which frightens the living daylights out of my home Pro. Their fittting is still my standard set-up.

Their reputation was tarnished by some pretty iffy game improvement clubs like the Impala, although they seemed popular.

They aren't going to appreciate or find collector value, but if you like them, buy them, play them and tell us about your experences.

 

Often wondered where the name Petron came from. I understand now why he used this rather than his surname.

 

 

recently I've bought a bunch of unfinished and half-finished wooden clubheads

 

 

 

they came from a company - and I cite the seller:

 

" they were called Baron Golf based in East Kilbride Scotland the company was owned by two directors

Ron Goodchild was the main man that's why Ron features in the company name. He also joined up with

a Peter Shanks and formed a golf company called Petron. Me and my brother bought the company

when we where manufacturing golf clubs back in the 90s"

 

so the first part of Petron is PETer Shanks and the second part is RON Goodchild

 

now I wonder who the BA in BAron is ... and does someone know Baron Golf?

 

Someone exotic called Barracus, as in B A Barracus? I joke, of course. Good post, pallap

 

I pity the fool.

 

The BA guy was probably just the Face of the company.

[pallap]

Petron was founded by Peter Shanks in 1973. Previously UK Sales Director for Wilson Sporting Goods during the late 60s and early 70s, he grew the business to be the 2nd bggest UK producer by the 1980s. He employed 25 PGA Pros and 100 other staff and specialised in made to measure golf clubs at a very early stage in that market.

I played my best golf in the early 80s using custom fitted TPX Pure Blade irons and TPX Pittsburg Percies (1st generation) 8 degree driver and the irons were great, I still have the 1 iron, a true butter knife which frightens the living daylights out of my home Pro. Their fittting is still my standard set-up.

Their reputation was tarnished by some pretty iffy game improvement clubs like the Impala, although they seemed popular.

They aren't going to appreciate or find collector value, but if you like them, buy them, play them and tell us about your experences.

 

Often wondered where the name Petron came from. I understand now why he used this rather than his surname.

 

 

recently I've bought a bunch of unfinished and half-finished wooden clubheads

 

 

they came from a company - and I cite the seller:

 

" they were called Baron Golf based in East Kilbride Scotland the company was owned by two directors

Ron Goodchild was the main man that's why Ron features in the company name. He also joined up with

a Peter Shanks and formed a golf company called Petron. Me and my brother bought the company

when we where manufacturing golf clubs back in the 90s"

 

so the first part of Petron is PETer Shanks and the second part is RON Goodchild

 

now I wonder who the BA in BAron is ... and does someone know Baron Golf?

 

Someone exotic called Barracus, as in B A Barracus? I joke, of course. Good post, pallap

 

 

thank you, stixman,

apparently this Baron Golf Limited (Irvine, Ayrshire) had no lack of directors,

there were 6 of them, Ronald Goodchild was one, but there is no BA in any of the other names

(had to look that Sergeant First Class up, of course)

[Bigarch]

Pardon a Yankee from across the pond for chiming in. But I wanted to share with you a thrift shop find that I found today for only $2 US. Spalding Jimmy Thomson persimmon driver. He was more famous for playing the American PGA tour but I discovered he was originally from North Berwick and came from an impressive lineage of Scottish golfers including his uncles, Ben Sayers and Davie Grant. His cousin was 1904 Open Champion, Jack White.

 

This driver has seen better days but it appears to still be pretty solid. We'll see what what it looks like after we clean it up a bit.

[Jiggered]

It's a disease I tell you, but I can't keep away from the bay.

 

I had to buy these as otherwise they'd probably be a no-sale and end up being junked.

 

JB Halley "Tournament" 3 to PW plus 2, 3 & 4 laminates, £10

There's a crack in the neck of the 2 wood but it might be fixable.

 

I've not seen many later JB Halley clubs, anybody got an idea on when these would have been produced? I've included a picture of the shaft bands as these might be easier to date?

 

 

 

 

 

They have leather grips which are a bit manky, I've read much about Lexol on the forum, is this available in the UK? If not, what's a good alternative?

 

 

 

And the shaft bands, hopefully these might be a help in dating the clubs.

 

 

[stixman]

Nice set, Jig.

 

They scream George Nicoll Henry Cotton Autograph 1958/9 at me. Pro-fit shafts are that period, as are the grip and insert style.

That being so the heads are high quality casting from Alston Foundry, Cumbria. I've talked about the Shaw ceramic process on here before and how cheaply adaptable it was to different nuances.

 

I think this is a George Nicoll blank, customised to the requirements of the small / low output house of Halley. I wouldn't be amazed if this was subcontracted work done by Nicoll.

[Jiggered]

Thanks Stixman, you're a mine of information, much appreciated.

[pallap]

Nice set, Jig.

 

They scream George Nicoll Henry Cotton Autograph 1958/9 at me. Pro-fit shafts are that period, as are the grip and insert style.

That being so the heads are high quality casting from Alston Foundry, Cumbria. I've talked about the Shaw ceramic process on here before and how cheaply adaptable it was to different nuances.

 

I think this is a George Nicoll blank, customised to the requirements of the small / low output house of Halley. I wouldn't be amazed if this was subcontracted work done by Nicoll.

 

fine clubs, jiggered,

you can see my Nicoll Cotton clubs (dated by stixman to 58/59 also) here in post #65,

the muscle strip in the back is a bit wider and the shaft band is slightly different also

[Jiggered]

fine clubs, jiggered,

you can see my Nicoll Cotton clubs (dated by stixman to 58/59 also) here in post #65,

the muscle strip in the back is a bit wider and the shaft band is slightly different also

 

Thanks pallap, a definite likeness there.

 

I envy you the putter as my set was without one, must keep a look out for a Halley version.

[Swingingk]

It's a disease I tell you, but I can't keep away from the bay.

 

I had to buy these as otherwise they'd probably be a no-sale and end up being junked.

 

JB Halley "Tournament" 3 to PW plus 2, 3 & 4 laminates, £10

There's a crack in the neck of the 2 wood but it might be fixable.

 

I've not seen many later JB Halley clubs, anybody got an idea on when these would have been produced? I've included a picture of the shaft bands as these might be easier to date?

 

 

 

 

 

They have leather grips which are a bit manky, I've read much about Lexol on the forum, is this available in the UK? If not, what's a good alternative?

 

 

 

And the shaft bands, hopefully these might be a help in dating the clubs.

 

 

 

That's a beautiful set Jig. Love those ferrules, and wow - perfect shaft bands too. Awesome. I'm guessing late 50's or early 60's for a date.

 

As for the grips I'll throw in my 2 cents. I've tried different products but for me nothing works better than plain old Neatsfoot Oil. It really soaks in there and softens the leather. I usually use a bit of grip solvent on a cotton rag to clean off the nasty black buildup first. Just go slow with the cleaning, watching for color lifting. Good luck!

[Jiggered]

That's a beautiful set Jig. Love those ferrules, and wow - perfect shaft bands too. Awesome. I'm guessing late 50's or early 60's for a date.

 

As for the grips I'll throw in my 2 cents. I've tried different products but for me nothing works better than plain old Neatsfoot Oil. It really soaks in there and softens the leather. I usually use a bit of grip solvent on a cotton rag to clean off the nasty black buildup first. Just go slow with the cleaning, watching for color lifting. Good luck!

 

Thanks, the ferrules are a nice touch, it may not be clear from the picture but they match the paint fill; the shell motif and JB Halley are in picked out gold and Tournament is in green.

 

And thanks for the tip on Neatsfoot Oil, seems easy to find in the UK.

[Chris122]

Plumped for this thread rather than 'Recent Acquisitions' as Nicoll had been under discussion and the thread needed a boost!

With less golf being played more time is being spent on t'internet (does this sound familiar Jiggered?) searching for goodies and was fortunate enough to buy these pretty percies complete with headcovers.

Original leather grips with logo still legible and nice big numbers on the toe so no mistake made in club selection.

Now you may laugh at that but the other day I was slightly rushed and having reached my ball on the 1st after a decent tee shot went into my bag for the 7-iron.

Uh? 3-wood,3 iron,4 iron,5 iron,9 iron,sw,putter......

Check again.....same result then lightbulb moment,I had grabbed the 4 instead of the 7!

Looking forward to giving these a go.

[stixman]

Oh yes, very nice.

Playable, very....good lookers, defo. And green label Rocket Shafts? We look forward to hearing how they behave on turf.

[Jiggered]

Nice clubs Chris, I like the colour of the inserts, and the numbers on the toe!

 

I well know what you mean about the temptation to scan the internet in the dark of winter, but I'm trying to be a good boy and keep away. And I've been reasonably successful apart from a couple of putters I bid on and won recently to go with a couple of my iron sets....

[Chris122]

Yes Chris,the narrow green label Rocket shafts,spot on!

They do actually look playable unlike other persimmons I have including some Macgregors which don't always sit well at address,I intend to team them up with my Cotton Extra irons which have Pro-Fit stiff shafts that play really well.

Jiggered,a man after my own heart,you can never have too many putters and recently I've been enjoying some putting supremacy using vintage blades which are ideal at this time of year when greens are slower and some temporary greens are in play,much more efficient than the potato-masher,tv aerial,garden hoe with fins type modern stuff!

[rex235]

Chris-

 

"the potato-masher,tv aerial,garden hoe with fins type modern stuff!"........ :taunt:

[Jiggered]

You've led me astray Chris.

 

After seeing your beautiful woods I thought I'd take a quick peak on ebay just to see if there was anything similar, only looking and not buying you understand?

 

20 minutes later and I've stumbled across an unmissable set of Slazenger irons and done the dirty deed.

 

(In truth I'm grateful and can't wait for them to be delivered, another set in the "to-play" bank waiting for winter's end....)

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Lovely looking woods. What sort of period are they from?

[stixman]

Here is a classic example of the craft, class and ingenuity of British Club making and design in the inter-war years.

The photos show the George Nicoll, what do you want to call ti, avante garde, art deco, Akurasy design offered in a choice of steel, as pictured , or hickory using the No-Shok' hosel. The No-Shok hosel featured a swap in or out rubber bush, the top of which you can see in the second photo.

This was the first model where Nicoll specificlly says the No-Shok hosel was interchangeable. (ref. Roger Hill's book)

Hickory buffs know this full well and have swapped out their Nicoll Wizards, Precisions etc with abandon for years. Only the SoHG has been in denial.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jiggered]

Stylish looking club stixman, I assume it's one of yours or one you've owned previously.

 

 

How does it play?

 

Is the sweet spot close to the socket, as the weight distribution makes it appear, or is it fairly central?

 

Does the contouring vary as the set progresses through the irons?

[stixman]

Yes, this one is mine but I shall sell it as part of the down sizing process.

 

Your assumptions re playability are quite possibly correct. It certainly looks challenging and I haven't hit it yet. I don't think many people have, It's pretty rare.

 

Having said that, here is a niblick from the set which the owner says is a real player. He wants, £100 for it, I'm pitching nowhere near that figure. I read somewhere that a complete set of these went for $2500 in the last couple of years. Make of that what you will.

 

 

[Chris122]

Can't believe it's that old,the spelling 'Akurasy' is what you would expect from an 18 year-old texting wizard who is incapable of spelling accuracy correctly :lol:

[stixman]

Nothing new in golf ??

 

Expect Akurasy brand to be hijacked by Callaway for their new driver some time next Spring. :D

[Chris122]

More than likely,they have already pilfered 'Apex','Legend','Big Bertha' (Krupps have not sued apparently),I would love to have a job in marketing with them or TMAG but suspect I'd have to wear incontinence pants because I would be p*****g myself laughing so much.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

More than likely,they have already pilfered 'Apex','Legend','Big Bertha' (Krupps have not sued apparently),I would love to have a job in marketing with them or TMAG but suspect I'd have to wear incontinence pants because I would be p*****g myself laughing so much.

 

I would like to see a Scottish club maker put out a Mons Meg driver to compete with Big Bertha: https://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/discover/highlights/mons-meg

[madhaggis]

Saw this "The Tiger" iron as part of an eBay "mixed bag" (https://www.ebay.co....ls/391950440882) and wondered if anyone knows anything about it. It appears from other photos on the listing to be a John Letters club, but what is the GC logo and what were "The Tiger" irons? Surely much too old to have anything to do with Mr Woods..

 

 

 

(BTW loving this thread - have recently rediscovered golf after a long absence and have always been a fan of the older John Letters clubs . Incidentally, if anyone knows of the whereabouts of a John Letters MMII 1 iron or 2 iron I would be very interested)

[stixman]

Welcome and an interesting first post.

I don't know.... but I know a resource that might.

I've taken the liberty of posting the photo on the BGCS Facebook page. from the era, it's something that John Holt might recognise.

[Blade Junkie]

I think this is a club made for the Professional Golfers Co-operative Association by John Letters (clearly by JL from the sole stampings).

 

The PGCA produced catalogues of various manufacturers equipment from 1921 to about 1980, mainly used by club pros, from what I have gleaned from a few minutes of google searches.

 

Here is a link to a 1956/57 catalogue if anyone wants to spend £30 on it : http://www.aucott.co...roduct_id=49138

 

Also references to catalogues from 1927/28 and 1938/39 : https://www.i-bidder...92-a699008fdf5c

 

That last link shows the same logo on the front of the catalogue as we see on the back of the Tiger iron.

[stixman]

I think this is a club made for the Professional Golfers Co-operative Association by John Letters (clearly by JL from the sole stampings).

 

The PGCA produced catalogues of various manufacturers equipment from 1921 to about 1980, mainly used by club pros, from what I have gleaned from a few minutes of google searches.

 

Here is a link to a 1956/57 catalogue if anyone wants to spend £30 on it : http://www.aucott.co...roduct_id=49138

 

Also references to catalogues from 1927/28 and 1938/39 : https://www.i-bidder...92-a699008fdf5c

 

That last link shows the same logo on the front of the catalogue as we see on the back of the Tiger iron.

 

John Holt, Golf Collectors Society, says much the same. He thinks they are John Letters Par Busters made for the PGCA.

[madhaggis]

Blade Junkie & Stixman - many thanks! I had never heard of the PGCA so this is all an education.... I bet that catalogue has some interesting stuff in it.

 

More googling brought me to this recently-ended eBay "putter" oddity: https://www.ebay.co....-/352228854430?

 

Is stamped "9" on the sole so not sure it was always a putter! Anyway I guess it shows that the PGCA "Tiger" had more than one version...