1972

[BIG STU]

[quote name=''53 Precision' timestamp='1450878789' post='12755290']
MacGregor or Hogan persimmons, although the MacGregors should probably be from the mid-60's back to the mid-40's vintage, if you want to have a bag which may have been on tour in '72, as very few of the tour stars would've been using current persimmon woods. That being said, I have several Hogan persimmons from the general time frame of 1972 and they are all very solid clubs. As far as putters go, the Anser you would want to be period correct would be an 020 as this is the last three digits of the ZIP code for The Karsten Mfg. Co. from 1968 - 1973. The 8802 would be a good choice also, just remember the most coveted year for these is 1964 IIRC due to metallurgy of the putter head. Also remember putters were much, much, lighter than they are now so some adjustment may be needed to reach an acceptable feel.
[/quote]UHH HUH I see someone else knows about the 64-65 8802s. I had heard that back in the 70s from some of the old hustlers. I have talked to a lot of Wilson collectors and former employees over the years (my Dad was a Wilson Staffer briefly) and no one can really confirm or deny it. I do know my Dad had an accident involving his Billy Casper mallett head putter and lost the head. He went through maybe 25 of them in the next few years never could find one that felt like his. the closest thing was a Golfcraft mallett he found one day in the woods behind our 3 rd hole. He swore to his dying day that the Golfcraft was ok but it did not feel like the Casper. Through him and a friend of his is how I heard about the 8802s and that was in the late 60s early 70s

['53 Precision]

[quote name='BIG STU' timestamp='1450987735' post='12759890']
[quote name=''53 Precision' timestamp='1450878789' post='12755290']
MacGregor or Hogan persimmons, although the MacGregors should probably be from the mid-60's back to the mid-40's vintage, if you want to have a bag which may have been on tour in '72, as very few of the tour stars would've been using current persimmon woods. That being said, I have several Hogan persimmons from the general time frame of 1972 and they are all very solid clubs. As far as putters go, the Anser you would want to be period correct would be an 020 as this is the last three digits of the ZIP code for The Karsten Mfg. Co. from 1968 - 1973. The 8802 would be a good choice also, just remember the most coveted year for these is 1964 IIRC due to metallurgy of the putter head. Also remember putters were much, much, lighter than they are now so some adjustment may be needed to reach an acceptable feel.
[/quote]UHH HUH I see someone else knows about the 64-65 8802s. I had heard that back in the 70s from some of the old hustlers. I have talked to a lot of Wilson collectors and former employees over the years (my Dad was a Wilson Staffer briefly) and no one can really confirm or deny it. I do know my Dad had an accident involving his Billy Casper mallett head putter and lost the head. He went through maybe 25 of them in the next few years never could find one that felt like his. the closest thing was a Golfcraft mallett he found one day in the woods behind our 3 rd hole. He swore to his dying day that the Golfcraft was ok but it did not feel like the Casper. Through him and a friend of his is how I heard about the 8802s and that was in the late 60s early 70s
[/quote]

My understanding is Wilson purchased surplus steel from the government, this lot contained a large amount of steel used for armor by the military and when smelted and forged into putters turned out some of the finest feeling blade putters ever made. Since the exact composition of the metal could never be ascertained, much less replicated, those years are the only ones with the feel which is so coveted now.

[rex235]

[quote name=''53 Precision' timestamp='1450989408' post='12760000']
[quote name='BIG STU' timestamp='1450987735' post='12759890']
[quote name=''53 Precision' timestamp='1450878789' post='12755290']
MacGregor or Hogan persimmons, although the MacGregors should probably be from the mid-60's back to the mid-40's vintage, if you want to have a bag which may have been on tour in '72, as very few of the tour stars would've been using current persimmon woods. That being said, I have several Hogan persimmons from the general time frame of 1972 and they are all very solid clubs. As far as putters go, the Anser you would want to be period correct would be an 020 as this is the last three digits of the ZIP code for The Karsten Mfg. Co. from 1968 - 1973. The 8802 would be a good choice also, just remember the most coveted year for these is 1964 IIRC due to metallurgy of the putter head. Also remember putters were much, much, lighter than they are now so some adjustment may be needed to reach an acceptable feel.
[/quote]UHH HUH I see someone else knows about the 64-65 8802s. I had heard that back in the 70s from some of the old hustlers. I have talked to a lot of Wilson collectors and former employees over the years (my Dad was a Wilson Staffer briefly) and no one can really confirm or deny it. I do know my Dad had an accident involving his Billy Casper mallett head putter and lost the head. He went through maybe 25 of them in the next few years never could find one that felt like his. the closest thing was a Golfcraft mallett he found one day in the woods behind our 3 rd hole. He swore to his dying day that the Golfcraft was ok but it did not feel like the Casper. Through him and a friend of his is how I heard about the 8802s and that was in the late 60s early 70s
[/quote]

My understanding is Wilson purchased surplus steel from the government, this lot contained a large amount of steel used for armor by the military and when smelted and forged into putters turned out some of the finest feeling blade putters ever made. [b][i]Since the exact composition of the metal could never be ascertained, much less replicated, [/i][/b]those years are the only ones with the feel which is so coveted now.
[/quote]

'53-

+1

Robert Mendralla of Wilson publicly admitted this when Wilson Staff came out with an 8802 with his name.

Didn't Ben Crenshaw say he has 20-25 putters of this style, and a recent photo of his bag showed he was using two of them?

[birly-shirly]

Didn't Crenshaw admit that Little Ben never felt the same after he broke the shaft? And didn't he end up putting with a Cleveland replica, perhaps even for his second Masters?

[Tall golfer]

Sorry I can't help you 4 years a head of my time
Good luck with your project

[Jgb333]

Well my Hagen's arrived today!
They are in crazy good shape, no chrome degradation and very deep grooves.

I still need to get my hands on a persimmon set that would have been bagged in 1972.
1950's persimmon is great but the Mac's are out of my price range. Any other suggestions for good 1950's persimmon that's affordable ?

[Fellaheen51]

Very nice irons JG, classy. What's your budget for persimmon? How many and what configuration of woods? Looking to match the woods to your irons brand? Hagens show up on the Bay periodically at good prices. Maybe something like these Spauldings from that timeframe (someone will correct me if not):

[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-REFINISHED-Spalding-Persimmon-Golf-Club-Wood-Set-1-2-1-2-3-1-2-/281893784044?hash=item41a22dc9ec:g:264AAOSw5VFWLTYS"]http://www.ebay.com/...64AAOSw5VFWLTYS[/url]

Macs from the 60's can be a good value as most seem to be interested in the earlier ones. May take some experimentation to find a set of persimmons that you find suitable.

[Jgb333]

I'd like to stay under $80 for a set...I really want some of that "old" persimmon everyone talks about... Pre 1963 maybe.
I would prefer non-refinished...not very interested in a driver... More like a 2,3,5
They don't have to match my irons since that doesn't really seem to be the trend back then

[NRJyzr]

I know I mentioned MacGregor earlier, but it might be worth checking out Powerbilt (aka Hillerich & Bradsby) options. They're almost something of a hidden secret.

[Jgb333]

[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1451337774' post='12772768']
I know I mentioned MacGregor earlier, but it might be worth checking out Powerbilt (aka Hillerich & Bradsby) options. They're almost something of a hidden secret.
[/quote]

Like these?
I was told 1948[attachment=3080164:image.jpg]

[NRJyzr]

I admit I was thinking a couple decades more recent, but if they're in good shape, no reason not to.

[oldschoolrocker]

Hit the local thrift stores and Craigslist. You would be suprised at some of the old clubs, including persimmons, that you can find for peanuts. Also, check with some local clubs and courses and see if they have any old clubs they may have in forget ten storage.