Thrift Store Jackpot

[pwa]

Here's what changed: Ping put a ferrule on the latest model irons -

 

Question for fellaheen - do you have any K-1's? Those irons have absolutely zero deviation on the "keel" - flat toe to heel, front to back, with a leading edge sharp enough to s*** your wrists with on a shanked shot...but, still remarkable clubs, especially when they first came out!

which do you think were the best sets of the KARSTEN series and original EYEs?

 

I am extremely partial to the K-1's, but I also believe that they were the most difficult of all the Ping iterations to play.

 

They have/had absolutely no camber and/or radius (what has been referred to here as "keel") on the soles; very sharp leading edges; no relief grind on the backs of the heads; and the extremely hard nature of 17-4 ph stainless steel doesn't provide much feedback, and is (at times) prone to "flyers" - I know....I've hit my share, some at very inopportune times.

 

They also (to me) were clubs that made the iron game much easier for me, as my point in development during my youth. I could suddenly hit an iron longer than a 6-iron without a 85 yard slice/push. I got to the point where I was a pretty strong long-iron player, again - due to the nature of the club's design. Easy to get airborne, offset helping to promote a straighter ball flight, etc.

 

But, it didn't take Karsten Solheim too long to begin to modify the K-1 design, offering the beginnings of camber/radius in the shorter irons shortly after introducing the color coding, with additional improvements (?) as the K-2, -3, and -4 were introduced.

 

But, as these later designs were put into production, a great deal of loft alteration began to occur, which caused many to be turned off to the other improvements offered.

 

From the original K-1, the design without the camber/radius/loft alterations - I could begin to hit at least one club less into most holes, and sometimes even less. Was this due to a difference in loft, or in the nature of the "harder" 17-4 stainless? I don't know, and really didn't care, as I dialed in my irons pretty quickly.

 

I will say that, with the introduction of the Spalding Top-Flite ball shortly after the K-1's came out...you could hit the ball even further than ever! I could easily fly a 9-iron 150 yards (actually measured, and not downwind). The problem came in stopping the ball, as the surlyn cover just didn't spin like balata. And, using the Top-Flite, or any of the other quickly introduced surlyn covered balls from other manufacturers, like the Titleist DT; Wilson ProStaff; Dunlop/Maxfli Blue Max - distance was there, but spin wasn't.

 

And, suddenly, the "ball mark" issue on greens exploded. Golfers hit their shots into the greens, where the ball made a big mark...but, jumped forward, and usually ran to the back of the greens. So, the golfer would either drive their cart, or drag their pull cart, to the back of the green to play their next shot, and never got to the area where their ball actually landed, and made a large ball mark.

 

Trust me - I'm old enough to have seen it happen, and it happened just like that.

 

I never cared for the Eye model, which had, at the time, the greatest camber/radius in any Ping iron design to date, especially relating to the heal to toe measure. So, they became exceptionally better for the average golfer to play due to a better turf interaction. However, they also became much shallower from the sole to the top of the face, and I didn't particularly like that feature. While I didn't like it, that design did make it easier for the average golfer.

 

Shortly after the Eye came to market, the true game changer - the Eye 2 was introduced, and the iron game was changed light years once again. And I believe that there was an even larger leap technology wise than what was experienced from the introduction of the K-1.

 

Again...I didn't care for the Eye 2, but it is, without a doubt, the most popular game improvement iron ever.

 

Much of what also added to the leap of popularity of these irons was the introduction of a shaft other than their "TTT" shaft option, which was really nothing more than a True Temper Dynamic step pattern, made of a heavier steel.

 

So....having learned/developed on heavier heads/shafts, I have always personally preferred the original iteration K-1. And by "heavier"...again, a relative term. Swing weight on my K-1's from my youth was C-9, while my PowerBilt driver was in the E range, before a few refinishes, finally settling in around a middle D weight.

 

Hope my take on the history of Ping "Vintage" irons hasn't put too many people to sleep....

 

Not at all! Thanks for your trouble to educate me. :)

[wkuo3]

Picked up a Titleist 975D the other day.

Couldn't walk away from a pristine conditioned driver for $9. Crown is perfect, after cleaned out the dirt and the shop label from the face it looked very nice. No paint damage on the graphite shaft maybe a new grip in the future if I decided to take it out on a regular base.

 

Have a 983K , think it was a 9.5° and this 975D is an 8.5° with upgrade shaft UST ProForce 75 .

Never owned one so it'll be interesting to take it out to the driving range next week.

[augustgolf]

Picked up a Titleist 975D the other day.

Couldn't walk away from a pristine conditioned driver for $9. Crown is perfect, after cleaned out the dirt and the shop label from the face it looked very nice. No paint damage on the graphite shaft maybe a new grip in the future if I decided to take it out on a regular base.

 

Have a 983K , think it was a 9.5° and this 975D is an 8.5° with upgrade shaft UST ProForce 75 .

Never owned one so it'll be interesting to take it out to the driving range next week.

 

Great pear shaped heads on those, and some of the last "traditional looking" drivers, prior to the 460 movement.

[James the Hogan Fan]

$2 per club; Wilson Staff fluid feel tour blades 2-PW, stiff from the Concord, CA goodwill.

[augustgolf]

$2 per club; Wilson Staff fluid feel tour blades 2-PW, stiff from the Concord, CA goodwill.

 

Great find on an outstanding player's blade design.

 

The different ferrule on the PW is odd. Does it look like the shaft might have been replaced at some time?

[James the Hogan Fan]

$2 per club; Wilson Staff fluid feel tour blades 2-PW, stiff from the Concord, CA goodwill.

 

Great find on an outstanding player's blade design.

 

The different ferrule on the PW is odd. Does it look like the shaft might have been replaced at some time?

 

That was actually me, I tried very hard and failed to pull the shaft, (Threaded hosels... in my best Tom Hanks: Whyyyy Wilsoooon!!!!) so I left what was left of the ferrule on it and decided I could live with the true temper dynamic not-golds that were in them. If And when I sell the set on, I’ll cut the shaft out and bore the hosel to remove it, and mount the spare dynamic gold pw shaft I happen to have laying around.

[Shallowface]

Play It Again Sports today - $70. Jackpot! Rare to find older irons with the original grips and shaft labels all minty.

 

 

Best grips Ping ever offered, IMO. A great feeling, great playing and remarkably durable product. A real shame they don't offer those today.

 

Very nice find! Congratulations!

[Richard 77]

Well, after looking for suitable shafts to re shaft my KARSTEN II s I found a complete set of True Temper TT Lites A flex 3 thru pow in a set of knockof clubs.. The grips are new Tacki Mac ! Look like tree bark. Also found 5 thru Pw Dynalites R.

 

 

 

 

 

[sdandrea]

Play It Again Sports today - $70. Jackpot! Rare to find older irons with the original grips and shaft labels all minty.

 

 

Best grips Ping ever offered, IMO. A great feeling, great playing and remarkably durable product. A real shame they don't offer those today.

 

Very nice find! Congratulations!

 

Thanks! I just scored a set of IsI 2 - SW with the same JZ Cushin shafts and PING wrap grips. Those old wraps last forever!

[Janice_rossi]

TM ICW5 2-PW all w Titanium Shafts $25. Never hit a titanium shaft iron.

[Richard 77]

Juszt picked up 2 king cobra hybrids, 20 and 26. Also a Stan Thompson solid persimmon 4 wood with all the decals intact. I do believe of all wood clubs, I like 4 woods best.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Juszt picked up 2 king cobra hybrids, 20 and 26. Also a Stan Thompson solid persimmon 4 wood with all the decals intact. I do believe of all wood clubs, I like 4 woods best.

 

Massive 4w fan here! In both my modern set (Taylormade V-steel or R-9) and persimmon set (too many to list). I always thought a persimmon 3w off the deck was the hardest shot to hit in golf, until I bought a Macgregor persimmon 2w last year...

[Richard 77]

Juszt picked up 2 king cobra hybrids, 20 and 26. Also a Stan Thompson solid persimmon 4 wood with all the decals intact. I do believe of all wood clubs, I like 4 woods best.

 

Massive 4w fan here! In both my modern set (Taylormade V-steel or R-9) and persimmon set (too many to list). I always thought a persimmon 3w off the deck was the hardest shot to hit in golf, until I bought a Macgregor persimmon 2w last year...

back in the seventies I bought a complete set 1,2,3,4,5, of Mc Gregor VIPs. Left the driver but the 2 and 5 were super. Those were burgundy color. I had a green single VIP 4 wood that I absolutely loved. Have no idea where it went.

[BIG STU]

TM ICW5 2-PW all w Titanium Shafts $25. Never hit a titanium shaft iron.

I have a buddy of mine that still plays those. He passed his playability test to get his PGAOA card with those. He has probably 20 sets of them. He was buying them cheap when they became "outdated" .

[BIG STU]

"Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man."

 

Nope. No K-1's, nor have I ever swung one. Did mishit a Mac Tourney CF4000 M2 once. The head simply stopped moving when contacting the ground. My wrists hurt for two days after.

I carried what could be described an early combo set--- K-1 1,3 and 4 irons with Spalding Elite 333 custom blades. The K-1s were one of 2 demo sets we had. My old man seen that and raised hell at me. Told me make up my mind if I was going to play Spalding or Ping. Of course I went with the blades. He did let me keep the 1 iron though because I hit it so good and far besides it was beneficial to him when he had me for a partner.

 

Made me hurt you mentioning the mishit with the FC - 4000--- I missed a FC 2 iron one time on a cold day hitting an early Rock Flite. Vibrated me up to my teeth. That was one of my old man's deals. He had made a game and I really did not want to play that day but he insisted. I did not have that Karsten 1 iron then do I would have hit it instead. Took me 3 holes to get the feeling back in my hands from that and the cold. In fact it was so cold that day it started snowing and sleeting on the 8th hole--- We played up the 9th in the snow and sleet. One of the reasons I played the Rock Flite that day was because the balata Titleist ball would absolutely go no where in the cold even the low compression ones were dead as heck. Do not remember how that match played out but I was glad to get to the clubhouse

[baloo]

There are Magregor PT2 irons at the Goodwill near me. The FC4000s in good shape. 2, 4-9 (missing the 3). If anyone wants one or more of the irons let me know and I'll grab them. They're asking $3/iron.

[Janice_rossi]

Juszt picked up 2 king cobra hybrids, 20 and 26. Also a Stan Thompson solid persimmon 4 wood with all the decals intact. I do believe of all wood clubs, I like 4 woods best.

 

Massive 4w fan here! In both my modern set (Taylormade V-steel or R-9) and persimmon set (too many to list). I always thought a persimmon 3w off the deck was the hardest shot to hit in golf, until I bought a Macgregor persimmon 2w last year...

 

My Ping Eye 2 4 wood from 1989 was a fantastic fairway wood

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Juszt picked up 2 king cobra hybrids, 20 and 26. Also a Stan Thompson solid persimmon 4 wood with all the decals intact. I do believe of all wood clubs, I like 4 woods best.

 

Massive 4w fan here! In both my modern set (Taylormade V-steel or R-9) and persimmon set (too many to list). I always thought a persimmon 3w off the deck was the hardest shot to hit in golf, until I bought a Macgregor persimmon 2w last year...

 

My Ping Eye 2 4 wood from 1989 was a fantastic fairway wood

 

I've been considering one of those recently. They can be quite pricey on the auction sites in Japan, though (especially when factoring in postage). I usually like smaller heads, but I've heard so many good things about the EYE2 woods that I think I need to give them a shot.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Juszt picked up 2 king cobra hybrids, 20 and 26. Also a Stan Thompson solid persimmon 4 wood with all the decals intact. I do believe of all wood clubs, I like 4 woods best.

 

Massive 4w fan here! In both my modern set (Taylormade V-steel or R-9) and persimmon set (too many to list). I always thought a persimmon 3w off the deck was the hardest shot to hit in golf, until I bought a Macgregor persimmon 2w last year...

back in the seventies I bought a complete set 1,2,3,4,5, of Mc Gregor VIPs. Left the driver but the 2 and 5 were super. Those were burgundy color. I had a green single VIP 4 wood that I absolutely loved. Have no idea where it went.

 

The Mac 2w I have is an M85, reshafted with an S400. Off the tee, it's a great club, but I can only hit worm-burners (or "slug-shaggers" as we used to call them) with it off the deck. If someone can hit a 2w properly off the deck, they have my instant respect.

[PMACGolf]

That’s the mother load

 

Now to sell me’ !!

[deejaid]

$2 per club; Wilson Staff fluid feel tour blades 2-PW, stiff from the Concord, CA goodwill.

 

Nice find. Didn’t realize when you said you were in California for the holidays you were right down the road from me.

 

 

Send me a note next time you make it back and perhaps we can get a round in with the persimmons.

[golfmj228]

TM ICW5 2-PW all w Titanium Shafts $25. Never hit a titanium shaft iron.

 

Been a while fellow vintage club junkies GLAD this little part of the golf world is still cruising along! I absolutely loved the Ti shafts back in the day so please give them a whirl and report back to us on what you think...

[@_the_crook]

stumbled across another set of Tommys.

 

Pat Pend marks. 3-PW, on Tour Step R shafts. Lamkin wrap style grips in pretty good condition.

a soapy scrub and slots in a good bag made them happy to be here, surrounded by their pals.

[scruffynick]

stumbled across another set of Tommys.

 

Pat Pend marks. 3-PW, on Tour Step R shafts. Lamkin wrap style grips in pretty good condition.

a soapy scrub and slots in a good bag made them happy to be here, surrounded by their pals.

Mint!! Really wish I had some 845s

[Richard 77]

I have a 6 thru pow coming today don’t know what shaft or flex but they are flat. Anxiously awaiting. Will be looking for a regular 5 iron flat preferred.

[pwa]

stumbled across another set of Tommys.

 

Pat Pend marks. 3-PW, on Tour Step R shafts. Lamkin wrap style grips in pretty good condition.

a soapy scrub and slots in a good bag made them happy to be here, surrounded by their pals.

 

Awesome find, really jealous right now!

[BIG STU]

Well had a hectic week at work but all is not bad. Managed to club ho and sneak in 9 holes Tuesday. Found the following in the bins at work

 

Ping Eve 2 irons Red Dot 4 thru PW Apollo multi step shafts--- Actually played a 9 hole round walking Tuesday afternoon with them since I got off at 09:00 with mechanical problems on my trailer. Yeah they hit good. Yeah I said it and Augie can confirm because I told him over the phone. You folks thought you would never hear that from an old Mac blade man. Yeah I know I am slipping in my old age

 

Maxfli Aussie blades 2 thru PW missing the 9 iron R-300 shafts. These look like they have never been hit and have the original grips in pristine shape. And yes I have a $10 bounty on the 9 iron trust me if it is in the bins those guys will find it

 

Nike VRS driver Mitsu Fubuki shaft R 9.5 * damn that thing hits good

3 Wilson P-5 wedges 52 56 60

Callaway Jaws 56* SW Raw and rusty

Mizuno Wedge 56* raw and rusty

TM 580 Driver TM R shaft-- Got it for the shaft

Hogan CSS 2 hybrid NVS 85 shaft

Hogan CSS 3 hybrid same shaft

Odyssey Putter that looks like a Ping Zing

Odyssey 2 Ball Blade

Weighted training club with a reminder grip

All of this for the grand sum of $3.25

Threw the Pings , nike driver and Odyssey Zing in the Sunday bag and walked 9 holes that afternoon. Shot +3 from the forward tees. Laughed when the asst pro asked me if that was another one of my "junkyard sets" I told him yep "pure junkyard". Still having trouble posting pics Augie is trying to help me over the phone or in person when he gets down here. I think my lap top is outdated because it is an older Dell and we have had it around 12 years or so

[@_the_crook]

Well had a hectic week at work but all is not bad. Managed to club ho and sneak in 9 holes Tuesday. Found the following in the bins at work

 

Ping Eve 2 irons Red Dot 4 thru PW Apollo multi step shafts--- Actually played a 9 hole round walking Tuesday afternoon with them since I got off at 09:00 with mechanical problems on my trailer. Yeah they hit good. Yeah I said it and Augie can confirm because I told him over the phone. You folks thought you would never hear that from an old Mac blade man. Yeah I know I am slipping in my old age

 

Maxfli Aussie blades 2 thru PW missing the 9 iron R-300 shafts. These look like they have never been hit and have the original grips in pristine shape. And yes I have a $10 bounty on the 9 iron trust me if it is in the bins those guys will find it

 

Nike VRS driver Mitsu Fubuki shaft R 9.5 * damn that thing hits good

3 Wilson P-5 wedges 52 56 60

Callaway Jaws 56* SW Raw and rusty

Mizuno Wedge 56* raw and rusty

TM 580 Driver TM R shaft-- Got it for the shaft

Hogan CSS 2 hybrid NVS 85 shaft

Hogan CSS 3 hybrid same shaft

Odyssey Putter that looks like a Ping Zing

Odyssey 2 Ball Blade

Weighted training club with a reminder grip

All of this for the grand sum of $3.25

Threw the Pings , nike driver and Odyssey Zing in the Sunday bag and walked 9 holes that afternoon. Shot +3 from the forward tees. Laughed when the asst pro asked me if that was another one of my "junkyard sets" I told him yep "pure junkyard". Still having trouble posting pics Augie is trying to help me over the phone or in person when he gets down here. I think my lap top is outdated because it is an older Dell and we have had it around 12 years or so

 

Stu, you are hardworking, resourceful and nice enough to share some really interesting and wonderful finds.

most appreciated.

if you decide to part with those Hogan hybrids, I'd like to have first shot at them.

I play those shafts in Cally hybrids.

liked the first one I bought years ago and filled the set up so I'd always have whatever loft was needed for a game.

 

say Hi to Augie for me. his former Karstens are nicely re-gripped, resting in a Miller bag.

low thirties with a light dusting of snow on the way so we'll try for some (heated) range time this weekend.

 

regards,

[augustgolf]

Well had a hectic week at work but all is not bad. Managed to club ho and sneak in 9 holes Tuesday. Found the following in the bins at work

 

Ping Eve 2 irons Red Dot 4 thru PW Apollo multi step shafts--- Actually played a 9 hole round walking Tuesday afternoon with them since I got off at 09:00 with mechanical problems on my trailer. Yeah they hit good. Yeah I said it and Augie can confirm because I told him over the phone. You folks thought you would never hear that from an old Mac blade man. Yeah I know I am slipping in my old age

 

Maxfli Aussie blades 2 thru PW missing the 9 iron R-300 shafts. These look like they have never been hit and have the original grips in pristine shape. And yes I have a $10 bounty on the 9 iron trust me if it is in the bins those guys will find it

 

Nike VRS driver Mitsu Fubuki shaft R 9.5 * damn that thing hits good

3 Wilson P-5 wedges 52 56 60

Callaway Jaws 56* SW Raw and rusty

Mizuno Wedge 56* raw and rusty

TM 580 Driver TM R shaft-- Got it for the shaft

Hogan CSS 2 hybrid NVS 85 shaft

Hogan CSS 3 hybrid same shaft

Odyssey Putter that looks like a Ping Zing

Odyssey 2 Ball Blade

Weighted training club with a reminder grip

All of this for the grand sum of $3.25

Threw the Pings , nike driver and Odyssey Zing in the Sunday bag and walked 9 holes that afternoon. Shot +3 from the forward tees. Laughed when the asst pro asked me if that was another one of my "junkyard sets" I told him yep "pure junkyard". Still having trouble posting pics Augie is trying to help me over the phone or in person when he gets down here. I think my lap top is outdated because it is an older Dell and we have had it around 12 years or so

 

Stu, you are hardworking, resourceful and nice enough to share some really interesting and wonderful finds.

most appreciated.

if you decide to part with those Hogan hybrids, I'd like to have first shot at them.

I play those shafts in Cally hybrids.

liked the first one I bought years ago and filled the set up so I'd always have whatever loft was needed for a game.

 

say Hi to Augie for me. his former Karstens are nicely re-gripped, resting in a Miller bag.

low thirties with a light dusting of snow on the way so we'll try for some (heated) range time this weekend.

 

regards,

 

You just told him yourself - and glad that you only have a light dusting. St. Louis doesn't seem to have been that fortunate.

 

Always love to hear the amazement of Ping - especially some of the older iterations - so, enjoy those K-1's. Unfortunate you won't get the chance to really work with the SW, IMHO the best club in the set!

 

And, keep that cold weather "up there". It's been below freezing the last 3 mornings here, and I've had enough of it.

[deejaid]

I’ve been hitting up more thrift shops lately in my search for affordable snow clothes for my kids and of course I look for clubs in my search. I found a grand total of TWO persimmons worth picking up. Just nothing good at the thrift shops in my area. :(