Thrift Store Jackpot

[Rambler1277]

Picked up a nice set of Spalding Top Flights (2-9, minus #4) with a Gene Littler wedge and a First Flight bag for $20. One of the first vintage sets I've seen in awhile that wasn't rusted out. Went out and played 9 with them, very playable but the grips are pretty narrow even though they're in good shape. Looks like the 61 model according to ironfinder, serial # 614939? Just realized the set is missing the 4 iron so I may have to make a return to Goodwill and see if I missed it.

 

[Bigarch]

Nice looking clubs. But that bag is LEGIT!

[Rambler1277]

Thanks, I thought it looked cooler than the average bag for sure.

[pahogan]

I have 2-9 in them syncro Spalding irons, if you want spares let me know.

[stixman]

More Spaldings here, picked up about 10 days ago, plus a couple of Executive woods with the concave crowns from 1962. The irons same year except the 2 iron from 4 or 5 years later.

[BIG STU]

Love those early First Flight Hot Z bags with the single zipper on the single pocket---- Looks like a college players bag from the 60s early 70s for sure

[HappyGilmoresBoots]

 

https://i.imgur.com/uACSr5t.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IMgjvr1.jpgFound this Wilson Chipper at the local thrift store. I picked it up, as well as a red-dot Ping Eye 8i. I'm certainly interested in enhancing my shortgame with this option, though I think in another thread, someone said that you can achieve similar results using a 7i or so.

 

[scomac2002]

I actually have this at home. We bought it years ago at a yard sale for the kids. Still works great with the electric ball retriever!

[topoftheline89]

Some of my recent aquisitions.

 

MT Tourney Colokorum rec.m75

The Winter Haul^

[BIG STU]

On most of those chippers the loft is about the same as a 7 iron. But the chipper by design is usually heavier and in some cases a shorter shaft than a 7 iron and the lie will be more flatter to mimic a putter. I have seen some guys in the past work some magic with those things. I have also seen guys in the past take the round grip off and put the same grip on them as their putter. Think in this case the old school Pro Only like a Ping Man grip. But hey it is worth trying for play or even a practice tool

[HappyGilmoresBoots]

It's been super fun chipping around the backyard with it, that's for sure! It gets a ton of speed behind the ball, I was quite surprised at that.

[apexironman]

Picked up this Hogan bag this weekend, pocket had a number of ball markers from Japanese courses.

[Shallowface]

Stu, I know you meant to write that the lie on a chipper is more upright than a 7 Iron.

The most prominent current chipper, The Square Strike, has a 68 degree lie, and comes in 45, 55 and 60 degree lofts. Seems a Ping Wedge in an upright color code would accomplish much the same thing.

Nothing I have says exactly what loft those Wilson Chippers have, but year after year the catalog said they had "scientifically designed loft." Wonder who did the R&D on that????

I know it doesn't bother you, and it wouldn't bother me either, but a putter grip on a chipper renders it non-conforming under the Rules. I don't believe that was always the case because I have seen plenty of chippers over the years sold with putter grips installed. It may well be along the lines that if one is using a chipper they probably aren't playing any competition, but that's an unfair point of view. I wouldn't hesitate to use one if I thought it would make a positive difference.

[bsuwara]

Wow! Hard to believe you found those in a thrift shop ... Great finds!

[deejaid]

I’ve seen numerous people mention they found some VAS irons but I think you might be the first to actually walk out with them! Nice pickup! ?

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Interesting. Assuming you picked that up in the USA, I bet that that bag used to belong to someone in the military. Hatano and Atsugi (as in the Daiatsugi CC) are both near bases in Kanagawa Prefecture. There's a big air base in Atsugi, Zama Camp is also pretty nearby (Zama City borders Atsugi City), and the Yokosuka Naval Base isn't that far away. HCC probably refers to Hiratsuka Fujimi Country Club, which is a little further south in Kanagawa, but still close to Atsugi. The Angel Country Club I had to look up, but that's over in Chiba, which was a hike to get to from Kanagawa before they built a massive bridge and tunnel across the bay in the Nineties. But I think there are some bases over there as well.

I'm leaning towards it being a bag owned by someone in the airforce who was once stationed at Atsugi airbase.

[apexironman]

You are probably right, as there was also a scorecard from Ke'alohi, which is on Joint Base Pearl Harbor - Hickam. Got it at a Goodwill in the Las Vegas area.

[Joe85]

Anyone ever seen Hogan "Leader" blades? I walked away from a 2-Equalizer (Missing the 6 Iron - which is why I walked...).

 

 

[augustgolf]

Cleveland VAS irons - and Corey Pavin played them.

 

I always said that if Corey Pavin won a major with that swing - and using those irons - I would quit the game.

 

Well.....I've taken a long time off from playing - - -those clubs should stay in a thrift shop.

 

Hope all is well with everyone, sitting out the current Covid-19 situation. I'm tearing apart the clubhouse/bar/restaurant and pro shop for some majorly extensive spring cleaning.

 

Take care - see ya'll on the other side of this mess.

 

augie

[BIG STU]

Yep you are correct I miss typed that. Yep I knew that a putter grip on a chipper is non conforming. Prior to the "groove rule" a chipper was conforming as long as it was one sided only. 2 way chippers with grooves on both sides of the face have always been non conforming. But like you said most folks that play those do not play stipulated comps anyhow. And like you I absolutely have no problem playing with someone who uses one. In fact in one of the groups I play in one of the guys uses a square strike. It has really helped his short game and enhanced his enjoyment and hey that IMHO is what it is all about

[Shallowface]

According to their website, the Square Strike conforms to the rules. They label it a wedge, but it's clearly a chipper. As long as a chipper is heel shafted, has conforming grooves and a round grip, it' probably conforms.

There are some chippers that are clearly non-conforming. Hireko had (has?) one that is center shafted which is against the rules for a club with loft. The old T-Line that had that alignment appendage on it didn't conform because of that attachment. And you are right about the two-way version, although they sure have sold a ton of those over the years (mostly Northwestern, although I also remember the Ram Double Trouble). I think Hireko may still have one available.

[augustgolf]

Hey, Bir Stu - hope all is good!

 

At one point in time, a double faced chipper was legal, but counted as 2 clubs, due to the 2 faces. That was back in the day when reminder grips were legal,as well as the putter grips that had many variations, none of which would be considered legal today.

And, I certainly agree with you - anything that makes the game more enjoyable, especialy for amateurs not playing for anything other than the love of the game - should be considered lega.

 

Personally, I like the aiming fluid. I have never seen that covered in the rules, and I know for a fact that many an old timer used the juice when they played the tour or PGA approved tournaments.

 

[@_the_crook]

to add, this oldie Wilson chipper is about 34' long, upright like a putter and heavy in the head as well. nice original leather grip and fun to use.

and Augie - my preferred aiming juice is Bulleit. good for all that ails a person. best regards.

 

[BIG STU]

I did not know per say if the Square Strike was conforming or not. Someone at the course asked me about that the other day. Upon naked eye examination I saw no reason it would not be unless it had not been submitted for testing. So you have confirmed that for me. Thanks

[BIG STU]

Trust me I know all about "aiming fluid" and when we meet up I can tell you some stories that my old man told from back in the day. And trust me from my bringing up I have seen many a game played with those chippers and all types of trick shots

[scomac2002]

Aiming fluid: an integral part of the game of curling!

[scomac2002]

Don't know how well I would hit VAS irons, but I'd sure as heck walk out of a thrift with a set if I found them. I'd even go so far as to give a go with the VAS woods too!

[NRJyzr]

All the aiming fluid comments reminds me....

OK, background. I don't drink at all, never have. I've had three beers in my life, the last being 37 years ago. Some of my friends do their best to make up for my lack of alcohol consumption.

Sitting around after golf, that subject comes up again. My one friend pipes up, says he feels sorry for me. Why is that? His reason, when I wake up in the morning, that's as good as I'm going to feel all day. He knows he'll feel better as the day moves on. LOL

 

[bsuwara]

That’s funny!!

[BIG STU]

We had a set that Big John traded for back in the day when we had the golf shop. I say traded for frankly honestly I do not know where they came from. John was always doing stuff like that. Anyhow we had a hitting net set up and he talked me into hitting them. I promptly shanked two of them and told him no thanks. Those things sat around until we closed the shop. I think we ended up scrapping them. I told him not to put them on display in the shop that they were so ugly they may scare a customer with small children in tow. I did something with them one time like put them in a back room and Big John was whining that he had $50 in them and they needed to sell. I told him frankly that he should have just burned that $50 bill and saved us the agony of looking at those horrid things