Wood Brothers Irons

[golfmj228]

These were out I think when I worked at my first Las Vegas Discount Golf & Tennis store back in the 94-96 timeframe can some of you WB experts verify that? Any info from you guys would be greatly appreciated! I picked up this 6, 8-PW a few days ago. Would love to get a 7 iron at least if anyone has one floating around, may have to go search the Bay...

[Texsport]

These irons were produced by Wood Bros along with Corker and Kool Kat woods.

 

They are pretty solid - my daughter still plays this set.

 

You can find them on eBay generally.

 

Texsport

[golfmj228]

Thanks Texsport do you know who did the forging for WB on this particular model?

[Texsport]

No, but freddiec may know.

 

I'd guess someone in Asia - Dave Wood had lots of contacts and business there.

 

texsport

[freddiec]

Endo Japan per Dave Wood

[golfmj228]

Thanks for the info Freddiec! From my recollection of those early '90's days they had a great feel to them I just never loved the look, me being more of a hogan blade fan but I couldn't stand to see them rot away so I grabbed them and they actually cleaned up really well.

[rex235]

Endo Japan per Dave Wood

 

Freddie-

 

Pretty sure RH Only as well...

[freddiec]

Lefty sets were available according to Dave Wood. Most were sold in Japan.

[rex235]

Lefty sets were available according to Dave Wood. Most were sold in Japan.

 

Freddie-

 

Most?

 

You may be right, but most of the FCB models shown here during that time period on this side of the pond were RH Only.

 

Never saw a LH Wood Brothers Forged Cavity Back iron.... and of the other manufacturers who made forged cavity back irons after Hogan, most had the same RH Only limiting provision.

 

There were no asterisks, indicating LH model available by Special Order.

 

So, if anyone has a set....

[Ironmaster Oddities]

A friend of mine had a set of Wood Bros irons that were forged Muscle backs. Looked a loft like Mizunos. He thought they were really sweet.

[Texsport]

The very rare, indivdually hand forged muscle back Wood Bros Championship Balance irons were made, one iron at a time in Japan, by Mizuno's model master maker and Samuri sword maker Mr. Takagi.

 

The design came about during a Tour rain delay, when dave Wood asked Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Jeff Sluman, etc - "what would the perfect iron look like"? I believe that only 2 batches of these irons were ever produced, distinguishable by slightly different sized Championship/WB stamps on the backs.

 

Mike Standley, ex U of Houston All American, won the Tour School Qualifying Tournament using a set in the 1990s.

 

Wood Bros history is well documented on WRX and other sites.

 

I played one of these sets for years and now own that set + 3 other unplayed, mint sets as part of my Wood Bros collection.

 

My avatar is a prototype for a GAP/A wedge (REC NO 001) that was never produced for sale.

 

Texsport

[Titleist87]

Sometime in the mid to latter 1990s, I had a flyer from a custom club maker that was blowing out those Championship Balance heads. I should have bought a set but never did and regret it anytime I see them...so...thanks for the memories.

[Texsport]

There was also a cast Championship Balance model that looks very similar.

 

Don't be fooled, the cast model had low swing weights and had a standard looking groove pattern.

 

The forged model was heavier and had a unique groove pattern cut off diagonally across the top on the toe side.

 

Texsport

[Texsport]

The real deal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texsport

[golfmj228]

Texsport those are real beauty's! I've never had the privilege to see those in person but they look amazing.

[Texsport]

Real player's irons - thin sole, trimmed down hosel for cutting thru rough, and sweet feeling!

 

Hand forged Stainless Steel BTW!

 

I played a set until I started to wear them out, so I stopped. Acquired 3 more mint sets later, but never went back - but it's a good thought, come to think of it! My son is a PGA club pro/Director of Golf and has a another set himself.

 

My son played a set for one season at Houston or LSU - don't remember exactly when or which.

 

I still play Don White designed MacGregor PRO MB blades today.

 

Texsport

[rex235]

Tex-

 

With the WBs around, kind of surprising you'd play Don Whites Pro MBs..

 

Got photos of those?

[Texsport]

No, but I do like Don White clubs-----and I'm trying to preserve my Wood Bros collection, which is pretty significant by now.

 

5-PW - MacGregor PRO MB

50*, 56*, 60*- Scratch Don White custom Jose Maria Olazabal grinds

64* - Callaway Phil LW

 

Texsport

[rex235]

No, but I do like Don White clubs-----and I'm trying to preserve my Wood Bros collection, which is pretty significant by now.

 

5-PW - MacGregor PRO MB

50*, 56*, 60*- Scratch Don White custom Jose Maria Olazabal grinds

64* - Callaway Phil LW

 

Texsport

 

Tex-

 

It took me 16 years to meet Don White after the Sports Illustrated article, and it was an afternoon that will always be treasured.

 

 

 

 

Both Don and Patrick Boyd (then of Scratch Golf) were incredibly kind and gracious with their time.

 

There is only one DW Wedge in my bag, but it will be there for a long while...

[Texsport]

I've spoken to Mr White on several occasions and was always amazed by his memory for clubs he has ground.

 

He remembered every detail of clubs made for Jose Maria Olazabal.

 

I had originally bought JMO wedges from Dave Wood, who was VP of design at MacGregor, after he sold Wood Bros Golf. I played those wedges and they really fit me, so thru Dave and others, I spoke to Don White about making me some copies.

 

I recall that he said he could make exact copies except that the Scratch head blanks were 1/32" shorter heel-to-toe.

 

Eventually, he made 8 JMO wedges for me before his retirement. Patrick handled the details, payments, notifications, and shipping like the professional he is.

 

Love those wedges!

 

Texsport

[subrew]

On 10/31/2016 at 12:26 PM, Texsport said:

There was also a cast Championship Balance model that looks very similar.

 

Don't be fooled, the cast model had low swing weights and had a standard looking groove pattern.

 

The forged model was heavier and had a unique groove pattern cut off diagonally across the top on the toe side.

 

Texsport

 

I did a bit of searching, and found this thread and your posts.  Seems like this set of irons I just took delivery of might be the forged ones.  Any specs on the lofts available anywhere?  These are 2-PW + SW. 

[subrew]

I built these up a couple of weeks ago, and finally got a chance to play them this past week on my home course.  Absolutely love them.  Some will say it is sacrilege, but I've been using very light L and A flex graphite shafts on many of my recent builds.  It really helps me to get some elevation, even on these types of blades. 

 

In this case I paired them up with a set of Reax 55 A-Flex shafts that were originally specd for the Taylormade M2 iron series.  The 7-iron shaft came in at 53.2 grams, at a 37.5" playing length, with a D3.2 SW.

 

I even managed to get the 2-iron up in the air.