Can anyone help identify these Irons? First Flight " CUSTOM"

[dlkingfisher]

Howdy,

 

I picked up this set of Irons today from the thrift store. They don't appear to be used at all. I have done a ton of research on the internet but can't find anything concrete on this particular model of first flight blades. These have steel shafts. Anything is helpful

 

Much thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ironmaster Oddities]

great looking club.

[dlkingfisher]

Appreciate it they've never been used from what I can tell, but the info on first flight irons is quite slim. They're a quality blade from what I can tell.

great looking club.

[rex235]

Kingfisher-

 

These clubs are most likely a Custom Grind for a First Flight Staffer. Assuming they have ferrules and shaft bands, these irons should have their Registration numbers on their Ferrules. They do not appear to be the FTD Model, with Shaft over hosel design, and are the pre-Arnold Palmer First Flight Standard Iron, offered in 1978. The iron number stampings seem consistent with the Standard.

 

The "First Flight" script stamp suggests 1970s, but the "Custom" stamping means they could be from ANY year.

 

First Flight was one of the early golf equipment companies who offered Jack Nicklaus a $100,000 contract to sign with them, initiating a bidding war with the young Ohio State Champion. According to Alan Shipnuck's article on MacGregor, MacGregor's President told their Equipment representatives, "Don't Lose Him"... they didn't, and the rest is History.

 

First Flight also produced the "NALG Approved" Models, which stands for National Association of Left-handed Golfers.

 

Later, when First Flight merged with Arnold Palmers Professional Golf Co, and bought Toney Pennas name and produced some woods with his design, they acquired the Hotze Golf Bag Company and the Duckster Apparel Company, and became the ProGroup Conglomerate.

 

First Flight was located in Chattanooga, TN, but when they became part of ProGroup, they were relocated to Ooltewah, TN....

 

 

The Honors Course, Designed by Pete Dye, is located in Ooltewah, TN. The Honors Course also hosted the US Amateur in 1991, and NCAA Div 1 Golf Championships in 1996 and 2010.

[baloo]

Beautiful set.

[Juice__25]

My guess is 75-77. Just a guess.

 

Not speaking for C. Penna, but I do think Charley said Toney didn't do any design work for FF, they just used his name.

 

Do like the set though.

[rex235]

Juice-

 

FF/Pro Golf used the Toney Penna name, but it was a little more than that...

 

From the Golf Club Identification and Price Guide III, Page 34-1-

 

"Both the Palmer and the First Flight lines of clubs were manufactured by Professional Golf until 1970 when, in another acquisition, the company bought control of the Toney Penna Golf Company in Jupiter, Florida. Penna clubs were still manufactured in Florida during First Flight/Pro Golf ownership, although in 1971 a line of First Flight Toney Penna model woods were produced in the Chattanooga plant, which carried the First Flight soleplate and a Toney Penna decal. Professional Golfs association with the Toney Penna Company was short lived and came to an end when they sold the company to the ATO Corporation in late 1971.

 

These were Toney Penna designed models produced by First Flight/Pro Golf in Chattanooga, TN.

 

These rare models exist.

[Juice__25]

Juice-

 

FF/Pro Golf used the Toney Penna name, but it was a little more than that...

 

From the Golf Club Identification and Price Guide III, Page 34-1-

 

"Both the Palmer and the First Flight lines of clubs were manufactured by Professional Golf until 1970 when, in another acquisition, the company bought control of the Toney Penna Golf Company in Jupiter, Florida. Penna clubs were still manufactured in Florida during First Flight/Pro Golf ownership, although in 1971 a line of First Flight Toney Penna model woods were produced in the Chattanooga plant, which carried the First Flight soleplate and a Toney Penna decal. Professional Golfs association with the Toney Penna Company was short lived and came to an end when they sold the company to the ATO Corporation in late 1971.

 

These were Toney Penna designed models produced by First Flight/Pro Golf in Chattanooga, TN.

 

These rare models exist.

 

Good info. Thanks.

[buckmark]

Great looking irons! I've got a set of First Flight golden eagle irons that I play once or twice a year. Are the shafts pinned on your Customs?

[rex235]

Kingfisher-

 

Do you have any photos of the rest of the irons in this set?

[defender2803]

Sorry to barge in but I posted these in another thread and was wondering if mr. rex has an answer of where these came from also? The "Staff" on top is throwing me for a loop. Not as pretty as those Customs though... :)

 

 

 

[majic]

Wish I could help. I did work for First Flight in late 60's early 70's. Both American Lava in Chattanooga and Coors were attempting to make face inserts for drivers. I did the diamond grinding finishing of them to control the fit. Remember flying from Toledo Ohio to Chattanooga on a commercial flight and it was a prop plane. Spectacular flight. In dark you could see the engines firing.

[BIG STU]

Juice-

 

FF/Pro Golf used the Toney Penna name, but it was a little more than that...

 

From the Golf Club Identification and Price Guide III, Page 34-1-

 

"Both the Palmer and the First Flight lines of clubs were manufactured by Professional Golf until 1970 when, in another acquisition, the company bought control of the Toney Penna Golf Company in Jupiter, Florida. Penna clubs were still manufactured in Florida during First Flight/Pro Golf ownership, although in 1971 a line of First Flight Toney Penna model woods were produced in the Chattanooga plant, which carried the First Flight soleplate and a Toney Penna decal. Professional Golfs association with the Toney Penna Company was short lived and came to an end when they sold the company to the ATO Corporation in late 1971.

 

These were Toney Penna designed models produced by First Flight/Pro Golf in Chattanooga, TN.

 

These rare models exist.

I saw one of those woods a few years back in a $5 barrel at a now defunct golf shop. I did not know I thought someone had bastardized a First Flight wood with a Penna decal. Now that you have educated me I will not make that mistake again trust me. Like I have said many times on here--- Every time I come on here and go to this section I learn something new in the classic world. There are really a collection of smart minds on this end. Thanks for the education

[mocokid]

I also thought Rawlings bought out Toney Penna at some point, to further confuse matters.

[rex235]

Defender-

 

At first glance-

 

Your First Flight> "Staff" irons have later model stampings than Kingfishers First Flight "Custom" irons... both have those stampings on the sole.

 

Note the difference on stampings for the iron numbers, and the ferrules on your irons have low specific registration numbers.

 

Both most likely were custom ground by the same crew members at Chattanooga/Ooltewah, TN.

 

Yours seem to have a Pre-Standard look to them, but it would be nice to see Kingfishers entire set for comparison.

[defender2803]

Got the woods too...numbers match and it has the Staff logo as well.

 

 

 

 

[rex235]

Got the woods too...numbers match and it has the Staff logo as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defender-

 

Top of the Pro Line clubs from First Flight-

 

Although these are laminated, and not persimmon, but the Driver appears to have some heftiness. Iron shafts appear to be pinned.

 

These remind me so much of the Golden Eagle line, but the "Staff" stampings and decals on this set indicate a few extra steps involved.

 

Surprising.... there aren't any wedges...

[defender2803]

Got the woods too...numbers match and it has the Staff logo as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defender-

 

Top of the Pro Line clubs from First Flight-

 

Although these are laminated, and not persimmon, but the Driver appears to have some heftiness. Iron shafts appear to be pinned.

 

These remind me so much of the Golden Eagle line, but the "Staff" stampings and decals on this set indicate a few extra steps involved.

 

Surprising.... there aren't any wedges...

Alas...no wedge at the thrift store...it may have wandered off with a small person with candy covered fingers...as with any thrift store.

[DavePelz4]

Have the same Staff irons...with aluminium shafts.

[rex235]

Have the same Staff irons...with aluminium shafts.

 

Pelz4-

 

If that is true, then these FF> "Staff" clubs could be after the companies '69-71 migration to Aluminum...

[defender2803]

Have the same Staff irons...with aluminium shafts.

 

Pelz4-

 

If that is true, then these FF> "Staff" clubs could be after the companies '69-71 migration to Aluminum...

 

I only have a thin label that is barely legible as True Temper...with no flex info but gold in color. Shafts could have been swapped?