NOS 1962-1963 Wilson Staff Dynapower Turfrider

[cold_war_era_golfer]

I recently picked these up and upon first glance I thought they had been rechromed.   However the shafts, bands, and grips are in similar “unplayed” condition as well. 
 

They look so good I almost feel bad hacking them up at my local par 3.

 

 

[Puttersaurus Rex]

Very clean!

[Stephen8802]

Goodness gracious, those are pretty.

[deejaid]

Wow, those are survivors.  Nice find.

[BIG STU]

4 hours ago, coldwareragolfer said:

I recently picked these up and upon first glance I thought they had been rechromed.   However the shafts, bands, and grips are in similar “unplayed” condition as well. 
 

They look so good I almost feel bad hacking them up at my local par 3.

 

 

Nice I saw them when you posted on PGS

[twidener]

Those are great! I have two sets of 1964 Staffs with the Turfrider sole and a set of 1967 Staffs. Mine were very clean but those look new. Always liked that grip too. The old Staffs are really solid and have a nice feel. 

[cold_war_era_golfer]

I haven't hit these obviously.  

But every older Staff compares to my 80s Staffs.  They really didn't change much maybe the length?  Slightly heavier.

[elwhippy]

What an awesome find. Enjoy. 

[smorg]

Great find.

 

[NRJyzr]

These are amazing.  

 

Are you going to play them?  Were I in your shoes, I'd give them a run, but I'm a "tools not jewels" kind of guy.  I realize not everyone agrees.  🙂

 

Amusingly, the Turfriders are yet another set I had the chance to buy at 2nd Swing, and didn't.  This was during their first run, before their reorganization/renaissance into their current existence.

 

I think I could fill a golf shop with "clubs I passed on that I wish I hadn't."  I expect I'm in good company in that regard.  LOL

 

Edited October 31, 2020 by NRJyzr

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Beautiful clubs, @coldwareragolfer.

To be honest, I'd hesitate to pick up NOS from 60 years ago simply because I know I would struggle to bring myself to play them. It's easier for me to buy a used set and put it into play.

Still, that's a fantastic pick-up all the same.

[Dr. Block]

Bravo sir! What an incredible find.  
 

I’d have those in my bag faster then you could say, “Jack Robinson”! If for no other reason than the great golf bag they would give. There’s something so pleasing about approaching your bag after a shot and seeing all that gleaming metal sparkling in the sun light. 

Edited March 23, 2022 by Dr. Block

[rgk5]

I had a set of those in 1968 with the Fineline grips as you show.  A "heavy" feeling iron but the sole worked as claimed.

[BIG STU]

On 10/31/2020 at 12:39 PM, NRJyzr said:

These are amazing.  

 

Are you going to play them?  Were I in your shoes, I'd give them a run, but I'm a "tools not jewels" kind of guy.  I realize not everyone agrees.  🙂

 

Amusingly, the Turfriders are yet another set I had the chance to buy at 2nd Swing, and didn't.  This was during their first run, before their reorganization/renaissance into their current existence.

 

I think I could fill a golf shop with "clubs I passed on that I wish I hadn't."  I expect I'm in good company in that regard.  LOL

 

LOL that last paragraph except in my case that is why I have a shop ,storage building and front bed room full of stuff. I do not usually pass

[cold_war_era_golfer]

On 10/30/2020 at 2:26 PM, twidener said:

Those are great! I have two sets of 1964 Staffs with the Turfrider sole and a set of 1967 Staffs. Mine were very clean but those look new. Always liked that grip too. The old Staffs are really solid and have a nice feel. 

I have a set from 67 too!  They are much smaller in shape than the Turf riders.

 

I also have a set from 58,59, and 65.

My 58s are in great shape!

[cold_war_era_golfer]

On 10/31/2020 at 11:39 AM, NRJyzr said:

These are amazing.  

 

Are you going to play them?  Were I in your shoes, I'd give them a run, but I'm a "tools not jewels" kind of guy.  I realize not everyone agrees.  🙂

 

Amusingly, the Turfriders are yet another set I had the chance to buy at 2nd Swing, and didn't.  This was during their first run, before their reorganization/renaissance into their current existence.

 

I think I could fill a golf shop with "clubs I passed on that I wish I hadn't."  I expect I'm in good company in that regard.  LOL

 

My first thought is no I shouldn’t hit them.  I’m a lousy golfer and will probably ruin them.   If it was 63 Stratocaster I’d play the snot of it!  Maybe once I get better?

 

I dont have kids so not going to pass them down and even if I do they may not even be into golf.  So if I don’t play them they will just end up at my estate sale.  Which begs the question?   Who am I saving them for?

Edited November 2, 2020 by coldwareragolfer

[deejaid]

The problem I see is even if the grips aren’t completely dry rotted they will be a bit hard and will not feel great on contact.  Obviously removing them to install something more playable makes them no longer NOS.   It’s a bit of a problem.   I passed on a NOS set of 1953 Powerbilt woods because I knew I’d want to hit them and then they are no longer NOS.

 

 

And I don’t have a 63 Strat, but how about a 70 Mustang?  
 

 

 

[Dr. Block]

17 hours ago, coldwareragolfer said:

My first thought is no I shouldn’t hit them.  I’m a lousy golfer and will probably ruin them.   If it was 63 Stratocaster I’d play the snot of it!  Maybe once I get better?

 

I dont have kids so not going to pass them down and even if I do they may not even be into golf.  So if I don’t play them they will just end up at my estate sale.  Which begs the question?   Who am I saving them for?

I think you should re-grip them and play the snot out of them. The most rewarding thing about owning them will be finding the sweet spot. As long as you’re cautious in fairway bunkers, around tree roots, or anywhere you suspect you might catch a rock, they’ll be perfectly fine. You won’t hurt them at all. They were built to strike a golf ball, not collect dust as some sort of relic. 

Edited November 2, 2020 by Dr. Block

[ALIF]

Dude!!!!!! I have a used set in good shape I used to play. I also have a set that I had stripped to bare metal (raw) that I re-shafted. Sweet irons!!!

[cold_war_era_golfer]

1 hour ago, ALIF said:

Dude!!!!!! I have a used set in good shape I used to play. I also have a set that I had stripped to bare metal (raw) that I re-shafted. Sweet irons!!!

What does stripping them down look like!!??

[ALIF]

20 hours ago, coldwareragolfer said:

What does stripping them down look like!!??

I'll get a picture up tonight of them.

[BladesOShanter]

If you aren't pounding 500 balls a day at the range, and are not minting them on every swing, you could play those puppies for years and the grooves will still be as sharp as they are now. As mentioned: just don't play it down on hardpan or where rocks can ding or carve up the soles. I'll gladly take them off your hands lol.

Edited February 21, 2021 by bladesoshanter

[cold_war_era_golfer]

I still have them.  They are currently tucked in a warm closet in my basement.  Right next to an almost as mint shape set with original leather grips.

 

I really lucked out in the Turfrider department last fall. 

[jimcon147]

Hi Guys, I have stumbled upon this page as I also have recently found a set of these beautifull irons and am trying to learn more about them. I am interested to learn that you suggest they are from 1962/3. From the condition of those on here and also mine I would have put them a few years later but I expect you guys know more than me and I think the hosel design suggests they are pretty old. I always tend to think they used to make things better in the past and built things to last, as opposed to todays throw away items. Maybe this is why these irons are still superb and its a tribute to their build quality and craftmanship. I am looking to sell as I already have a set of Wilson blades I favour - the more recent Wilson Augusta irons. In order to show off the pictures of my irons and also in case anyone is interested here is a link to my ebay listing -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154895418122

 

I am in the UK but can ship anywhere using Ebays Global Shipping Program

Am doing freepost in the UK which will make shipping more reasonable even for international shipping.

 

Thanks again for the information.

[Jiggered]

They're definitely 1962/63, the condition of anything comes down to how much use they've had and how well they were looked after.

Nice set, good luck with your sale.

[cold_war_era_golfer]

Nice set!  I sold the set that originated this thread.  Someone offered me a price I couldn't pass up and although I'm a firm believer in playing everything I own those clubs were just too MINT for my lousy style of play.  I think I put the $ towards a gaggle of Mac FC 4000 sets!  But still sort of miss them now that I see the pictures.

[jimcon147]

Am I about right price wise? Wondered if you could tell me if you sold yours for more or less?

[Jiggered]

9 hours ago, jimcon147 said:

Am I about right price wise? Wondered if you could tell me if you sold yours for more or less?

 

It depends on how quickly you want to sell them.

With the current collector base in the UK (which has a much smaller pool than the US) I don't think they'll sell for £200.

My advice would be a £100 start and see where they go. Although in all honesty I don't think they'll sell quickly for that either but I understand that you want as good a price as possible for them. 

They're certainly a better set than many of the £200+ priced vintage sets you see on UK ebay, but they don't sell either!

 

Searching the ebay sold listings is always your best guide, although I've seen some stuff listed at high cost and apparently sold but then it appears again with the same seller!

 

I bought a set of 2 to PW in January for £50, not in as good condition as yours but perfectly playable and the price included a bag, some nice Walter Hagen "Haig Ultra" laminated woods and a few putters.

Pics below, I need to clean the ferrules up!  

 

 

 

[Jiggered]

Although having said all the above, I just made a quick scan of the sold listings and found these so there is hope for you!

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wilson-Staff-Irons-3-S-Custom-Grind-Dynapower-Steel-with-Golf-Pride-Grips-/384751994549?hash=item59950186b5%3Ag%3AlJgAAOSwXK9iDlxM&nma=true&si=GU%2B1W4ONEoZNZVqMw8CFKCsCVrQ%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[rgk5]

I played my second year of college golf (1969) with a set of those Dynapowers.  Head heavy but fine irons.