National Custom Persimmon

[thepunch_out]

I know most people are familiar enough with National Custom and the work that Don White does grinding irons for the boutique brand, but I thought I'd share something more in line with this groups taste and preference. I've added quite a few pieces to the collection this year, but this driver by Tad Moore for NCW is easily one of my favorites. This club is everything I was looking for when I reached out for the build and is as much of a joy to hit on the course as it is to look at when it's on display in the man cave. Now I just need to lock in what the specs will be for the next build! This one here sits at a D4 swingweight, 10° loft and 1° closed at address. Also, Patrick's design on this headcover really makes it stand out in the bag with the blue leather and discreet logo.

[Swingingk]

It looks beautiful.  Any chance we can get some more pics?  

Would the cost on something like that be much more than say a new release modern driver?   I'm curious as I've gone through a fair bit of money trying to find a vintage driver that plays well for me and not had much success.  While "the hunt" is a big part of my P&B infatuation it would be nice to have one perfect driver to rely on.

[NRJyzr]

That's really quite lovely.  Did you go with just a driver, or did you also get a fairway wood or two?

 

[thepunch_out]

16 hours ago, Swingingk said:

It looks beautiful.  Any chance we can get some more pics?  

Would the cost on something like that be much more than say a new release modern driver?   I'm curious as I've gone through a fair bit of money trying to find a vintage driver that plays well for me and not had much success.  While "the hunt" is a big part of my P&B infatuation it would be nice to have one perfect driver to rely on.

I will get some more pics up tonight when I get home from work, I don't have any more of this driver on my phone. Pricing can vary depending on a couple of factors, but you're in the right ballpark. I can definitely sympathize with your plight of searching for the "right" driver though. I've spent more hours than I'd like to admit combing through eBay and testing on the course, but sometimes that's half the fun. Luckily for me, not all of my purchases were busts and I was able to establish a strong sense of what head shapes, swing weights,  and lofts worked best for me before I comissioned this particular build. Once the specs were set, I started talking with Patrick about different turnings Tad had on hand at that time. This is where pricing can start to vary, as some head shapes are more desirable than others. Similarly, depending on stain, custom stamping, and insert materials and design you can add some additional cost, but nothing significant. This was actually my second driver from NCW, but my first one was already built and ready to ship when I reached out to Patrick. While I love both clubs, there is definitely something special about having a club built for you, and I don't mean some generic OEM head slapped with your best fit shaft.  I'm talking about a block of persimmon that you know was crafted over hours/days/weeks just to fit your requests, and that is exactly what they deliver. They aren't cheap, but Patrick has great customer service and truly wants to make sure you get what will work best for you. As far as craftsmanship goes they are second to none. You just won't find a workshop with more revered craftsmen than Don White, Tad Moore, and Jeff McCoy.

[thepunch_out]

13 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

That's really quite lovely.  Did you go with just a driver, or did you also get a fairway wood or two?

 

I've bought two drivers from them over the last year, but no fairway instruments yet. I had an old MacGregor 693 3-wood in the bag this season that I just couldn't bring myself to pull out. That's not to say it isn't on my mind however, just a matter of getting past my own indecisiveness and pulling the trigger.  More than likely though, that will be my next golf purchase. 

[thepunch_out]

On 11/21/2020 at 4:52 PM, Swingingk said:

It looks beautiful.  Any chance we can get some more pics?  

Would the cost on something like that be much more than say a new release modern driver?   I'm curious as I've gone through a fair bit of money trying to find a vintage driver that plays well for me and not had much success.  While "the hunt" is a big part of my P&B infatuation it would be nice to have one perfect driver to rely on.

Sorry for the delay, finally got a chance to snap a couple pictures today. Driver measures in right at 1 11/16" face depth

[Swingingk]

Thanks very much for the extra pics.  That is a very nice piece of wood right there.  Love that satin finish too.

[Hammer_Hands]

On 11/21/2020 at 12:05 PM, thepunch_out said:

I know most people are familiar enough with National Custom and the work that Don White does grinding irons for the boutique brand, but I thought I'd share something more in line with this groups taste and preference. I've added quite a few pieces to the collection this year, but this driver by Tad Moore for NCW is easily one of my favorites. This club is everything I was looking for when I reached out for the build and is as much of a joy to hit on the course as it is to look at when it's on display in the man cave. Now I just need to lock in what the specs will be for the next build! This one here sits at a D4 swingweight, 10° loft and 1° closed at address. Also, Patrick's design on this headcover really makes it stand out in the bag with the blue leather and discreet logo.

What shaft options are available through National Custom?

[thepunch_out]

4 hours ago, joelco said:

What shaft options are available through National Custom?

To be honest, I'm not sure what all of their options are. I have DG S300 in both of mine, but there was no back-and-forth as it was my first choice. Both Tad and Patrick are phenomenal to work with though, and are always happy to help. They're prompt to respond to emails, and if you have Instagram they are just as quick getting back to dm's there as well.

[weavej1]

On 11/23/2020 at 10:51 PM, Swingingk said:

Thanks very much for the extra pics.  That is a very nice piece of wood right there.  Love that satin finish too.

I am in awe of how beautiful these woods look, such a departure of how we used to refinish woods dipping in poly to make as shiny as possible.  Works of art.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

That's a lovely looking club. I particularly like the EOM insert and the lack of a back weight.

Is the neck thicker than traditional persimmon drivers, or are my eyes deceiving me? I have a couple of late persimmon era Honma with similar shaped necks, and I assumed it was for hitting harder balls, like the old two-piece Ultras, but I'm not sure.

Did they make the neck on yours thicker so it could be played with modern balls?

 

[thepunch_out]

Yep, as they like to say "tools not jewels," everything they make is playable with modern balls. With that said, I would put an asterisk next to that statement and advise you only use urethane covered balls (avoid surlyn) and preferably those with a lower compression, for example the Bridgestone B RXS is a very solid performing modern ball that is very playable with persimmon as well. 

 

As for the neck shape, it is definitely thicker than most and even a bit shorter. Both of my driver's from them are shaped this way despite being two different turnings, so it's certainly their stock option, but I can't say if it is to accommodate modern balls or just a design preference of Tad's. It's noticeable at address, but not distracting. Probably the oddest neck on any persimmon in my collection however, is a 1939 MacGregor, Tommy Armour - Penna Model. They are far more oval than round, run further up the shaft, and are actually spliced up the front and rear sides of the neck. It's kind of crazy seeing a club that was manufactured with the intention of splicing the neck like that. Pretty cool set all around though as it was before Toney Penna had his own line with MacGregor, thus it is an Armour stamp on the crown and Penna on the toe of the club. I'm not sure what year exactly Penna joined MacGregor's club design staff, but it has to be one of his first designs I would think. (Sorry for the tangent, got lost there for a sec.)

 

Here's a couple pics of the Bayer turning I bought from NCW last year. I believe this is identical to the original MacGregor GB1W (with the exception of the insert) and it is a very deep face at 1 7/8".  Beautiful grain pattern on this club too, but evidently I don't have any good top down shots on my phone at the moment. Nice U-shaped grain from the toe.