Looking for info on Harvey Penick irons.

[Pooka]

Hi All,

 

I've shot a set of Harvey Penick Masters (3-9, SW) for as long as I can remember, and I've always enjoyed hitting them.

 

I just came across a clean set of Harvey Penick Professionals last night on eBay and long story short I'm waiting on the mailman to deliver my new, old clubs. 

 

I can't seem to find any information online about the Professionals besides a few short mentions in old forum posts and this thread:  1203356-harvey-penick-masters-irons on this forum. 

 

Do any of you have experience with the Professional model of HP's or have any loft data on them?  I'm curious as to how they will compare with the Masters.

 

I'm aware they were custom heads sold by Golfsmith in the 90's and the Masters at lease were designed by Tom Wishon.  

 

Cheers,

 

Pete

 

[NoCalHack]

Wow. Penick irons. I remember those. I’ll reply for nostalgias sake. Whatever floats your boat but they were inexpensive component clubs from the 90s. Even expensive OEM clubs from the 90s aren’t worth that much as technology has advanced a lot.  I’m sure they are standard specs for the time which means they are really weak lofted, heavy,  and not very forgiving at all.  You are probably giving up strokes by playing them, just like you would be if you played Ping eye 2s, tommy armour 845s, or titleist DCIs, which were the premium cast irons of that time.  Now I personally wouldnt play irons for nostalgias sake. You can certainly find many types of irons on eBay that play way better for $200 or less. 

[braincramp52]

New blades are easier to hit than those things were. They will definitely let you know when you miss the quarter sized sweet spot. 

[Nessism]

6 minutes ago, braincramp52 said:

New blades are easier to hit than those things were. They will definitely let you know when you miss the quarter sized sweet spot. 

Nonsense.  The Professional's were very similar to the Masters.  Very nice club heads.  The heads that were more blade like were the "classic players."  

[GrandStranded]

Every time I come across one of these threads about someone being excited about finding a set of irons  30 or so years old, I always picture the Person as overweight, about 70 years old, and in need of a haircut.
He plays in a bucket hat, wearing a too big cardigan over a heavy cotton polo, along with a pair of baggy, wrinkled old khakis.

His bag is a heavy old single strap Wilson model, and he has those fake fur barrel style headcovers that are strung together.

He makes a show out of every divot he repairs on the green, as he prepares to line up with his bullseye putter, which he tells everyone he’s rolled for 40 years.

Am i the only one?

 

Edited April 13, 2021 by john myrbch

[llamont]

Here’s an interesting thread on the WRX where Tom Wishon, who designed the clubs for Golfsmith with input from Harvey Penick, provides solid info on the specs and playability of the irons. It doesn’t get much better than this. 
 

 

 

Edited April 14, 2021 by llamont

[Pooka]

Thanks for all the replies so far, even you myrbch, keep enjoying that overactive imagination of yours!

 

Of course there’s been great strides in club design and manufacturing since these came out 25 years ago, and I have little doubt my wallet could shave a stroke or two. 

 

As NorCalHack stated, whatever floats your boat.  I like dialing in an iron to my swing and learning to hit it well, even more so when the set costs less than a twilight tee time around here!

 

Now...anyone know where I can buy a 40 year old bullseye putter? 😜

[braincramp52]

7 hours ago, Nessism said:

Nonsense.  The Professional's were very similar to the Masters.  Very nice club heads.  The heads that were more blade like were the "classic players."  

You're absolutely right Ness. I played the classic players for a minute when I built clubs back in the 90's. It's been so long I forgot the actual model name.  I played the professionals and I loved those . The classic players I thought were harsh and unforgiving as heck.

Edited April 13, 2021 by braincramp52

[Nessism]

I helped a friend build a set of HP Professional's back in the day.  Can't remember if we used the HP shafts or Dynalite's but I do know he loved those clubs.  

 

Compared to modern clubs I don't think you will give up much, so long as you aren't a digger because those clubs have a sharp leading edge.  The sole is very flat heal to toe too so be sure to check and adjust lie angle as needed.

[North Butte]

20 hours ago, Nessism said:

I helped a friend build a set of HP Professional's back in the day.  Can't remember if we used the HP shafts or Dynalite's but I do know he loved those clubs.  

 

Compared to modern clubs I don't think you will give up much, so long as you aren't a digger because those clubs have a sharp leading edge.  The sole is very flat heal to toe too so be sure to check and adjust lie angle as needed.

There were a lot of component irons (and quite a few OEM models) back in that time frame with no heel-toe camber and a simple, squared-off leading edge. I doubt I'm the only weekend golfer for whom those elements make for a horribly unforgiving iron.

 

There's one kind of "forgiveness" that involves CoG, MoI (and probably some other three letter acronyms) to salvage a little height and distance and off-center hits. I'm better off with irons that are "forgiving" in that sense but I can do OK even if an iron doesn't have a lot of it.

 

The "forgiveness" for poor low-point and angle of attack control is much more of a make-or-break element for many of us hackers. Trying to play one of those square sole, sharp leading edge iron designs for me doesn't lead to errant shots off target. It leads to punishing shots that literally don't advance the ball at all. Scorecard killers.

 

I think there's a lot of low-tech improvements in clubs from the past decade or so across the board in product categories. There are even "players" irons with blunted leading edges, a bit of sole camber in both axes and some bounce. Something like a 718 AP2 or T100 iron from Titleist (the brand I'm most familiar with) are far more playable in that second sense of forgiveness than the equivalent irons from the 1990's. 

[14max]

On 4/12/2021 at 11:05 PM, john myrbch said:

Am i the only one?

 

Your description is oddly specific and unbelievably condescending.  I'd say, yes, you are the only one...

[North Butte]

44 minutes ago, 14max said:

Your description is oddly specific and unbelievably condescending.  I'd say, yes, you are the only one...

Beg to differ.

 

There are plenty of posters on GolfWRX who are oddly specific and unbelievably condescending. He is hardly the only one!

[braincramp52]

On 4/12/2021 at 11:05 PM, john myrbch said:

Every time I come across one of these threads about someone being excited about finding a set of irons  30 or so years old, I always picture the Person as overweight, about 70 years old, and in need of a haircut.
He plays in a bucket hat, wearing a too big cardigan over a heavy cotton polo, along with a pair of baggy, wrinkled old khakis.

His bag is a heavy old single strap Wilson model, and he has those fake fur barrel style headcovers that are strung together.

He makes a show out of every divot he repairs on the green, as he prepares to line up with his bullseye putter, which he tells everyone he’s rolled for 40 years.

Am i the only one?

 

Yes, you are. Hopefully.