Wanting a wooden driver

[BIG STU]

15 minutes ago, RobotDoctor said:

Several of my “pristine” stuff certainly didn’t start off that way.  More like the ugly duckling transformed into a swan.  All thanks to my club restoration maestro!

Yep and I know who he is and I agree he is a maestro

[RobotDoctor]

11 minutes ago, Saijin said:

Just wondering... can a decent golfer still score in single digits playing a wooden wood and irons from that era?

And would the sticks hold up from a very aggressive swing?

Yes and yes.  The issue is a wood requires a high spin ball.  Most metal woods and many irons are best with low spin balls.  Also, a bit of distance will be sacrificed with wood. 

[NRJyzr]

17 minutes ago, Saijin said:

Just wondering... can a decent golfer still score in single digits playing a wooden wood and irons from that era?

And would the sticks hold up from a very aggressive swing?

 

Using myself as an example....

 

When I first broke into single digit territory back in 2008 (went from 11 to 8), I did so playing persimmon woods exclusively for 3 or 4 months.

 

In 2020, I committed to playing persimmon Orlimar driver/3w, having grown tired of metal woods.  I was a 7-8 hdcp at the time, and continued to play at that level.  I stuck with those for 4 months or so, until my inner golf nerd began having driver wanderlust.

 

As for speed...  until the last three years or so, my driver swingspeed was at 111-113 mph.  Decently long, but not all *that* impressive.  My persimmons have held up fine.

 

A last thought....  my longest tee shot from 2016 to present, that was not aided by cart path, was accomplished by hitting a Ping Zing Blonde laminated maple driver, on a flat hole.

 

A long winded way of saying "yes" to your question.  🙂

 

[cgasucks]

1 hour ago, Saijin said:

Just wondering... can a decent golfer still score in single digits playing a wooden wood and irons from that era?

And would the sticks hold up from a very aggressive swing?

 

Does this answer your question?

 

[BIG STU]

6 hours ago, cgasucks said:

 

Does this answer your question?

 

LOL I have my 905 R in the vintage set today for play in about an hour or so. Same specs as yours. Rambling around last night in the shop and found it. Hmmm wonder if I can hit it now. Slid it in the bag with the Precisions and the Jupiter Slugger for todays dew sweeper round

[Saijin]

Well I have these 2….

 

what can I do about them? 
 

the Hogan 3wood has this protruding leading edge that looks like a chin and it’s weird to my eyes. 

[Jiggered]

The insert is missing on the Wilson and without it the club is unplayable. A new one can be fitted but it's not an easy job, even for someone who has worked on clubs.

 

Not sure what you mean by the chin on the Hogan, unless you're referring to the "Speedslot" which is on the toe? The Speedslot was a design feature used on many Hogan woods and was claimed to improve swing speed.

[Christen_The_Sloop]

On 8/15/2022 at 11:53 AM, cgasucks said:

 

Does this answer your question?

 

That sound.

[Saijin]

@RobotDoctor

 

These 2 that I have... it'll cost a lot to restore huh?

[SnowbirdTom]

7 hours ago, Saijin said:

@RobotDoctor

 

These 2 that I have... it'll cost a lot to restore huh?

Not even close to worth it.

[Saijin]

3 hours ago, SnowbirdTom said:

Not even close to worth it.

So throw away? 
and just look to buy new ping eyes ?

[SnowbirdTom]

Buy what you like, but do some reading here and online about what you want.  Playable vintage woods can be had very reasonably priced. That driver is pretty much a throwaway item.  The face of the 3W is hidden in all your posted pictures, so usability is indeterminate.

 

I had mine out yesterday and 300 yards downwind is possible.  Shocked me when I drove the green on a par 4.

[Hickory4ever]

1 hour ago, SnowbirdTom said:

Buy what you like, but do some reading here and online about what you want.  Playable vintage woods can be had very reasonably priced. That driver is pretty much a throwaway item.  The face of the 3W is hidden in all your posted pictures, so usability is indeterminate.

 

I had mine out yesterday and 300 yards downwind is possible.  Shocked me when I drove the green on a par 4.

I agree with SnowbirdTom. Playable vintage woods including Ping Eye 2’s can be had for such reasonable prices that spending money on restoration does not make a lot of sense to me. When I see clubs with my shaft flex (regular), I pick them up for no more than $25, most for a lot less. The only thing that I will do is put on a new grip if it is necessary.

 

I am a player and every club I acquire, hickory or classic is going to be played by me or one of my buddies. These clubs are so cheap that you should buy a few, see which ones suit you and sell the ones that don’t to someone else. The fun is checking them out.

[Saijin]

Honestly after seeing Doctor Robot's bin... I feel intimidated. His Persimmon collection is like my Miura collection.

 

But yea, I'll just throw these clubs away and go loo for that Ping Eye 2.

 

Speaking of that, what's the difference between ping eye 2 and Karstein? I found both in a bundle with a 6 and 7 wood for $45

[LeoLeo99]

I found a Ping Eye 2 1 and 3 wood at my local Goodwill store for $2 each.  

[LeoLeo99]

On 8/14/2022 at 9:26 PM, Saijin said:

Just wondering... can a decent golfer still score in single digits playing a wooden wood and irons from that era?

And would the sticks hold up from a very aggressive swing?

We swung hard back in the day.  Jack was hitting 300 yd drives with wound balata balls and wooden heads.  However, repairing wooden drivers was a business back then.  The issue comes when you swing 115 mph and miss the insert.  You could dent the persimmon outside the insert and you could crack the head if you hit the neck and the windings could unravel.  Personally, my wooden driver spend a lot of time in the repair shop prompting me to be one of the first early adopters of Pittsburgh Persimmon.  

[RobotDoctor]

10 hours ago, Saijin said:

Honestly after seeing Doctor Robot's bin... I feel intimidated. His Persimmon collection is like my Miura collection.

 

But yea, I'll just throw these clubs away and go loo for that Ping Eye 2.

 

Speaking of that, what's the difference between ping eye 2 and Karstein? I found both in a bundle with a 6 and 7 wood for $45

Never be intimidated.  If something catches your eye and you want to collect that something then work at the collection one piece at a time.  That’s as my goal after I decided what make, model and era of woods I wanted in my collection.  It took many years to get to where I’m at now. I’m taking a break from collecting for the next year or two but will eventually get back into it.  

 

 

[Foozle]

15 minutes ago, RobotDoctor said:

Never be intimidated.  If something catches your eye and you want to collect that something then work at the collection one piece at a time.  That’s as my goal after I decided what make, model and era of woods I wanted in my collection.  It took many years to get to where I’m at now. I’m taking a break from collecting for the next year or two but will eventually get back into it.  

 

 

I have said it before, the middle M85 with the carbon beauty spot on the crown and perfect concentric grain focused on another carbon spot on the toe is possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!😍 

DO NOT tell Mrs Foozle I said that!

[elwhippy]

Those heads are as close to perfection as a persimmon driver can get. 

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

Was it Jimmy Hitchcock, Irish Pro, who couldn't get shafts with just the right amount of stiffness for his super fast swing, who hammered one shaft inside another. A bit heavy, yes, but if you want stiff, that will do it!

[Saijin]

15 hours ago, LeoLeo99 said:

I found a Ping Eye 2 1 and 3 wood at my local Goodwill store for $2 each.  

WHAT???

 

Runs to goodwill stores.... the goodwill here are s*** usually tho... you must live at like a Myrtle Beach kinda city

[Saijin]

13 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

Never be intimidated.  If something catches your eye and you want to collect that something then work at the collection one piece at a time.  That’s as my goal after I decided what make, model and era of woods I wanted in my collection.  It took many years to get to where I’m at now. I’m taking a break from collecting for the next year or two but will eventually get back into it.  

 

 

 

 

YOU? STOP collecting for a year? uh huh....

 

I'm a collector too... "taking a break from collecting" doesn't exist in our dictionary , my friend 😃

 

I said I'd give golf a break for a week to let my body recover this season... and I would not build another set of Miura... who am I kidding?

I haven't stopped practicing and I just built 2 new sets with another one waiting on a custom shaft

 

LOL

 

PS" @RobotDoctor sell me 1 driver?

 

 

[RobotDoctor]

6 hours ago, Saijin said:

 

 

YOU? STOP collecting for a year? uh huh....

 

I'm a collector too... "taking a break from collecting" doesn't exist in our dictionary , my friend 😃

 

I said I'd give golf a break for a week to let my body recover this season... and I would not build another set of Miura... who am I kidding?

I haven't stopped practicing and I just built 2 new sets with another one waiting on a custom shaft

 

LOL

 

PS" @RobotDoctor sell me 1 driver?

 

 

It is true. There are just some things more important than collection fabulous persimmon woods.  It’s just a pause because priority shifts.  It’s not permanent but it is a pause nonetheless.  
 

With regard to selling one driver, you’d be shocked how much I have invested in some of these drivers.  Definitely not for the those who are on a budget.  My goal was to find some of the very best and highly sought after models and have them restored by the best restoration artisan in the business.  The work speaks for itself.  
 

Here’s another one of my project drivers that Dave restored for me.  And this one was in sad shape but I knew the potential was there. 
 

 

[LeoLeo99]

14 hours ago, Saijin said:

WHAT???

 

Runs to goodwill stores.... the goodwill here are s*** usually tho... you must live at like a Myrtle Beach kinda city

Just got lucky.  I go back there every few weeks and find nothing.  

[Saijin]

8 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

It is true. There are just some things more important than collection fabulous persimmon woods.  It’s just a pause because priority shifts.  It’s not permanent but it is a pause nonetheless.  
 

With regard to selling one driver, you’d be shocked how much I have invested in some of these drivers.  Definitely not for the those who are on a budget.  My goal was to find some of the very best and highly sought after models and have them restored by the best restoration artisan in the business.  The work speaks for itself.  
 

Here’s another one of my project drivers that Dave restored for me.  And this one was in sad shape but I knew the potential was there. 
 

 

Wow, if that's what you consider a sad state... then my standards for wooden woods are very sad.

[SnowbirdTom]

A quick run thru eBay looking at persimmon driver listings yielded these.  No affiliation, no investment, no guarantees they're playable, just examples for your enjoyment.  They are NOT my listings as I don't sell clubs.  They come here and stay.  lol

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255657084651?hash=item3b865986eb:g:CLkAAOSw5-1i6GPR&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsBWvk5u2waChnN%2FKg9srM0XZv%2FzJCl%2FJwZ2%2FAC4UR8G2kusHAwV0Usv6C62EMxa3daljhfoXUivCfzbhxVQwFzFqz0BXx61nF50551r3uaKQM%2B4YS51D3KqcVc4J27CQt108uU%2FjnG9dz498juTeddUAIeKfi5FWd%2F3YZwZ4qD15JiJ%2Bu9b6O2bkrFQ0GQl1hdni8ISBi5ewY8aO9vfM8LfhakYPSDAWvVxytnOGM3Vh|tkp%3ABk9SR6aXtvrWYA

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134174438954?hash=item1f3d6b762a:g:tu8AAOSw74ti0xmB&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsPg8xUtO5EY1cv3OZ%2BhMo3PIOwV9AYBaNGjyKj7Xea4C1fDIXdabL3Qhlu87NMe%2F%2FzR9%2F06KAyj8U0uhp76O%2BHdOL72HyEJejbbNsekHYqMyQ4j8immPdHjU%2BESla0440Pt%2FKnOd%2B%2FSwMbt7LccEQ1%2BxTHlVB3skQvp1XcsYY2q9bmSI7OpqfLy6KySQfEAaNFBW86%2FcjStw1LcxaS%2BT%2BpXf%2BTiBYmCaroO2uwNSqLEj|tkp%3ABk9SR6iXtvrWYA

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185425949037?hash=item2b2c3f716d:g:hfIAAOSw7jJigO9g&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsBK%2FS9gUemE%2BcCjeaYRGqAA1qh2QLL%2BmaVS7BRPpZsEjoUir1yl4owfsKFYA1h1kxfEMbRirP1SP39oeKXdr6Pxgnahrd25dG0CY7OhBkG0L8Qbg6v83RAfuTXcZn7AJQK6TE2q6VHiq01ZKnj3%2BgiqrHz%2FkNw5k3eyd1GwriAstv3gzCNkopqRSTKWMO1rrAXwl8YIYGMt%2F4JysUJnWtMF7vJyKLOnv7fLVVhplzKMi|tkp%3ABk9SR6qXtvrWYA

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234640654572?hash=item36a1ac40ec:g:NnEAAOSwLhFi5GM9&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8FOpWl9CgL9qp2%2FOTPKAIRR53MvZ9OzmLFoRw1BlgiytnMwiifYMSsGlkSsA3KtQ3JfINeTAtHl0ZKqD9VSPu8Ir5s5dkDerehLRrK8qz1Mx7Xe%2FNmzy9aHXNSOmIaald7facFBDlTJcU6rhHLQwsnsKOGEyoZkWYxGmjS2UpYhRPgS2d30STQUdBu2Um9fOB5mICyrDRVWE5%2BPj0P6ysuxiXWsbAYnfv7oUhRRum8x6QpcXAyEcNO5wGP0P5EwCEvNezM8c8zXYOsr6sbrLnYlAQneBSfUqn9B7i%2BtDB4yUTNLLzOOAVKSRMpeEMjQZrQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABFBMqpe2-tZg

 

 

[chisag]

On 8/18/2022 at 7:34 AM, RobotDoctor said:

Never be intimidated.  If something catches your eye and you want to collect that something then work at the collection one piece at a time.  That’s as my goal after I decided what make, model and era of woods I wanted in my collection.  It took many years to get to where I’m at now. I’m taking a break from collecting for the next year or two but will eventually get back into it.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

... Those M85's are just breath taking in a satin finish. I played both of my M85's but picked up the Cleveland Classic DG43 after I stopped playing persimmon:

[RobotDoctor]

The M85Ws are 1980s reproductions.  Very solid woods!  I love the DG43!  I have one and had the insert replaced with a red/white/red fiber insert and gamed that for a couple years before I got my first 1954 M85W driver.  I long since parted with that one and it’s not one of the three I now own.  
 

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by RobotDoctor

[chisag]

On 8/19/2022 at 3:46 PM, RobotDoctor said:

The M85Ws are 1980s reproductions.  Very solid woods!  I love the DG43!  I have one and had the insert replaced with a red/white/red fiber insert and gamed that for a couple years before I got my first 1954 M85W driver.  I long since parted with that one and it’s not one of the three I now own.  

 

 

... When MacGregor announced they were going to stop producing persimmon woods I had them custom build those 2 M85's. I think I still have the paper work! I still haven't hit the DG43. I loved going into a Pro Shop back then and seeing the different grains and coloring on persimmon drivers. 

Edited August 22, 2022 by chisag

[Saijin]

16 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

It is true. There are just some things more important than collection fabulous persimmon woods.  It’s just a pause because priority shifts.  It’s not permanent but it is a pause nonetheless.  
 

With regard to selling one driver, you’d be shocked how much I have invested in some of these drivers.  Definitely not for the those who are on a budget.  My goal was to find some of the very best and highly sought after models and have them restored by the best restoration artisan in the business.  The work speaks for itself.  
 

Here’s another one of my project drivers that Dave restored for me.  And this one was in sad shape but I knew the potential was there. 
 

 

 

 

Out of curiosity what does it cost to refurb 1 wooden driver with Dave?