Persimmon FW for Minimalist set

[pitchnputt]

Never played a "real" wood in my life, but always enjoyed playing something like 8-9 clubs more than a full bag. Not a super long hitter and despise Hybrids. Planning to keep modern Driver at the top of the bag, but thinking about a single old persimmon to gap between that and my traditional lofted (24*) longest iron. Maybe an old 4 or 5 Wood? A few other questions:

 

Shafts, gotta keep them classic or do ya'll play modern shafts in old heads?

 

Care and feeding, I am looking for something to play, not a museum piece. How much refinishing is needed to keep it from busting? I work in yachts, so can do some nice upkeep myself I think. 

 

Things I should look for? I don't want to spend much on this and certainly don't want to mess up a rare part of golf history, so looking for something that would bring me enjoyment and not terrible to strike. 

 

Any thoughts are appreciated (even telling me that this is silly) Thanks!

[Brewski_golfs]

Not a silly idea at all, and you have lots of options available, these types of clubs were made for decades and there are millions of them out there.    To answer a few of your questions, based on your requirements a 4 or 5 wood, or even the right 3 wood, should fit your needs.  For shafts, you can re-shaft persimmons but I would recommend against it unless you purchase one that has already been properly re-shafted.   It's more involved that re-shafting modern clubs and there are various factors that may need to be considered.   There are a number of experts here that can assist if you do want to pursue it, but for a first club I would probably look for something with it's original steel shaft.  Some clubs near the end of the persimmons era in the 80's and early 90's did come with graphite, so you could look for those as well. 

 

For maintenance and refinishing, there are others here with much more expertise than me, but given this is your first wood club, I would be on the lookout for one that appears to be in solid shape.   No cracks or other obvious wood damage, shaft and insert are well set, shaft is free of rust, and a good coat of poly.  Re-doing the external coat of poly is simple enough and based on your experience with boats it should be a straightforward job.   Basically if the shaft is solid, the club head isn't damaged, the whipping is tight, and it has some sort of waterproofing protection (poly is the default standard - but there are other options), then it should be playable. Grips are up to you, but unless it has it's original leather grip I almost always re-grip with something modern.

 

For choices, I wouldn't worry too much about rare clubs.  Drivers are typically viewed as the most collectable, and only a handful of models have real value.  Fairway woods can be had relatively cheap, not sure if you are looking for something on ebay or local thrifts, but I would find something inexpensive to start, see if you like it, if not then try something else.  Some good options would be Macgregor, Powerbilt, Spaldings (earlier models - 50's-60's), or Cleveland's from the 1980's.  You can also look at both Persimmons and Laminates, typically Persimmons are viewed as more collectable but from a playability perspective there is no difference. 

 

 

[golfunderpar18]

I’d suggest a cleveland classic persimmon.   They are solid and well made.  Pick up a 4 wood with a steel shaft.   Lots of models and options out there .   Just avoid sandy lies and beyond that jusT have fun and the club will be fine.   have a good dozen cleveland fairways in my collection as well as many 1950’s macs and other brands.   This should be a good start for you and not break the bank.  One of my favs is the crenshaw model with BWB insert.  Here’s a set I have 

Edited November 24, 2022 by golfunderpar18

[FirstFlight]

Get a set. You're on the prowl for a 4 or 5 wood now. When you nut that club for the first time, you will be impressed & hooked, and also want to hit a 3W, and then a 1W! May as well.

 

Cheers

[Hickory4ever]

I would also recommend finding a selection of clubs in good shape and giving them a good try. Even really nice ones are inexpensive and I personally don’t consider putting in a different shaft, just look for one that has the right flex that you want, at least to start.

 

 

[Stephen8802]

I was about to say any Macgregor model 40 persimmon 4 wood, like an M75 or M85, which you can find for short money in many places. I had my main M75 4 wood refinished and resshafted in 1983 and played it without further refinishing until 2000, and that included the years I was working at a course and playing ever day and 4 years of college golf team. Most of us can’t play everyday anymore and will never but that many swings on a club…so not a lot of work to keep it up.

 

But, reading the above entries, perhaps an 80s club like a Cleveland is the way to go since it will be ready to play. Think about something from Louisville Golf also, I like their stuff. A 50s series if you want classic, a Niblick if you want a little help getting it up.

[Dan Drake]

If laminate is ok, and based on your want of a gamer vs a museum piece I’d say it is ok, I highly recommend a PING wood from the 80’s.  Specifically, I’d say an Eye 2 4w would suit you just right.