1980-84 Spalding Top Flite irons

[cold_war_era_golfer]

Anyone here have any experience with these?

How do they compare with the Wilson Fluid Feels or MacGregor Muirfields of that time?  I'm looking to get a birthyear set and these look reminiscent in design of some of earlier Top Flites from the 60s that I enjoy.

 

[deejaid]

Great set of irons.  When I play vintage this is the set I play most often.  These were the last model to come out before the Tour Editions and are very vintage playing comparably.  While the Tour Editions have a cambered and radius sole and feel way more modern, the 1980-84 Top-Flites have a flat sole with a sharp leading edge and play very similar to classic 1960’s Spalding’s and also quite similar to Macgregor’s of the early 1980’s as well.

 

My set were custom made for PGA Tour player Jerry McGee and feature the 1978/79 Dynamic Lite shafts in the 1980-84 heads which have a custom ground leading edge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ezgoer]

I have the same irons. Mr deejaid can fill us in here with more proper information as I was referred to him when I asked about these. He told they are very high lofted, 52 degree PW. 

My set I got basically new and un

hit probably early 2000’s. I struggled hitting these, never got any carry in the middle, just got to peak height and fell out of the sky. Sure far more Indian than arrow but replaced a set of beat up Apex Redlines with these that I played just fine. They felt super stiff to me so like an idiot I pulled the stiff TT Dynamic shafts and intended to reshaft with something but never got around to it. Guy I bought them from long since passed but he said I ruined em when I regripped them with GP Tour Wrap midsize. I never understood that comment but according to deejaid he said I probably will have to add tip weights when I reassemble so maybe I destroyed the swing weight back then using such a heavy grip IDK. Like an absolute idiot I never saved the shafts or the ferrules so whenever I reassemble them gonna have an opportunity to do some ferrule art. 

Edited January 5, 2023 by ezgoer

[ezgoer]

They aren’t a small head either. I will post some comparison pics probably tomorrow though.

[cold_war_era_golfer]

Thanks to @deejaid I got a set making it's way out to me.

 

I've tried FG17s and Muirfields for close birthyear set and didn't really jive with either set.  Although, I've come a long way since the almost 2 years ago when I first tried the FG 17s.  Muirfields I felt like the shafts were bent or I was going blind.  Fingers crossed on these!   

[ezgoer]

Other than the wedge looks larger I stand corrected thinking they were significantly bigger. Pretty comparable really, maybe a touch bigger or maybe just the design and chrome…..huh 

  Fish eye and shadows distort, in your hands and side by side I’m kinda surprised. Muirfield’s appear the smallest but also so much flatter and much less rounded off edges. 

Edited January 6, 2023 by ezgoer

[cold_war_era_golfer]

25 minutes ago, ezgoer said:

Other than the wedge looks larger I stand corrected thinking they were significantly bigger. Pretty comparable really, maybe a touch bigger or maybe just the design and chrome…..huh 

  Fish eye and shadows distort, in your hands and side by side I’m kinda surprised. Muirfield’s appear the smallest but also so much flatter and much less rounded off edges. 

Thanks for the comparisons.  

That Spalding PW looks like it has some heft to it!

 

 

[ezgoer]

42 minutes ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Thanks for the comparisons.  

That Spalding PW looks like it has some heft to it!

 

 

Almost an early high toe design kinda. Really like at 52 degree for PW its perfect gaping to SW and LW. 

Edited January 6, 2023 by ezgoer

[cold_war_era_golfer]

Any idea where these 1980-84 Spaldings were made?

[elwhippy]

Fabulous irons and vastly underrated. 

[cold_war_era_golfer]

6 minutes ago, elwhippy said:

Fabulous irons and vastly underrated. 

That goes for the entire Top Flite line in the collector and vintage player circles.  

[Shallowface]

[Shallowface]

I like the look of that PW.  It actually looks like a wedge as opposed to a "10 Iron." 

[cold_war_era_golfer]

@ShallowfaceWhere did you find the catalog pages!  That's great to see!

[Shallowface]

4 hours ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

@ShallowfaceWhere did you find the catalog pages!  That's great to see!

I have a large collection of catalogs from the 80s and 90s.