1950’s Sand Irons

[ezgoer]

I need help narrowing my search looking for a proper SW from 1950’s era. What models/brands should I look for? Seems like that era SW’s were still kinda in their infancy. Rounded off backs but that’s about it. Looks to me like in the 60’s more rounded off heel and toe grinds became much more popular and man do they look good. 
 

 

 If anyone has a decent condition one they want to part with feel free to contact me. 

[Stephen8802]

I have some 50’s Macgregor wedges, mostly duel wedges, but I don’t play with them.  They are a bit thick for my taste. What I play with as my regular sand wedge are the 60s Wilson sand wedges, they are great. Starting with the much sought after 1958 SW, they were all fantastic until the early 70s. If you want it from the 50s, I can send you some pics of clubs I’d be happy to send you. If made in the 60s works, there are plenty of Staff SWs out there to choose from.

 

Another option is an 80s remake of the 58 Staff. I have a couple of those and just slid one in my bag for the next round to see how it plays.  

[ezgoer]

Thanks, I may be interested in whatever 50s you have as long as it isn’t a DS. Have 2 of those already. Since that 58 Wilson is sought after I assume they are hard to come by.?. Be a perfect timeline pairing with the CF4000PT1s I got from you if I could find one. I just picked up a late 60s early 70s Top Flight to use for now. Possibly store line but I like the grind shape. The Penna’s look great but look to be early 60s on the clubs I’ve seen I think. Think a Colokrom M65-85 sand is what I’m after. Don’t know how available they are but I already have a Col M75 DS so be a cool pairing also. 

[northplatteriver]

Hogan sand wedges from the 50's are very nice also.  A variety of styles, EQUALIZER, EXPLODER, and then some labeled simply SAND IRON.  There were also some FORTY TWO, FORTY FIVE.  

[Stephen8802]

17 hours ago, ezgoer said:

Thanks, I may be interested in whatever 50s you have as long as it isn’t a DS...

 I only have two that aren't DS wedges, a mint M75 I have paired up with my set of M75s and this one I picked up recently. It's a nice club with plenty of life left in it.  

[MrFlipper]

Well this may be a huge surprise but I have to recommend a 1957 offering from macgregor, Mr. Flipper. Picture of which is above left lol

 

Periodically available on the bay for a reasonable price. About as classic a 50's sand wedge as you can get!

[cold_war_era_golfer]

I don't have a better picture on my phone.  But the 1955 Spalding Top Flite Sand Club would be my choice for a 50s sand club.  Forge stainless steel makes for an indestructible 70 year old design. The '56-59 Sand Irons that evolved along with the chrome plated forged irons are nice too.  

 

  

[ezgoer]

Message sent Stephen 8802. That Mr Flipper is very interesting. Did the Hogan Sure Out kinda copy it or do those go back that far too? Looks like it sets up nicely as long as you keep it square. That Top Flight looks right up my alley. As usual 1 club want is probably gonna lead to multiple clubs. Thanks everyone. 

[dcopp7]

Message me.  I have several

[bcstones]

On 4/17/2023 at 3:15 PM, MrFlipper said:

Well this may be a huge surprise but I have to recommend a 1957 offering from macgregor, Mr. Flipper. Picture of which is above left lol

 

Periodically available on the bay for a reasonable price. About as classic a 50's sand wedge as you can get!

there is also a Mrs Flipper wedge....not sure of the difference between the two, perhaps shaft & the incised "Mrs Flipper" on the sole

[ezgoer]

On 4/17/2023 at 8:06 PM, cold_war_era_golfer said:

I don't have a better picture on my phone.  But the 1955 Spalding Top Flite Sand Club would be my choice for a 50s sand club.  Forge stainless steel makes for an indestructible 70 year old design. The '56-59 Sand Irons that evolved along with the chrome plated forged irons are nice too.  

 

  

After playing with and really liking my aluminum shafted late 60’s store line Spalding sw I’m gonna be searching out one of these or a forged assuming they made them. 

[cold_war_era_golfer]

31 minutes ago, ezgoer said:

After playing with and really liking my aluminum shafted late 60’s store line Spalding sw I’m gonna be searching out one of these or a forged assuming they made them. 

Spalding 60s would have still

been forged all the “pro” line stuff anyway. I bet yours is forged too.

 I’ve been using a store line Spalding PW to save my vintage ones during the winter months and it’s forged.  Mines earlier than yours a bit and has a steel shaft.  

[ezgoer]

No real sign of bag chatter or any type of marks or dings on these so I’m just assuming cast. I’ve practiced and played with it a fair amount in the last week and looking at it now still nothing. Suppose could easily have been a 70’s model club even. Guess I had it covered constantly also so….

Edited April 25, 2023 by ezgoer

[MrFlipper]

18 hours ago, bcstones said:

there is also a Mrs Flipper wedge....not sure of the difference between the two, perhaps shaft & the incised "Mrs Flipper" on the sole

Very true, I've only seen one on the bay and I bought it for my daughter years ago. Slight memory of a little smaller head, a little less heavy, a little shorter. Very cool nonetheless, at least to me. I grew up with a mr. flipper, wore the macgregor off the bottom and turned the face concave.

[ChipNRun]

The Wilson Triple Duty wedge, usually 54*-56*, was popular for two decades.

 

 

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by ChipNRun

[bcstones]

Don't forget H&B PowerBilt's....'50s era would bePowerBilt, Louisville Grand Slam, Olin Durta,(don't know if Bill Kaiser ever put his hame on a club)...there was a "Flipper Iron" described as a flanged large faced club, the "Sand Blaster", or just marked "Sand Iron" or "Chipper"....guess you can tell I'm a fan of H&B

What's interesting in the Kaplan's guide....H&B did not mention sets of clubs, only price/club...guess they sold to educated golfers who could multiply or add.

I'm pretty sure I have a number of wedges in storage...the pictures are what I offer for sale when I vend at a local flea market/market day...there might be some '50s era in there...

Anyway, when you have an idea more firmly, pm me here 

 

 

 

 looks like some orphan clubs made it into barrel

Edited May 11, 2023 by bcstones

[Shallowface]

On 4/25/2023 at 11:10 AM, ezgoer said:

No real sign of bag chatter or any type of marks or dings on these so I’m just assuming cast. I’ve practiced and played with it a fair amount in the last week and looking at it now still nothing. Suppose could easily have been a 70’s model club even. Guess I had it covered constantly also so….

They're definitely forged.  The Spalding products of that day were exceptionally well made, even the store line offerings which were often leftover heads from previous pro line models.  I had one of those aluminum shafted PWs as a kid in the early 70s, and my friend's dad had one of the sand irons. 

 

The first cast Spalding irons were the Elite Centurion in 1975.  That was the time cast irons were really taking off in popularity and availability.  They were sold mostly with the idea that every iron was a perfect duplicate of the original master, but often times it was far from the case.  Irons with depressions and high spots on the faces and grooves that were partially filled in were quite commonplace during that time.     

 

I look at a lot of more recent forged used clubs in Play It Again stores, and am stunned at how beaten they look after only a year or two of use.  Clearly the quality of the materials being used isn't what it used to be.  I wouldn't have a set of them.