RTJ Spalding Tournament Registered pyatone iron set find

[weakputt]

I'm hoping that cold_war_era_golfer chimes in.

Need some info on a set of 2 iron > 9 iron pyatone sheathed shafts.

Robert Trent Jones - Spalding Tournament Registered REG #134951 B on 9 iron and all ferrels. Leather Jones Cushion Form grips. 

I know they made several models like this for years.

Years that these were offered?

Late 1930's or early 1940's just prior to the RTJ Tournament Stainless models?

I picked them up with a set of 1941 MacGregor Tommy Armour Ben Hogan #4378 model persimmons.

[SnowbirdTom]

@cold_war_era_golfer

 

Someone looking for Spalding info.  My WAG - late 30s because still pyratone?

 

@weakputt

 

Care to show us photos of the woods?  I love using the old leather headcovers.  🙂 They look great and set the tone of the bag.

[bcstones]

Interesting cuz it doesn't mention Kro-Flite...since Spalding changed from "Kro-Flite" to "Top-Flite" in 1950....could these be even into the mid to late '40s? At any rate a good looking set of clubs, congrats @weakputt !

[cold_war_era_golfer]

Wish I could chime in with some information.  Unfortunately my Spalding knowledge starts more with the 50s and 60s clubs.  

[bcstones]

24 minutes ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Wish I could chime in with some information.  Unfortunately my Spalding knowledge starts more with the 50s and 60s clubs.  

me also...I really like the Krol-Flite era, I believe it even goes back into the hickory era. I'm thinking that "Kro-Flite" was sold both in pro-shops & perhaps in Sporting Goods sections of General Hardware or high end Dept Stores, why not since Spalding, like Wilson, was a Sporting Goods manufacturer so it would make sense to sell the same in both places. Tho after 1950 that probably changed. I have a set of Spalding RTJ irons w/the "S" in a wreath and "Syncro-Stroke" instead of "Kro-Flite" so probably a '50s era General/Retail offering...

[cold_war_era_golfer]

7 minutes ago, bcstones said:

me also...I really like the Krol-Flite era, I believe it even goes back into the hickory era. I'm thinking that "Kro-Flite" was sold both in pro-shops & perhaps in Sporting Goods sections of General Hardware or high end Dept Stores, why not since Spalding, like Wilson, was a Sporting Goods manufacturer so it would make sense to sell the same in both places. Tho after 1950 that probably changed. I have a set of Spalding RTJ irons w/the "S" in a wreath and "Syncro-Stroke" instead of "Kro-Flite" so probably a '50s era General/Retail offering...

That sounds about right to me.  At some point the RTJ irons had "synchro dyned" stamped on them in the 50s and I believe those were on par with the pro models.  By the 60s they were most certainly a higher quality storeline.  

[SnowbirdTom]

I'm making an assumption the RTJ branded clubs were retail offerings since he never went pro.  Either way, I like them a bunch.  Got a couple sets of them now.  One earlier pyratone set that still needs cleanup and the '50 set.

[bcstones]

31 minutes ago, SnowbirdTom said:

I'm making an assumption the RTJ branded clubs were retail offerings since he never went pro.  Either way, I like them a bunch.  Got a couple sets of them now.  One earlier pyratone set that still needs cleanup and the '50 set.

Remember Jones refused to turn Pro, he officially resigned from organized competitive golf in 1930 & signed that contract w/Spalding in '31 after his resignation. At the time, I'm pretty sure he was the most beloved golfer of his time. And at that time, Professionals were looked down on by the "upper set" who were mostly Amateurs. 

I was looking for some information on a golfer, Francis Schieder, recently. I came across an article in the Golfdom mag (circa '34) where a number of Texas Professionals (Hogan, Penick & Schieder amongst others) challenged Texas Amateurs, cuz the Amateurs were making a big deal of how much better they were than Professionals......the betting was in the Amateurs, however the Pro team blew them away (into the deepest bunker & burried them)...my point is that Professionals in that time period were not as highly considered as these days.

Think of it....how could Spalding make $$$$ on Jones' name unless they did offer them in both the more exclusive pro-shops AND the general market. I find also find it interesting that there was no outcry at the Jones/Spalding contract like there was with Palmer or Bulla (or was it Revolta?)

[bcstones]

@SnowbirdTom I'm also making a guess based on my Uncle/GodFather. He played at the original Tam O'Shanter outside of Chicago when it was still a championship course & on the PGA tour list. He gifted my Dad w/his set of pyratone shafted RTJ clubs (woods, irons, putter...interestingly, no wedges, if memory serves), Dad gifted them to me, I gifted them to a Nephew who plays a low handicap (as a challenge to play vintage). I don't believe my Uncle would ever buy general/retail....maybe, from Marshall Fields back in those days, perhaps "retail" but high end retail (if they had a Sporting Goods section) or from the pro-shop at the Tam O'Shanter. Who knows, my Dan & my Uncle have since gone on to play on the 1800+ golf courses in heaven (as noted in the book "Golfing with God" 🤣

Edited December 2, 2023 by bcstones

[bcstones]

2 hours ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

That sounds about right to me.  At some point the RTJ irons had "synchro dyned" stamped on them in the 50s and I believe those were on par with the pro models.  By the 60s they were most certainly a higher quality storeline.  

"synchro dyned" or "syncro stroke"....as far as I've ever been able to tell  real vintage storeline were on a par w/pro models....it was all a matter of PR

7 iron

 

of the set

PW  - (of the set?)

 

 

SW - (of the set?_

 

al had the same basic logo..shafts were the same, as well as the leather grips...

Edited December 2, 2023 by bcstones

[cold_war_era_golfer]

49 minutes ago, bcstones said:

"synchro dyned" or "syncro stroke"....as far as I've ever been able to tell  real vintage storeline were on a par w/pro models....it was all a matter of PR

7 iron

 

of the set

PW  - (of the set?)

 

 

SW - (of the set?_

 

al had the same basic logo..shafts were the same, as well as the leather grips...

 

Synchro Dyned.  Also similar to the Top Flite Professional the Synchro Dyned RTJ had green label TT rocket shafts.   Synchro Stroke were the ones I see in the 60s catalogs at a lower price range.  Those did not have the same shafts or grips (even if leather) as the Professional Models.  I haven't used any of those but I have a Spalding store line pitching wedge that I use in the winter and it performs well.   There are a few Spalding store line models I'd like to have sets of but I haven't ventured into that area of collecting. 

   

Edited December 2, 2023 by cold_war_era_golfer

[bcstones]

@cold_war_era_golfer nice set...never seen one. slightly different club head "style"...if I remember correctly, the RTJ clubs didn't make it past the '50s. 
OH, bummer - now I'll be looking for "Synochro-dyned" RTJ clubs 🤣

Edited December 2, 2023 by bcstones

[Hickory4ever]

The clubs in the original post look to be mid to late 30’s models. I picked up a set at our Golf Historical Society of Canada trade show for peanuts. Unfortunately, pyratone era clubs are not highly valued. They are fun to play although I am more into hickory era play.

 

The professional golfer was viewed very differently in the early days of golf and in many other sports as well.