Classic persimmon driver from the late 1980s

[freddiec]

RC85

Here is a mint Cleveland RC85 which as nice grain, picked this up from a fellow forum buddy. Cleveland made some nice persimmons back in the day, including another one the RC75 which had a white/red/white insert. This one was more of a tribute to the Mac Eye O Matic M85W, which was one of the best persimmons ever made.

[brokgolfer]

She's a beauty alright Freddie! Very nice! Do you know the relationship between the RC85 and the Cleveland Classic 10th Anniversary set that I have.


Any ideas on production dates?

Cheers, BG

[freddiec]

Brokgolfer,
Those are nice. Seem familiar to me, I think I've seen a set like that before. I'm not sure what the relationship is by the RC85 was one of their "players" woods. The driver in your set has a slightly shallow face and compact head. I know the RC85 was made around 1987, I think yours were probably made a year or two later, I would assume. Cleveland made some good quality woods. I've always said one of the best persimmon drivers I ever saw was owned by a guy I worked with. He came back from the PGA show in 1987 with one he took of the Clev rep right there at his booth. It as a prototype like RC85 that said "The Cleveland Classic". Ive seen a few before on ebay. Cleveland only made a few hundered of those I think and had to change it up some for some odd reason. I think Mac was claiming it was too close to the orig. M85.

[drewspin]

Fred-

I have a Cleveland RC85 with the most beautiful grain pattern that is an absolute BOMBER. These are great modern and very playable classics.

Cheers,
Drew

[Bella Woods]

Very nice solid looking driver freddiec! Makes you want to go out and hit it, 1 5/8" inch face height?

[XYB34A]

I had one of those for a while. It had an DG S400 shaft in it. I played it some but it was so pretty, I actually was afraid I would hit a pop up with it. So I quit playing it.

Great looking piece of lumber there.

[Bella Woods]

Brokgolfer

According to Ralph Maltby, the RC85 was produced from 1981 through 1990. The 1981-1984 models had a Burgundy finish, while the 1985-1990 models
had a Mahogany finish, otherwise they were very similar.

Also according to Maltby, the 10th anniversary Cleveland woods were available from 1990-1992, all with a Mahogany finish. The companies first year of producing
woods was 1981.

[freddiec]

Drew,
Post a pic of yours, here is a pic of the grain on mine. Pretty sweet too.

[freddiec]

Bella, 1 5/8th inches, you are correct.

[Maxwell]

[size="4"][color="#006400"][font="Comic Sans MS"][size="4"][color="#006400"][center][font="Comic Sans MS"][size="4"][color="#006400"][font="Comic Sans MS"][size="4"][color="#006400"]Bella

Sharp looking Persimmon wood. I have a few new ones myself. The "U Grain" on all the RC85's #1 woods are centred and add to the good looks of the club head design.[/color][/size]
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[HappyGas]

Beautiful Club.

I've had a Cleveland Persimmon in my bag for some time. This club is VERY playable. I honestly think I only lose maybe 15 yards compared to my 983K. What I do lose is traj. You can't cut corners over trees with the persimmon driver, but you can absolutely play the club with confidence.

I got mine in 1988 while a college player. I've had it refinished and it looks & plays great.

I'm amazed more Pro's don't hit persimmon drivers. I honestly think if one guy ((Love III or Leonard)) were to bring their persimmons out....more will follow.

I was watching a "Shell's......" receently and saw a match between Nicklaus and Palmer from about 1994. It was at Pinehurst. Palmer must have been about 65 years old & he was playing a persimmon driver. If Arnold Palmer can play a persimmon driver into his 60's, I think most pro's could play the equipment quite well into their 40's.

HPP

[KevCarter]

Oh my gosh guys, those are all gorgeous woods.

I LOVE the inserts in the 10th anniversary sets, beautiful!

Kevin

[HappyGas]

Here are some pictures I just took of my Cleveland Classic DG43. 1988. Refinished once in 2002 from Golfworks.

Fantastic golf club that puts "control" back into the game of golf. Unlike the 460cc Heads today.....you can stand on a tee box and pinpoint where you want your ball to end up.

I apologize for the poor quality of my pictures.....I'm totally new at this.

HPP

[freddiec]

HappyGas (like that name btw), nice Cleveland. Not gonna let you off the hook until you post a couple of your WB Texan.

[HappyGas]

[attachment=526397:CIMG6657.JPG]


OK.

You asked for it....you got it. Again....I apologize for my poor quality pictures. Enjoy.

I bought this club NEW on eBay last summer (($200)). It had an R300 shaft and I just got it back from www.golfworks.com as I had them install an X-100 and change the finish. The lettering on the sole plate got "rubbed out" a bit, but of course that won't affect performance. It'll be tough to replace the Cleveland, but I'm gonna give it a shot.

This is a beauty....hope it plays well.

[attachment=526399:CIMG6659.JPG]
[attachment=526398:CIMG6658.JPG]

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[freddiec]

Happy,
Thats a nice one. I noticed you like the walnut finish. That is a good look. The Texans really are great looking drivers. Each one is unique. It amazes me how people choice to sideline great looking clubs and play Ti drivers. Who knows maybe someday persimmon will make a come back. Every year in Vegas there is a Persimmon Open. I hope to play in it one of these years.

Here is a pic of one of mine. This one has a S300 in it and sits really square. Its got a ton of carbon spots on the head which is really unique, sign of hard wood. I've only hit it about a dozen times and its great. The grain is a good dense U grain that starts at the toe, but not that viseable because of the darker finish. Great sicks these Wood Bros.

[HappyGas]

Freddie....
Likewise....your club is a beauty.

The "Re-Finish" GolfWorks did came out a little light for me. I prefer the finish you have....very similar to my Cleveland.

I didn't know about the Las Vegas Persimmon Tourney. I'm going to look that one up.

Changing Subjects.....

I'm about a year away from starting "Hickory Golf". I work with a few that play ((and compete)). Also...I live in Omaha, Nebraska which is home to a "World Hickory Champ" who builds clubs for folks from all over the country. I'm going to start researching the clubs in hopes of putting a set together for 2011.

I'm 41 and still try to compete in State Tourney's as well as USGA Qualifiers. I'm losing ground though. I just can't compete with the young kids who belt the ball 40 yards past me off the tee...and then are 2 clubs stronger with their irons. I'm hitting 4 iron and they are hitting wedges for their 2nd shots on long par-4's. ((Last State Am I played in......I hit 3-wood greenside on long Par-5 & my playing partner feathered an 8 iron pin high)) ;o (

The Hickory Golf has my interest. They have quite a few tourney's around and it looks like fun. If I knew of more "Persimmon Tourney's" I might put this off for a few years. Are there more than the one in Vegas ??

[freddiec]

Happy,
Funny we are the same age. I don't know if I could ever get into Hickory, but I know there is great interest out there and the people that are, are very passionate, so thats a good thing! The tournament in Vegas is the only one I'm aware of. I'll PM you some info about it later..

On a side note, a friend of mine from the UK should be receiving his Texan tomorrow with some other goodies. I know he's excited..

[brokgolfer]

On a side note, a friend of mine from the UK should be receiving his Texan tomorrow with some other goodies. I know he's excited..

 

There is a distinct possibility that I may not sleep

[rymail00]

Here is a 1, 4 ,5 wood of the same model on ebay for cheap if anyone is interested.


[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/Cleveland-Classic-Persimmon-Wood-Set-1-4-5_W0QQitemZ150406466927QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2304ec8d6f"]http://cgi.ebay.com/Cleveland-Classic-Persimmon-Wood-Set-1-4-5_W0QQitemZ150406466927QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2304ec8d6f[/url]

[bma725]

[quote name='HappyGas' date='21 January 2010 - 02:51 PM' timestamp='1264107070' post='2195614']
The Hickory Golf has my interest. They have quite a few tourney's around and it looks like fun. If I knew of more "Persimmon Tourney's" I might put this off for a few years. Are there more than the one in Vegas ??
[/quote]

There is another one in San Francisco as well.

The events are run by the guys who came with what they call "The Traditional Rules of Golf". If you do a search for the poster "lagpressure", he's one of the guys behind it. Essentially they believe that the USGA screwed up royally and have decided that the best thing for the game is to just go backwards in terms of equipment. That means persimmon or laminate woods, forged blade irons, blade putters, no lob wedge etc.

You can check it out here: http://www.trga.info/events.html

[brokgolfer]

My Texan turned up today

 

It has been refinished at some point but aside from a small poly drop it looks immaculate. The grain pattern look excellent and with an X100 shaft and half cord tour wrap it feels super solid.

Thanks to freddie for helping get hold of this beauty

 

Cheers, BG

[brokgolfer]

Some more pics of the Texan. Somehow it doesn't look as nice in a photograph as it does in person....but I guess I needn't worry about that too much.

[KevCarter]

Some more pics of the Texan. Somehow it doesn't look as nice in a photograph as it does in person....but I guess I needn't worry about that too much.

 

Looks great to me!

[freddiec]

Brokgolfer,
That Texan is a stud. I can't wait till you tell me how it plays. Looks great and that grain pattern is super.

[xgolfx]

[quote name='Maxwell' timestamp='1263952433' post='2192092']
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Sharp looking Persimmon wood. I have a few new ones myself. The "U Grain" on all the RC85's #1 woods are centred and add to the good looks of the club head design.[/color][/size]
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I think u asked me to comment about pitched line whipping (twine) Most of the whipping specs in Toney's spec book state

23/4 inch pitched linen twine
Some are2 1/2 inches on driver, 2 3/4 on other woods

Charley Penna