Gorman Persimmon Woods

[Bella Woods]

Persimmon Clubs From the "Little Guys"

Here are some pictures of a set of persimmon woods I had custom made for me before
the Gorman Golf Company went out of business. This set was made about 2003, I think
the company closed around 2006.

For those of you who have never heard of Gorman (probably most of you), they were a
local company in the Detroit, Michigan area for about 60 years. Very popular company in
our area, and an alternative to the big name manufacturer.

The owner of the company took me on a tour when I was picking out the materials for
the clubs and going over specs, it was like going back in time with the old machinery,
parts etc.

The heads are MacGregor "overflow" as he put it, purchased from MacGregor years ago.
The fiber in these woods is from the early fifties, purchased by his father (founder of the
company). Rifle steel shafts in the woods. Driver face height 1 5/8". All lofts, lie angles,
bulge, roll etc. are custom. These clubs have never been hit.

I also have an unfinished set of Gorman woods from the early 50s, once in awhile you
see a set of these for sale on ebay. Their most popular woods were called "Top Kick", which
I think was supposed to create overspin. I'm sure chrisbellaire remembers this company
very well.

[stage1350]

The Old Guy used to have an old lefty Top Kick from the 70s. This is back when we used to live near 18 Mile and Dequindre.

It's probably still in his basement somewhere.

[chrisbellaire]

Wally,
Thanks for the memories. I've seen hundreds of Gorman clubs over the years, and been in the shop/store countless times, but have never seen anything persimmon. Nice pickup, especially with the two-tone inserts. The grain pattern is fantastic !! I guess stage and I moved away too soon, before Gorman came out with the "good stuff".

[persimmonpal]

Nice woods! I like the black stain..
I had never heard of Gorman woods.. now I have something else to search for on ebay
It must have been great to be shown around the facility.. mustve been like a time factory with all their Mac stuff!
Thanks for sharing

[Guia]

Very nice.

[Bella Woods]

Thanks guys, I'm glad you enjoyed the clubs.

Persimmonpal, you would have loved the tour of the place, it was like walking
into 1965. There were at least 10 to 15 huge grinding/sanding stations (in their
heyday they had at least 25 people making woods and irons etc. I have heard)
and many other custom made machines, jigs, tools etc. Old parts and supplies all
over the place.

He had a bin with many very large sheets of fiber insert material of all colors/
combinations. I wish I could have gone into the back room where he kept pulling
the wood head "blanks" from.

I thought ahead on these clubs, I had him put Rifle 5.0 (between regular and stiff)
steel shafts in these (he thought I was crazy, tried to talk me into stiffer DG steel
shafts). When I am to old to swing a stiffer shaft, I am going to pull these off the wall
and play them.

[freddiec]

Those are beautiful Bella and I like your choice of shaft. I'd like to try a persimmon driver someday with a Rifle. Thats a great shaft.

[rex235]

Bella-

 

Fellaheen just posted about his Gorman Golf find.

 

You posted this in 2010 about your persimmon woods from Gorman Golf-

 

"When I am to old to swing a stiffer shaft, I am going to pull these off the wall and play them. "

 

Hopefully, you haven't changed your mind.....

[FairwayFred]

I grew up hanging out at the Gorman shop. Harry and Larry were the best. Definitely an inspiration for me in my career choices. It's a 5 Guys now always makes me sad when I drive by there.

[jmcf1949]

A bit late to the party Bella but coming from Garden City, MI a scant ten miles or so from the Gorman Golf twelve mile rd. location I have many nice memories of the company. Bought quite a few goodies from them over the years. Anyone know why they closed?

[Bella Woods]

I know Garden City very well having grown up in Taylor and Livonia.

 

I suppose they finally closed for the same reason most of the old time

family/individual owned golf shops did. A combination of the large

companies driving them out because they couldn't compete and

just basically getting older, and no longer having to (or wanting to)

do it.

 

Larry ended up getting involved with a driving range/shop with Tom

Deaton (long time Franklin Hills pro and 2 time Michigan Open champ

I believe). I am pretty sure he owned the Gorman building so he probably

did ok when he got out.......

 

Only one small individual/family owned golf shop left around here from

the old days, Discount Golf on Woodward in Royal Oak. He's hanging

in there just fine and will probably go out on his own terms......

[Downsizing]

I am interested in selling my set of Gorman Fair Lady RH golf clubs with Persimmon woods, is this site the right place?