Powerbilt Persimmon enquiry

SlicerDave · August 13, 2013

Hi,

Could someone tell me a little about these clubs I'd just bought on eBay? I'm in my twenties, have only played with modern clubs and fancied giving persimmon a go.

I found a set of new condition persimmon woods; a driver, spoon, cleek and brassie online and bought them for £90 (around $140). Aside from the brassie they have (I guess) original plastic bags covering the heads, and all have the grips covered in bags too. The grips appear to be leather but I can't be sure.

I bought the clubs to play with, but wanted to know a little about them before I did just in case they're the sort of clubs I should keep wrapped up and stored away!

The clubheads have "Powerbilt" on the top above the face. On the sole of each club each reads "H&B, <driver/spoon/cleek/brassie> , Century, 0101/1000." It also says "HBW84" down there too.

Thank you in advance!

Dave

Langlands · August 13, 2013

Beauties, whatever they are!

Wriggles · August 13, 2013

WOW! Beautiful clubs! I don't really know much about Powerbilts, but I'd guess they were a commemorative set made for 100 year anniversary of the company. I have a driver and 3W that have the same general look. I'd date them in the 1980's.

Really great clubs. I'd take very good care of them, play them, and clean and polish them (with clear paste or boot polish) every time I played them. They're just too nice NOT to use.

Find a nice set of vintage forged irons and putter, and a leather walking bag and head covers. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Ironmaster Oddities · August 13, 2013

Maybe the 84 in the model #. Connotes the year 1984. Has H&B been around since 1884? Regardless, the look gorgeous . Give them a go. You may want to try the Brassie instead of the driver.it could get the newer ball in the air easier than the driver, depending on the loft. Use a softer ball. ProV1, not proV1x. Just don't use a rock-hard ball like extra distance types.
Golf your ball. You will enjoy them.

Uncle Bob

Ol_Pardner · August 14, 2013

Congratulations Dave!
Those are limited edition PowerBilt persimmon woods. The woods by themselves have been offered on ebay at $250. A complete set--woods and irons--was offered at $575, with rustic display cases. In its day, Powerbilt had an excellent reputation for the quality of its clubs, and was highly regarded for its woods--persimmons and laminates. I have some of each in my collection, and enjoy taking them out to range once-in-a-while. But after playing Hogans and Pennas for years, I'm unlikely to change.
Enjoy your clubs and play well!

dbuck47 · August 14, 2013

I also had a Powerbilt driver around 1980-81 and used it a couple years. So many clubs I wish I had kept! Those are beauties! It sounds like you got an excellent price as well.

From brief Google research, it appears that the woodworking shop that became Hillerich and Bradsby first made a baseball bat in 1884. These bats of course became the famous "Louisville Slugger" bats, so named and patented in 1894 according to Wikipedia.

This would lend credence to the theory of Wriggles and Ironmaster that they were to commemorate the century of making bats. H&B made some great golf clubs, but their original and eternal claim to fame is the Lousiville Slugger.

Ol_Pardner · August 14, 2013

Oops! spoke too soon, full set relisted w/price drop:

[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/HILLERICH-BRADSBY-CENTURY-COLLECTION-CLUBS-POWERBILT-TAKE-A-LOOK-AT-THESE-/321185762522?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac829ccda"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/HILLERICH-BRADSBY-CENTURY-COLLECTION-CLUBS-POWERBILT-TAKE-A-LOOK-AT-THESE-/321185762522?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac829ccda[/url]