Wilson 8802 Putter questions

[Ol_Pardner]

Ok, all of you Wilson 8802 putter afficienados and gurus, got some questions for you [a TGIF, pop-quiz]:

 

Was 1964 the first year "The Wilson 8802" was produced?

 

Did it originally have a tapered or step shaft? In fact, is this where the "Head Shaft" label started to appear? [No puns allowed!]

 

Was 1970 the first year that it was offered in black chrome?

 

Was 1975, the first year the putter was offered under the "The Original 8802" name?

 

In 1975: Was the standard shaft changed to a fluted shaft, and was the putter's finish changed to chrome-satin?

 

Also, was 1975 the first year that a composition grip, was offered in addition to the standard leather grip?

 

Any ideas about what year, the Tour Wrap "Wilson" grip, made by GP, first appeared?

 

Lee Trevino used an 8802 for most of his wins, can you think of any other notable users, besides Bernie the the retired Yugo sales-guy at your course? [Careful: from a distance, the Wilson 8813 can look a lot like an 8802!]

 

Final, bonus questions: What is the significance of the number 84, stamped on the sole of some of "The Original 8802," putters [see pic]?

 

[birly-shirly]

Why is it called the 8802?

And why did it eclipse the Iron Master putter that it was based on?

When I was young, the cool putters seemed to be Wilsons, Bullseyes and Pings.

My first ever golf book was Tommy Armour. I remember reading how he'd designed this wildly successful putter - but I never found out what it actually was until the internet came around.

I don't remember Macgregors getting much love - and the 8802 seems so much more of an icon. Hard to credit, given Jack's history with his Mac blade.

[Bella Woods]

All of the putters mentioned above were originally modeled after the
A.G. Spalding Bros/Wright & Ditson HB (Hollow Back) hickory putters.

Seems to me they just rounded the sole of the toe/heel of the HB and
called it whatever they wanted.......

[Ironmaster Oddities]

[quote name='Bella Woods' timestamp='1376698277' post='7690882']
All of the putters mentioned above were originally modeled after the
A.G. Spalding Bros/Wright & Ditson HB (Hollow Back) hickory putters.

Seems to me they just rounded the sole of the toe/heel of the HB and
called it whatever they wanted.......
[/quote]

Bella,
As you know, Back on the day,the Spalding HBA Steel shafted putter was highly collectable. I think Lanny Watkins used the HBA for most of his career.
It is truly a scarce club to find.

[majic]

Bob Goalby used an HBA. He used it forever. Tad

[Bella Woods]

Bob:

You are right about the HBA.

The hickory shafted Spalding HB was the impetus for the clubs mentioned above (and the HBA).
They are hard to come upon and expensive for the original hickory version (with a good head weight -
approaching 500 grams). $300 or so.

A couple of pictures of my Spalding HB putter player.........

[attachment=1838982:Spalding Hickory HB Putter.jpg]

[attachment=1838984:Spalding HB Hickory Putter (2).jpg]

[attachment=1838986:Spalding Hickory Putter (3).jpg]

[birly-shirly]

I found a nice thread on the 8802 here [url="http://puttertalk.com/community/index.php?topic=8648.0"]http://puttertalk.com/community/index.php?topic=8648.0[/url]

Bella - that HB putter looks great. I think properly old putters are a bit of an acquired taste, but that looks very usable indeed.

[BrianL99]

[quote name='Ol_Pardner' timestamp='1376678294' post='7689010']
Ok, all of you Wilson 8802 putter afficienados and gurus, got some questions for you [a TGIF, pop-quiz]:

Was 1964 the first year "The Wilson 8802" was produced?

Did it originally have a tapered or step shaft? In fact, is this where the "Head Shaft" label started to appear? [No puns allowed!]

Was 1970 the first year that it was offered in black chrome?

Was 1975, the first year the putter was offered under the "The Original 8802" name?

In 1975: Was the standard shaft changed to a fluted shaft, and was the putter's finish changed to chrome-satin?

Also, was 1975 the first year that a composition grip, was offered in addition to the standard leather grip?

Any ideas about what year, the Tour Wrap "Wilson" grip, made by GP, first appeared?

Lee Trevino used an 8802 for most of his wins, can you think of any other notable users, besides Bernie the the retired Yugo sales-guy at your course? [Careful: from a distance, the Wilson 8813 can look a lot like an 8802!]

Final, bonus questions: What is the significance of the number 84, stamped on the sole of some of "The Original 8802," putters [see pic]?
[attachment=1837214:Wilson 8802 Original w No 84.jpg]
[/quote]

The 8802 was sold in Hardware stores (in black, mostly), probably in 1964. The original had a fluted, headspeed shaft, black leather grip, with silver piping ... grip cap, with crossed flags.
Everything else, is an imitation.

[dlygrisse]

[quote name='birly-shirly' timestamp='1376679917' post='7689194']
Why is it called the 8802?

And why did it eclipse the Iron Master putter that it was based on?

When I was young, the cool putters seemed to be Wilsons, Bullseyes and Pings.

My first ever golf book was Tommy Armour. I remember reading how he'd designed this wildly successful putter - but I never found out what it actually was until the internet came around.

I don't remember Macgregors getting much love - and the 8802 seems so much more of an icon. Hard to credit, given Jack's history with his Mac blade.
[/quote]Jack did not use a Mac blade, he used a George Low Wizard putter, for I think 16 of his 18 majors.

[dlygrisse]

[quote name='BrianL99' timestamp='1376868337' post='7700974']
[quote name='Ol_Pardner' timestamp='1376678294' post='7689010']
Ok, all of you Wilson 8802 putter afficienados and gurus, got some questions for you [a TGIF, pop-quiz]:

Was 1964 the first year "The Wilson 8802" was produced?

Did it originally have a tapered or step shaft? In fact, is this where the "Head Shaft" label started to appear? [No puns allowed!]

Was 1970 the first year that it was offered in black chrome?

Was 1975, the first year the putter was offered under the "The Original 8802" name?

In 1975: Was the standard shaft changed to a fluted shaft, and was the putter's finish changed to chrome-satin?

Also, was 1975 the first year that a composition grip, was offered in addition to the standard leather grip?

Any ideas about what year, the Tour Wrap "Wilson" grip, made by GP, first appeared?

Lee Trevino used an 8802 for most of his wins, can you think of any other notable users, besides Bernie the the retired Yugo sales-guy at your course? [Careful: from a distance, the Wilson 8813 can look a lot like an 8802!]

Final, bonus questions: What is the significance of the number 84, stamped on the sole of some of "The Original 8802," putters [see pic]?
[attachment=1837214:Wilson 8802 Original w No 84.jpg]
[/quote]

The 8802 was sold in Hardware stores (in black, mostly), probably in 1964. The original had a fluted, headspeed shaft, black leather grip, with silver piping ... grip cap, with crossed flags.
Everything else, is an imitation.
[/quote]Ben Crenshaw used one almost exclusivley his entire career, he use a copy later...designed by Cleveland. He broke the shaft of his beloved putter in the Ryder Cup matches at Muirfield Village.

[birly-shirly]

[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1376869599' post='7701130']

Jack did not use a Mac blade, he used a George Low Wizard putter, for I think 16 of his 18 majors.
[/quote]

My bad. Golf My Way implies that all his clubs, including his putter, were made by MacGregor and I had always assumed that the George Low was a MacGregor signature model. Every day's a school day, even Sundays...

[BrianL99]

[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1376869599' post='7701130']
[quote name='birly-shirly' timestamp='1376679917' post='7689194']
Why is it called the 8802?

And why did it eclipse the Iron Master putter that it was based on?

When I was young, the cool putters seemed to be Wilsons, Bullseyes and Pings.

My first ever golf book was Tommy Armour. I remember reading how he'd designed this wildly successful putter - but I never found out what it actually was until the internet came around.

I don't remember Macgregors getting much love - and the 8802 seems so much more of an icon. Hard to credit, given Jack's history with his Mac blade.
[/quote]Jack did not use a Mac blade, he used a George Low Wizard putter, for I think 16 of his 18 majors.
[/quote]

Not that it matters, but I suspect and have read, it was way less than 16 majors with his George Low ... I think I heard the number as around 12 or so. I don't think Jack started out putting with the George Low & I'm fairly certain he gave it up in the late 70's, early 80's.

[robert horneman]

I wonder if the 84 refers to the 84 lumber co. that sponsered John Daly?

[xgolfx]

[quote name='robert horneman' timestamp='1376923596' post='7704784']
I wonder if the 84 refers to the 84 lumber co. that sponsered John Daly?
[/quote]

I watched Jack win the Western Open putting with a white John Reuter Bullseye

CHARLEY PENNA

[oldschoolrocker]

Was that the famous "White Fang?"

[dbuck47]

I would guess that the 84 was in honor of Crenshaw's 1984 Masters victory. Didn't Arnie also use an 8802 or design/modify one very similar? I love the old HB hickory-if I ever get into hickory golf I would want a similar style.

[dlygrisse]

[quote name='BrianL99' timestamp='1376873642' post='7701684']
[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1376869599' post='7701130']
[quote name='birly-shirly' timestamp='1376679917' post='7689194']
Why is it called the 8802?

And why did it eclipse the Iron Master putter that it was based on?

When I was young, the cool putters seemed to be Wilsons, Bullseyes and Pings.

My first ever golf book was Tommy Armour. I remember reading how he'd designed this wildly successful putter - but I never found out what it actually was until the internet came around.

I don't remember Macgregors getting much love - and the 8802 seems so much more of an icon. Hard to credit, given Jack's history with his Mac blade.
[/quote]Jack did not use a Mac blade, he used a George Low Wizard putter, for I think 16 of his 18 majors.
[/quote]

Not that it matters, but I suspect and have read, it was way less than 16 majors with his George Low ... I think I heard the number as around 12 or so. I don't think Jack started out putting with the George Low & I'm fairly certain he gave it up in the late 70's, early 80's.
[/quote]

I am pretty sure he won one with the Bullseye "white fang" and the 86 masters with the MacGregor Response. At least that is what I read somewhere once...someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[dbuck47]

I have an old Wilson Geo Low Original 600 from about 1980. It is a copy of the old Wizard. I wanted it because it resembled Jack's. I still use it more often than not. It is just a copy, but almost swings itself. I saw a couple of new Macgregor copies in the late 90's early 2000's in a carbon steel blued finish that I wish I had bought.

[Ironmaster Oddities]

[quote name='robert horneman' timestamp='1376923596' post='7704784']
I wonder if the 84 refers to the 84 lumber co. that sponsered John Daly?
[/quote]
my guess is that that 84 iteration of the "original" 8802 was made in 1984.

F/Y/I. the genuine "original model 8802" was, in fact the Willie Hoare Putter from the late 1930's or a little later.

Uncle Bob.

[rex235]

Everyone-

Arnold Palmer used a MacGregor Tommy Armour IM ground by him to the weight and look he desired.
Painted Black, it acquired the nickname "Bandit"
The 1959 Wilson 8802 was a double ribbed soled blade putter without flange. It was the Hol-Hi in 1960.
The Wilson "Arnold Palmer" in 1962 (8852) preceded the Designed By Arnold Palmer in 1963, and the first flanged 8802 model in 1964.

Different combinations of "pot" metals used meant variances in "feel" for both the MacGregor IM and the 8802.

Jack Nicklaus used the Acushnet Bullseye putter for the first of his two US Open victories at Balusrol- in 1967, breaking the 276 record of Ben Hogan by a shot. Jack originally wanted to use Deane Beman's Acushnet putter, but Beman said no, whereas a another Pro (Fred Mueller) let Nicklaus have his Bullseye putter, which Jack painted White to reduce the glare of the brass.

Check out the Sports Illustrated cover of 1967 showing Jack and "White Fang"


AG Spalding, Wright and Ditson first offered the HBA putter, which supposedly meant "Hollow Back Armour" in 1934. Burke also offered their HBA variation Save A Shot later.
To my knowledge, there wasn't a LH HBA putter ever made.

Jack's George Low Sportsman Wizard 600 model was offered in 1958. Again, RH only.

[BrianL99]

[quote name='Ironmaster Oddities' timestamp='1376957672' post='7708680']
[quote name='robert horneman' timestamp='1376923596' post='7704784']
I wonder if the 84 refers to the 84 lumber co. that sponsered John Daly?
[/quote]
my guess is that that 84 iteration of the "original" 8802 was made in 1984.

F/Y/I. the genuine "original model 8802" was, in fact the Willie Hoare Putter from the late 1930's or a little later.

Uncle Bob.
[/quote]

Are you sure the Willie Hoare wasn't a little shorter than an 8802 ?

[Ironmaster Oddities]

[quote name='BrianL99' timestamp='1377049409' post='7716376']
[quote name='Ironmaster Oddities' timestamp='1376957672' post='7708680']
[quote name='robert horneman' timestamp='1376923596' post='7704784']
I wonder if the 84 refers to the 84 lumber co. that sponsered John Daly?
[/quote]
my guess is that that 84 iteration of the "original" 8802 was made in 1984.

F/Y/I. the genuine "original model 8802" was, in fact the Willie Hoare Putter from the late 1930's or a little later.

Uncle Bob.
[/quote]

Are you sure the Willie Hoare wasn't a little shorter than an 8802 ?
[/quote]

It really doesn't look like what we think of as the 8802. It has a tapered flange, not quite as wide and a really large pistol grip. I will try to post a picture.

[teevons]

[quote name='Ironmaster Oddities' timestamp='1376699922' post='7691028']
[quote name='Bella Woods' timestamp='1376698277' post='7690882']
All of the putters mentioned above were originally modeled after the
A.G. Spalding Bros/Wright & Ditson HB (Hollow Back) hickory putters.

Seems to me they just rounded the sole of the toe/heel of the HB and
called it whatever they wanted.......
[/quote]

Bella,
As you know, Back on the day,the Spalding HBA Steel shafted putter was highly collectable. I think Lanny Watkins used the HBA for most of his career.
It is truly a scarce club to find.
[/quote]Here is a pic of mine, reshafted and rechromed with new leather master grip.Beautiful putter

[Bella Woods]

teevons:

Very nice looking putter.......

Looks a lot like my hickory version, except a little more center
shafted by a half inch or so.

I like the "muted" look of the refinished club from above (slightly
sandblasted?).

What is the total gram/swing weight of the putter? - just curious.

[SurfinTurf]

That Spalding does look sharp.

I have an immaculate 8802 and a Hagen Gentle Ben. I much prefer the 8802.

Thinking of reshafting the Gentle Ben with something like a headspeed. Maybe something even softer. Any ideas?

[teevons]

[quote name='Bella Woods' timestamp='1386805466' post='8285615']
teevons:

Very nice looking putter.......

Looks a lot like my hickory version, except a little more center
shafted by a half inch or so.

I like the "muted" look of the refinished club from above (slightly
sandblasted?).

What is the total gram/swing weight of the putter? - just curious.
[/quote]Not sure of the SW Bella,
I would love to have an HBA hickory, yours is what I wold love to have to play with I have yet to find a hickory putter that feels good, and I have 30 of them!
!
Jim Kronus at the iron factory did the putter, he is a magician and an artist, I have sent him heads that I figured no way he could restore and they come back just gorgeous.

[mocokid]

[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1376949319' post='7707788']
[quote name='BrianL99' timestamp='1376873642' post='7701684']
[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1376869599' post='7701130']
[quote name='birly-shirly' timestamp='1376679917' post='7689194']
Why is it called the 8802?

And why did it eclipse the Iron Master putter that it was based on?

When I was young, the cool putters seemed to be Wilsons, Bullseyes and Pings.

My first ever golf book was Tommy Armour. I remember reading how he'd designed this wildly successful putter - but I never found out what it actually was until the internet came around.

I don't remember Macgregors getting much love - and the 8802 seems so much more of an icon. Hard to credit, given Jack's history with his Mac blade.
[/quote]Jack did not use a Mac blade, he used a George Low Wizard putter, for I think 16 of his 18 majors.
[/quote]

Not that it matters, but I suspect and have read, it was way less than 16 majors with his George Low ... I think I heard the number as around 12 or so. I don't think Jack started out putting with the George Low & I'm fairly certain he gave it up in the late 70's, early 80's.
[/quote]

I am pretty sure he won one with the Bullseye "white fang" and the 86 masters with the MacGregor Response. At least that is what I read somewhere once...someone please correct me if I am wrong.
[/quote]
Nicklaus won 67 Baltusrol US Open with white fang bullseye, but I'm sure he won a bunch with the Low. Don't think white fang lasted too long in his bag.

[rex235]

It's important to note that Jack Nicklaus had two US Open wins at Baltusrol with two different putters.

Jack wrote in [i]Golf My Way[/i]... "I don't switch putters very often"....


...and if anybody has found a LH HBA Putter....

[super20dan]

i dont have a real 8802 in my huge putter collection. got several very good copies and my fav is a 1965 wilson tour special

[Medson]

What is the difference between a Wilson 8802 and the George Low Sportsman Wizard 600?

I have been looking at pictures. It seems Wizard 600 is a little shorter from heel to toe and a bit wider in the flange? Or it could just be the angel of pictures. Thanks.