Who forged Ram Tour Grinds?

[Shallowface]

[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1387201302' post='8306913']
Since we're on the subject of Ram (as God intended, LOL)....

While being a Ram guy, I'm a late comer to the party (my first set of clubs was bought Oct, 1998), so I have to ask my more long term golf brethren about the Ram Tour RT70 set. Were they store line, possibly? I remember trying to find them in the Maltby guide and not having success, though it's possible I just didn't go back far enough, or just missed their entry in the book, if it's there.

At one time, I was on a bit of a quest to own a set of every model of Ram Tour Grinds, but I've largely given that up in recent years. Never did score the 1980 model, and already mentioned my passing on the TW282s, though I did for a while own a set of TW Customs.

Starting to get nostalgic for the sets I've unloaded. LOL
[/quote]

I have an Austads catalog from 1975, and the Ram Tour RT70 are in there.

At that time, Austads was all store line.

[super20dan]

austads had their own line too.- have a deep faced lam maple driver from them

[NRJyzr]

[quote name='Shallowface' timestamp='1387232331' post='8309463']
[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1387201302' post='8306913']
Since we're on the subject of Ram (as God intended, LOL)....

While being a Ram guy, I'm a late comer to the party (my first set of clubs was bought Oct, 1998), so I have to ask my more long term golf brethren about the Ram Tour RT70 set. Were they store line, possibly? I remember trying to find them in the Maltby guide and not having success, though it's possible I just didn't go back far enough, or just missed their entry in the book, if it's there.

At one time, I was on a bit of a quest to own a set of every model of Ram Tour Grinds, but I've largely given that up in recent years. Never did score the 1980 model, and already mentioned my passing on the TW282s, though I did for a while own a set of TW Customs.

Starting to get nostalgic for the sets I've unloaded. LOL
[/quote]

I have an Austads catalog from 1975, and the Ram Tour RT70 are in there.

At that time, Austads was all store line.
[/quote]

Thanks, Shallow <tip cap>

[rich13]

[quote name='super20dan' timestamp='1387199781' post='8306869']
didnt hogan forge their own? i once heard the only co,s that were totaly in house were hogan and ping
[/quote]

Hogans were forged by Cornell, then by Endo from 1998/9, all grinding and finishing was done in-house though.

[BIG STU]

I have a friend of mine that has played Ram Tour Grinds for 40 or so years. the last new set he got was in the late 80s early 90s. He has worn out 4 sets over the years. The last set I found for him was 10 years ago. They were pristine and I got them for 40 bucks or so. I sent them to him and he has finally worn them out. Last year he finally found a "modern set" after a lot of trial that he likes. He found a set of J33 blades so he now plays them but he says they don't come close to the Rams for feel

[EmperorPenguin]

For seventeen years I played the 1982 Golden Ram "Vibration Matched" iron set, 1-SW. Those clubs were way ahead of their time. Ram clubs, I remember, were forged in Chicago. The original company used to be called Sportsman, and they made some of George Low's putters, most notably the Wizard 600, which Jack used for most of his career. Sportsman released the Ram golf ball, and due to its popularity renamed the company after it.

[NRJyzr]

[quote name='BIG STU' timestamp='1388836099' post='8396009']
I have a friend of mine that has played Ram Tour Grinds for 40 or so years. the last new set he got was in the late 80s early 90s. He has worn out 4 sets over the years. The last set I found for him was 10 years ago. They were pristine and I got them for 40 bucks or so. I sent them to him and he has finally worn them out. Last year he finally found a "modern set" after a lot of trial that he likes. He found a set of J33 blades so he now plays them but he says they don't come close to the Rams for feel
[/quote]

You can still find the odd set of Golden Rams out there, but fewer and fewer. And they tend to be more than $40.

[super20dan]

some one smart finally bought that set for 25$ that was on the bargin table at my local play it agains at least i dont have to look at them anymore

[BIG STU]

[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1388846012' post='8396335']
[quote name='BIG STU' timestamp='1388836099' post='8396009']
I have a friend of mine that has played Ram Tour Grinds for 40 or so years. the last new set he got was in the late 80s early 90s. He has worn out 4 sets over the years. The last set I found for him was 10 years ago. They were pristine and I got them for 40 bucks or so. I sent them to him and he has finally worn them out. Last year he finally found a "modern set" after a lot of trial that he likes. He found a set of J33 blades so he now plays them but he says they don't come close to the Rams for feel
[/quote]Oh how right you are. I can remember the days when you could buy a 1966 chevelle super sport 396 for under $1000 running now you cant buy the front fender for less than that

You can still find the odd set of Golden Rams out there, but fewer and fewer. And they tend to be more than $40.
[/quote]

[BIG STU]

I somehow messed that above reply up on the quote but I said How right you are I can remember when you could buy a 1966 chevelle Super sport for under $1000 running but now you cant buy the front fender for that

[HoldenCornfield]

[quote name='EmperorPenguin' timestamp='1388841657' post='8396129']<br />
For seventeen years I played the 1982 Golden Ram "Vibration Matched" iron set, 1-SW. Those clubs were way ahead of their time. Ram clubs, I remember, were forged in Chicago. The original company used to be called Sportsman, and they made some of George Low's putters, most notably the Wizard 600, which Jack used for most of his career. Sportsman released the Ram golf ball, and due to its popularity renamed the company after it.<br />
[/quote]
Saw a set of Sportsman's woods on eBay here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sportsman-s-Chicago-Golf-Clubs-Set-Refinish-Driver-Brassie-Spoon-Persimmon-Woods-/370976779117?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash=item565ff06b6d

[JOHN GOLIA]

I just picked up a set of Ram Custom Tour Grind Nickel
3-PW 55,58,60,64. They are in very good shape.
Bought them off a friend who only hit a few range balls.
Had a set of Tour Grind back in 78-80. Loved Them.
They look so Sweet behind the ball.
The Ho in me made me buy them.

[Kathy Marie]

I'm not sure if this is the proper place, but I went to Ebay looking for these Ram irons and found this:

[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Unique-RAM-Golden-Ram-Tour-Grind-Brass-Putter-White-Polymer-Play-RH-or-LH-/141313066596"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Unique-RAM-Golden-Ram-Tour-Grind-Brass-Putter-White-Polymer-Play-RH-or-LH-/141313066596[/url]

Is this a *real* Ram putter, or is he just putting us on??

KM

[Ultimate Gaj]

I just picked up a set of Tour Grinds in 2-PW for £45! and there in awesome conditon! :golfer:

[scomac2002]

I picked up a part set of Axial Tour Grind Frequency Matched (3-PW minus the 6i) in December for $30 plus shipping. It almost cost me that much to get a matching Tom Watson Scoring System 855 sand wedge in good condition.

 

All are regripped now with Lamkin Perma Wraps awaiting spring. Funny part is that it is mild enough today I could take them out and hit them if a range was open.

[bullrambler]

The rams tour grinds were / and are - great clubs... I has a set with 7.0 rifles. I sold them to a younger - stronger man then what I was getting out of them. I could of kept them and re-shafted them down a flex, but let them go... I'm sure that the shiney chrome backs can still be seen glistening on a remote golf course up in the North West Territories. In a place where the players don't often see this type of club.

[rangersgoalie]

I believe the clubs Tom Watson won with that had illegal groove may have been Macgregors?

Or possibly it was another player whose clubs were found to be illegal at the same time.

It wasn't just Tom that had clubs deemed non conforming back then

[rex235]

Have written about Ram Tour Grinds in a few other threads.

 

One of the threads had a long list of Ram Staff players on the PGA Tour in the 1980s.

 

Have both the Ram Muscleback Tour Grind and the Cavity Back Laser FX iron sets.

 

Their translation between RH and LH forged Tour Grind models was very good. Very Solid.

 

A Golden Ram Tom Watson 60 SW was in my bag 25 years ago.

[xgolfx]

Have written about Ram Tour Grinds in a few other threads.

 

One of the threads had a long list of Ram Staff players on the PGA Tour in the 1980s.

 

Have both the Ram Muscleback Tour Grind and the Cavity Back Laser FX iron sets.

 

Their translation between RH and LH forged Tour Grind models was very good. Very Solid.

 

A Golden Ram Tom Watson 60 SW was in my bag 25 years ago.

 

 

 

Watson won at least one major with MacGregor irons with grooves which were later declared illegal

 

CHARLEY PENNA

[birly-shirly]

I believe the clubs Tom Watson won with that had illegal groove may have been Macgregors?

Or possibly it was another player whose clubs were found to be illegal at the same time.

It wasn't just Tom that had clubs deemed non conforming back then

 

I wonder if that was the consequence of players changing irons less often than today, and regrooving their old sticks when they started to show wear and tear?

[smorg]

I'd like to know who did the Axials.

Me too. I have a nearly complete set of the tour axial grinds and I think they're the best looking blades in my hoard.

[Soloman1]

How nice are these? :-)

 

 

 

 

[scomac2002]

Pretty sweet! Wanna trade?

[HoganApexBlades]

How nice are these? :-)

 

 

 

 

 

Solo,

 

Why do those muscleback pads remind me of a '67 Mac VIP/'83 Mac Muirfield???

[Texsport]

Years ago I bought a RAM 8802 style putter from a RAM Chicago executive. In those days I worked for Colgate-Palmolive, which owned RAM.

 

It was a Tom Watson, stamped TW out on the toe, and made for him in the Chicago plant.

 

Years later I acquired the same model putter, though a retail unstamped example, but autographed in Sharpie by Mr Watson.

 

Displayed together on my walls.

 

Texsport

[HoganApexBlades]

Years ago I bought a RAM 8802 style putter from a RAM Chicago executive. In those days I worked for Colgate-Palmolive, which owned RAM.

 

It was a Tom Watson, stamped TW out on the toe, and made for him in the Chicago plant.

 

Years later I acquired the same model putter, though a retail unstamped example, but autographed in Sharpie by Mr Watson.

 

Displayed together on my walls.

 

Texsport

 

RAM, ahh yes...the successor to Sportsman's/Bristol/Kroydon owned by the Hansberger brothers out of good, old Melrose Park...Amazing how many golf manufacturers used to be based here.

[HoganApexBlades]

Burke/Tommy Armour

Wilson

Northwestern

RAM

[Davewn]

Burke/Tommy Armour

Wilson

Northwestern

RAM

 

Delta (on the low end) as well.

 

TaylorMade got its start in the NW burbs in the late '70s too. I chuckle every time I see the logo below on the aluminum windshield frame in my brother in law's '70s aluminum speedboat.

 

 

[HoganApexBlades]

Burke/Tommy Armour

Wilson

Northwestern

RAM

 

Delta (on the low end) as well.

 

TaylorMade got its start in the NW burbs in the late '70s too. I chuckle every time I see the logo below on the aluminum windshield frame in my brother in law's '70s aluminum speedboat.

 

 

 

What 'burb did TM start in?

 

Vulcan was a Hansberger upstart in St. Charles.

[Davewn]

Burke/Tommy Armour

Wilson

Northwestern

RAM

 

Delta (on the low end) as well.

 

TaylorMade got its start in the NW burbs in the late '70s too. I chuckle every time I see the logo below on the aluminum windshield frame in my brother in law's '70s aluminum speedboat.

 

 

 

What 'burb did TM start in?

 

Vulcan was a Hansberger upstart in St. Charles.

 

TaylorMade started in McHenry. Speaking of St. Charles, Tour Edge started there as well.