Glad to see I'm not the only one that likes browsing Ebay for hickories as a place to learn. Searching "hickory golf" and "antique golf" has become part of my morning routine for months now despite never buying any of them. Something that I do when browsing is going to the sold listings to see what the clubs actually sell for instead of just the asking prices that can get crazy. Has helped lots of finding market values when browsing antique stores when I actually buy clubs.
A hardcore ebay here, so I'm pretty familiar with marginal goods and risks taken on listings. I still prefer ebay over Amzon because I get to select my seller, and the sellers have feedback. No such at the Azn, just product reviews laden with fakes. So I was hunting clubs and had learned which guys were legit and all, BUT I found some locally on FB. The guy was asking $80 for five clubs and I asked him if he had more. Turns out I bought all of them for 150, 13 being legit woodies of 19 and at least four Scottish clubs, both of the woods St. Andrew's. Then rest of the lot included four of coated steel shafts, one hickory with a steel core, and one is an Otey Crisman). They're in various states of repair but I think it'll work out just fine. I'll be able to play with some of these to get started and sort out what else I want. Took a while to get the first head off. After the heat gun didn't get it to budge, I wound up just hitting shots with it. I thought the impacts would loosen it and they delivered! Thankfully my net caught the mid-iron no problem. I felt it loosen just before it flew. EvapoRust sessions have begun.
Great question, Ben. The biggest difference is that the heads are noticeably lighter. The shafts - if original - will likely be shorter, too. While it’s easy to fix that by replacing the shaft with one that’s longer, the lighter head is still going to make the club’s swing weight lighter than men’s standard without adding lead tape. In the case of heavier clubs like niblicks, some players actually prefer playing with ladies clubs because it allows them to swing the club freer. Men’s niblicks are commonly found with swing weights in the mid Ds and heavier, which makes full swings a little more difficult. But a ladies niblick with a swing weight in the mid Cs is a very manageable club to swing full, and can be used more like a modern wedge.
I bought my 6 club starter set from Bob. Just like Christian he is a great ambassador of hickory golf. Thanks for posting this video.
I appreciate that, Kurtis! And yeah - Bob’s the best.
Glad to see I'm not the only one that likes browsing Ebay for hickories as a place to learn. Searching "hickory golf" and "antique golf" has become part of my morning routine for months now despite never buying any of them. Something that I do when browsing is going to the sold listings to see what the clubs actually sell for instead of just the asking prices that can get crazy. Has helped lots of finding market values when browsing antique stores when I actually buy clubs.
Yep - great tip! I was going to mention the sold listings in a future video.
Wow! The first ever club I bought off eBay was a mashie niblick from stixnstuff I guess I got lucky.
You chose wisely for your first purchase!
Another great video, thanks
A hardcore ebay here, so I'm pretty familiar with marginal goods and risks taken on listings. I still prefer ebay over Amzon because I get to select my seller, and the sellers have feedback. No such at the Azn, just product reviews laden with fakes. So I was hunting clubs and had learned which guys were legit and all, BUT I found some locally on FB. The guy was asking $80 for five clubs and I asked him if he had more. Turns out I bought all of them for 150, 13 being legit woodies of 19 and at least four Scottish clubs, both of the woods St. Andrew's. Then rest of the lot included four of coated steel shafts, one hickory with a steel core, and one is an Otey Crisman). They're in various states of repair but I think it'll work out just fine. I'll be able to play with some of these to get started and sort out what else I want. Took a while to get the first head off. After the heat gun didn't get it to budge, I wound up just hitting shots with it. I thought the impacts would loosen it and they delivered! Thankfully my net caught the mid-iron no problem. I felt it loosen just before it flew. EvapoRust sessions have begun.
If I wanted to get a club or 2 to mess around with what would you recommend? I'm thinking like a wedge and mid iron equivalent.
Honestly, if you were only going to play with two clubs you could have a lot of fun with just a 35 degree mashie and a putter.
What is the real difference between mens clubs and ladies clubs; are the heads noticeably lighter or are the shafts shorter?
Great question, Ben. The biggest difference is that the heads are noticeably lighter. The shafts - if original - will likely be shorter, too. While it’s easy to fix that by replacing the shaft with one that’s longer, the lighter head is still going to make the club’s swing weight lighter than men’s standard without adding lead tape.
In the case of heavier clubs like niblicks, some players actually prefer playing with ladies clubs because it allows them to swing the club freer. Men’s niblicks are commonly found with swing weights in the mid Ds and heavier, which makes full swings a little more difficult. But a ladies niblick with a swing weight in the mid Cs is a very manageable club to swing full, and can be used more like a modern wedge.