Vintage Golf

[Crow]

Yeah the blades have an interesting story. The guy I bought them off lived in a village called Overton, just down the road from Horbury - where his dad worked at the Slazenger factory.
He apparently was given the clubs to go and use, to test them out. If the clubs were deemed satisfactory then they’d be produced and stamped with the required branding. Seems plausible and from a quick search they do look similar to these below.
He would have had a full set originally but the guy was explaining how his dad split the set in half to share between him and his brother.

That model of Ballesteros was a lower price set and I doubt they'd have gone to the trouble to make a prototype, it isn't quite the same profile either, see below.

This Slazenger Plus International from around 1972 is similar and looks a more likely candidate.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Missed this out on the earlier photos.

Great condition for it's age as well.

 

[Voyager EMH]

We all like a powerthrust with a speed slot!

Here are my cleaned up Eye 2 BeCu set 3-SW.
Notice how I have cleverly let you see how they look in bright light on the left and not so bright light on the right.

 

[Crow]

Missed this out on the earlier photos.

Great condition for it's age as well.

The Power Thrust iron was from 1961 but I'm not sure about this wood, it looks later.

I have a 2 wood without the Ben Hogan name on it, which I assume came after Ben Hogan and Slazenger had parted ways.
Some of the biggest insert screws I've ever seen!

 

[Voyager EMH]

The Slazenger factory was in Horbury Bridge.



I believe it can be seen here on the left edge of this aerial shot from 1949.



There are a few of the old buildings still standing, but I'm not certain if anything remains of the Slazenger factory.
The Slazenger Sports and Social Club is still going strong just a little way along the river to the right of the above photo.

 

[Oddsocks]

So much for the Taylormade speed slots

 

[Mel Smooth]

The Slazenger factory was in Horbury Bridge.

View attachment 52127

I believe it can be seen here on the left edge of this aerial shot from 1949.

View attachment 52128

There are a few of the old buildings still standing, but I'm not certain if anything remains of the Slazenger factory.
The Slazenger Sports and Social Club is still going strong just a little way along the river to the right of the above photo.

I think the buildings are all still there tbh. I drive past reasonably frequently and it’s still very much an industrial area.

 

[IanM]

Here are my cleaned up Eye 2 BeCu set 3-SW.

View attachment 52117

Let me know if you ever decide to cash in on those

 

[Voyager EMH]

I think the buildings are all still there tbh. I drive past reasonably frequently and it’s still very much an industrial area.

I think you could be right. This building appears to be the right dimensions and location. Pitched roof replaced with a flat roof would be a common occurrence.



This led me to look at more old photos of the area. This 1949 shot of the Great Yorkshire Show is interesting. Wakefield Council bought Lupset Hall in 1928 and it was up and running as a golf course in the 1930s. Can be seen bottom left. I wonder if this was where Slazenger prototype golf clubs were brought for testing.
The red arrow points to Horbury Bridge.



Enlargement of Horbury Bridge (red arrow above). Railway viaduct of the old Barnsley to Dewsbury Line and the old road (now Sandy Lane) to Overton.



And just in case you are not bored enough yet, a film of the 1949 Great Yorkshire Show. Watch out for the appearance of HRH Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth 2nd)

 

[garyinderry]

Fired up an old tablet tonight and I'm pretty sure this is a picture from the first forum vintage meet up. Few years ago now.

 

[Voyager EMH]

Fired up an old tablet tonight and I'm pretty sure this is a picture from the first forum vintage meet up. Few years ago now.

I thought I had seen that before...

Old School Challenge

A great afternoon, one of the most enjoyable rounds I've played. Certainly the most enjoyable this year! Played some measly golf but some hidden gems among there. Particularly fond of my sand wedge and I may actually give it a run in my normal bag!

forums.golfmonthly.com

 

[IanM]

Need to get out with the old blades again this summer. Cleeve Hill or Tadmarton Heath sort of places

 

[garyinderry]

I thought I had seen that before...

Old School Challenge

A great afternoon, one of the most enjoyable rounds I've played. Certainly the most enjoyable this year! Played some measly golf but some hidden gems among there. Particularly fond of my sand wedge and I may actually give it a run in my normal bag!

forums.golfmonthly.com

Those were the days I could jump in the car and go where I liked.
Really memorable day.
Thanks for finding that thread.

 

[Crow]

Need to get out with the old blades again this summer. Cleeve Hill or Tadmarton Heath sort of places

We had a meet at Tadmarton one year, can't remember if it was vintage or anything goes but it was a good day and I'd be up for it again either way.

 

[srixon 1]

Missed this out on the earlier photos.

Great condition for it's age as well.

I have an old 2 wood with a slot like that shown in the lower picture.

 

[Crow]

I've been quietly keeping my eye out for a set of Castle clubs for some time now, so when these popped up on ebay at a good price I didn't think twice, Reg Trapp irons by the Castle Equipment Company.

A quick internet search reveals a Reg Trapp who was born in 1910, son of Tom Trapp. Reg was Professional at Molesey Hurst Golf Club, Greater London in 1934, but the club closed in 1935, hope the two aren't connected!
Where he went after that I don't know but it looks as though he was still around in the 1960s when I guess that these were made.

I love the Reg Trapp "Trapmaster"! There are two of these for some reason, the more used one has a ladies shaft and ferrule so when that was added to the set I can only guess.

 

[Crow]

From another forum I've learnt that Reg Trapp was the professional at Flackwell Heath near High Wycombe during the 1960s, when the above clubs would have been sold.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Well this is quite cool...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1780962384812572952

 

[Voyager EMH]

Calling all Tyneside and Northumberland dwellers.

Superb condition set of Wilson irons that are collection only. Seller also has a Dunlop Peter Thomson 2-wood.

golf clubs iron set | eBay

<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">A full set of Original Wilson X31 Irons SW-3Iron. As per the photos in excellent condition for age. Grips are in reasonable condition. Ideal for a collector purchase or to be used daily. </p> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Oddsocks]

Vintage era trolley looking for a home, very similar to titleist turf glider in a metallic green. All straps / handles etc in good condition.

Free, but someone has to cover the postage. If anyone is interested I’ll go out and take some pics