Fine golfing collectibles are as rare as hole-in-one

This summer I took up golf. The decision was greeted with a mixture of amusement and polite silence by friends and relatives. A few decent rounds left me dreaming of future headlines such as, “Antiques writer shoots 63 in the Bangor Open.” A few rounds later, I was looking for a good reason to explain why I had ever tried to plumb the depths of this esoteric and maddening game.

The answer was obvious — research. What with the sudden interest in sporting collectibles, why not spend some time looking into antique golf equipment? At first glance, it seemed obvious to me why this stuff is rare. There are no old balls because there are millions resting peacefully in swamps all over the country. Vintage clubs are equally rare because most were tossed into the ponds and swamps after the balls. How could any have survived unless they were never used?

Weeks of in-depth research led to the discovery that golf, like many other games, cannot be properly played without a large accumulation of expensive toys. Not only are these toys very useful in the playing of the game, but some people fill entire rooms with all sorts of gimcrackery to impress their friends and intimidate their adversaries.

People pay ridiculous prices for golf collectibles. In past years there have been well publicized sporting auctions in several states, and the press has given much attention to record money paid for such esoterica as the Otto Hackbarth putter or “the Golfer’s Manual” by Henry B. Farnie. All kidding aside, people take their golf collectibles very seriously. There are collectors for virtually every form of material connected with the game.

Golf collectibles range from the rather ordinary such as balls, scorecards and bag tags to rare bronze statues, Rookwood pottery mugs and silver trophies. Surprisingly, some of the seemingly insignificant items such as balls can sell for hundreds of dollars. The earliest golf balls were made of feathers stuffed into a leather cover. These balls, called “featheries,” all pre-date 1860 and are prized by collectors. Needless-to-say, they are extremely scarce and sell for up to $1,000 in good condition. The gutta percha hand-hammered balls made after 1860 also are highly collectible and will fetch more than $100 if in excellent condition. Even the later rubber-core balls are collected and will bring a good price in mint condition.

Clubs, although thought of as being common, are another popular collectible. The early long-nose woods and hand-forged irons that were made before 1890 are rare today, with examples in good condition fetching from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Later clubs are collected primarily for unusual design and condition. After 1920 most collectors look for complete sets of matched clubs with wooden shafts.

Putters are a category to themselves. So many unusual and unique designs were created that there are collectors who specialize in putters only. There are the true antiques and then the so-called classics that were made from about 1930 to 1960. These are clubs of exceptional design or quality that are now collected.

Other items sought after by golf collectors are specially decorated or engraved presentation pieces with golf scenes. These include silver flasks, clocks, pocket watches, inkstands and match safes. Because many of these items are virtually one-of-a-kind, prices at auction can be astronomical.

Mugs, steins, vases and other ceramic forms decorated with golfing scenes are highly collectible and getting hard to find as are high-quality prints and posters.

For the less well-heeled, there are smaller items such as score cards, golfing magazines and books. Other items include tournament programs, cigarette cards and games. Prices vary depending on scarcity and condition. If you are like me, you may find collecting easier than playing.

Robert Croul, the NEWS antiques columnist, is from Newburgh.