It was an excellent article and some of the follow-on comments from industry stalwarts like Jack Wullkotte, David Hueber, Tom Wishon, etc. White says the KKR leadership team was much more hands-on than the Cisneros brothers had ever been, which is understandable if you just shelled out a billion simoleons for a sporting goods company. Today we are going to be spotlighting the crazy, the absurd, and some of the wackiest irons the golf world has ever seen. I love them but Im mystified with the hex screw in the bottom of every shaft! Callaway wound up suing Spalding for using its imagery on Spalding packaging. I had a VAS 5 iron. Non-Tapered Golf Grips: 8 Facts to Know Before You Buy! Got them for $200.00 which was a really great price other pro shops were asking $450.00 for a set. With the help of computers, we designed a unique shape we call the `Bull Nose which extends the toe weight out far enough to balance the head without creating an elongated appearance. Would you make an iron set out of stone? The 1999 Hogan Apex, forged by Endo Manufacturing in Japan, remains a sought-after collectible, and a very playable blade, to this day. The Spalding brand, however, is still alive under the Russell Athletic umbrella, making basketballs and apparel. I have the entire set of samurai woods and irons,,,driver,3wood,5wood,7wood,,irons,,2-pw,dont believe they ever made a sw,,,,and I still use them,,,my fellow golfers are still amazed at the distance I get,,if you want a picture of the set,,let me know,,ill take one and send to you,,, I have the whole set of samurai irons,2-pw and woods1,3,5,7,,still use them,,i have had pros hit them,,and be amazed at the distances over their irons,,,i would like to find another 5wood,if anyone knows where or who has 1,,i, neil,,do you have a samuarai 5 wood,,,hard to find,,,id like one. Shank no more, draw, fade, straight, you name it, my Filas do it. The Spalding Top-Flite first came out in 1970. On sole: club# + SPALDING. BarbaJo, you da man! History of Spalding Golf Clubs | Golflink.com What a great list! They looked like a full set of hybrids but only lasted a short period of time. MyGolfSpy is jumping into the DeLorean and taking a 1.21 jiggawatt-fueled look at the long life and quick death of Spalding Golf. The 15 wood is only a little longer than an 8 iron (in my 70 yr old hands) so I put a 9 iron through sand wedge in the bag and away we go They are straight and land incredibly soft. 11 golf clubs/sets you owned and what they're worth now - PGA I was the person responsible for introducing urethane prepolymers to Dr Shen Shen Wu, Titleist R&D chemist. "logo": { It was in A Disordly Compendium of Golf I cant find my copy (actually havent seen it in a few months) but I know it was in there. Spalding quickly grew, making baseball gloves and uniforms and the first modern baseball bat. I didnt realize Spalding was still a player as late as 2000. Still use them. Get the best deals on Spalding Executive Irons when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. This new construction was a major technological advancement in golf balls. Just remember, Its always the indian and not the arrow. remove head from shaft? Both are really great. Haha my dad had a set of these and I ended up bagging the 3 and 4 irons as I hated the hybrids that came with my new set. Ive got a set of graphite Samurai ironwoods years ahead of their time lying around in the basement, I think. Im surprised that nobody has mentioned the Wilson Fat Shaft irons for ugliness. Not quite Bryson-like, but innovative for the day. (ENTER TO WIN) Super cool contest we have for you fellow GolfSpies today! ), Undersize Golf Grips Explained (8 Key Facts!). One of my favorite balls back in the late 80s was the Top-Flite Plus. WITB Albums. My Dad's execs from the 70's were blades that had aluminum shafts. With a few months of work and some radical design modifications it was turned into the first modern Metalwood. Spalding stopped making clubs in 2002. Fantastic article John! At the 2003 PGA Show, Hogan introduced the Apex 50 blade commemorating its 50th anniversary, the game improvement CFT irons, and the Carnoustie and Riviera wedges. The market was changing rapidly, as well. Jim also marketed the first Graphite Shafts sold under the Aldila name. And although Top Flite is still in business today, its a brand that most golfers associate with cheap equipment of inferior quality. Irons made during that time are distinguished by an anvil cleek mark. Im not talking a couple of degrees, but for one shot you could make it a 5 iron and the next (with a quick adjustment) itd be a PW. Thanks, http://www.clubsofdistinction.com/cod3/ucir5177.htm. The Strata, however, proved to be a gold mine for Spalding. If so send us some picsdont worry we will keep it 100% anonymous . Circa 1985-ish if memory serves. #15 - Stan Thompson Ginty Irons You might remember the popular Stan Thompson woods with the unique sole design. It was an interesting period to work for Spalding but sad to watch the demise of the brand it should never of happened ! Thanks. When I was starting golf, I went to the shop and these were the clubs that I hit the best (compared to cavity backs) and bought them. or Best Offer. We stand behind our clubs and want you to be satisfied with them. In 1910 Spalding started making fairway clubs made of aluminum, and heavier lead face putters. The 1968 arrival of the Executive MV2 Bird Over Ball clubs are among some of Spalding's most easily recognizable clubs. Current owner FILA Korea Ltd took Acushnet public, and the company has thrived ever since. I know that this is a very late reply but I actually knew the designer of these irons and spent time speaking with him. TaylorMade, now owned by adidas, was rising, and Callaway was a major force. It means the Son of a Scottish brood that keeps getting into trouble only to easily find his way out of trouble! For more info on Stan Thompson click here. He traded a set of classic Burke PunchIrons to get the Lynx. "author": "Ned Howard", Design the future of bad golf! I saw the Cisneros brothers maybe once in my time there, he says. Now I need some crazy Loudmouth pants and a pink ball. An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. However as a caddy the Spaulding staff bag was a real trunk!! *We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. An excellent article well researched MacGregors ownership carousel started in 1978 when it was sold to lumber conglomerate Wickes. Men's Right Handed. "url": "https://swingyard.com/wp-content/uploads/Spalding-Irons-by-Year.jpg" Spalding Executive Golf Clubs for sale | eBay 1 Iron Spalding Executive MV2 bird over ball . Its factory could only make about six million dozen a year, and it was paying patent royalties. The Black Dots were longest (for me) but that cover would smile back at you with the slightest mishit. TaylorMade, by comparison, has been sold twice in the past four years. The plan was to position Hogan as the premium forged line sold through pro shops. If so, are they any good? Of course Drivers and putters are like women. Way ahead of their time in the perimeter weighted genre. { Fila Golf has developed this new iron using a patented design feature. a beginner could really benifit from the Nike slingshot, they are easy to hit. As the 21st Century dawned, it had impressive sales and deep-pocket owners, but in reality, it was staring down the barrel of a gun. At the time of the sale, it was considered the lowest cost and most efficient operation in the industry. Duke gave me an original solid brass/bronze Greenirons Slotline putter (heel shafted with slot in top line and white dot on lower rear section).. GolfWRX_Spotted posted a topic in Tour and Pre-Release Equipment, February 13. Play to a 4 6 cap. Today, Spalding Executive clubs arent worth a great deal of money. Spalding club-makers paid as much scrutiny to shafts as heads. Heres a set of Slotline irons currently for sale on EBay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330561978331&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT, some years ago-I bought a trial 7 iron thru golg digest-some years later a friend of mine bought a used set at a second hand storeany way I think it was made by simmons or slotline?? Instead, well hit the highlights. Did you forget about Zevo Golf? maybe EVER. Corey Pavin won the 1996 US Open Shinnecock with a purple set. Europe was a bit ahead of the United States when it came to golf, and the sport had only just started to explode in the United States. Bought a used set of 3-SW with a sticker decal some 35 years ago and added a 2-iron with stamped lettering later on a trip to Chicago. The "New York Times" frequently syndicates his work. Spalding Executive clubs were established in the 1960s, with the Top Flite Executive Synchro-Dyned golf clubs being the first in a super popular series. And Jim Furyk won the 2003 U.S. Open with the new Strata Ace, which featured playing card suits (a la Penfold) instead of numbers. With Spalding's mass-market success breeding scores of imitators, players could pick and choose from countless club lines. * Note: These irons were designed by Pat Simmons and ex-pilot and engineer which also had a part in the Zebra putter design. words that have to do with clay P.O. He would hold up the club so they could see the 7 on the bottom and with a big grin say I hit a 7 iron. But they seem to work though. GolfCartReport.com, Golf Undershirts (20 To Try On The Market Today), Do I Need Longer Golf Clubs? They preceded hybrid irons by 20 years or so. I also have a set of Browning TR600s. The success of Spalding golf clubs had compelled the USGA to act, but this success was not destined to last forever. Turns out it was just 20 years ago. Spalding Golf Clubs: Do Still Make Them & How Much? I have a set of Fila Solerno irons/fairway woods that I havent been able to find anything about on the internet. Thus, the USGA implemented the one ball rule, Thanks John for another great piece of history. "@type": "Article", I had released it into the foreign market through a network of distributors mid in 1978, where it was well received. It was if I walked into the store from a time machine. Quite honestly, we werent ready for that.. C $75.53. I completed the set off of eBay for around $100. But more trouble was coming for Spalding. (Everything To Know). There are worse things. Knowledgable folk say its all in the mind. $77.83. Eventually banned because it was too straight. Don Wood has the patent for the Plop Slotz Irons. I just found a set of 10 plops slotz. I became a +2 handicap using those irons, and a lot of people scoffed at them early ontill they saw me hit them. They had fantastic fairway woods that I still take out for a spin every once in a while. Though he is a footnote in the PGA history he was briefly on tour in the 50s. Wish the 5 iron would have been there. A request, could you do Sonartec at some point? In that year, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) took shape, and many of the fledgling tour's stars already had endorsement deals with Spalding. My woods are Taylormade Burners 1 & 3, and I have two Mizuno hybrids. Jeff Sheets had been Director of R&D for Top-Flite since 1995, and his first club for Hogan became a legend. when were spalding executive golf clubs made. But just because it was wacky did not mean it was not a hellova seller. I still think there were others that deserved some consideration. what is spanish colonial music? Still, if youre looking for more information about Spalding golf clubs, youve come to the right place. Finally, I think a distinction needs to be made between the wackiest looking and worst irons made. John, (Cavity back blades???) I remember a set called Canon I think, possibly a Spalding brand. Win a bunch of BogeyPro swag! Remember when pros like Norman and Stadler and others with that bright red Spaulding Tour Bag. Established in Caracas in 1929 as a small material transport business, the Cisneros Group had its fingers in everything from soft drinks, ice cream, and beauty products to banking and a burgeoning telecommunications business. All that creativity has led to the great clubs we have today. Oversized high center of gravity heads and huge amounts of offset are what killed long irons IMO. Insurmountable debt, uncertain management, and stiff competition forced Spalding to stop production. Paste as plain text instead, What was wacky about the Bears? and had a driving range there for many years. Its an interesting question to ask about a company that was a factor for over 125 years. Smooth tempo swingers Ventus Velo isn't working for me other brands/models suggestions? "@type": "ImageObject", Press J to jump to the feed. Also, consider TaylorMade sold last spring for $1.6 billion, while KKR paid nearly $1 billion for Spalding in 1996. I think Browning was leaving the golf business then and they were discounted last set in the store. The Kro-Flite in 1930 was golfs first liquid center golf ball, while the Spalding DOT was a mid-century icon. White says KKR management was hyper-focused on Callaway and TaylorMade, which may explain one of Spaldings biggest gaffes ever. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The name was acquired by the folks behind Nitro golf balls and they now have a full line you can buy on RockBottomGolf. Jones immediately put his Georgia Tech engineering degree to good use. I was the Sales Manager of Stan Thompson golf company for several years and worked very close with Stan. Does anyone know anything about them? Thanks. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Upgraded my driver from R7 to Razr Hawk, but will never surrender my Slingshots. Spalding Executive Irons for sale | eBay Copyright 2023. The legendary Spalding bird logo appeared on their clubs in the 1960s, with the Top-Flite Elite Professional irons proving popular on Tour. These were actually a pretty good iron for the time and I think Trevino had something to do with this designbut not sure. What about Goldwin?? Spalding also started the Spalding Athletic Library; a series of sports and exercise books published from 1892 through 1941. Spalding no longer makes golf clubs, and hasnt for some time now. Heres one for the booksTommy Armour EQL one length irons. i just hit a 8 iron in that series last night. The VAS are ugly, but they work. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Although they wont win any awards for innovation, Spaldings Molitor clubs are a decent game improvement set and a good option for beginners. single, replacement or add-on golf irons and wedges for Spalding Executive x EZ Oversize Irons. *chuckles* Maybe its a good thing I took a 30 year golf hiatus. In the meantime, this should hold you over, https://mygolfspy.com/why-does-the-ben-hogan-equipment-company-still-matter/. Back in the day (early-60s), I caddied at a CC in so. I might suggest you also include input from Tom Stites who worked for Hogan in the 1980s before heading up Nikes golf (mis)adventure. My dad has played a set if vicunas for about 40 years! KKR was established in 1976 by partners Jerome Kohlberg, Henry Kravis, and George Roberts. Spalding Executive Left Handed Golf Clubs - Left Handed Golf Clubs They dropped the Tour Edition moniker and focused on the expansion of their touring staff on the PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA tours. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, (your email address will not be published), CONTEST Adams Pro Black Giveaway! Irons made during that time are distinguished by an anvil cleek mark. I was interested in golf until around 2001 and soon discovered spoiling was on anachronism at that point.