Do YOU have a favourite set of golf clubs out of all those you've owned?

[@BradMeehan]

I love the MacGregor Colokroms with the copper face. They're my favorite to look at in the bag.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Colokroms were such a great look!

[@jimdaum3784]

Greetings from Canada Nick! My all time fav irons is the Ben Hogan apex II irons. I think they were late 70's, and they have "AMF" shafts. I found almost a full set at my local thrift store almost 20 years ago, and they are the only irons that I have kept over the years(I've had many sets over the years, trying to "upgrade" my gear). I am a lefty(irons are probably even more rare lol), and have been looking for a nicer set for years. They are 2-pw, missing the 5 and 6. But also included a Slazenger sand wedge. Thank you for your video about the Ben Hogan and Slazenger relationship. I now also love old Slazengers. In Canada, they are not well known.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Thanks Jim, Ben Hogan made some true classic sets. For lefty clubs I think the early models by Ben Hogan were pretty much all RH, but Slazenger made a few LH versions.

[@tonydamiani8029]

The original MacGregor VIP muscle back blades.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Didn't Jack Nicklaus play those for a few years?

[@TheVintageGolfer]

Right now I'm in love with the MacGregor 1970 VIP dual sole irons. Great video, keep it up!

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Cheers! A few people say they struggle with the sole on those, but unless you're playing from a really soft fairway I can't see how it would make much difference.

[@charleseckes316]

1999 Hogan Apex Plus. Bought them as training clubs. To my surprise they knocked a brand new set of PXGs right out of the bag. Now I have ‘67 and ‘69 Hogan’s just because..

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

If you like a set of clubs there's no need to justify them, just enjoy them. 😀

[@geoffreyclark2805]

That's a great looking set of clubs Nick. My favorite irons are my Ben Hogan Apex circa 1973 with frosted backs that has Ben Hogan signature and Sunburst Crest, I had to regrip with tour wrap grips since old grips were dried out, they weren't original grips any way. I paired them with Hiro Honma M-43 High Powered USA Persimmon woods 1,3, & 5, the insert looks like carbon fiber? Really nice looking woods, beautiful grain. My favorite putter is my Faultless Lee Trevino I got brand new in the early'70's. Can't wait to see your on-course thanks for another great video. Geoff.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Thanks Geoff, you've chosen some fine clubs there!

[@karlsieglaff1149]

My favorite irons are the Spalding Robert T. Jones Kro Flite model. There are many variations of this particular iron but I prefer the one with the brown pyratone shafts. I have tried many, many vintage irons and these are the best performing for me. These are probably from the 1930s.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Great that you get on with them, I generally find 1930s coated shaft clubs a little harder to play than those of 10 or 20 years later. Not sure why, maybe the weights of them?

[@karlsieglaff1149]

Maybe. Some are super light but the ones I play with are heavy.

[@stevedriscoll2539]

I think I bought one of these at a second hand store. I would have to look but I am almost sure it is a Robert Tyre Jones Jr. model. I hit it well even though it is light headed, a "butter knife" soul, and the stuff, the "pyratone" is breaking off in chunks off the shaft.

[@wallacedavidg]

1983 Ping Eye-2. I have matching numbers 1 through LW. Still use them today. I put away my Cleveland CG-1 Tour Blades when I stopped practicing and playing 4 times a week.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

The durability of those old Pings is legendary.

[@toddblake5003]

Not as vintage as your treasures but my first set I deem my favorite was 1996 Callaway Big Bertha irons and woods.

[@billyunair]

1990 Ping Eye 2 Becu plus no plus 2-SW set red dot #'s matching or my 2008 Titieist AP2's with Rifle 6.0's. Toss up fav's. I have other more Vintage Spalding and a Gary Player Dark Knight 2 sets but those are my favorites. Cheers.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Those Eye 2 BeCu irons certainly have a big following, that's a cool set you have there.

[@billyunair]

@@ClassicGolfClubs Thank you. I appreciate all you do on your channel too.

[@billyunair]

@@ClassicGolfClubs I dropped 7 strokes off my last round by going back to the Becu's from a 2021 Titleist T300 set I had been playing. For me they work better. More offset I suppose.

[@wallacedavidg]

I've got, and use, 1983 Eye-2 (stainless) 1 through LW and a Ping putter (reissue of the Scottsdale with the slot behind the blade). A few years ago Ping serviced my 3-iron, they have complete records showing that this set started off as black dot but the original owner had them bent to green dot (2° upright).

[@billyunair]

@@wallacedavidg Very nice that you have the full set even the one iron and LW for the Eye 2 and that it was bent at Ping. Great clubs. I just regripped a set of black dots yesterday at work (club builder). Also that Answer Scottsdale remake is great. I had one bought from second swing. I gave it to my Dad for Father's day. I still have an original Anser I use on occasion. I like the new Ping stuff (wedges/ driver etc) but like the old stuff better. Bronze Manganese and Becu metals in particular have great sound, feel and feedback.

[@robertakerson7186]

Mr. Classic- I reckon that my favorite set includes Hogan Apex irons of 1972 manufacture, 3 & 5 Niblick woods from Louisville Golf and also their Smart Driver. My putter varies.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

That sounds like a nice bag you have there!

[@35rem80]

Great channel bro. I have been watching and subbed for about a year. My favorite clubs are my mint condition 1973 Walther Hagen Hage-Ultra 1-SW + 64° flop wedge and my Otie Chrisman putter.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Thanks! Hagen made some lovely looking clubs, good choice!

[@35rem80]

@@ClassicGolfClubs I have 2 museum quality sets. If you ever want a set hit me up.

[@christopherfranklin972]

A lovely video Nick as much for your wonderful enthusiasm as for the object of your adoration! The woods are a delight,the irons leave me unmoved although my tastes in clubs,women and clothes have always been questionable 😂 Favourite clubs? 🤔 Titleist Tour Model of 1982,the first American set of forged irons I ever owned bought brand new from the Golf Shop,Brighton via mail order advert in Golf World.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

How did you find the Tour Model to play Chris? I've heard a few people describe them as being quite difficult to get the best from.

[@christopherfranklin972]

@@ClassicGolfClubs No offset,thin top line,skinny blade,what could possibly go wrong?😁 A couple of years ago I took out a bag of mixed 7-irons onto the practice ground and the Tour Model came out best for dispersion,I think I like them because they are like me ..... plain and simple 🙂

[@paulmcgee1867]

Beautiful set and provenance what a find! 🎉. At the moment I am playing my John Letters Swingmaster 2s irons including Bernard Gallacher sand iron. I hit them surprisingly well and thank you for the inspiration. I can combine them with a Golden Goose, Wilson 8813 or Scotty Futura putter.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Can't go wrong with John Letters clubs!

[@martinwright6255]

Nice looking set. These woods appear in Ronald John's book"vintage era of golf club collectables" - though with wooden shafts from the early 30's - unfortunately it doesn't describe the face material

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

An previous comment also references the earlier version, quoting from Jeff Ellis's book "The Golf Club, 400 years of the good, the beautiful & the creative" in which it says they were ivory with wooden pins. I still think my later version is some form of plastic though.

[@julesdowner5585]

I got myself a rather nice set of McGregor VIP irons last Sunday for a bargain fiver. Wonderful things with nice grips and great to play . Until i used the sand iron. The top two inches were snapped beneath the grip?. They 9 iron the same. They look period grips but i presume they have been lengthened at some point . Hmm, It will give me something to sort out in the shed when its raining .

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

That's a shame about the shafts. I bought a set that were rusted through under the grips, I'm still on the hunt for some period shafts to put in them, another of those jobs that never gets done!

[@julesdowner5585]

@@ClassicGolfClubs Oh yes! . Always things to do and i'm afraid i forget until i need whatever it is . These vip;s , at least two have gone in the same place and i did think they seemed a bit long . So i suspect they have been lengthened , possibly with wood? The pronlem being getting the grips off without damaging them? Then you need to get the snapped bit out of the grip? But i have a plan! Carefully cut the top of the grip off and investigate from there? Hopefu;;y repair it and glue the top back again/ Probab;y a silly thing but i'll try . If rusted through , then crap anyway .

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

@@julesdowner5585 I had to get a broken wooden plug out of a shaft recently, I found the best way to do it was to use a heat gun and practically burn it out, then the charred pieces could be picked out okay.

[@davidvanbruaene7904]

Still have my very first new iron purchase…1958 Wilson Staff Dyna-powered 2-9. I wore out another set of them and gave those to a beginner. I had my 1956 Colokroms until recently. But my favorites are my Head Premise set 3-P. Sweet hitters and longer than most.

[@wadepatton2433]

My old faves that I have now retired are repro Wilson Staff Tour Blades from the 80's, modeled after some in the 70's Wonderful blades. I've since acquired a lot of Hogan sets-always lusting after the "PC's" But did find out their shortcoming (long actually). It is this: when you catch one absolutely pure on the "PC" (Percussion/Percussive Center) the shot will POP out there another 10-15 yards and you'll likely overshoot your target. It's a wonderful thing to feel, but that sort of variability in distance can ruin an approach shot--or even a lay-up if it runs too long and into trouble. BUT save all that---I'm fully committed to Hickory Golf now. Played in my second-ever hickory tournament over these last three days. It's just great and we ALWAYS have an excuse for the bad shots and find a special exuberance with the sweet ones. I won the chipping contest-closest to the target at about 60 yards. The prize was a modern replica wedge, I won it with a reshafted pre-1935 Niblick. The course was great and weather only wet one day. Try a handicapped hickory event, they can be a blast. Cheers!

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

I'd heard that about PCs and the occasional rocket. Well done in the chipping contest! I play maybe 10 or 12 hickory rounds a year and agree that it's great fun, but for my regular play I prefer using classics.

[@wadepatton2433]

@@ClassicGolfClubs Wow you've played more hickory golf than I. I've taken to playing in the Mid-South Hickory Classic (which began last year). Three days of golf, practice and then Sat/Sun on a great mountain course that dates back to 1915. Other than that event I've not played much of any golf lately. We do have a company-promoted business scramble, this year I'm playing hickories in it. Finding and fixing old hickories can be a hobby in itself. The Tad Moore made wedge I won is a replica of a George Nicoll "Howitzer". Of which there are only two known extant examples. Tad copied one of them-it's a great club for my bag as I didn't have anything so lofted.

[@wallacedavidg]

The Wilson Staff Tour Blades were my first set of clubs. Great teaching clubs ... they teach you not to play golf with these clubs. Great looking sticks, the through hosel and thin top line with a sweet spot the size of a dime.

[@wadepatton2433]

@@wallacedavidg They taught me to practice many hours in order to more often find that sweet spot I'll never forget the days when I was able to draw and fade them at will---play low or high. THOSE were my best early days of golf-back when 100 compression, rubber-wound, balata-covered ball was the finest ball one could swat. I'm having some great days of golf right now--but with hickories--and much less practice to find the center of the face, and a lot more FUN on the course with fellow hickory nuts.

[@julesdowner5585]

i was interested to see about why they are called 'mussel backed' I always assumed that it was a 'muscle back' . Which i think i have read in golf videos. They are superb condition and things of beauty . Thankyou

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

I think they pretty soon changed it to muscle, describing your clubs as having a strong "muscle" back sounds much better than a smelly old shellfish. 🙂

[@bcstones0000]

interesting woods....just checked a book ("The Golf Club"400 years of the good, the beautiful & the creative)...in the 'fancy face' section there is a picture of a similar looking club from the ~1933, called "Brace Driver"...'the broad head that was procuced by Tom Brace and bears a UK design registration number that dates to 1933. The face is made from a thick piece of ivory inlaid with 9 wooden dowels. The top of the head has a stylish concave shape... As to my favorite set - it would have to be my first set of clubs, the H&B Grand Slam Mars 70 starter set (1& 3 persimmon wood with 3,5,7,9 irons & a putter), Yes a retail brand from ~1957/8. I don't have anything more than a wish to travel back in time to retreive them. I have a H&B PowerBilt set of woods & irons from 1956 that have yet to be played (closest I could find to my "wish"). Other than that I love my '91 Hogan Magnum Plus & right behind that my Hogan '74 Saber and my Browning 440s.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

I'd also read that Tom Brace made the original design, but wasn't aware that he used ivory and I'd never considered that mine might be ivory. Looking at them under magnification and after a search for clues on how to differentiate between ivory and plastic, I'd still lean towards plastic on mine. They are 15 or 20 years later than the club described and the pins are definitely not wood. Luckily I have no intention of selling so won't have to worry about ivory trading laws! H&B must be one of the most under-rated manufacturers in the classic era, they made some superb clubs.

[@bcstones0000]

@@ClassicGolfClubs not sure about "plastic", perhaps an early polymer resin or fiberglass....anyway, with a slow swing speed (let you club head do the work - do not force your swing) and a low compression ball, I would think they'd be quite playable. I agree H&B is one of the mose under-rated brands ever. As a matter of fact, that '56 PowerBilt set was missing the 9 iron and, somewhere back in time, I picked up a Mars 70 9 iron....so the set will contain 2 clubs from my original set - the 9 iron & my go-to putter....

[@jmbuckner8414]

It’s a toss up between MacGregor CF4000 and Wilson Turfriders. I got bit by the bug and now own a set from every decade from 50s to today.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Two great models! That bug, you just can't shake it off. 😀

[@fatgolfscotland]

Beautiful looking clubs I've just purchased a set of wilson x31 or is it x3i Do you know much about these clubs ?

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

They first appeared in the late 1960s and were a top of the line model for Wilson. Over the years several variations were produced but all had the same heavy sole design. I've not hit any but understand that they're very playable.

[@fatgolfscotland]

@ClassicGolfClubs I played with them last night and they are a great club

[@lloydwilliams4368]

Hate to sound like this but I have a set of 1972 MacGregor "Tourney Custom" 2-9 irons. Orig. grips. Are they worth anything?

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

They certainly have some value but it's hard to say how much, your best bet is to use the advanced search on ebay and look at "sold" listings, that will tell you the going rate for your clubs.

[@eggy68]

Hard to pick one favorite. I'll have to go by criteria - Sentimental = 70's Ram Fastback Shot Control set modeled after my Dad's; Historical = 1920s W&D George Wright Autograph set; Feel =toss up between Golden Ram Tour Grinds, Hogan Apex IIs, and Yamaha AR-1s; Looks = my hickories, followed closely by the MacGregor M75Ts.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

A nice spread of choices!

[@stevedriscoll2539]

Those woods are sure unique. I would think that face protects the persimmon face completely. The irons are simple and quite nice. I love the way U.K. designers and builders put a lot of stampings on the backs...that is costly and, I think, why modern manufacturers avoid such details. Are they hard to hit? I thought I saw a shot revealing butter knife thin soles. If you don't mind, Nick, I have two favorites (but they may only be quasi-vintage): a set of Nicklaus "MASTER" irons by Macgregor (they have a sort of trapezoidal or pyramid shaped muscle back), and then my graphite shafted Hogan "Edge" irons (they can easily perform or even outperform more modern clubs).

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

If they're your favourites that's all I asked, no requirement for them to be vintage or classic. 🙂 Re the playability of the thin soled irons, the playing video is out now see link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXaypZ6no9SkqJIsi=Ne1kwggKu6FF9Evx

[@outerstar64inthecosmos]

Hello Sir. I also have a love of the old classic golf clubs. I think my favorite set(s) that I own are Maxfli Blades from sometime in late 1950's or early 1960's ------ and a set of early TaylorMade Tour Preferred Forged or "F" Blades (TPF) from mid 1980's I believe with the Original TaylorMade D step shafts in Regular Flex. I have often wondered about the valuation of each of these sets. For price valuation of your sets do you just use ebay or other online outlets or websites that sell used sets? I also have a set of Moe Norman autograph Irons from Campbell Golf or Campbell of Canada Sporting Goods that I imagine have to be one of very few sold and remaining. In all my years on being on the hunt for nice vintage golf equipment I have never seen any clubs before with Moe Norman's autograph. So ----- I often wonder about the valuation of sets like this. Same as your beautiful Peak-Hi set. I doubt there are very few remaining on the planet. But....I do realize that in general most vintage golf gear does not sell for a great deal of money. Your thoughts? Also, how can I share photo's of some of my sets with you? Thanks for your site. I do enjoy it quite a lot. jdp. Victoria B.C.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

Great to hear from you and thanks for the kind words. The earliest UK Dunlop Maxfli I've been able to accurately date is from 1964, but Canada/America may have been using the model name for longer, I've seen an early version with a flying delta partly enclosing the Maxfli script which I don't think was a UK release the head is in the style of the Ben Hogan Precision model. Are your Tour preferred irons the hollow bodied clubs? Valuation is an area that has so many angles, the biggest one I think is fashion/popularity. For instance Ping clubs aren't particularly rare or beautiful and yet they command respectable prices. Scotty Cameron putters are well made but it's mainly the marketing machine behind them that makes them so sought after and ridiculously expensive, even for head covers and associated paraphernalia! Early MacGregor persimmon and Wood Bros persimmon are enjoying a resurgence at the moment. I made a quick search for Campbell Moe Norman clubs and found one blurred image so I'd agree, not a common club. But are there collectors who wish to own a set? Without the demand the value is never going to amount to much, which is why I never really think in terms of value or I'd regret wasting the money on the clubs I've bought! Some of them are perhaps very rare, but so are the collectors who might want to buy them so they won't be flying off the shelves like a Scotty Cameron limited edition thingamybob.

[@outerstar64inthecosmos]

@@ClassicGolfClubs Greetings again Sir From Doug in Victoria B.C. My Maxfli Blades do have a sort flying delta pattern sort of partially enclosing the word Maxfli. The blades themselves are a completely flat blade with no split sole or stepped muscle back at all. Just a pure flat thin blade much like maybe a 1920's or 1930's blade. However, the overall scale and size of each club-head is tall and moderately wide like a modern club. They are a gorgeous oddity in great condition. Each club has a very thin and narrow sole -- very butter knife like. No bounce at all even on the 8 and 9 iron. Will send some photo's. The Taylor Made Tour Preferred F blades (TPF) are "the set" that really started Taylor Made off on the path down the road they are on presently. The (TPF) Forged blades are the ones that were marketed and targeted toward professionals and low handicap players. They are supposed to be "mostly forged" whatever that means. The metal is truly soft for certain as they feel so smooth when struck out of the center and accumulate bag chatter very easily. They are not the Hollow body ones......The 3 thru 9 iron in my set are the soft thin classic profile forged blades. The PW in my set was missing....but I was able to find a Tour Preferred PW of the hollow body type your are describing to round out the entire set. Will send some pictures. Are you able to play a lot of different courses there in the U.K. where you live at a reasonable price like the residents around the City of St. Andrews are able to do based on the location of their residence. Here where I live in British Columbia playing even at twilight rates is so expensive. Will be sending a lot of photos to the email you provided. Doug. jdp

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

@@outerstar64inthecosmos I live in an area that isn't blessed with many great courses but because of that we don't have golfing tourists visiting and pushing up prices as happens at St Andrews, hence green fees here are just reasonably priced.

[@mattblomeley]

I like a mixed bag. Hogan Apex Redline irons are close to perfection but conversely discovering at the moment Browning 440‘S are totally underrated. Hands down WS Fluid Feel vs Dunlop Maxfli for wedges. I’ve had modern Vokeys and Cleveland’s but they don’t feel the same as the old wedges particularly on approach shots. Putter Acushnet bullseye wide flange & orig grip. Love my circa ‘80’s Hogan persimmon driver but not sure what fairway wood, maybe an old Mac or a Ping Eye 2 four wood.. My late grandfather was a single digit player all his adult life and told me several times that his all time favourite club was a laminate 9 wood (think it was a PGF in his bag).

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

You list some great clubs there, and I agree about a mixed bag, much more fun when selecting the club for the job.

[@johnnyreb3542]

Those Brownings are God awful ugly! Never owned a set, but they were/are very easy to hit, especially the long irons..

[@mattblomeley]

@@johnnyreb3542 hear ya. Child of the late 70’s and 80’s and prefer a nice CB iron personally but was surprised how well made they (440’s) are in the real and when in the bag they actually look pretty cool. Feel off the face is great and they’re extremely forgiving, plus the 9i and PW are money for chipping.

[@mikesmith8100]

Well, all of them, but the hickory set barely edges out the rest.

[@alanduncan9204]

From my viewpoint on the screen those woods don't have the bulge or roll that a driver face should have ? i.e. they look dead flat. I would hate to hit an old hard clicky 2 piece ball with a plastic face ! Wilson Sam Snead Blue Ridge blade irons were my first full set. 2 iron thru to sand wedge. Looking back I never spanked any modern iron club with traditional lofts further than that 2 iron. I have seen sets for sale recently for £40 .... Every day is a school day Mussel not muscle.

[@ClassicGolfClubs]

You saw right, the faces are flat, another reason not to play them! Wilson Sam Snead have always looked like great clubs to me, I think it's just the fact that they're easily available that makes some people turn their noses up a bit. I think the "mussel" was quickly dropped in favour of "muscle", it sounds much better!