worthwhile classics

[Rye]

Are any of these sets worth anything?

[dawson2282]

In my high school and junior college days, I worked at a golf course on a Air Force base in Mississippi in the late 60's early '70s.  I use to drool over the Haig Ultras.  They came with everything with the 1, 2,3, and 4 woods and 2 thru PW...simply beautiful (and still are). 

My first set of irons was as set of Power Built Scotch blade Citations, which I bought from a sergeant leaving for Japan.  I "learned" how to play golf with those irons, and when I entered the Army in '71, they followed me to Japan where I played three or four times a week.  Played the Power Built irons until mid-80s when I purchased my first set of PING Eye 2s.

I've been through two sets of PING Eye 2s, two sets of Wilson Staff Goosenecks, which I re-shaft with up-to-date TT Gold Lites.  Nice irons!  Currently, I have a set of Wilson X-31s (2-PW) from the mid-80's with TT Dynamic Gold R300.  Very little bag chatter marks and feel and look great.  As a previous note mentioned, because of the weak lofts, they play one club shorter than my PING i10s. 

Stuffed back in a corner of my den are a set of 1964 MacGregor MT Tourney woods 1, 2, 3, and 4) and a PING Echo putter from 1969. 

[NRJyzr]

Nice! I like to learn as much about them as possible. Mine look like 80-82 on the ironfinders website but I was told '77.

According to the Maltby Guide (going from memory here, so bear with me), the models you have were also made in 1979, but the sole was a touch flatter than the later years; think it was 81 when they added a bit of camber.

The Ram custom shop was VERY busy, so it's tough to really say for absolute certain with some models.

I happen to have a model of Rams I've never seen described anywhere; they're Frequency Matched, the toe is squared more than any other Rams I've seen, stamped with "TW Custom Grind."  I have a set of TW276 and have seen TW282, these look different yet.  Such as I remember them, they might be similar to the 1980ish Watson Grinds.  <shrug>

Fun stuff, in any event. 

Thanks NR great info! I'll see if I can take some pics. of them and try to figure out how to post them.
To try to describe, there seems to be some camber (a little), aren't old MacGregor flat especially in the trailing edge. "RAM" + no. or pitching wedge on sole. "Golden Ram" on the muscle. "Tour Grind" on toe. True Temper Dynamic (silver and black) shaft bands with a circled s on them.

Going from your description, they sound like they're from 80-82, which is about what we'd been thinking, isn't it?  They probably look like this (below link), i'm assuming? 
http://www.ironfinder.com/images/sm/550_A.jpg

The 1979 Goldens were basically the same, with the flatter sole, at least according to the Maltby Guide.

I have a set from the mid 70s, the "Golden Ram in oval" model.  However, the bore size appears to be something smaller than .355, maybe the old .342 taper that was in some Wilson sets?  If I ever want to shaft them up, I'll have to ream them a bit.
 

[geekoman]

Are any of these sets worth anything?

Unfortunately..irons never brought a big payday...until later...with the Limited Edition series stuff.  Now the top one if you have the SW is collectable...SW only really...but the iron set with SW will increase the value.  The other 3 below that model have virtually no resale value at all...maybe the JN VIP some will buy but the other two are basically Eye 2 knock-offs!

[geekoman]

In my high school and junior college days, I worked at a golf course on a Air Force base in Mississippi in the late 60's early '70s.  I use to drool over the Haig Ultras.  They came with everything with the 1, 2,3, and 4 woods and 2 thru PW...simply beautiful (and still are). 

My first set of irons was as set of Power Built Scotch blade Citations, which I bought from a sergeant leaving for Japan.  I "learned" how to play golf with those irons, and when I entered the Army in '71, they followed me to Japan where I played three or four times a week.  Played the Power Built irons until mid-80s when I purchased my first set of PING Eye 2s.

I've been through two sets of PING Eye 2s, two sets of Wilson Staff Goosenecks, which I re-shaft with up-to-date TT Gold Lites.  Nice irons!  Currently, I have a set of Wilson X-31s (2-PW) from the mid-80's with TT Dynamic Gold R300.  Very little bag chatter marks and feel and look great.  As a previous note mentioned, because of the weak lofts, they play one club shorter than my PING i10s. 

Stuffed back in a corner of my den are a set of 1964 MacGregor MT Tourney woods 1, 2, 3, and 4) and a PING Echo putter from 1969. 

Yes...the Haig Ultra irons from that era were really a marvelous design and were damn purdy...I use to drool as well..but i was in the service and could only afford the woods..and had to purchase the XPD-100's instead of the Haig irons!  I think I was making 59.00 every 2 weeks then...so I had to save up big time!

[Rye]

Are any of these sets worth anything?

Unfortunately..irons never brought a big payday...until later...with the Limited Edition series stuff.  Now the top one if you have the SW is collectable...SW only really...but the iron set with SW will increase the value.  The other 3 below that model have virtually no resale value at all...maybe the JN VIP some will buy but the other two are basically Eye 2 knock-offs!

Thnaks. Someone had these sale over here, and I was just wondering if one of these sets might be worth picking up, but I guess not then.

[Ciotog99]

Nice! I like to learn as much about them as possible. Mine look like 80-82 on the ironfinders website but I was told '77.

According to the Maltby Guide (going from memory here, so bear with me), the models you have were also made in 1979, but the sole was a touch flatter than the later years; think it was 81 when they added a bit of camber.

The Ram custom shop was VERY busy, so it's tough to really say for absolute certain with some models.

I happen to have a model of Rams I've never seen described anywhere; they're Frequency Matched, the toe is squared more than any other Rams I've seen, stamped with "TW Custom Grind."  I have a set of TW276 and have seen TW282, these look different yet.  Such as I remember them, they might be similar to the 1980ish Watson Grinds.  <shrug>

Fun stuff, in any event. 

Thanks NR great info! I'll see if I can take some pics. of them and try to figure out how to post them.
To try to describe, there seems to be some camber (a little), aren't old MacGregor flat especially in the trailing edge. "RAM" + no. or pitching wedge on sole. "Golden Ram" on the muscle. "Tour Grind" on toe. True Temper Dynamic (silver and black) shaft bands with a circled s on them.

Going from your description, they sound like they're from 80-82, which is about what we'd been thinking, isn't it?  They probably look like this (below link), i'm assuming? 
http://www.ironfinder.com/images/sm/550_A.jpg

The 1979 Goldens were basically the same, with the flatter sole, at least according to the Maltby Guide.

I have a set from the mid 70s, the "Golden Ram in oval" model.  However, the bore size appears to be something smaller than .355, maybe the old .342 taper that was in some Wilson sets?  If I ever want to shaft them up, I'll have to ream them a bit.
 

I took pictures and attached. Hope it works 

[Chelanace]

I have a set of those. I bought them in 1980.

[Ciotog99]

I have a set of those. I bought them in 1980.

Thanks for looking Chelanace. When I was taking the pics, I decided to put the SW back in play.

[NRJyzr]

mmmmm..... purdy....



The set I've never had.  Makes me sad, but I imagine I'll get over it; I've never had the FX forged or Axials, either.  LOL

Or the Ram Tour Goldens.

Or who knows what else.

Ah, the life of a Club Ho.

[Ciotog99]

mmmmm..... purdy....



The set I've never had.  Makes me sad, but I imagine I'll get over it; I've never had the FX forged or Axials, either.  LOL

Or the Ram Tour Goldens.

Or who knows what else.

Ah, the life of a Club Ho.

Thanks NR 
 
edit... Another worthwhile classic. I added a pic of my '58 Wilson Staff Dyna-Powered. I have 2-SW but only the SW get play once in a while.

[Hipster]

 Wow, some beautiful clubs. I love those Golden Rams. I used to have a set of those. My first set of matched clubs was a charitible gift from the club pro who couldn't stand to look at my lost and found wrenches. They were a set of his well worn Palmer Standards. They were stiff as HELL and probably way too much club for me, but just having  matching clubs felt like a real step up.

I started working in '77 as a caddie and I remember a few of the really old guys played Kenneth Smith with their names on them. Wilson Staff was probably the most popular iron played and I drooled over the various Macgregor persimmon woods.

I think I'm into old classics from the 70's and eighties because of all the beautiful sets I had to carry but could never afford as a kid. Now That I can afford the top end stuff, I'm still drawn to all those awesome sticks I cleaned from the good old days. Right now I'm playing these:

[Dr.Green]

Wow, some beautiful clubs. I love those Golden Rams. I used to have a set of those. My first set of matched clubs was a charitible gift from the club pro who couldn't stand to look at my lost and found wrenches. They were a set of his well worn Palmer Standards. They were stiff as HELL and probably way too much club for me, but just having  matching clubs felt like a real step up.

I started working in '77 as a caddie and I remember a few of the really old guys played Kenneth Smith with their names on them. Wilson Staff was probably the most popular iron played and I drooled over the various Macgregor persimmon woods.

I think I'm into old classics from the 70's and eighties because of all the beautiful sets I had to carry but could never afford as a kid. Now That I can afford the top end stuff, I'm still drawn to all those awesome sticks I cleaned from the good old days. Right now I'm playing these:

Great looking stick

[drewspin]

Thanks NR 
 
edit... Another worthwhile classic. I added a pic of my '58 Wilson Staff Dyna-Powered. I have 2-SW but only the SW get play once in a while.

That's a sweet '58 model club, but not an original from '58.

It's a remake of the old classics, as a special order, which used to be available to pros and select amateurs.

[Ciotog99]

That's a sweet '58 model club, but not an original from '58.

It's a remake of the old classics, as a special order, which used to be available to pros and select amateurs.

No offense Drew, but it Most Certainly Is... I have the whole set of 58's 2-SW   

The SW has the original grip and shaftband still

[Richard Nixon]

No offense Drew, but it Most Certainly Is... I have the whole set of 58's 2-SW   

Here's more information that might be useful: http://www.geocities.com/dakre98/WilsonStaffID.html

[Ciotog99]

Here's more information that might be useful: http://www.geocities.com/dakre98/WilsonStaffID.html

I've seen that before. Sam, trust me on this... IT IS A '58! Still all original and HEAVY!!  LOL

If you look closely, you'll see the arrow on the hosel


fwiw the remake Wilson released in the '90's had their firestick shaft and rubber grip...

[geekoman]

Does the Ping Eye2 fit as a classic? Certainly still worthy of play. I played once a set of beryllium(?) Eye2's and they were great.

Absolutely!

[geekoman]

According to the Maltby Guide (going from memory here, so bear with me), the models you have were also made in 1979, but the sole was a touch flatter than the later years; think it was 81 when they added a bit of camber.

The Ram custom shop was VERY busy, so it's tough to really say for absolute certain with some models.

I happen to have a model of Rams I've never seen described anywhere; they're Frequency Matched, the toe is squared more than any other Rams I've seen, stamped with "TW Custom Grind."  I have a set of TW276 and have seen TW282, these look different yet.  Such as I remember them, they might be similar to the 1980ish Watson Grinds.  <shrug>

Fun stuff, in any event. 

Thanks NR great info! I'll see if I can take some pics. of them and try to figure out how to post them.
To try to describe, there seems to be some camber (a little), aren't old MacGregor flat especially in the trailing edge. "RAM" + no. or pitching wedge on sole. "Golden Ram" on the muscle. "Tour Grind" on toe. True Temper Dynamic (silver and black) shaft bands with a circled s on them.


Going from your description, they sound like they're from 80-82, which is about what we'd been thinking, isn't it?  They probably look like this (below link), i'm assuming? 
http://www.ironfinder.com/images/sm/550_A.jpg

The 1979 Goldens were basically the same, with the flatter sole, at least according to the Maltby Guide.

I have a set from the mid 70s, the "Golden Ram in oval" model.  However, the bore size appears to be something smaller than .355, maybe the old .342 taper that was in some Wilson sets?  If I ever want to shaft them up, I'll have to ream them a bit.
 


I took pictures and attached. Hope it works 

The TW TG were fabulous!  Same with the ones pictured.  Both were fantastic.  My favs were the 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 and I believe 85..then they changed them.  THE Ram Lazer from those years was also incredible.

[Chelanace]

According to the Maltby Guide (going from memory here, so bear with me), the models you have were also made in 1979, but the sole was a touch flatter than the later years; think it was 81 when they added a bit of camber.

The Ram custom shop was VERY busy, so it's tough to really say for absolute certain with some models.

I happen to have a model of Rams I've never seen described anywhere; they're Frequency Matched, the toe is squared more than any other Rams I've seen, stamped with "TW Custom Grind."  I have a set of TW276 and have seen TW282, these look different yet.  Such as I remember them, they might be similar to the 1980ish Watson Grinds.  <shrug>

Fun stuff, in any event. 


The Watson grind was the Bee Knees

I agree Steve.  I have 2 or 3 sets of the Watson Grind.  Special iron!!!

[Hipster]

I agree Steve.  I have 2 or 3 sets of the Watson Grind.  Special iron!!!

What is/were the differences between the Watson Grind and the production Golden Ram TG's? I had some Golden Rams from the early eighties and like them alot. Though with those compact heads, the long irons were tough to hit.

[wenoG]

Wow, some beautiful clubs. I love those Golden Rams. I used to have a set of those. My first set of matched clubs was a charitible gift from the club pro who couldn't stand to look at my lost and found wrenches. They were a set of his well worn Palmer Standards. They were stiff as HELL and probably way too much club for me, but just having  matching clubs felt like a real step up.

I started working in '77 as a caddie and I remember a few of the really old guys played Kenneth Smith with their names on them. Wilson Staff was probably the most popular iron played and I drooled over the various Macgregor persimmon woods.

I think I'm into old classics from the 70's and eighties because of all the beautiful sets I had to carry but could never afford as a kid. Now That I can afford the top end stuff, I'm still drawn to all those awesome sticks I cleaned from the good old days. Right now I'm playing these:



Hipster,

Are these beuaties all original or have you upgraded the shafts, etc...  I'm just guessing, but I assume these have been re-chromed?

Wendell

[Hipster]

I wish my set was still this perfect, but  they have some bag chatter. My son just taught me how to use the digital camera with the computer, so I will see if this works. I am in the process photographing and listing some other clubs and sets to sell or trade for putters in the interest of marital harmony. 

I was able to bargain my wife down to just putters  rather than complete garage club liquidation. 

[Rye]

A 10 iron ... sweet!

[Chelanace]

What is/were the differences between the Watson Grind and the production Golden Ram TG's? I had some Golden Rams from the early eighties and like them alot. Though with those compact heads, the long irons were tough to hit.

Watson Grinds have a very square toe.