I got it in my head that I wanted a persimmon putter. Now, I’m no golf pro, but I do enjoy a good round, and there’s something about those old wooden clubs that just feels right.
So, first thing I did was hit up some online forums, looking for information. Turns out, persimmon wood, especially the old-growth stuff, is pretty dense and heavy. This means these putters were heavy from the get-go, so they didn’t need much extra weight added in. One name kept popping up: MacGregor. Apparently, they were the kings of persimmon woods back in the day, like the 1940s. I read somewhere that the “golden age” of these clubs started around 1949, but even earlier, in the early 40s, they were making some fine models.
Next, I started looking into the shafts. I learned that the very first golf club shafts were made of hickory—super flexible but not very consistent. Then, in the 1920s, steel shafts started showing up, and those became the new standard. So, if I wanted a real vintage vibe, I might need to look for a hickory shaft, but steel would be more practical for actual play.
Now, the important part—figuring out what kind of putter I even needed. I came across a tip to identify my putting stroke. The idea is to put two tee pegs in the ground about four feet apart and practice putting between them. This helps you see if you have a straight stroke or more of an arc. Pretty neat, huh?
I spent a few days practicing and trying to understand my stroke. It’s not as easy as it looks! But it did help me narrow down the type of putter head that would work best for me.
With all this info, I started browsing online marketplaces, looking for a vintage persimmon putter. I found a few that caught my eye, but I wanted to make sure I was getting a good one. I reached out to some sellers, asked a bunch of questions about the club’s condition and history.
Finally, I found the one—a beautiful old MacGregor with a steel shaft. It wasn’t cheap, but I felt like it was worth it. When it arrived, I took it out to the course right away.
Let me tell you, it was a different experience! The weight, the feel, it was all so unique. I definitely needed some time to adjust, but once I got the hang of it, I was sinking putts like never before. It’s not just about the club, of course. I also tried to keep in mind what I read somewhere, that the best players thrive in challenging conditions, and every tournament is a chance to learn.
- Old-growth persimmon wood is dense and makes for a heavier putter head.
- MacGregor was a top maker of persimmon wood clubs.
- Hickory shafts were the original, but steel shafts became popular in the 1920s.
- Identifying your putting stroke is key to choosing the right putter.
- Putting with a vintage club takes some getting used to, but it’s a rewarding experience.
What I learned:
So, that’s my persimmon putter story. It was a fun little project, and I ended up with a club that’s not just a tool but a piece of golfing history. Plus, it’s helped me improve my putting game, and that’s what really counts, right?
