Among the most visual and storied antique golf clubs are Francis Brewster's Simplex clubs.   Brewster's first patent for his center-shafted creations was dated April 14, 1897.  He described his clubhead as boat-like, with a sole cambered both heel to toe and front to back, and made from wood.  In 1897 he produced a booklet that described how to golf with his clubs, and how his clubs superseded irons. Brewster even played in the 1899 British Open using his Simplex clubs.  In 1904 he formed the Simplex Golf Association, hoping to incorporate new users to his clubs and method of play.  His 1906 patent called for making simplex clubs from aluminum, as it required great quantities of time and highly skilled craftsmanship to produced simplex clubheads from wood. Despite all of Brewster's efforts, Simplex clubs never caught on.  But they do strike a great pose!

This wooden Simplex putter appears to be one of the earliest. The shaft is original, and extends all the way through the head. The top 3/4 of the sheepskin grip appears to be original, but the bottom 1/4 is clearly a small piece of sheepskin that was added, most likely to replace damaged sheepskin in that area. There is an original lead button in the back of the head and one in the side of the head, to help weight the head.

There is a small feathered crack in the side of the head, with a hairline crack on the heel side of the head, down close to the sole, that extends towards the face.  It most likely occurred back when this club was used as the two tiny nails used to secure the crack look like they have been there forever.  The crack is stable and going nowhere.  The two nails in the thin brass piece adjacent to the leading edge extend up into the head so close to the face that they caused the slight grain separation visible on the face.

There are also four very small nail heads visible on the toe side of the head.  No cracks are visible and the nail heads themselves are so small and dark that they draw little attention. These 4 nails were likely used to help affix the shaft to the head. Other Simplex clubs also use a nail in the same spot to help affix the shaft to the head. Overall, this is a worthy collectible. It's flaws are minor to the many positives this club possesses. Plus, it has been years since the auctioneer has seen a wood head simplex come up for sale.

TCA2 Vol 1, p 240-242