Lot # 34: W. Park Jr. Putter

Starting Bid: $150.00

Bids: 24 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall 2022",
which ran from 11/3/2022 7:00 PM to
11/19/2022 8:00 PM



What would you get if your shortened the nose of a typical long nose putter and then widened the head?  Park likely asked himself that question before making this putter, because that is the exact nature of this club.  When compared to a typical long nose putter, it's not quite as long heel to toe but is much wider front to back. The back of the head appears to be filled with a lot of lead, as the club is quite heavy.  Park Jr. had a creative bend. He came out with a number of his own club designs.  This putter would appear to be another of his efforts to push the envelope in an effort to build a better mousetrap. 

The original 35 1/2" shaft is quite thick and made from ash.  Park's use of ash was by design.  Ash is stiffer than hickory and less pliable. Such a shaft would work well in this putter with its large, exceedingly heavy head.  The shaft is stamped "W. Park" as is the head.  The sheepskin grip is in beautiful condition, as is the entire club.

Dating to the early 1890s, this club shows little use. It's a stand-out club made by a stand-out clubmaker who was also a stand-out golfer. As the son of a 4-time Open champ and as an Open champ in 1887 and 1889 himself, Willie Park Jr. was a marque name in the world of late nineteenth/early twentieth century golf.  His reputation continues to be celebrated to this day.

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