Golf Memorabilia

Collectors BANK ON PENFOLD golfing memorabilia

♥  Like any popular sport, golfing memorabilia is wide ranging and extensive, with many attempting to recoup some of the money they have plunged into the sport over the years. Most items of date come from pre-1950s and as items become artefacts over the years, the price naturally begins to rise; as we see with old wooden golf clubs coming in at a cool £395.

It is those items which give a glimpse into the golf's history which are collector's items. For instance, the Bobby Jones on Golf book, published by One Time Publications, New York, circa 1930 gives an insight into the rules of the game in the era of the Great Depression, as reflected by its current asking price of over £150. 

"Users of eBay will know that golf memorabilia generates massive interest, with signed photos and original scorecards of the stars attracting bids into the hundreds and thousands of pounds. The Penfold Heart balls promise to be no exception and, with their big screen reputation, it is unquestionably going to make Penfold golf collectables a must-have piece of memorablia around the world," writes George Scoble, an expert in golfing antiques.

♣  Need a golf ball?

While it is not a surprise for signed golf balls to fetch thousands of pounds at auction, there is one set of balls which will certainly make your eyes water. A set of six balls, signed at the 2000 Masters Tournament by Gary Player, Fred Couples, Craig Stadler, Billy Casper, Ray Floyd and Jim Furyk, are available for a cool $9,975. The balls are displayed in a shadowbox and framed with an authentic 2000 Masters Tournament pin flag and engraved brass title plates.

For the more ostentatious golfers among you, why not get your hands on the diamond studded golf set. This entails a putter head made of 500g Platinum, studded with white and pink diamonds totaling 22.35 carats and a 165g platinum 900 ball studded with diamonds totaling 25.13 carats. As you might expect, this doesn't come cheap and is likely to set you back somewhere in the region of $500,000. For that price, just don't hit it into the rough! 

   
♣  How to spot a fake

  In terms of golf antiques, there is one item that has attracted particular controversy over the years. The Penfold Man collector's figurine, with the distinctive image of a smiling golfer with a pipe above the slogan,  “He played a PENFOLD” has become extremely rare, which has consequently led to an increase in fake figurines.

With an authentic Penfold man from circa 1920s/1930s selling for between £600 and £900 at auction, it is vital to make sure you have the genuine article. So how do you do that I hear you say...

Well, the key distinction to make is that whilst an original is made of papier mache, a fake is often created from plaster and is consequently much heavier. Even a fake has some monetary value, however, with a counterfeit Penfold Man selling for £80 at a recent auction.

For more information on golf antiques see: www.golf-antiques-online.com