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Jan 1, 1502
Early Golf Clubs
The first set of golf clubs were instituted in Scotland by King James the IV when he wanted to play with William Mayne, making him the Royal Club Maker. Clubs at the time comprised of play clubs for driving, fairway clubs for medium range shots, spoons for short range shots, niblicks (wedges) and a putting cleek. Clubs were made with wood, and it became a popular sport for the higher classes of society.
"A History of the Golf Club." GolfEurope.com. Golf Europe, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016. -
Early Experimentation with Clubs
Craftsmen and blacksmiths as early as 1750 started forging metals and applying new materials to clubs. Some club-makers used leather and other materials to try increase compression and distance. In addition, metal and bone fragments were placed into the club-face in an attempt to prevent shattering. "Golf Club History." GolfClubRevenue. Golf Club Revenue, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016. -
Hickory Clubs
In 1826, Robert Forgan of Scotland, a club-maker, began to use hickory imported from America to manufacture shafts. This was quickly adopted as the wood of choice although the others continued to be used due to cost. "A History of the Golf Club." GolfEurope.com. Golf Europe, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016. -
Iron Shafts and Faces
Blacksmiths began to create shafts and faces made of iron instead of wood in order to increase the durability and effect of golf clubs. These were also constructed in factories due to higher demand in 1900s. Nicholls, David. "The History of the Golf Club." The History of the Golf Club. N.p., Feb. 1998. Web. 3 Oct. 2016. -
Innovations from 1900-1930
Many new experiments for golf clubs were introduced, such as hollow faced irons (failed) and Walter Hagen's concave faced (illegal) sand iron. In addition, some clubs could be adjusted to increase or decrease lofts. Furthermore, the drilled hosels of the "Maxwell" irons intended to lighten the club head. Many of these innovations incorporated different alloys. Nicholls, David. "The History of the Golf Club." The History of the Golf Club. N.p., Feb. 1998. Web. 3 Oct. 2016. -
Graphite Shaft
The graphite shaft offered rigidity, lightness, and increased strength over steel shafts. Modern graphite shafts are manufactured with other materials to improve their performance, and most professionals use them on their clubs. "Golf Club History." GolfClubRevenue. Golf Club Revenue, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016. -
Modern Clubs
Taylor-Made along with the many other club making companies (Callaway, Adams, Nike) became popular. These companies specialize in the creation of irons, drivers, woods and putters made out of syncretic and composite alloys which increase the performance of these clubs. Overall, the innovation of golf clubs has progressed through an extensive cycle, and golf has only gotten better since.
"Golf Equipment & Reviews." Golf. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2016. -
RIP Harambe Club
"Harambe will be missed," as noted by a supporter of the Cleveland golf clubs. I, too, agree with this statement, as Harambe plays a deep role in my life. My name is Daniel, and Harambe forever lives, HAUUUUUUUUH "sorry not sorry Ms.Cole" Harambe lives on, Dec. 25, 2017.
