Golf Collecting
The Golf Collector,
Walking sticks Sunday clubs
Walking sticks have been around as long as humans have been walking the earth on two legs. In those days they were aiding to get around and often they were just sticks as shepherds used.
In the 18th-century walking canes became a fashion item and one would have different sticks for different occasions. You would use one stick to go about town and another to go to the theatre. Many had dual purposes and would conceal a flask, a sword, or even a gun.
So for a golfer, it was quite natural to have a club head as handle. Maybe the first idea was a club just turned around. Golf canes are something fairly modern and were very popular in the days when it was forbidden to play the great game on the Sabbath. So if you went for your Sunday walk on the links you could still have the odd putt with your “Sunday” club providing no one was watching.
A collection of 12 Sunday club walking sticks, sold recently.
These clubs or Sunday clubs where very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century that they were made by club makers, walking stick manufacturers, and of course also by amateur craftsmen. I would say that some of the best walking canes that feel right are probably made by club makers as they already had the knowledge and skill to make golf clubs. For this reason, you get all sorts of shapes sizes and materials used.
A rare Ivory head with gold bands.
Over the years we have had many of these Sunday clubs and they have always been popular sellers although prices are a lot lower now than they were 20 or 25 years ago. But that is the case with most golf collectibles which provides a great opportunity to enjoy some great items at reasonable prices.
Many of these sticks were stamped on the head with the name of a maker such as Tom Morris, T. Dunn, R. Forgan, W. Toogood, and many others. It was also popular to stamp them with places like St. Andrews, Monifieth, Glen Eagles, Blackheath, Sunningdale, and other famous courses.
The wooden-headed clubs were usually made from persimmon wood or beech but also in vogue was ivory or silver often mounted with precious metal bands which could be engraved as it was a popular present for a golfer and of course it still is.
Which keen golfer wouldn’t be pleased to receive such a wonderful relic from the days when golf became one of the most popular games all over the globe.
Published on: 19 August 2020
