Philp Golf Club, Play Club
Philp Golf Club, Play Club
Exceptionally Rare Hugh Philp Long Nose Play Club with Remarkable Provenance.
This outstanding long nose club, crafted by the legendary Hugh Philp, once belonged to the 4th Marquis of Bute (John Crichton-Stuart) - a close friend of the Prince of Wales. The two were known to play together at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. An ink inscription on the sole of the club reads, "Played by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales," adding to its extraordinary historical significance. Philp's clubs seldom come to market, and this example, in very good condition, stands out for both its quality and provenance.
Hugh Philp is widely regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, long nose clubmakers in golf history. His craftsmanship set the benchmark for all who followed, and his clubs remain highly sought-after by collectors. Surviving examples are extremely rare, with most housed in prestigious institutions such as the R&A, the USGA, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, and the Los Angeles Country Club. Others reside in the hands of a few discerning private collectors. The chance to acquire a Philp club is, in many respects, rarer than the club itself.
This fine long nose play club has a wonderful and graceful shape, only the like found on clubs you see from the best club makers. This great looking club has a head made from fruit wood with lead weight to the rear and the traditional horn slip along the leading edge of the sole. The polished head is stamped 'H. Philp', the shaft of hickory with a sheep skin grip on listing. The scare head joint with good whipping. Adding to its historical importance, the shaft still carries a catalogue number (L: 1955.40) from its time in the collection of the National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh.
Approximate head size:-
a = 10 cm
b = 2.7 cm
c = 5 cm
The early clubs are made with long slender shallow-faced heads with an ash or hickory shaft glued to the head by means of a splice or scare joint. This is an early method of joining the wooden head to the shaft by overlapping them diagonally and securing with glue which is then further strengthened by whipping with a pitched thread. All beautifully hand made by craftsmen of the time.
The club was placed into a Sotheby's auction in 1994, it originated from the 4th Marquis of Bute, a famous antiquarian and collector. The family seat is Mount Stuart, Rothesay, Isle of Bute. The family are descended from King Robert the Second, and before that from the ancient Pictish kings, the last daughter of whom married the first Stuart of Bute, the descendent of Robert the Second. He was friend of the Prince of Wales and played golf at the Royal & Ancient. The club had been on loan and displayed at The National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh.
Dimensions:
1800-1849
Circa 1840
Scotland
H. Philp
Wonderful rare club, ink inscription is a little faint. Nose with historic repair.
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 - a close friend of the Prince of Wales. The two were known to play together at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. An ink inscription on the sole of the club reads, "Played by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales," adding to its extraordinary historical significance. Philp's clubs seldom come to market, and this example, in very good condition, stands out for both its quality and provenance.Hugh Philp is widely regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, long nose clubmakers in golf history. His craftsmanship set the benchmark for all who followed, and his clubs remain highly sought-after by collectors. Surviving examples are extremely rare, with most housed in prestigious institutions such as the R&A, the USGA, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, and the Los Angeles Country Club. Others reside in the hands of a few discerning private collectors. The chance to acquire a Philp club is, in many respects, rarer than the club itself.This fine long nose play club has a wonderful and graceful shape, only the like found on clubs you see from the best club makers. This great looking club has a head made from fruit wood with lead weight to the rear and the traditional horn slip along the leading edge of the sole. The polished head is stamped 'H. Philp', the shaft of hickory with a sheep skin grip on listing. The scare head joint with good whipping. Adding to its historical importance, the shaft still carries a catalogue number (L: 1955.40) from its time in the collection of the National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh.Approximate head size:-a = 10 cmb = 2.7 cmc = 5 cmThe early clubs are made with long slender shallow-faced heads with an ash or hickory shaft glued to the head by means of a splice or scare joint. This is an early method of joining the wooden head to the shaft by overlapping them diagonally and securing with glue which is then further strengthened by whipping with a pitched thread. All beautifully hand made by craftsmen of the time.The club was placed into a Sotheby's auction in 1994, it originated from the 4th Marquis of Bute, a famous antiquarian and collector. The family seat is Mount Stuart, Rothesay, Isle of Bute. The family are descended from King Robert the Second, and before that from the ancient Pictish kings, the last daughter of whom married the first Stuart of Bute, the descendent of Robert the Second. He was friend of the Prince of Wales and played golf at the Royal & Ancient. The club had been on loan and displayed at The National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh.){kind=link}