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Why Collect Golf Balls?
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Articles on Golf Ball Collecting from Our Publications
Here are a few relevant articles on ball collecting from our archives (in The Golf and The GHS Bulletin).
Having a Ball Collecting Golf Balls
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A Short History of Golf Ball Dimples and Patterns
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Why/How to Collect Golf Balls
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Eras of Golf Ball Collecting
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Featheries Pre-1848 Era
Gutta Percha 1848-1902 Era
Early Rubber Core – 1900-1920 Era
Rubber Core 1920-1940 Era
1940s-Current Era
Golf Ball collecting Resources
Video Resources
Collecting Playlist
FEATURED GOLF BALL COLLECTIBLE
Johnny Bulla
Autographed Ball
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Golf Ball collecting Resources
From Our Blog
Our blog has a constant stream of valuable articles on golf’s rich heritage.
Old Tom Morris Signed Photo and Letter (GHS Virtual Museum)
Signed photographs of Tom Morris Sr. are rare and highly sought. This J. Rogers of St. Mary’s Studio, St. Andes example (which has been reprinted in several books and posters since) has been signed “Tom Morris 1901”. He signed it on the reverse as well. Any signed letter by Old Tom is exceptionally rare. In fact, reports state that only a single letter has been discovered that is both fully written and signed by Tom. Due to his illiteracy, the few signed examples have the content written by his son or daughter to which Tom added his signature. This letter was written for the daughter of a wealthy American businessman as they
The life and times of golf course architect William Diddel
In this article, golf historian Curt Fredrixon explores the life and work of William H. Diddel, a founding member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, and one of the country’s most prolific golf course designers. After reading Curt’s article, you may come to agree that Diddel is one of the country’s top architects that you never heard of. Previously published in the Summer 2022 edition of The Golf. By Curt Fredrixon On Dec. 5, 1947, an iconic photo that many have seen was taken. It was on the occasion of the first annual meeting of the American Society of Golf Course Architects at Pinehurst, N.C. Pinehurst, of course, was the winter base
GHS Heritage Club Series – Canterbury Golf Club
Canterbury photos by Gary Kellner unless otherwise noted. By Matthew Vazzana The first one hundred years at Canterbury Golf Club were extraordinary. Built in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, Canterbury’s first century saw the club serve as host to many significant tournaments for both professional and amateur golfers alike, among them: two Western and U.S. Opens; two U.S. Amateurs; four Senior TPCs; three Ohio Amateurs; a PGA Championship; a Senior U.S. Open; and a Senior PGA Championship. All tallied, the club can proudly claim to have hosted 13 major golf championships, a feat only matched by its impressive list of champions who won those tournaments. Rare talents such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer,
GHS Heritage Club Series – Old Oaks Country Club
By David Moore New York’s Westchester County is among the most golf rich counties in the nation. A short drive from New York City, the county is home to the likes of Winged Foot, Sleepy Hollow and St. Andrews Golf Club, which many consider the game’s original home in America. Situated in the town of Purchase, the Old Oaks Country Club is one of the leading clubs in the county, and our newest Heritage Club member of the Golf Heritage Society. This is their story. Old Oaks Country Club was initially born from one of Manhattan’s first Jewish clubs, the Progress Club (traditionally pronounced with a long “o”). Established in 1864, the Progress Club,
Masters Tournament Trophies and Awards (GHS Virtual Museum)
Masters Tournament Trophies and Awards One of our members personal tributes to the Masters Tournament. On the upper shelf is an oversized example of the club’s historic clubhouse trophy. The original in the ANGC clubhouse was created in 1961 and is 4′ in diameter and 132 pounds. Since 1993, a relatively small replica is awarded to yearly champions (and some past champions). This example, hallmarked 1988, is the first of only a few other large replicas produced for museums. It is reported to have initially traveled to Japan to promote the Masters as the appreciation of the game was soaring at that time. It is 20″ in diameter, almost 10″
John Laidlay Bronze Statue c 1890 (GHS Virtual Museum)
John Laidlay Bronze Statue c 1890 In the world of golf sculpture, statuary’s Holy Grail is often considered to be the painted bronze of John Laidlay c. 1890 based on its appeal and rarity. Laidlay was a top golfer of the era having won the British Amateur in 1889, and 1891, was runner-up in 1888, 1890 and 1893 and also runner-up in the British Open in 1893. Significantly, todays nearly ubiquitous “Vardon Grip” was learned by Vardon from Laidlay, who is widely credited as having invented the overlapping grip, though even Laidlay recounts that he started using it in 1890 or 1891 in adapted form after seeing an unnamed amateur
Golf Ball collecting Resources
Recommended Reading Resources
- 500 Years of Golf Balls, by John F. Hotchkiss, 1997, Antique Trader Books
- The Essential Guide to Collecting Golf Balls, by Colin Palmer, 2010, Riley Dunn & Wilson Ltd.
- Antique Golf Collectibles, 3rd Edition, by Chuck Furjanic, 2004, Krause Publications
- Golf in the Making, by Ian Henderson and David Stirk, 1979, Henderson & Stirk Ltd.
- The Encyclopedia of Golf Collectibles, by John Ohlman and Morton Ohlman, 1985, Books Americanna
- Antique Golf Collectibles, Identification and Value Guide, by Pete Georgiady, 2006, Collector Books
- The Story of the Golf Ball, by Kevin W McGimpsey, 2003, Philip Wilson, London (winner of the 2004 Murdock Medal presented by the British Golf Collectors Society)
- The Collectible Golf Ball Directory, Folio I, ‘Gutta-Percha’ golf balls 1845-1903, by Kevin W McGimpsey, 2021
- The Collectible Golf Ball Directory, Folio II, ‘Rubber-Cored’ golf balls 1901-1919, by Kevin W McGimpsey, 2022
- The Collectible Golf Ball Directory, Folio III, ‘Rubber-Cored’ golf balls, A-K 1920-1945, by Kevin W McGimpsey, 2023 [November]