A very rare example of this early model first produced by the Standard Golf Company in 1899. Few have been found in good condition. This particular club would make a fine addition to a collection of alloy head putters. There are two slight splits to the top of the hosel (see images), but the head remains tight to the shaft so this club could be used for play if required. The length is 34.25” (87cm).
The top of the head is stamped with the makers name and the Patent Number which looks to be 8927. The sole is stamped ‘The Mills’ Y.S. Model, Medium Lie 8ozs 0 drs.
The head remains in good condition having very few dint marks which is quite remarkable because these old alloy headed putters where more often than not subject to being damaged by iron heads whilst in the bag because head covers were rarely used during the hickory golf era. The face has a dint mark, see image.
Length of head: 4.50” (11cm).
Width of head: 1.75” (4cm)
Depth of head: 1” (2.50cm)
Length of hosel : 3” (8cm).
Angle of Lie: 68 degrees.
Loft: 4 degrees.
The straight shaft retains an old period grip which is possibly original, although this cannot be guaranteed. The makers name is also stamped to the shaft below the grip.
Standard Golf Company
At the end of the 19th century aluminium was successfully being used for ship’s parts because of its rust proof capabilities and one man who was pioneering its use was Sir William Mills whose factory was based in the north east of England in Sunderland where ship building was a major industry. Mills was a very enterprising business man and it was not long before he found other uses for this new metal, one being golf clubs so he formed the Standard Golf Company during the early 1890’s. He was a founder member of Wearside Golf Club in 1892.
He designed various types of clubs but is best remembered for his Brassies and especially his Putters. The putters really gained recognition in 1909 when James Braid, Tom Ball and Sandy Herd used Mills putters in the Open. Many designs were introduced onto the market but the two most successful were the Ray-Mills launched in 1912 having been helped with the design by Open Champion Edward ‘Ted’ Ray and the New Braid-Mills in 1915 having the James Braid connection.
One particular unique fact about Mills clubs is that each club was stamped with the weight and lie on the under part of the head and a serial number was stamped on the top of the head which was recorded at the factory. This was done so if a head was damaged an exact copy could be made. Sir William Mills died in 1932 and the company was bought by investors who relocated the factory to Birmingham were production continued until the late 1930’s.
Buying Hickory Clubs for Play
This club(s) has been carefully inspected and sympathetically restored to a condition suitable for playing hickory golf. However it is important to remember that the average age of a hickory club is between 80 to 100 years and even older in some cases so you are purchasing an item of golf history, i.e. a golfing antique.
The majority of hickory clubs will be fine for play when handled with care but there are a few that even after being restored can have problems. For example iron heads become loose, shafts can split and socket joints do sometimes break down under the stress of the golf swing, the impact of hitting a golf ball or another hard object such as a stone or practice mat. These are the risks that you must be prepared to accept when playing with hickory clubs and therefore we cannot be held responsible should such damage occur.
GOLF BALLS – Important Advice.
It is always advisable to use a ‘soft feel’ ball when playing hickory golf to help prevent damaging the clubs. Most modern balls have a hard outer coating that can damage the face of a wood and put unnecessary strain on the socket joint. Hard balls can also cause an iron head/hosel to become loose from the wooden shaft. Driving range balls also invariably have a hard outer coating, plus hitting off rubber practice mats can sometimes loosen iron heads. Always practice on a grass surface.
Please refer to New Mesh & Dimple Balls for Hickory Play (see main menu) to view our replica 1920’s style soft feel balls.
Keeping Your Club(s) In Good Condition:
After a round of golf, should your clubs have become wet during play please ensure that you thoroughly clean and dry the heads when arriving home. Applying a thin coat of ‘gun oil’ to the iron heads helps protect against rust forming.
It is advisable to store your hickory clubs in a cool dry place. Too much moisture or heat can affect the hickory shafts, for example the shaft can shrink within the hosel causing the head to become loose. The cooler the environment - the better.
Postal Charges
Please refer to the Postal Prices, Payments & Returns page. Orders consisting of more than one club will significantly reduce the postal charge for the added club(s) or other items, i.e. the cost to send 6 or even 8 clubs is virtually the same as for one club so should a friend also wish to make a purchase then combine the orders and save money. Should you wish to take advantage of this saving then please contact me for a postal quote before placing your order on the website.
When the courier arrives please check the condition of the parcel before signing for the delivery. This is most important because the courier will not accept liability for damage if the parcel is signed for in good condition and then a complaint is lodged at a later date.
