16 replies to this topic

[jack&aaronsdad]

I am in the mood to get an older persimmon driver to game once in a while.  I don't have it my budget to buy one of the newer Louisville models.  Was thinking of something classic, but not too impossible to hit.  I would like something I could pick up off eBay in the $20-$50 range.  Some of the ones I've seen include the Pings, Hogan, or MacGregor.  Any make and model recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks everybody!

[jaskanski]

Most Macgregors are pretty good and prices will vary depending on which model you opt for. As far as I know, Ping never made persimmon woods - rather they were laminate woods instead. Not really a classic wood. You may find some good examples of Joe Powell woods which are excellent quality. The holy grail (for me anyway) would be to get a Harry Busson special.... nice . Other woods to consider would be a Mizuno World Master or an old Slazenger or Dunlop would do the trick. Happy hunting.

[dlygrisse]

Probably the all time classic persimmon wood is the MacGregor M55, as well as the MacGregor Tommy Armour 693.

[Buzzkill]

None - I tried one a few years ago and the distance lost it's worth it.

[dlygrisse]

Power bilt and Cleveland drivers from the 1980's and early 1990's are solid sticks as well, many of the pros used them before going to persimmon, can probably be had for a good price.  I have an old Powerbilt driver and 3 wood, nice clubs for the day.

[persimmonpal]

You can pick up a nice Ben Hogan co. driver, which usually has the old Apex 4 shaft, which many feel is one of the best (steel)wood shafts of all time. Another option, which can be had pretty cheap is a nice Cleveland Classics driver. Cleveland made some of the best persimmons of the 80s, and are pretty inexpensive.
Here are a few ebay items.. Neither of these are mine.. just passing along the info.
Here is a Hogan:
http://cgi.ebay.com/...id=p3286.c0.m14
Here is a very nice Cleveland Driver. A litle over your stated price, but a very nice club. Its the Cleveland replica of the MacGregor Tommy Armour 693, which is thought of as the best persimmon driver of all time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/...id=p3286.c0.m14

[84425]

In the $20-50 range you could be lucky and find a nice macgregor, but the good ones usually go for a bit more. Joe Powell an Toney Penna also made some nice woods, that can be found for < $ 50.

What you could also could do is try a persimmon 2 wood. The extra loft is probably better suited for the modern ball. Most people find it hard to get a decent flight with persimmon drivers because the head generates a lot less backspin then todays drivers. You'll probably be able to find a good MacGregor 2 wood for the money you're willing to spend as demand is a lot less for these. Here is a MacGregor TP Special 2 wood for sale on ebay now at $25. HERE

edit: added a link to the TP Special

Edited by 84425, 07 September 2009 - 02:31 PM.

[FairwayFred]

Id get anything that says Cleveland Classic on it.  Those will more likely be more playable today since they were made in the 1980s instead of the 1950s or 1960s.  Also there are a ton of models and they all have great shapes and playability to them for Persimmon.

Anyone that is interested in a new Persimmon you should really contact John Powell at Joe Powell Golf.  He can literally make you anything you want as he makes them all by hand in his shop.

[conner229]

I don't know how much these things cost anymore but Wood Brothers make an awesome driver called the Texan.

[JIMFANTE]

[quote name='dlygrisse' date='Sep 7 2009, 11:49 AM' post='1937848']
Power bilt and Cleveland drivers from the 1980's and early 1990's are solid sticks as well, many of the pros used them before going to persimmon, can probably be had for a good price.  I have an old Powerbilt driver and 3 wood, nice clubs for the day.
[/quote



I agree. I can understand wanting to take a persimmon driver to the range, but on the course it would be a major score raiser. I see no tour players ever using persimmon woods. They are now a curiosity only.

[dlygrisse]

JIMFANTE, on Sep 7 2009, 10:09 PM, said:

dlygrisse, on Sep 7 2009, 11:49 AM, said:

Power bilt and Cleveland drivers from the 1980's and early 1990's are solid sticks as well, many of the pros used them before going to persimmon, can probably be had for a good price.  I have an old Powerbilt driver and 3 wood, nice clubs for the day.
[/quote

Quote

I agree. I can understand wanting to take a persimmon driver to the range, but on the course it would be a major score raiser. I see no tour players ever using persimmon woods. They are now a curiosity only.

Yeah, but they are fun to collect and fun to hit, why not play a round with one?  I udnerstand if you were in competition, but a casual round with friends would be cool.  I took one the the course a while back and hit some really straight drives with it, to me the Powerbilt persimmon hit the ball about like a modern 3 wood, about 20 yards short of my 460cc hunk of titanium.  Worst case scenario just play one set of tees more foward than you normally play, or play a shorter course.  One of my favorite courses is an old public Tillinghast course, I always think it was designed for persimmon, not titanium.  I usually play the back tees on this course but I am not a long hitter, middle tees from this course would be a perfect persimmon course for me.  

I also have a pretty good feeling they would not be a "major score raiser"  maybe a minor score raiser, after all people shot some pretty good scores pre 1999.  If you dont beleive me just watch Johnny Miller during a telecast, he will remind you he shot a 63 at Oakmont with persimmon, blaata, and blades, that course was a beast even back then.  Don't seel your self short on being able to use them, just lower your expectations on total distance.

[Mizzie]

I've never hit a persimmon driver or any other wooden-head wood, but I'd like to try one sometime. I have the impression that my ball won't go more than 10 yards forward using one of these antiques. And I bet the feeling would be as dead as a rat with a belly full of Cyanide.

[trapsmv15]

Mizzie, on Sep 7 2009, 11:09 PM, said:

I've never hit a persimmon driver or any other wooden-head wood, but I'd like to try one sometime. I have the impression that my ball won't go more than 10 yards forward using one of these antiques. And I bet the feeling would be as dead as a rat with a belly full of Cyanide.

LOL, it's definitely different. If you hit a softer, spinnier [sic] ball, it's hard not to love the feel, IMO. But yeah, today's big headed beasts are definitely better in the forgiveness and distance aspects.

[ABgolfer2]

You can't appreciate a 295 yd 3-wood until you've had to get everthing just right to hit a 280 yard drive with a persimmon driver. My Ram woods need a really flat swing - when the driver is struck properly, 300 yards is common - you'll know it when you feel it.

Based on what I own and have played on the course, I'd recommend almost any 70s or 80s persimmon from Powerbilt, Ram, or MacGregor. I've only hit a 5-wood from Hogan (Apex), and although the wood is beautiful in my 40s and 50s era Spaldings, the shafts aren't really matched to my swing. The insert-less fairwoods are actually nice to hit though.


In summary - Do it!!!



EDIT: PS - if you find one, and you're thinking of getting it refinished (or doing it yourself), hit it at the driving range first to make sure there are no hairline cracks - if it's cracked, you'll know.

Edited by sean_miller, 08 September 2009 - 01:03 AM.

[jack&aaronsdad]

Thanks for all the input!  I think I will go with either a Cleveland or Power Bilt, based on the information that they were the most popular prior to the titanium era.

And yes, I know my score will show it, but for a casual round it will be fun.

[Puppetmaster]

Power Bilt and Honma or Hiro Honma are my recommendations - Honma made some great persimmon woods.

[highergr0und]

Try the best of both worlds and look at Louisville golf.  I want to try out some of their stuff, but it's a little expensive.