As Walter Simpson wrote in The Art of Golf in 1887, “The 'President' is a niblick with a hole in it, which might be a very good niblick if it were not a president. It is called a president because the hole makes it clear-headed (23)."

The “President” iron, was the first club ever designed to help a golfer deal with the plight of a ball in water, floating or otherwise. Playing from water is hardly ever considered by golfers today, but it was once a very real part of the game, as there were no rules to allow for casual water during the 19th century when this club was made.

This club, however, is more than a water iron. It represents one of the earliest original ideas in the world of golf clubs, an idea born of a mind thinking beyond the realm of tradition and simple evolution. The bold design of this club - a gaping hole through the middle of the face - gives it a dramatic and stunning appearance.

The President iron, or “ring mashie” as it is sometimes called, was introduced in 1879 but was short-lived.  In his 1889 “Golf” book, W.T. Linskill ascribed the rejection of this club to its dreaded ability to hit the ball more than once during a stroke. “The president is a niblick with a hole through its head. This club is now not much used. A celebrated professional once maintained that in using this club it was next to impossible to avoid striking the ball twice, the penalty for which is losing the hole (23-24)."

The example offered here is from the World Golf Hall of Fame and has a discreet hand-written #354" on the sole, the WGHOF inventory number. The hosel measures 5 1/4" long, slightly longer/bigger than would be found on a typical club made in 1879, to bring the club with a large hole in its head up to the correct weight.  It has its original 37 /2" shaft which has a 3" whipping repair and a replacement sueded leather grip with spiraling whipping installed by Laurie Auchterlonie. The grip matches the period well. The head is unmarked. When marked, President irons bear the stamp of James Anderson, the cleekmaker who made these clubs in Anstruther, Scotland.

The President iron was rejected and disappeared soon after its introduction, a fact which explains its extreme rarity -  approximately 5 are known. This is an outstanding and extremely desirable iron on many levels.

Letter of Authenticity from the World Golf Hall of Fame