Walter Hagen Banned Concave Wedge

        This is the infamous Walter Hagen Concave Wedge. This wedge was produced circa 1930 by L.A. Young Co., and is stamped with Young's famous triangle logo and Hagen's name as well. This club was an extreme improvement on other "wedges" of the day. Despite being well known as Walter's club, this wedge may actually be best known for Bobby Jones' use of it during his Grand Slam in 1930. During the 1930 British Open at Hoylake, Bobby Jones found himself in greenside bunker at the Par 5 sixteenth hole needing birdie. Jones pulled out this concave wedge, a club completely foreign to anyone in attendance. Rather than simply pitch out and try to save par, Jones took his Concave Wedge and aimed right at the flagstick - and knocked it stiff. The ball reportedly lipped out and nestled 3 inches from the cup for a tap-in birdie. Use of this revolutionary wedge would sound end, however, as the USGA banned the club on January 7, 1931 at its annual meeting held in New York.

        Presented here is one of those clubs. The face of this club is in great condition, with the main wearing showing where it is typically found, at the base of the club. It also contains a partial shaft stamp that, while not legible, is significant for this club.