Early 1960's Arnold Palmer Tournament-Used Putter

        The elusiveness of Palmer's tournament-used golf clubs is the subject of much frustration for advanced golf club collectors. Unlike virtually every golfer in history, Arnold Palmer has kept nearly every golf club he's ever used. Palmer began doing this rather early in his career, and has amassed a personal collection of over 10,000 golf clubs! In doing so, however, Arnold Palmer has created an insatiable demand for his clubs among collectors. Sure, every now and again, a Palmer-used club from his Senior days may become available at auction, but clubs from the 1960's are virtually unheard of. Until now, that is.

        Presented here is an actual Tournament-Used Arnold Palmer putter from the early 1960's, when Palmer was still a Wilson staff member (he left to start playing his own line of clubs in 1964). Palmer originally sold this putter and a set of irons "for a friendly price" to fellow professional golfer and good friend Walker Inman, Jr. at an exhibition match in 1963. When our consignor spoke with Wilson about this club recently, they stated that it "is an exact replica of the 8802 Series putter made for Palmer in the early 60's." Even though Wilson no longer maintains its records from that period, they believe that this putter would have been produced for Palmer in late 1961 or early 1962. While we would love to speculate which tournaments Palmer may have won with this putter (like the 1962 Masters!!), that would be pure conjecture at this point. Unfortunately, like many important clubs from the era, when exactly Palmer used this club may never be known. What we do know, however, is that the club does exhibit substantial use. The hosel also reveals some of Palmer's well-known club tinkering - the use of vice grips to lessen the offset of the putter.

        Two weeks ago, in preparation for this auction, our consignor sent this great putter to Arnold Palmer himself, so that he could sign the putter he sold to a friend some 50 years ago! Green Jacket Auctions President Ryan Carey went to Orlando and personally met with Arnold Palmer to pick up the putter, which was there waiting for Ryan with Palmer's signature perfectly placed upon the face. Despite Mr. Palmer jokingly starting off the conversation with Ryan by saying "so what are you planning on doing with my putter?", Mr. Palmer was more than gracious with his time, seemed genuinely interested in Green Jacket Auctions, and even asked for one of our business cards. So Mr. Palmer, if you're paying attention, many thanks from Green Jacket Auctions.

        Included with this auction is a notarized letter from our consignor and a letter of authenticity from Green Jacket Auctions.