How to Collect Vintage Golf Equipment
Collecting vintage golf equipment can be a fun and popular hobby for the golf enthusiast. Many collect as an investment as well. Items considered valuable by collectors range from t-shirts to VHS tapes to old clubs. Vintage golf makes a great choice for a sports-themed room.
- Decide on the type of golf memorabilia you want to collect. Clubs, signs and rare golf balls are common collectibles in the golf industry. Consider the era of the pieces you desire. Early and especially rare pieces, like gutta percha golf balls, are highly sought after and difficult to come by.
- Check out the local golf dealerships to see if any of them specialize in the type of older golf equipment you are looking for. Ask the dealers about any networking opportunities that might exist with other collectors.
- Look for items that have been signed or authenticated by the maker. Signatures from greats like Bobby Jones will fetch a higher price tag and so will items from rare manufacturers. Ask dealers for a certificate of authenticity when buying anything of value.
- Keep your eyes peeled for putters. They are one of the most collectible items in vintage golf equipment. The older the putter, the more valuable it is to collectors. Putters with Scottish provenance and history fetch the highest premiums.
- Avoid merchandise such as paintings, ceramics and player memorabilia. These items tend to lose value over time. Certain players are only popular for a limited period of time and their memorabilia loses value as they become less popular.
- Look for VHS collectibles. Instructional videos should still in the original case and from a master golfer like Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer to be of value to vintage collectors.