Is It Really Called "Golfiana"?
By Barbara Nicholson Bell
When I begged my husband for a topic suggestion, I should not have been surprised by his response - "Golf!" Well, collecting golf memorabilia is a terrific topic, and the resources are vast and varied on the Web. For those who collect golf-related antiques, vintage and contemporary items, you find yourselves in the midst of a collector's paradise.
Perhaps in no period of golf history before now, has the public's interest been so strong. This, of course, means that interest in the history and personalities of the sport has also never been higher nor more lucrative! Most analysts suggest that Tiger Woods must be given much of the credit for the huge explosion in golf's popularity, but truly there's a great number of young players who have caught the public's imagination, including David Duval, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson,and Seve Ballesteros, among others.
Collectors find there is no limit to the kinds of things they can focus their interest upon: vintage golf clubs, balls, bags, towels, tees, scorecards from famous courses; artwork and books, both new and old; autographed photos, trading cards, other ephemera; trophies and plaques; clothing; even golf comic books!
I had difficulty choosing among the many fine web sites found in my searching, and restricting myself to only a few to review. Your own search might come up with an equal number of exceptional resources, as well as web-rings and indexes.
And, for those of you golfers who have not yet discovered our Suite101 Golf topic, here's a link to Bill Howard's welcome page: Golf at Suite101.
- Barry's Golf Clubs - a great site, hosted with good humor, with many vintage golf clubs and sets for sale.
- Golf Collections - nice selection of bronze golfing sculptures, and a painting of Ben Hogan in 1953 are among the collectibles here.
- Golf Collectibles - I quote: "Golf collectibles.com provides the golf enthusiast to collect golf art, golf memorabilia or golf antiques that will make his golf collection and memories of the game unique." "The staff at Golf collectibles.com has developed a supply chain from Royal and Ancient Club at St. Andrews, Scotland to Ireland, England and some of the older golf courses in the United States with golf art and golf collectibles."
- Golf for All Ages - Chuck Furjanic, publisher of the only monthly catalogue for the Wooden Shaft Golf Club Collector, has a rich site with links to auctions, articles on golf, collectibles, and a review of the British Open.
- Masters of Golf - a memorabilia site that claims to be the only authentic source of the best golf collectibles, a well-balanced and easy to use source for items related to individual golf Masters. Partnered by Nicklaus.com and ArnoldPalmer.com, which adds to the authenticity, I guess.
Although winter golf is being played somewhere in the US as we speak, most of us have a few long months to go before we can get out on the links, so just visiting some of these web sites might help you get through it!
About the Author:
I have been a writer all my life, a collector of various interesting and old things, a traveler and an artist. More importantly, I've been a mother to four fine sons and grandmother to one very smart young lady. In these capacities and a few miscellaneous others, I've pursued a number of careers. I formerly wrote for Suite101.com on the topics Antiques & Collectibles and Design How-To (formerly, Interior Decorating for Beginners) as well as managing the Arts & Crafts section and several courses and newsletters to do with gardening, the home, and family. My articles have been gathered in two Best of Suite e-books entitled Antiques & Collectibles: The Design Periods, and The Collector's Encyclopedia, vols I & II.
Another stage in my life begins as Editor for Suite101's Home and Garden section. I can now legitimately focus on my passions for interior decorating, gardening and writing all at once!
Recently I was assigned the Health section as well. As the health of my family and myself are of utmost importance to me, I feel honored to have this responsibility. Meanwhile, if other avenues of self-expression present themselves to me, I may follow them as well. Some other very important interests include my husband Russ, Paris (and everything French), and golf.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
