Are Used 'Vintage' Golf Clubs Really Worth Anything?

[SegWorm]

By “vintage” I’m just referring to clubs from around 1940s-1990s. Are clubs of that age really worth anything if they’re used? Would I be able to sell them for anything? These aren’t famous clubs or anything, just regular golf clubs.

[iacas]

Almost always, no.

[billchao]

It depends on the set. Some vintage iron sets in good condition can fetch a couple of hundred bucks or so. Most won’t. I have a set of Ben Hogan Apex II irons that I bought for around $100.

[ChetlovesMer]

If I come across any truly vintage clubs, and I'm talking about hickory shafts. I always try to buy them and donate them to one of the Hickory Golf Organizations. There are a lot of them around the US. They restore clubs and host Hickory Golf Tournaments. Which, by the way, are loads of fun. 

From my experience the Hickory Clubs actually have almost no monetary value. Some folks selling them realize that, and when you tell them you are going to donate them, they get it. They will sell them to you for a really reasonable price. Other folks (for what ever reason) think that just because there's a wooden shaft in an old club it should fetch thousands of dollars for each club. I've never actually circled back to any of these folks, but my guess is they end up disappointed. 

7 hours ago, SegWorm said:

By “vintage” I’m just referring to clubs from around 1940s-1990s. Are clubs of that age really worth anything if they’re used? Would I be able to sell them for anything? These aren’t famous clubs or anything, just regular golf clubs.

If you like the clubs in terms of looks. Build them into a cool display and put them up in your office, or where ever. There are a lot of examples of this you can find online. 

[SegWorm]

When I have time, I may post a pic of all the golf clubs I have.

[iacas]

1 hour ago, SegWorm said:

When I have time, I may post a pic of all the golf clubs I have.

Please don't.

I mean, I see that you already did, but no, this stuff is typically not worth the time to even list it on eBay. Donate it to a local First Tee or something… even they will probably just throw it out. Or save them the time and just take it to a metal recycling facility.

[SegWorm]

Ok, I guess I just don’t understand it, they’re still golf clubs that work fine. 🤷‍♂️

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, SegWorm said:

Ok, I guess I just don’t understand it, they’re still golf clubs that work fine. 🤷‍♂️

Then use them, or donate them.

Or put them on eBay.

But I think the latter is a waste of time, and the middle one just foists the wasting of time on whomever you donate them to.

[SegWorm]

I’ve already picked out 5 or so for myself. I’ll probably try putting some on EBay for cheap prices, just to see if anyone wants them. If not, I guess I’ll have 40 golf clubs to use. 😅

[RayG]

Unless they are truly unique and "historically noteworthy" then they are worth what someone is willing to pay for them. Which might be a bit more for the older hand made clubs, but certainly not for clubs from the 70's thru 90's.  

[Vinsk]

On 4/2/2021 at 9:46 AM, SegWorm said:

Ok, I guess I just don’t understand it, they’re still golf clubs that work fine. 🤷‍♂️

Well sure. And the Atari 2600 is still a gaming console that works fine. My sister in-law just bought a complete set of Wilson irons for $5 at a garage sale. When you asked if vintage clubs are ‘valuable’ I assumed you meant beyond a few dollars. They’re just not. 

[ncates00]

On 4/2/2021 at 9:46 AM, SegWorm said:

Ok, I guess I just don’t understand it, they’re still golf clubs that work fine. 🤷‍♂️

Old golf clubs aren’t like old cars or guitars. 

[Darkfrog]

On 4/2/2021 at 6:53 AM, SegWorm said:

I’ve already picked out 5 or so for myself. I’ll probably try putting some on EBay for cheap prices, just to see if anyone wants them. If not, I guess I’ll have 40 golf clubs to use. 😅

I'm not sure what the particular clubs you have would be worth, but my mom volunteers at a fundraising white elephant sale for a local museum, and in the sporting goods section, there are bins full of "vintage" clubs for like $0.50 a club. They're basically giving them away.

I would guess that if you have a full set of irons, those might sell on Ebay for a modest price depending on the brand and condition, but for random/individual clubs, taking the time to post on ebay, then pack and ship, might be more trouble than it's worth.