Club: Gun metal left-handed blade Putter

Maker: John Wisden & Co., London.

Year: c.1906-1910

Shaft: Original, straight shaft, with a 'Stymie' six inch measuring gauge stamped below the thick vintage grip with underlisting  (11.25").

Prior to 1951, in match play on the putting green if one side's ball blocked the line to the hole of the other side's ball, then the latter must attempt to play past, around or even over the blocking ball. This situation was termed a 'Stymie' and the rule applied unless the balls were within six inches of each other. Golfers needed to have an accurate means of measuring this distance, and so some hickory shaft putters had the six inches marked or notched on to the shaft. Later on, and with the advent of steel shafts, the course score cards were typically made six inches in length so the golfers had an accurate measuring  gauge easily to hand.

Length: 34.25”

Condition: Very good, with a few marks and dents associated with use and age. Head firmly fitted to hickory shaft. Shaft straight with no visible splits or cracks.

Other details: A smooth faced gun metal putter with. Hosel 4.5". 'Wisden's Royal' and crest cleek mark stamped in the centre of the blade.

Born in 1826 John Wisden became a first class County cricketer, playing for Kent, Middlesex and Sussex. In 1850 he opened his first shop in Leamington Spa selling cricket equipment, and five years later, another in central London.  He retired from playing cricket in 1863, and the following year published 'Wisden Cricketer's Almanack' which was to become the annual 'bible' of cricket, and is still produced today. Retirement from playing cricket meant Wisden was able to devote more time to the business, it wasn't long before Widsen's shops expanded their range to include other sports. In fact Wisden made the claim that they were the first shop to sell golf clubs in London (in 1874), and whether true or not, by 1890 they were probably the foremost golf retailer in the city, stocking clubs from many of the leading makers, in particular Robert Forgan & Son of St.Andrews.

In around 1905 Wisden started producing their own golf clubs, and for the next five or six years they went under the brand name 'Wisden's Royal'.