Antique Club Names

Before golf clubs had numbers each type of club was referred to by a name. Sometimes the names even changed throughout the centuries. (n.b. the first written record of golf dates from 1457 when King James I of Scotland banned it because it was interferring with his soldiers' archery practice...Scotland and England were at war at that time!)

Only the names Driver and Putter are still in common use. Here's a simple guide to club names and modern equivalents.

Wooden Headed Clubs

Playclub (  up to 19th Century ) = Driver or 1-Wood

Scraper ( up to 19th Century ) = 3-Wood

Long Spoon ( up to 19th Century ) = 3-Wood

Middle Spoon ( up to 19th Century ) = 4-Wood

Short Spoon ( up to 19th Century ) = 5-Wood

"Baffy" or Baffing Spoon  ( up to 19th Century ) = 7-Wood

Niblick (wooden head ) = 9-Wood

Putter ( wooden head ) = Putter

Iron  Headed Clubs

Heavy Iron  ( up to 18th Century ) = no modern equivalent

Light Iron ( up to 18th Century ) = no modern equivalent

Sand Iron ( up to 18th century ) = Ancient sand irons bears little resemblance to modern sandwedges although it was the club use if the ball came to rest in thick rough or a hazard. It had a thick heavy lofted head.

"Rutter" , Rut Iron, Track Iron ( up to 19th century ) = A very lofted small headed wedge used for getting the ball out of cart ruts (tracks).

Cleek = 1-iron

Mid-Iron = 3-iron

Mashie = 5-iron

Mashie Niblick = 8-iron

Niblick = Pitching Wedge

Jigger = historically an iron with the loft of a niblick but with a long shaft. It was used for playing very high shots up to 150 yards. Today short range "chippers" for use around the putting greens are often (incorrectly) called Jiggers.  

Putter ( iron headed )= Putter