I recently came across a page from an old Army & Navy Stores Catalogue..'page 903, Games, Outdoor-Second Floor' 'GOLF' 'The A&N Clubs are made at the Society's works by experienced Scotch(sic) workmen. Balls by the best makers. Any goods appertaining to the above game can be procured to order in a few days.' The following is the order in which all beginners at Golf should select their clubs:- 1st, Cleek; 2nd, Brassy; 3rd, Sand Iron; 4th, Putter; 5th, Driver or Spoon; 6th, Mashie; 7th, Niblick; 8th, Lofter. Typical prices for a set of clubs suitable for a beginner were listed as Gentlemens Set Cleek - 4/9 Brassey - 5/0 Medium Iron - 4/9 Putter - 5/6 Sub total 20/0 'Sling' (with pocket for balls) - 8/6 1 doz. golf balls - 11/0 Total 39/6 Anyone remember what these prices meant in terms of average weekly wages? (Sam - you were there weren't you?) cheers david

Catalogue..'page 903, Games, Outdoor-Second Floor' 'GOLF' 'The A&N Clubs are made at the Society's works by experienced Scotch(sic) workmen. Balls by the best makers. Any goods appertaining to the above game can be procured to order in a few days.' The following is the order in which all beginners at Golf should select their clubs:- 1st, Cleek; 2nd, Brassy; 3rd, Sand Iron; 4th, Putter; 5th, Driver or Spoon; 6th, Mashie; 7th, Niblick; 8th, Lofter. Typical prices for a set of clubs suitable for a beginner were listed as Gentlemens Set Cleek - 4/9 Brassey - 5/0 Medium Iron - 4/9 Putter - 5/6 Sub total 20/0 'Sling' (with pocket for balls) - 8/6 1 doz. golf balls - 11/0 Total 39/6 Anyone remember what these prices meant in terms of average weekly wages? (Sam - you were there weren't you?) cheers david Now that David is a definite yellow card The currency is presumably £sd? In which case I am surprised the total is not £1-19s-6d which is the way it would have been written. However, since you asked, what is the date of the catalogue? I think it would have been around the era when an old steward that I knew reckoned you could take your girl out for the night, have several rounds of drinks, something to eat and get change from 10 shillings. Mind you the balls were expensive. Must have been hand made. Why dont you ask Pat - except he probably already a full set by then!!!! Indeed, he may even have been one of the experienced Scotch(sic) workmen.

1 doz. golf balls - 11/0 More than half a guinea for a dozen balls - I bet they didn't have the 5 minute search restriction then! Brian

Why dont you ask Pat - except he probably already a full set by then!!!! Indeed, he may even have been one of the experienced Scotch(sic) workmen. When I read David's post yesterday I had the strange feeling that Sam from Sandwich would have a comment or two. Pat

not £1-19s-6d which is the way it would have been written. This surprised me too, in fact I am surprised that the shillings and pence are shown, eg, as '5/0' rather than '5/-';  perhaps the army didn't deal with values much over a pound until much later, or this was simply a reflection on the education of the 'copywriter', as further revealed in the spelling of 'Scotch' in describing the workmen. The date of the catalogue apears to be c.1900. I also have a page from a Slazenger and Sons catalogue dated 1904 which shows prices more familiarly as, eg, 4/6, or 4 -, or 6d etc. (This catalogue is advertising The Boodie golf clubs........ Split Hickory, Lancewood or Greenheart shafts ) cheers david

The currency is presumably £sd? In which case I am surprised the total is not £1-19s-6d which is the way it would have been written. This surprised me too, in fact I am surprised that the shillings and pence are shown, eg, as '5/0' rather than '5/-';  perhaps the army didn't deal with values much over a pound until much later, or this was simply a reflection on the education of the 'copywriter', as further revealed in the spelling of 'Scotch' in describing the workmen. The date of the catalogue apears to be c.1900. This was the usual way of expressing such sums, at least up to the forties. (Remember the chain of shops called 'The Fifty Shilling Tailors' ?).   I have a  Cricket and Golf annual for 1946 which carries an ad on the back cover for Exelsea bats at 65/- each, and I well recall that my first salary was the princely sum of 29/2 per week, not 1/9/2.   Similarly the term 'Scotch' was perfectly acceptable in 1900 and was used by natives of Scotland to describe themselves.   I have tried to find out from modern day Scots on the net when it became fashionable to be offended by the term but so far no one has come up with an answer. By the way, if you've got any more 'auld' golf snippets then I, for one, would like to read them.   I find them fascinating. Regards John   (passing the time whilst waiting to have a hernia attended to, and hoping that the treatment won't keep me away from the course!)