A highly characterful antique hickory-shaft putter, identified as The Mills Y Model, manufactured by The Standard Golf Co. of Sunderland and dating from the early years of the 20th century.
This is considerably more than an anonymous old hickory club. The Y Model is documented in contemporary golfing literature, where it was illustrated as part of Mills' Patent Standard Aluminium Golf Clubs. An early advertisement specifically illustrates the Y Model Putter and names The Standard Golf Co., Atlas Works, Bonner's Field, Sunderland as sole manufacturer.
The underside of the head retains wonderfully evocative original markings:
THE MILLS
Y MODEL
MEDIUM LIE
10 ozs 5 drs
The weight marking means 10 ounces 5 drams, approximately 292 grams. These are units of weight rather than fluid measure. Medium Lie denotes the lie specification of the club – essentially the angle at which the shaft and head were intended to sit when the club was correctly grounded.
The upper surface of the head also carries surviving Standard Golf Co., Patent and Sunderland markings, although some of the finer lettering and patent information has become indistinct through more than a century of age and use.
The distinctive aluminium head has an elongated semi-mallet form with a deeply defined square-grid striking face.
Aluminium was an innovative material for golf-club manufacture at this time. Period advertising describes Mills' Patent Standard Aluminium Golf Clubs as resistant to wet, non-rusting and able to retain their balance. The same advertising illustrates the Y Model and states that Mills putters were produced in 12 varieties, each available in four different lies.
Most impressively, Mills' aluminium clubs were already being advertised as having been used in the Amateur and Open Championships of 1901, placing the Y Model firmly within a fascinating period of early modern golf.
The club retains its attractive hickory shaft together with an old spiral-wrapped perforated leather grip. The grip has an appealing repeated punched pattern and considerable period character.
Immediately below the grip, the hickory carries a clearly formed and relatively substantial S-shaped mark cut into the shaft. This is plainly visible in the photographs. Its precise significance has not been established, so no unsupported attribution has been made, but it is an interesting surviving feature of the club and worthy of note.
The combination of hickory, old leather and the unusual silver-grey aluminium head makes this a particularly decorative early club.
This is an antique club well over 100 years old, and its long life is very apparent.
The aluminium head has extensive surface marking, scratching, knocks, oxidation/discolouration and general wear. A prominent line runs across the upper part of the head and appears consistent with many done post manufacturing. It helps to align the shot.
The hickory shaft has numerous marks, dents, scratches and areas of wear. The old leather grip is heavily aged and worn but remains an especially attractive surviving feature.
Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
A superb golfing display piece for a collector, golf club, clubhouse, study, office, bar, pub, hotel or period sporting interior.
What makes this example particularly appealing is the amount of information still carried on the club itself. Rather than merely being an unidentified early hickory putter, its Mills Y Model, Medium Lie, precise head weight, aluminium construction and Sunderland origins can be connected with surviving examples and contemporary documentation.
A wonderfully tactile survivor from the pioneering days of aluminium golf-club manufacture, combining genuine age, unusual construction, strong visual character and a documented place in early British golfing history
Postage & Packaging
Every golf club is carefully packaged to help ensure it arrives in the condition described in the listing.
The postage and packaging charge reflects some of the cost involved in sending your order, and not just the courier's delivery charge. It covers the cost of a golf club box selected to suit your club, protective packing materials and, of course, the courier service.
Careful packaging is an important part of the service I provide and helps ensure your club reaches you exactly as described.