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R Forgan & Son

“Scotia Accurate”

Hickory Putter

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This rare find R Forgan & Son “Scotia Accurate” Putter is in reasonable condition for its age. The putter head has some pitting and the suede leather grip is original and in reasonable condition. The putter is marked “Made in Scotland” while the Hickory shaft is also stamped by the maker “R Forgan &Son”

…The pictures are part of the Description...

Overall the Hickory Putter is certainly full of character

Shaft Length to Toe: 870mm

Head Length: 105mm

Head Width: 40mm

Clubmakers:

Robert Forgan and Son

Robert Forgan, began making clubs, as a joiner, in St Andrews in 1852 in Hugh Philp's shop, at that time, the only such shop in St Andrews. Philp had begun the business around the start of the century as, previously, St Andrews only access to clubs was from the visits to the town of the Musselburgh clubmakers Peter McEwan and Simon Cossar. Some early clubs are marked "Philp Forgan". He succeeded Philp in 1856 and started trading under his own name. At this time there were two clubmakers in St Andrews, James Wilson, who left Philp's employ when Forgan joined, to set up on his own took on Andrew Strath as his assistant. At the same time Forgan recruited Jamie Anderson. Forgan's obituary notes that the two clubmakers were very friendly: they bought their wood together, divided it into two tranches outside their shops and drew lots to determine who should take possession of which pile.

In 1863 he was asked to make a set of clubs for the Prince of Wales, on the occasion of HRH becoming Captain of the R&A. The heads of these nine clubs were of apple, the shafts hickory and the heads were stamped with the prince's crown and the initials 'A E'; with the maker's name on the lower side of the head. This later allowed Forgan to use the Prince of Wales' ostrich plumes device as his cleekmark. This changed to a crown on the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.

In 1887 he bought the Links Coffeehouse at public auction for £500.

He did not begin making his own iron heads until the 1890s, earlier ones having been bought from Robert White and Tom Stewart. During his time with Philp he was one of the earliest advocates of hickory shafts and with Tom Morris, was credited with the bulk-buying of the wood allowing lower prices for clubs.

This lovely piece would be an excellent addition to your collection.

Inspired yet?

The pictures tell the story

Pick up is Ballarat 3350
Postage by Australia Post