I was wondering if anyone knew the exact model of the wooden shaft putter that Bobby Locke using during the majority of his career. I know that Slazenger made a replica in approximately 1960, but I would be interested to know which clubmaker made the putter.

Dear Geoff,

This story appeared in Australia last year: Bobby Locke's Putter on Show
15 March 2001, http://www.pga.org.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=8915

The pertinent part of the story is:

Bobby Locke's Putter on Show
15 March 2001

Sydney’s unique Australian Historic Golf Trust Museum may soon boast one of the world’s most famous clubs in its rapidly expanding collection - Bobby Locke’s putter.
The Museum, which is housed above the Golf Mart store at Granville, in Sydney’s west, has been promised Locke’s putter by a Sydney doctor, who was a lifelong friend of the South African champion, rated one of the world’s best golfers and arguably the best putter in the history of the game. Tom Moore, the president of the Golf Collectors Society of Australia, a non-profit organisation which operates the museum, inspected the putter when the owner produced it at a recent Hickory Shaft event at Bowral and has no doubt it is authentic. The owner is keen for the wooden -shafted club, which Locke used all of his career (winning four British Opens and 15 times in the US in three years), to have a worthy setting and he can be assured this will be the case at the Australian Historic Golf Trust Museum.

I will try to contact Mr Moore or the GCSA and see what they say.

Cheers!

Geoff Mangum
The PuttingZone
Golf's most advanced and comprehensive putting instruction.

Dear Geoff,

I just received this very nice reply to my query:

Dear Geoff,

"Thank you for your query.

We have been able to make contact with the owner of the putter, Mr Des Froneman, who was a good friend of Bobby Locke's. According to Mr Froneman, Bobby was sponsored by Slazenger and consequentially all his clubs were manufactured and supplied by them. Apparently the putter in question was also voted 'Putter of the Century' in 1988.

Mr Froneman has indicated that he would be happy to assist you with further information if you wish. You can contact him by mail at the following address:

1/95 Wycombe Rd
Neutral Bay
NSW 2089
AUSTRALIA

I hope this assists you.

Regards,

Sophie"

[Australian Museums On Line]

Dear Geoff:

Thank you very much for taking the time to find an answer to my question. Your efforts are very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Geoff Jones