Ben Hogan's Personal Used Prototype Putter From Head Clubmaker Gene Sheeley

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/5/2024

Ben Hogan's Personal Used Prototype Putter From Head Clubmaker Gene Sheeley

By way of Ben Hogan's 'Scientist' and longtime company clubmaker Gene Sheeley's family is this putter of great significance. This exact putter was in Hogan's hands prior to the 'His Own' putter line was made available to the public. The Hawk himself tested, tinkered and carefully added the adhered lead tape to THIS very model to make sure it rolled the ball just right! That's what he did with each club released by his company namesake.

How did Ben Hogan's personal used prototype come to market? The craftsman's family directly. Hogan Company Master Model Maker, or 'Scientist' as he is often referred to, Gene Sheeley's grandson Chris consigned the family heirloom after many decades of appreciation. This putter comes to a point at both the toe and heel and has both Ben Hogan and 'His Own' in black filled script. Ben Hogan had left MacGregor and created the golf equipment company with his own namesake during his magical 1953 season.

The great Ben Hogan's magnificent flat stick is accompanied by a story that Chris Sheeley told of both provenance and importance. Chris stated that it had been in his grandpa's collection for as long as he could remember. "I remember asking him what was on the back of it and he replied that was iron weight tape and that it was used to add weight to the club for his boss. I asked him who his boss was and he said it was Mr. Hogan. I was about 7 or 8 years old at the time." After telling the story of the day he visited his Grandpa (Gene) at work, the AMF factory, Chris mentioned the defining characteristic of this club that had always been this club's identifier in his mind. "Ben Hogan's club here stayed in my family until my grandpa's death my grandma gave it to me. This club I know so well because I always asked about the club with the tape on it. I thought that it was long gone because I hadn't seen it for many years until it was given to me after my grandpa's death. Hogan used the putter to adjust the specifications to his liking prior to manufacturing the final product." 34." A signed letter of provenance from Chris Sheeley will come with this lot.

The Golf Auction is proud to present our first auction of the year, the 2024 January Golf Memorabilia Auction. Please utilize the categories column to help you navigate towards your preferred collectibles. Bids must be placed before 10pm ET, Sunday, February 4th in order to participate in extended bidding.

AUCTION CLOSING RULES:

1. Place your initial bids BEFORE 10pm ET Sunday February 4th in order to bid on the item(s) during extended bidding
2. During extended bidding, you may only bid on items you PREVIOUSLY placed a bid on.
3. Lots with only ONE or NO BIDS at the time of auction close will close at 10pm ET

Extended bidding starts at 10pm ET, and all lots will begin closing with their own 30-minute countdown clock. Clock will reset to 30 minutes with each bid, please refresh your page. Thank you

Please Note: TGA will charge the Bidder/Buyer of the Item(s) a commission (Buyer’s Premium) of nineteen and one-half percent (19.5%) on the successful and final bid price of each of the Item(s) or lot(s) won. No discounts apply. No returns. TGA is not responsible for customs, duties, brokerage and/or similar charges on items shipped internationally. Placement of a bid in this auction constitutes acceptance of all of the terms and conditions in this auction. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.