Golf is a game with a long, rich history that reaches back to the 15th Century. This “gentlemen's game” has been enjoyed by a wide variety of classes but has primarily been enjoyed by the wealthy. The high price of golf clubs is often a barrier to entry for one of the world's oldest sports. But the Most Expensive Golf Clubs in the World take that to a whole new level. The most expensive golf clubs ever sold include gold plated club heads, centuries old antiques, and a putter from Tiger Wood's personal collection. Here are the 11 Most Expensive Golf Clubs in the World.
11. Tiger Woods' Personal 1990s Red Dot Newport II Putter
Price: $19,326
Tiger Woods is arguably the greatest golfer to ever live and has the second most Major Championship victories (15), second to only Jack Nicklaus. 14 of those 15 Major Championships were won with a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 made with German Stainless Steel (GSS). This is not that putter but it does closely resemble Woods' favorite magic wand.
This Scotty Cameron Newport 2 was the first iteration of Tiger's eventual red dot gamer but was made with American Stainless Steel instead of German Stainless Steel, has white paintfill in the stamps, a sight line on the flange, and no sight dot on the top line. All of these markings, or lack there of, differentiate this putter from Tiger's gamer. This 1990's model comes with a certificate of authenticity stating the putter was “Made for Tiger Woods” and was auctioned off by Golden Age Golf Auctions in August 2021. The winning bid was for $19,326.00
10. Majesty Sublime Set
The Majesty Sublime golf set is a bit different from other clubs on this list. Most of the world's most expensive golf clubs hold their value because they are either a) rare antiques or b) former property of Tiger Woods. These clubs claim to have all the state-of-the-art buzzword technologies but let's be honest. These clubs are expensive because they are made with 24 karat gold.
The Majesty Sublime set is made with 24 karat gold shafts (hardly the greatest advancement in performance technology), gold plated cavities, and gold ferrules. Based on the reviews of these clubs, it seems like they would be better off in a display case then out on the course helping you break 90. The Majesty Sublime set can be purchased by anyone at the PGA Superstore.
9. Tiger Woods' 1997 Masters Scotty Cameron Victory Putter in GSS
Price: $30,650
It was mentioned earlier that Tiger Woods won 14 of his 15 majors with his famous Scotty Cameron Newport 2 (GSS) Red Dot. The one major he won without that putter was his first major, The Masters in 1997. Wood's used a Scotty Cameron Newport TeI3 (black with white dots on the back) to win his first major. This putter was made as a special release to commemorate Woods' record setting performance.
This particular putter is made with German Stainless Steel instead of the Carbon Steel with a black pearl finish used by Woods. Only 21 putters were produced by Scotty Cameron and this one was sold by Golden Age Golf Auctions for over $30,000.
8. Palmer Patent Fork Shaft Wood
Price: $49,000
This uniquely shaped golf club was made by A.G. Spalding & Bros in 1901. The Palmer Patent Fork Shaft Wood sold as part of a record breaking collection of antique golf clubs at the famous auction house Sotheby's. The total collection included more than 700 clubs and contains several other clubs on this list. This particular club made up just under $50,000 of the $2 Million+ golf club collection.
7. Long Nosed Scraper Golf Club
Price: $91,000
While concave club faces are now illegal under the rules of golf, in the 18th century, they were perfectly legal. The spoon or scraper resembled the modern day fairway wood and this particular Long Nosed Scraper looks similar to what we now know as a hybrid. The spoon was used for difficult lies. An 18th century Rescue Club.
This Long Nosed Scraper also belongs to the Jeffery B. Ellis antique golf club collection that fetched over $2 Million dollars at the Sotheby's auction.
6. Golden Putter First Lady Special Edition
Price: $150,000
The Golden Putter produced by Barth & Sons could be customized up to $150,000 if ordered fully loaded. Each putter has a 24k gold shaft but can add diamonds, crystal inlays, and custom stampings. It has not been confirmed that any of these putters ever sold or that anyone ever paid $150,000 but that was the advertised price.
The club is no longer for sale.
5. Square Toe Light Iron Golf Club
Price: $151,000
In the 1600's golfers only carried a handful of clubs in their bag, two of those clubs being irons. A heavy iron and a light iron. The heavy iron was used for more difficult lies (probably nothing like the modern day rough we are accustomed to) like thick mud, long grass, or even rocks. Play it as it lies right? The light iron was used for when the golfer had a more favorable lie. Historians estimate this particular light iron was made around 1600 is believed to be one of the oldest golf clubs still in existence.
At this time, golf clubs were actually formed from Iron, which is why we call them “irons” today. The Square Toe Light Iron was a part of the same antique golf club collection that included the Andrew Dickson Long Nosed Putter and the Palmer Patent Fork Shaft Wood.
4. Tiger Woods' Backup 2001 Newport (Red Dot)
Price: $155,000
Another of Tiger's backup putter of the famous “red dot” model that he used to win 14 of his 15 majors. This model sold for $155,000 in 2020.
3. Simon Cossar Fruitwood Metal Headed Blade Putter
Price: $175,000
This metal headed putter is believed to be from the late 18th century and built by club maker Simon Cossar. The ancient putter with a fruitwood shaft is likely the only one of its kind still in existence. It last fetched a price of $175,000 but could be worth much more than that. Still good enough to make it the 3rd most expensive golf club in the world.
2. Andrew Dickson Long Nosed Putter
Price: $180,000
The Andrew Dickson Long Nosed putter is believed to be from the 17th century and historians claim it is one of the oldest privately owned golf clubs. Andrew Dickson was a 17th century golf club maker who was known to stamp his clubs with his initials. This oversized putter head was stamped with the initials A.D. and also include the name and initials of the clubs original owner, J. McCaul.
Historians are able to identify a club's vintage by the materials used to make the shaft, grip, and club head. When it sold for $180,000 at a 2007 Sotheby's auction, it was the most expensive golf club ever sold at auction. Scroll down to see what knocked it off the number one spot.
1. Tiger Woods' Personal 2002 Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Backup Putter
Price: $393,300
The most expensive golf club in the World is Tiger Woods' personal 2002 Scotty Cameron Newport 2 backup putter. The putter is supposedly an exact match to the Tiger's gamer that he used to win 14 of his 15 Major Championships. Scotty Cameron made several backups for Woods in case his competition putter was damaged or lost.
The putter was auctioned off by Golden Age Golf Auctions in August of 2021 for $393,300. Are we talking about a golf club or a Rolls Royce here? Woods switched putters many times after 2010 but never won a major with another putter after that. He finally broke through and won The Masters in 2019 after a return to golf but he did with “old faithful”, his Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Red Dot. While it is doubtful that his gamer will ever see an auction, one can image its worth if it ever did.
