A "DREADNOUGHT" DRIVER, C.1909 BY R. FORGAN & SONS; A "DREADNAUGHT" DRIVER BY SLAZENGER & SONS

Both woods characterized by large, round, flat profile heads and flexible shafts



Forgan example with black patina, ram's horn insert to leading edge of sole, lead backweight, and plug to sole



Crown stamped in guilt "R. Forgan" and with a crown mark



Hickory shaft with a leather grip



The Slazenger club with a vulcanite face insert, lead backweight and aluminum soleplate secured at the back of the head



Crown is stamped "Dreadnought / G.H.D. / Patent No. 682,960"



Hickory shaft with a sheepskin grip

TCA p. 486; TCA Vol. 2 p. 615

The Forgan in overall very good condition with a fine, dark patina, a small crack to the bottom of face immediately above the horn insert, some of the original lead backweight has been lost, otherwise in very good condition with a fine, dark patina. The Slazenger in overall excellent condition with only a couple of dents to the crown. Please note that most lots describe a basic overall condition status. Please note that it is the nature of this type of memorabilia to be in excellent or very good condition and still have some age wear. To request individual detailed condition reports, please contact Lisa Ladish or Kevin Schwartz in Sotheby's Collectibles Department.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The "Dreadnought" clubs were known for having giant heads and flexible shafts. The Slazenger threaded shaft and socket designed to produce a unique flex of the shaft, which was in fact the key element of the design but one easily lost by the appearance of the huge club head. Golf Illustrated in 1909 pointed out that the "Dreadnought" tended to exaggerate poor drives resulting in wild slicing, which is why they didn't last long. But eventually the idea of a big head was rediscovered... For more information on Slazenger, see lot 83, for more Slazenger clubs, see lots 66, 72, 83, 217, 324and 364.

For more clubs from the Forgan family, please refer to the Clubmaker's Index; for more information about the fabulous Forgan's, please see the text box before lot 516.