A TOM STEWART BACKWARDS PUTTER, CIRCA LATE 1920s

Weird putter with shaft and hosel attached to forward-facing heel which causes the blade to face backward towards the golfer



Lined face markings



Back of blade stamped "Willie Kidd / Putter / Special / Hand Forged / Made in Scotland" along with Stewart's clay pipe cleekmark



Hickory shaft with leather grip

TGC p. 122; TCA p. 215; TCA 2 Vol. 1 p. 253

Overall excellent condition with little evidence of use or wear. 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.

In the 1920's, Tom Stewart, longtime famous cleekmaker of St. Andrews, forged this backwards putter which was apparently made exclusively for "Willie" Kidd Sr. and modeled after a prototype created by Kidd, the professional at the Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, from 1920 to 1957, who also laid out the Princeton course. Only five Stewart backwards putters are known.