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Anyone who has been investing in the world's stock markets over the course of the last few years, they are likely to be licking your wounds and shoving whatever resources you have left firmly under the mattress. However, whilst traditional investments have fared pretty poorly over the recent past, you might be interested to learn that what have come to be known as 'alternative' investments have performed rather better – considerably better, in fact, in some cases. This is true with golf memorabilia. Take a look at a few examples. Over the last 15 years, the sterling returns from a selection of alternative investments were as follows (source: artmarketreport.com, December 2008): o art – up 59% o classic cars – up 22% o English coins – up 27% o teddy bears – up 169% o Bordeaux wine – up 188% o 18th century furniture – up 204% So as you can see, there's ample reward for those brave enough to stray from the path of convention. But frankly, I can't see myself collecting teddy bears, and I'm not sure how long the collection of fine claret would stay safely tucked away in the cellar … particularly over those long winter nights. But there's another form of alternative investment which has not only shown similarly spectacular returns over the years but would also allow you to satisfy further your addiction for the world's greatest sport: golf memorabilia. Until the late 1970s, the collecting of golf memorabilia did not exist as a phenomenon. However, equipment relating to other classic sports, such as cricket and fishing, had by then become recognised by the major auction houses as 'collectible', and it was on the back of these sales that golf antiques were first sold. By the late 1980s (largely driven by the formation of the US and British Golf Collectors' Societies), the market was firmly established and growing strongly, fuelled by the growing number of collectors and reports in the mainstream press of world record prices being achieved. As we entered the 1990s, the boom in golf collecting very closely resembled the boom in the sport itself about 100 years ago! Before considering the returns that one might have achieved by investing in golf memorabilia over recent years, we should probably pause to consider what sorts of item one might have bought. Broadly speaking, the highest value items have tended to fall into the following key categories: o books – published in the mid to late 19th century or earlier; o balls – feather-filled (pre-1840) or gutta percha (gutty), 1850 to 1900; o clubs – specifically the long-nosed variety, pre-1870; o artwork – oils and watercolours, pre-1910. These items have tended to experience significant demand, and therefore a healthy rise in value, for two reasons. First, and most obvious, their age dictates that they are becoming increasingly rare – extraordinarily rare in some cases. Second, they are highly visual items and collectors derive huge amounts of pleasure from showcasing their purchases attractively in libraries and 'home museums' (wives permitting). In terms of 'fun' investing, it certainly beats the hell out of displaying your share certificates! So how much might one have made had one enjoyed the foresight to invest in golf memorabilia 10, 20 or even 30 years ago? The table below gives you some indication; it shows the prices achieved for a representative selection of items at various key points in time over the last three or so decades: Item 1970 1980 1990 2008 The Goff, Thomas Mathison, 1743 1st edition £500 £5,000 £20,000 £80,000 Allan Robertson feather ball £400 £1,500 £8,000 £15,000 Hugh Philp long-nosed play club £600 £2,000 £7,000 £12,500 Harry Rountree golfing scene watercolour, circa 1900 £300 £1,000 £4,000 £20,000 Pretty reasonable returns, I think you'll agree, for 'junk' you're likely to have come across gathering dust in your grandparents' attic. So, if you can see yourself getting addicted as much to the history of this great game as to playing the game itself, how do you get started? Well, relatively easily I'm happy to say. First, buy a decent book on the subject and do some vital background reading. Three good examples are Golf Collectibles (Gilchrist, 1998) and Antique Golf Collectibles (Furjanic, 1999). The Clubmakers Art (Ellis 1997) Finally, seek the advice of an expert before you commit any large sums of money. Generally speaking, the smaller and more specialist auction houses are more willing (and more able!) to help individual collectors, particularly novices, than the larger firms. We offer this advice both to buyers and sellers free of charge So there you have it. Who said investing can't be fun?

Anyone who has been investing in the world's stock markets over the course of the last few years, they are likely to be licking your wounds and shoving whatever resources you have left firmly under the mattress. However, whilst traditional investments have fared pretty poorly over the recent past, you might be interested to learn that what have come to be known as 'alternative' investments have performed rather better – considerably better, in fact, in some cases. This is true with golf memorabilia. Take a look at a few examples. Over the last 15 years, the sterling returns from a selection of alternative investments were as follows (source: artmarketreport.com, December 2008): o art – up 59% o classic cars – up 22% o English coins – up 27% o teddy bears – up 169% o Bordeaux wine – up 188% o 18th century furniture – up 204% So as you can see, there's ample reward for those brave enough to stray from the path of convention. But frankly, I can't see myself collecting teddy bears, and I'm not sure how long the collection of fine claret would stay safely tucked away in the cellar … particularly over those long winter nights. But there's another form of alternative investment which has not only shown similarly spectacular returns over the years but would also allow you to satisfy further your addiction for the world's greatest sport: golf memorabilia. Until the late 1970s, the collecting of golf memorabilia did not exist as a phenomenon. However, equipment relating to other classic sports, such as cricket and fishing, had by then become recognised by the major auction houses as 'collectible', and it was on the back of these sales that golf antiques were first sold. By the late 1980s (largely driven by the formation of the US and British Golf Collectors' Societies), the market was firmly established and growing strongly, fuelled by the growing number of collectors and reports in the mainstream press of world record prices being achieved. As we entered the 1990s, the boom in golf collecting very closely resembled the boom in the sport itself about 100 years ago! Before considering the returns that one might have achieved by investing in golf memorabilia over recent years, we should probably pause to consider what sorts of item one might have bought. Broadly speaking, the highest value items have tended to fall into the following key categories: o books – published in the mid to late 19th century or earlier; o balls – feather-filled (pre-1840) or gutta percha (gutty), 1850 to 1900; o clubs – specifically the long-nosed variety, pre-1870; o artwork – oils and watercolours, pre-1910. These items have tended to experience significant demand, and therefore a healthy rise in value, for two reasons. First, and most obvious, their age dictates that they are becoming increasingly rare – extraordinarily rare in some cases. Second, they are highly visual items and collectors derive huge amounts of pleasure from showcasing their purchases attractively in libraries and 'home museums' (wives permitting). In terms of 'fun' investing, it certainly beats the hell out of displaying your share certificates! So how much might one have made had one enjoyed the foresight to invest in golf memorabilia 10, 20 or even 30 years ago? The table below gives you some indication; it shows the prices achieved for a representative selection of items at various key points in time over the last three or so decades: Item 1970 1980 1990 2008 The Goff, Thomas Mathison, 1743 1st edition £500 £5,000 £20,000 £80,000 Allan Robertson feather ball £400 £1,500 £8,000 £15,000 Hugh Philp long-nosed play club £600 £2,000 £7,000 £12,500 Harry Rountree golfing scene watercolour, circa 1900 £300 £1,000 £4,000 £20,000 Pretty reasonable returns, I think you'll agree, for 'junk' you're likely to have come across gathering dust in your grandparents' attic. So, if you can see yourself getting addicted as much to the history of this great game as to playing the game itself, how do you get started? Well, relatively easily I'm happy to say. First, buy a decent book on the subject and do some vital background reading. Three good examples are Golf Collectibles (Gilchrist, 1998) and Antique Golf Collectibles (Furjanic, 1999). The Clubmakers Art (Ellis 1997) Finally, seek the advice of an expert before you commit any large sums of money. Generally speaking, the smaller and more specialist auction houses are more willing (and more able!) to help individual collectors, particularly novices, than the larger firms. We offer this advice both to buyers and sellers free of charge So there you have it. Who said investing can't be fun?

My XMAS 2011 will start next week! I have the 1951 Open Champion Max Faulkners collection plus items from US & UK Open Winner Tony Jacklin. 700+ lots of golf memorabilia for sale!

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During this year starting in May 2010. You will get the opportunity in bidding for some of the highest quality items that have ever appeared in an online auction site. I have acquired two very serious collections one is a collection of original Ping Putters, in total 228 different models going straight back to the early Karsten Solhiem era. A stunning collection of memorabilia including a full set of Bobby Jones RTJ - FO (Francis Quimet) irons made by Tom Stewart of St. Andrews. Only two sets known to exist. Wonderful Weller ceramic items - books - clubs - balls. A unique 1920 Poker Game set in its original wooden case. Nearly 300 ceramic chips with a period golfer (embossed both side) in full swing. I will soon have a full listing available just email me if you want an early pre-view copy. I am always looking for new consignors - why not give me a chance to sell your items