Bidders will spend a wedge at auction of rare golf clubs

memorabilia: High prices expected as collection goes under the hammer in LA

Golf clubs used by the game’s pioneers will be auctioned next month.

The Roberto Family Trust Golf Collection, comprising more than 130 historical clubs and other golfing memorabilia put together over 50 years, is expected to make a total of £800,000.

Rare and important items include the Duke of Atholl’s heavy iron, from around 1780, which is estimated to fetch £16,000-£20,000.

The club was the property of John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl (1755-1830), whose family seat was Blair Castle in Perthshire.

The duke would have used his heavy iron, with a sheepskin grip, to “get himself out of the most difficult lies”.

A putter used by top Victorian golfer Willie Dunn Sr in a famous challenge match in 1859 is expected to fetch up to £32,000.

The long nose putter was used by the Musselburgh-born golfer when he was beaten by the great Willie Park Sr in their challenge match at Prestwick. The match took place following a challenge issued by Park for a stake of £100, the equivalent to £11,200 today.

The rare club, made around 1830 by famous St Andrews club maker Hugh Philp, will be sold by Bonhams in Los Angeles.

Will Roberto, curator of the collection, said: “This club comes directly from the Dunn family and it is very seldom to get such a strong written provenance.”

He added: “Putting together this collection has been a wonderful, absorbing hobby.

“The time has now come for a new generation of collectors to enjoy these fascinating objects.”

One of the finest collections of early golf clubs, the collection spans the early history of club-making from spur irons of the 17th Century to “spoons” and “play clubs” of the late 19th Century.

A left handed, light spur toe iron made in Scotland around 1690 to 1700, is estimated to fetch £60,000 to £80,000.

The fourth Duke of Atholl and, left, his heavy iron, which is expected to sell for up to £20,000.