Persimmon
Persimmon is the hardwood from which the heads of woods were made until the 1980s.
Persimmon woods were the standard in golf for generations. The wood of the American kaki persimmon is very hard and dense; it withstands the forces at the moment of impact well. The heads were small, often barely bigger than the ball, and were shaped and lacquered by hand. Today, anyone who talks about "woods" means metal heads made of titanium or steel. The name Wood has remained as the memory of that era.
On the course, persimmon played very differently from modern clubs. The sweet spot was tiny, and mishits were punished immediately and honestly. An example: a drive with a persimmon Driver struck slightly out of the heel immediately lost length and curved into a Slice. In return, the cleanly struck ball rewarded you with a feeling that many old-school players still invoke to this day. Balata balls and persimmon woods belonged together like shaft and grip.
A common misconception: persimmon is not automatically better or more refined — it was simply the state of the art of its time. Today the old woods are collector's items and turn up at hickory tournaments or retro rounds, often together with even older Hickory shafts. Anyone who finds a persimmon driver at a flea market can certainly play with it, but should choose soft balls, since hard modern balls can damage the old head.
FAQ
Can I still play with a persimmon wood today?
Yes, it works, but it is more demanding than with modern clubs. The sweet spot of the small wooden heads is tiny, and mishits are punished honestly. Use soft balls, because hard modern balls can damage the old head. For retro rounds or hickory tournaments, a persimmon driver is exactly the right thing.
How do I recognize whether a flea-market find is a genuine persimmon club?
Genuine persimmon woods have a small, lacquered wooden head, often barely bigger than the ball, and frequently an insert made of plastic or imitation ivory on the face. Steel or titanium heads from the 1990s look similar from a distance, but they are hollow and sound metallic when tapped. Weight and sound quickly reveal the material.
Why are the clubs still called woods today even though they are made of metal?
The name wood has remained as the memory of the persimmon era. Until the 1980s, all drivers and fairway clubs were made of wood, and the designation became firmly established in the language. Today the heads are made of titanium or steel, but on the scorecard and in the bag the number one is still called a wood.