Jones,* Spalding,* & Model A Irons

Revolutionary when first introduced during golf’s Golden Age, these irons are now reintroduced for the first time, for today’s regular golfer.

 

The Robert T. Jones Jr.* Spalding* Irons were first introduced in 1932 and produced through the 1930s; Spalding* continued to produce successive designs (in 15 different models), until 1973, two years after Mr. Jones’* death.

The first generation of these irons were designed by Spalding’s* in-house design engineer J. Victor East with Mr. Jones,* who was trained as a mechanical engineer and who served as a corporate director of Spalding.*

These clubs were groundbreaking; just as steel shafts were gaining in popularity, these clubs introduced innovations like a flange sole, matched lengths and lies, uniform swing weights, and form grips.  

These innovations proved enduringly good at their express intent: to “promote proper form.”  Indeed, the then-editor-in-chief of Golf Magazine praised these irons, 42 years after their introduction, for their continuing, profound impact on golf technique.

These design principles inform the Straight Forward Model A Irons, although the original design specifications appear to have been lost (likely in the Flood of 1938, which inundated Spalding’s* corporate and manufacturing headquarters).

While Spalding* marketed the Jones*-designed irons under various names and catalogue numbers, it appears that there were two distinct, first-generation variations on the design: the Cushion Shaft Registered Irons; and the Spalding* Autograph Irons.

The principal, relevant difference in these variations relates to one particular element of head design. The Spalding* Autograph Irons feature a larger and longer hosel, which correspondingly results in a modestly higher point of balance.

The Straight Forward Model A Irons optimize the head design of the Spalding* Autograph Irons, with other club components selected and configured to achieve the original groundbreaking design principles with modern materials and manufacturing.

 

Designed with a mechanical engineer’s precision,
informed by a top-flight amateur golfer’s feel, &
modernized through cutting-edge manufacturing.

 

*references to Mr. Jones and Spalding for informational purposes only;
no endorsement is expressed or implied