World of Golf Handicap
Ram Golf

	Web World of Golf Handicap

From an historic chip in at the 17th hole at Pebble Beach to the incomparable thrill of a hole-in-one at a local course, RAM has been there and will continue to be there, with a renowned spirit of commitment.

Over the forth-coming months we will be introducing new products into our range the first of these being the Wizard range of irons. These beautifully crafted clubs are available for both Men and Women.

At RAM not only do we use the very best quality materials in all our products but also use components from some of the worlds leading suppliers.

Our pledge is to help golfers everywhere improve their game by providing products of innovation, excellence and value.

The History of RAM Golf

The end of World War II marked the beginning of an industrial revolution in the United States as businesses began their transition from producing war goods to consumer goods.

In 1946 the industrial sector of Chicago was booming, with an immense requirement for custom tool and machine companies to supply the production equipment necessary to manufacture their products.

A young engineer from Minnesota joined the throng of energetic entrepreneurs migrating to the area, and used this opportunity to open the Hansberger Tool and Die Company.

Sportsman's Golf began operations in a small, two-story facility located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 20 began producing woods, irons, putters and wedges, and as the business began to flourish, new products were added to the line including bags, balls, carts and headcovers. The first big order for equipment was placed by the Armed Forces. The order was so large, boxes had to be stored outside because there wasn't enough space inside. Many innovations in manufacturing technology were introduced during these early years. The first stamping and scoring machine was installed in 1950. In 1954, Sportsman's installed the first moulding machine for grip underlistings.

That same year, it became the first company to use sanding belts on the wood production line, replacing the old, abrasive wheels used throughout the industry. As the young company continued to prosper and grow, disaster struck. In 1951 a fire at the facility destroyed part of the building and most of the inventory. Working around the clock, the building was repaired, machinery replaced and the orders were filled with little delay. After the fire, the business grew at a rapid rate.

The Hubbard Street location became too small to accommodate the volume of business generated, and Sportsman's purchased a tract of land in Melrose Park, Illinois and built a new 25,000 square foot office and manufacturing facility in 1956 This additional space allowed the company to expand its product lines.

Bristol and Kroydon

The Bristol and Kroydon names were acquired, for use on golf equipment, and clubs were produced under both names along with the Sportman's name. The building was subsequently expanded in 1958 and again in 1961 to a total of 104,000 square feet. Further advances to the manufacturing process and new technology development were made with each expansion.

The first automatic boring machine for woods was installed in 1958. One of the first tumbler and vibratory systems were developed for the finishing of iron heads. The tumblers and vibratory systems eliminated scratches in cast heads, eliminated sun glare and gave the heads their polished appearance.

During 1968 and 1969, Sportsman's was the first company to develop the process of finishing wood heads before assembly and the first automatic spray machine to paint wood heads. Previously, the bore would be run through the bottom of the sole and out through the bottom of the head. The shaft was then inserted through the bottom of the head and the clubs were finished with the wood head on the shaft.

This was a tedious, time-consuming procedure. Sportsman's developed a new "blind bore" where the bore did not run completely through the wood head, stopping just short of the head bottom.

This new process enabled the head to be bored and then finished as a head only in greater quantities. The heads were then attached to shafts, after finishing, thereby increasing production efficiency, volume and profitability. Innovations such as these also improved the quality of the products while keeping the price affordable.

The reputation of the company grew throughout the industry, and among professionals on Tour. Shortly after his U.S. Open victory in 1958, Tommy Bolt became the first Advisory Staff member in the company's history. He was later joined by Bob Rosburg, Jo Anne Prentice, Fred Hawkins, Paul Harney, Dave Hill and Kathy Cornelius.

With the company holding a solid position in the market, Sportsman's shifted its attention to developing exciting new products. In 1965, a new 107,000 square foot manufacturing facility was built in Pontotoc, Mississippi to produce balls and bags and to house their research and development programs.

The RAM Golf Ball

In 1966, the company introduced the RAM golf ball. The RAM Golf ball was the first ever Surlyn Covered golf ball. Today, the majority of all golf balls produced by the golfing industry worldwide are made utilizing the early developments of RAM Golf.

The RAM Golf ball became responsible for even greater growth for the company and made the RAM name known by golfers across the country. In 1967, a golf ball and putter plant in Bay City, Michigan was acquired.

One of their products was the Brass RAM putter with the heel of the putter shaped like a ram's horn. The putter shape and the RAM name intrigued the owners of Sportsman's Golf.

Therefore, in 1967, it was decided to consolidate all of the companies under the name of RAM Golf Corporation.

Golden RAM Irons

Other new products were developed that left their impact on the golfing world. In 1960, the George Low Wizard Putter Line was introduced. These putters featured mallet head designed fluted shafts and DuPont Delrin inserts. In 1972, the Golden Ram forged iron was introduced.

This model was designed to provide forgiveness in a forged club while maintaining the classic lines preferred by top professional players.

Golden RAM irons quickly became one of the most successful irons on tour. The company's products and innovations caught the attention of David Foster, Chairman of the Colgate Palmolive Company. Foster was a sports enthusiast and under his leadership, Colgate began to sponsor numerous sporting events, which included the creation of the Colgate-Dinah Shore Tournament. At the time, this tournament had the highest purse on the entire LPGA Tour.

Colgate purchased RAM Golf in 1974 and RAM's participation in the PGA and LPGA Tours increased. The company's Tour Staff also increased to almost 50 players and RAM products dominated the LPGA Tour.

Classic Zebra Stripe Alignment System

Introduced in 1976, the first Zebra putter was face balanced with adjustable weighting, and the classic Zebra stripe alignment system quickly made this putter the choice of the game's best players.

Prior to the Colgate purchase however, RAM had acquired distribution rights to the Zebra putter from its creator, Dave Taylor. Through 1979, five different Zebra models were manufactured and sold.

With a strong foothold in the American market, the company expanded into the international market. A network of distributors world-wide was developed to increase the exposure of the product line. During the 70's, the RAM product line fortified the image of the company-high quality, state-of-the-art and innovative.

David Foster retired as Chairman of Colgate-Palmolive in 1979. Although sales had steadily increased, the new Chairman of the Board decided to divest many of their holding and concentrate Colgate's efforts back in the health and beauty aids field.

The contract for distribution rights expired and the company was sold. Under the new management, RAM once again began emphasizing growth in the pro shop market with new, high tech products.

RAM also sponsored the PGA club Pro Championship for four years and invested in various PGA Sections in an effort to align the company with the pro golf.

In July 1980, the new owners purchased all manufacturing equipment, trademarks and patents for Zebra putters from Dale Taylor, son of the inventor.

The company doubled in size in three years and, once again, the RAM was off and running.

Golden RAM Laser

1980 brought the introduction of Golden Ram Tour Grind irons, classic forged irons with clean,simple lines and tour grinding that made this model a tournament winner.

1982, RAM became the first manufacturer to frequency-match golf clubs. Using the computer, each club in the set is "turned" to exact frequency levels to ensure the same feel throughout the set. In 1984, the Golden RAM Laser was introduced.

Laser's perimeter weighted design and frequency-matched construction made it a very popular product. 1984 also marked the introduction of the industry's first 3-wedge system.

The set included a 50 degree Pitching wedge, a 55 degree Sand wedge and a 60 degree Lob wedge. It was sold in a display box, and professionals still ask for these wedges today.

1985, RAM introduced the RAM Golf Wizard computer Club Fitting Program. Over 250,000 golfers were fitted using the Wizard for proper club model, lie, shaft frequency, club length and grip size. The program was further improved in 1987 with the RAM Wizard Fitting Center Program, a nation-wide network of golf shops that help fit golfers to the proper equipment for their game.

Ram became the exclusive distributor for the PGA Tour Clothing Collection in 1986. This clothing line was sold exclusively through golf shops nation-wide under rights granted by the PGA Tour.

In 1987, RAM became affiliated with Country Club Systems, Inc., which supplied country club operations with computer hardware and software to handle all of the accounting functions involved in that business.

RAM Laser

1989 marked the year RAM Laser FX forged cavity-back irons were introduced to the market. The same state-of-the-art computer aided design technology was applied as it was for one of RAM's best selling clubs, the investment cast Laser X2 iron, which was introduced in 1987.

By offering two Laser models, a forged and an investment cast, RAM could properly fit every golfer with an advanced clubhead design suited to their game. Wedges and irons.

Manufactured using updates of the original dies, the wedges are once again gaining momentum in the market place. FX Oversize irons and woods continue as an extremely popular product line with great appeal for mid to high handicap players.

New Concept Low Profile design metal woods reduce turf drag on the take-away and minimize surface contact during the swing. Satisfied customers have lauded these fairway woods as easy to hit longer, straighter and with more accuracy.

A new line of the ever popular ZEBRA putters was also introduced, under the Teardrop putter brand name, in January 1999.

Tear Drop Golf Company

The early to mid-90's marked a change in the golf industry as a new batch of entrepreneurs entered the golf industry and started to make their mark. Although still a popular name and market leader, the company's market share diminished and the company began to have difficulty.

In December 1997, the TearDrop Golf Company purchased most of the assets of RAM Golf Company. The manufacturing and operations moved to the Tommy Armour Golf manufacturing office in Morton Grove, Illinois.

RAM Golf has progressed through many changed since 1946.What has remained constant in the company's heritage are the talented, highly motivated people behind the scenes who continue to challenge the limits of technology with increasingly innovative golf club designs and their continued dedication to golfers around the world who buy RAM Golf products.

We refer our visitors to only the best and most trusted Golf Supplier on the internet today. The GolfSmith Golf Store is the place and nobody can beat their low prices. Most Ram Golf Products are at least 25% off retail.

The GolfSmith Golf Store for Ram Golf Products


Lets look at the Ram Golf Products.