Opinion & Analysis

Boyd Blade and Ferrule Co. Resurrects the Custom Ferrule Game

Published

8 years ago

Aug 28, 2018

Boyd Blade & Ferrule "Insecticon" Custom Ferrule Design

Ferrules are an often-overlooked detail of a golf club. Probably the chief reason for that is that for decades now, club manufacturers have taken the same approach as Henry Ford with his Model T, which is to say, “You can have any color you want as long as it’s black.” While it may make financial sense for large OEM’s to push a purely cosmetic item firmly into the background in order to control costs, there was a time when colored ferrules were the rule, not the exception. The nostalgia for that bygone era of golf equipment prompted Patrick Boyd to take matters into his own hands.

“When I first started getting into clubs in my teens, I’ll never forget when I saw a set of ’58 Dynapower’s and they had these orange and silver ferrules and I was just like, ‘These are awesome!'”

Patrick carried that sentiment with him for decades while the industry standardized on plain black ferrules and customers noticed ferrules less and less, if at all. When the idea first struck him to actually resurrect the custom colored ferrule concept, getting it off the ground encountered a few road blocks.

“When I told the first equipment company I worked for I really wanted to start doing custom ferrules, they said I was crazy and it would never sell. Then, I started working at Scratch and I was talking to Ari about custom ferrules, and he’s like, ‘Dude, that’s awesome! Go for it!'”

Boyd Blade & Ferrule “SuperPurps” Custom Ferrule Design

BB&F ultimately grew out of that conversation, but things have certainly evolved since then. Starting that project from square one required a couple of iterations to arrive at a marketable product.

“It probably first started around 2007. I initially talked to 4 or 5 suppliers and had samples produced. The supplier I use now was able to nail it. The others were good, but not exactly what I wanted. The first designs I did at Scratch were pretty simple (mostly two or three-ring combinations), but I started expanding on that over time.”

Fast forward to now and BB&F has honed the process into one that creates a unique product. Much of that can be attributed to the amount of Patrick’s own resources that have been poured into the endeavor.

“Somewhere around 2011-12, I started ordering a bunch of random ferrules for myself and it started to get interesting. I would see a color combination I really like, and I don’t know why, but I’d have to make a ferrule out of it. I get nostalgic thinking about a toy I had when I was a kid or something and I think, ‘Those colors would look great on a golf club!’ I used to take sets apart just to change the ferrules about once a month when a new design came in I liked. I have a closet at home that has like 20,000 ferrules. They were blocking the landing, so I had to get a storage locker to clear out the closet and make room…happy wife, happy life.”

Boyd Blade & Ferrule “Sebonac” Custom Ferrule Design

Part of what makes BB&F’s product remarkable is that it’s just not something you see every day. The same holds true even among BB&F’s own products, as they typically don’t stay around for too long. When Patrick comes up with a concept, he’ll do a run of 100 ferrules and move on to the next creation. There are a few popular designs that have had several runs due to demand, though.

“It’s the last thing you can do to dress a set of golf clubs. Ferrules can make or break a set. Ferrules are arguably the hardest part of building a golf club, too. Turning them down properly, clean and flush at the base, and maintaining the taper is an art. You could spend all this time building a set and mess up turning the ferrules and have to take that club apart and rebuild.”

Custom ferrules may not be for everyone, but for someone looking to take their sticks to another level, they provide a great accent piece and conversation starter.

Boyd Blade & Ferrule “Candy Jar” Custom Ferrule Design

“Golf isn’t necessarily growing right now, but it’s getting deeper. The guys that are really into it are seeking out new and different stuff whether it be crazy ferrules or hand made clubs or different course experiences. Guys are just going deeper, which is awesome. Pick up an old school set of clubs and you’ll find cool ferrules. Guys care about that now.”

If that describes you, head to BB&F’s online store and check them out. They do entertain requests for custom products as well if you have something specific in mind.

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Peter Schmitt

Peter Schmitt is an avid golfer trying to get better every day, the definition of which changes relatively frequently. He believes that first and foremost, golf should be an enjoyable experience. Always. Peter is a former Marine and a full-time mechanical engineer (outside of the golf industry). He lives in Lexington, KY with his wife and two young kids. "What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive." -Arnold Palmer

15 Comments

Miuralovechild

Sep 16, 2018 at 12:19 am

Patrick is gonna make me some custom ferrules for my Miura’s. Can’t wait! They look even better when someone knows how to turn them! Seamless and smooth!

Reply Report comment
Dan

Aug 29, 2018 at 1:36 pm

Call them ‘Tour Issue” and suckers like me will pay 5x the price for them 🙂

Reply Report comment
Scott King

Aug 29, 2018 at 11:03 am

I would love to have a grab bag random set please. There are awesome. If I can find someone to take my project x 6.5 and trade me for some pro x 5.5’s I will have some of these.

Reply Report comment
Fucsutoo

Aug 29, 2018 at 2:39 am

Why not. Make it personal. That’s what it’s all about.

Reply Report comment
Bonifacj

Aug 28, 2018 at 10:00 pm

I would find custom ferrules distracting, much like a two-toned driver or putter head. Want to look down at the simplest, cleanest looking clubs at address I can find.

Reply Report comment
- MaybeDon'tCommentThen
  
  Aug 29, 2018 at 12:21 pm
  
  Sounds like this product isn’t for you then. Thanks for letting us know, we’d hate to buy some for you as a present and have you be disappointed.
  
  Reply Report comment
Brian M

Aug 28, 2018 at 7:38 pm

I just installed some on refurbished set of blades- couldn’t be happier!

Reply Report comment
Nack Jicklaus

Aug 28, 2018 at 5:33 pm

Definitely like the ferrules on older clubs. A little bit of color is nice.

Reply Report comment
orv

Aug 28, 2018 at 3:03 pm

If you want to play well you must love your clubs, otherwise you will soon hate them. A set of custom ferrules could make all the difference between love and hate.

Reply Report comment
Nigel

Aug 28, 2018 at 2:51 pm

Love these – actually just ordered a set, but waiting until the season end to make sure I’m actually putting them on the right irons.

Reply Report comment
Richard Douglas

Aug 28, 2018 at 2:32 pm

Is it April 1st already?

Reply Report comment
2putttom

Aug 28, 2018 at 1:10 pm

I like em’ added touch/personalization … Flare.

Reply Report comment
Ryan Michael

Aug 28, 2018 at 1:05 pm

No thanks I will take straight black ferrules any day of the week this is just flat out silly. Please stay away from OEMs I can’t imagine my latest set of Mizuno blades with a candy corn blemish where the club head meets the shaft!

Reply Report comment
- Bob Halvorsen
  
  Aug 29, 2018 at 10:18 am
  
  Boring”………..
  
  Reply Report comment
- MaybeDon'tCommentThen
  
  Aug 29, 2018 at 12:22 pm
  
  You know you don’t have to buy stuff, right? Like, it’s completely legal to not purchase stuff you don’t like.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

6 days ago

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Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

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1 week ago

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