A century ago the main premises for metal drivers advanced by Brougham, Mills, Robert Ramsbottom, Thomas Braddell and others was a club more durable, more uniform and better suited for foul weather use than its wooden counterpart. Like so many other great ideas, the metal woods of the 1890s were an idea well in advance of their time. Despite being extremely well made and handsome clubs they never quite caught on. Generally more durable than wooden woods, they never met the expectations of the era's golf orthodoxy. The craftsmanship of a hand made wooden club was a high art form and high tech was not the prevailing mindset.
Golf is the royal and truly ancient sport in many ways.
Anyone who thinks the metal wood was born in 1970s in Pittsburgh or that through-bores are the latest technology ought to consider the idea that their great grandfather might have been smoothly swinging a Mills BS1 brassey while Victoria was queen or McKinley was in the White House. Metal woods have won acceptance in all quarters of golf but it has only taken a hundred years for them to finally earn respect and a place in the golf bag. Early Metal Wood Club Examples Brougham's early metal wood driver. Wood showing through the back of an early Mills metal wood driver. Braddell's metal wood driver with insert to help absorb shock.