Pleasant Surprise
An antique Standard Golf Co. New Mills Ray Model putter wasn’t exactly the putter I was looking for specifically. I was looking for a mallet style to replace the blade in my vintage bag. However, I came across a pair of New Mills Ray Model putters on EBay, and they were listed at a price that I couldn’t resist, even if I ended up not liking the feel of them down the road. As soon as my offer was accepted and my payment had gone through, I began researching my new clubs. Hello history!
Standard Mills Golf Co.
Sir William Mills began experimenting with aluminum golf club heads in the 1890s. Mills was a marine engineer and used his company William Mills Ltd to branch into the golf business. His work with aluminum was extensive, and rose to even higher fame due to the creation of the Mills bombs used in World War 1.
For me, that is all I need to know to want something of his in my collection. Standard Golf Co. became the official name of his, but was commonly referred to as the Standard Mills Golf Co. because of the notoriety of his name.
Aluminum Golf Clubs?
As I mentioned earlier, Mills began producing aluminum-headed clubs in the 1890s, which included brassies, woods, and putters. Although his aluminum woods would never replace the use of persimmon, his innovation pushed the boundaries of club making during his time.
The New Mills Ray Model Putter
Other than being turn of the century aluminum, there are other defining features of my Ray Model. The New Mills Ray Model was produced between 1910 and 1915, and the putter head provides you with all of the information needed to make an informed purchase.
The sole of the putter provides you with the weight, and lie of the putter head. As you can see from the pictures, mine weighs 10 oz. and has an upright lie. The upright lie is great for taller players, and allows me to be more relaxed standing over a putt.
As with most Mills Models, his mark is stamped on the top of the putter head. Standard Golf Co, Sunderland England in a circle, with Mills Patent in the middle of the circle. Don’t be thrown off if you come across one that was made in Birmingham. I was able to confirm that he had two manufacturing facilities. His most famous was in Sunderland, but he produced several clubs out of Birmingham as well. The Birmingham putter was claimed by a good friend shortly after purchase, which is why it is not in as many pictures.
The face of the Mills Ray Model has squared scoring that can be either shallow or deep depending on age. The hosel is bored through the sole, which stands out to me because it is unique from the other hickory putters in my collection.
It’s an Antique…But Don’t Be Afraid
99% of the clubs I purchase are to be played, and there are very few exceptions. There are few things more exciting in golf than getting an old club back to playing condition and taking it out for a few whacks.
Don’t let the eagerness of play get in the way of inspecting the club before use. Many aluminum hosels crack over time, and mine is no different. It has a small crack running down the back of the hosel. Because its a putter and the only violent swing I make with it is after a bad putt, the crack is not going to take away from the performance. I simply removed the head, cleaned it, used 2-part epoxy to reattach the head to the shaft, and wrapped it in whipping. I haven’t had any troubles, even in the few rounds I played in 100º heat.
The New Mills Ray Model has become my primary putter, and it is going to take something substantial for me to make a switch. Thank you for taking the Mills journey with me today and join me next time as we take another look inside the vintage corner!
I have two of these , an R.N.G. model , and a ray model , hickory shaft . Anyone know much about the value ? Appreciate any info , thank you .
I have a similar putter by Otey Crisman .
It has the weight and is also a mallet head made of aluminum. Great feel and at my age, makes a nice cane when needed.
I have the New Mills R.B.B. model mallet putter, 9 oz
I have the new “MILLS” mallet Medium lie 10 ozs 7 drs
Glad I goggled the info and learned the putters history. I caddied as a young kid and one of the golfers played with the club in the 1950’s. Years later I purchased the putter while golfing in Myrtle Beach.
I inherited the Mills RNG putter from my Uncle and have loved plying with it for at least 40 years.
I cannot putt with anything else. When I was at Pebble Beach two years ago, the antique store had once for $250.00
It would take a lot more than that for me to give it up.
I acquired a ray model last year. However, I cannot come across a putter with the same weight. Mine is 9 ozs. 12 drs. Could this be a ladies or youth putter?
Great article. I found the same putter in my collection, with a flat lie and 3 drs. mine looks in slightly better condition.
I would be interested in finding the value of this putter.