Rory's Joe Powell Persimmon Driver Build Pics

[JohnHayes]

Hi All.

 

I thought I would post some in process photos of Rory's Joe Powell "Poppy" Driver.

Joe Powell Co was lucky enough to be asked to make this Driver for Rory. 

When asked we were given no design cues , only that it should commemorate  his Career Slam. It was a huge time crunch to get this done--- Rory got it 3 weeks and one day after I first heard about the commission.

Thanks to the Team at Joe Powell (Emma John & Scott) we got it done, including  that beautiful headcover, which was done in house!

 

For Rory's Driver, 

I used a Joe Powell Co. PT1W head.

The head was soaked in Linseed Oil for about 2 weeks, back in Spring 2023, and has been curing ever since.

The insert is made of G10, which is an extremely strong glass laminate which can withstand >50000 PSI! It is a bit heavier than a fiber or cycolac insert, which would mean it could increase the COG and reduce effective loft, but because it is so strong it can be made much thinner. 

This insert actually weighs less than a standard, more common fiber or cycolac insert.

I made it Red and White for Northern Ireland, with a Small touch of green for Ireland, which I am glad he seems to appreciate.

The loft is 10.5". Standard lie, x200 shaft butt weighted with 7g to reduce swingweight slightly and provide better feel and response.

 

I used to be quite active on this board, but not much in the past several years. I used to go by the name "Persimmonpal". 

 

I hope to get back in the habit of posting here more regularly.

 

I am happy to answer any questions, about Joe Powell, persimmon clubmaking and repair/restoration

[Golfingfanatic]

very cool! Thanks for posting.

[JimmyC59]

Awesome!

[LeftyMac]

Very nice work John!

[PlayBadFast]

From the video I saw, Rory seemed to genuinely appreciate the driver. So many nice little touches. Very cool to see some behind the scenes of this club and persimmon clubmaking in general. Thank you for the post. 

[Old Tom Morris]

Tough to source a .335 steel shaft nowadays?

[Foozle]

Fabulous work and a beautiful club.

I am curious about the soaking in linseed oil. Do you mean it sat in a linseed oil bath for 2 weeks and, if so, is there any movement/swelling in the head as a result which then reduces through curing? 

What is the finishing coat and how is that applied?

I am assuming no lead in the head as the only place would be under the front slip or behind the insert? In which case it must be a particularly solid block to need counter weighting?

Very special club which I am sure Rory will treasure. Credit to all involved, well done!

[Tiger_Stud]

Nice job. What are the screws on the face for? They take so much of the aesthetics away!

[mocokid]

Great John, glad to see you posting again, miss the guys who really knew their classic clubs, like you, Charley pena, stu, etc.

[Shallowface]

The thing that stood out to me was no whipping thread on the hosel.

[Maine Golfer]

Thanks for sharing, that is so cool. 

[Foozle]

40 minutes ago, Shallowface said:

The thing that stood out to me was no whipping thread on the hosel.

It is whipped in final form.

Simply stunning!

[JohnHayes]

2 hours ago, Tiger_Stud said:

Nice job. What are the screws on the face for? They take so much of the aesthetics away!

The screws are there to provide a mechanical bond for the insert, and to be decorative.

 

[ElephantTusk]

Was the final version the 3 or 4 groove version? Really love the 4 center groove version a la original M85s.

 

I assume one was a backup for the house to keep? 

[Foozle]

12 minutes ago, ElephantTusk said:

Was the final version the 3 or 4 groove version? Really love the 4 center groove version a la original M85s.

 

I assume one was a backup for the house to keep? 

Good spot!

I think it was the 4 groove as it has a slight grain mark òn the crown that can be seen in the video with Rory.

[JohnHayes]

5 hours ago, ElephantTusk said:

Was the final version the 3 or 4 groove version? Really love the 4 center groove version a la original M85s.

 

I assume one was a backup for the house to keep? 

Good eye!

Same head, but new insert.

The first one I made I accidentally cut the scoring lines off center. It looked way off.i took the i seat out and made a new one.

I mixed up all the photos!

Thanks.

[JohnHayes]

6 hours ago, Foozle said:

It is whipped in final form.

Simply stunning!

Yes these are during the building of it. Whipping goes on just about last

[JohnHayes]

8 hours ago, Foozle said:

Fabulous work and a beautiful club.

I am curious about the soaking in linseed oil. Do you mean it sat in a linseed oil bath for 2 weeks and, if so, is there any movement/swelling in the head as a result which then reduces through curing? 

What is the finishing coat and how is that applied?

I am assuming no lead in the head as the only place would be under the front slip or behind the insert? In which case it must be a particularly solid block to need counter weighting?

Very special club which I am sure Rory will treasure. Credit to all involved, well done!

There isn't really much at all in the way of swelling. It does puck up a substantial amount of weight though!

This head was 188g before soaking, and 212 grams afterward.

After curing for 2 years (in my the weight was down to 206. Just about right.

No weight needed. In fact, it was a bit heavy with the X200, and I butt weighted it.

After the club is complete, I mask and seal the face and anything I dont want stained.

When stain dries it gets 2 applications of natural grain filler.

Finish is sprayed with a gun, "Diamond Clear".. Great stuff.

Usually gets 3-4 coats. This one required more, thinner coats. 

 

Glad you like the club thank You!

[NRJyzr]

On 7/13/2025 at 2:06 PM, JohnHayes said:

used to be quite active on this board, but not much in the past several years

 

Welcome back, John.  😁🎉

 

[JohnHayes]

2 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Welcome back, John.  😁🎉

 

Thanks! Now if I can only get to the point where I can post more often!

[Stephen8802]

We look forward to you posting more. Your work is fantastic, and this is my favorite so far. 

[DonaldDunes]

This is incredible. Please please make more posts like this. Your work is stunning and I love seeing the fabrication process and hearing all the details.