How to Collect Golf Cards
Golf cards have only been produced on an annual basis since 2001, when the Upper Deck sports card published its first set of golf cards. The 2001 set contains the rookie cards of many PGA stars including Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.
Collecting golf cards can be entertaining, educational and perhaps profitable. Because golf cards do not have a long history, nor are they readily available like baseball cards, prospective golf card collectors have to research sources for their cards. Golf card collecting is a relatively new part of the sports memorabilia market. This fact, as well as the popularity of professional golf, means that the growth potential for this sports collectible is very positive.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine the focus of your golf card collection. Areas to consider include collecting the golf cards that feature your favorite golfers, gathering the golf cards of golfers who attended your college or lived in your home town or state.
-
2
Understand that collecting golf cards is different from collecting other sports cards. The players associations and the various major leagues usually sign blanket agreements with sports card companies. This means most players are featured on at least one trading card each season. When Upper Deck started production in 2001, not all PGA golfers signed agreements. Consequently, various sets of cards do not feature all the major golfers. For instance, Phil Mickelson does not have a card in Upper Deck's inaugural set. Today, most golf cards are produced by the Upper Deck sports card company.
-
-
3
Buy golf cards at larger sports memorabilia shows and exhibitions, local sports card stores and at some golf equipment stores or golf pro shops. Be aware that golf cards are not widely available. Unlike baseball and hockey cards, chain department stores are unlikely to carry golf cards.
-
4
Write letters to the golf professional asking them to sign the enclosed golf card. Remember to send a self-addressed, properly stamped return envelope with your letter.
-
5
Place the golf cards in 9-pocket, acid-free plastic binder sheets in a D-ring binder. These sheets can be found at many business supply stores as well as sports memorabilia shops and shows. You can also store your golf card collection in acid-free boxes. Place the golf card into individual hard plastic sleeves called "top loaders", then put your cards into the boxes.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Prior to 2001, golf card production was sporadic at best. Donruss sports cards produced the first golf set by a major sports card manufacturer in 1981. It was not until 1990 when Pro Set published a set of golf cards for the sports collectible market. The next year, 1991, Pro Set created another golf card set, but this was that company's last season of golf card production.
There have been other golf cards produced as part of multi-sport sets or as promotional items.
Many sports card collectors like to take their sports cards to sporting events to try and get autographs. Unfortunately this is not always possible at PGA events. Some tournaments restrict patrons from bringing memorabilia for autograph purposes. Check with the tournament organizers to avoid disappointment.
Golf cards are produced on paper stock. Usually, two thin sheets of paper sealed together. Therefore, storage and preservation are extremely important.
References
- Photo Credit golf image by Pefkos from Fotolia.com
