Golf historian and vintage memorabilia collector John Morton has added a remarkable item to his collection – a 175-year-old feather golf ball believed to have been made by Old Tom Morris.
“Last week, I acquired a golf artifact so incredibly rare, it almost doesn’t make sense that it still exists,” said Morton. “A 175-year-old feather golf ball made by Old Tom Morris.”
Old Tom Morris, a pioneer of the modern game, is renowned for his contributions to course design and equipment innovation. The acquisition is a significant find for golf historians and collectors alike.
“I’ve collected golf memorabilia for years, at first collecting golf cards, before expanding to other types of collectibles. A majority of what I now acquire comes from overseas.
“I spend hours upon hours searching online … trying to find needles in the haystack of the internet. And I’ve been fortunate to find some incredible items this way over the years, some of which I still own, some have since found ‘new homes’.
“And one item in particular that I’m actually working to write a book about! Recently, though, I saw this golf ball listed by a small auction house in the UK. Zoom in. You can still make out the faint ‘T. Morris’ stamp.
“The ball is in remarkable condition, with seams intact and still largely holding its original shape. This would have been made by Old Tom between 1848-1851. But why such a small window of time? I mean, he lived to 86!
“Because he worked for Allan Robertson for the majority of the time that feather balls were prevalent, before it was replaced by the gutta percha ball around 1850. Tom opened his own golf shop in 1848 at 15 The Links in St. Andrews.
“When he moved to Prestwick in 1851, gutta percha’s would have been the only ball he would have made. Meaning the only window of time that feather balls with his name would have been made would have been from 1848 (when he & Allan split) to 1851.”
The Golf Acquisition Of My Life
Last week, I acquired a golf artifact that is so incredibly rare, it almost doesn’t make sense that it still exists:
A 175 year old feather golf ball made by Old Tom Morris
Follow along as I share history about this extraordinarily rare item…
pic.twitter.com/t8FjLxUOZs
— John Morton, PGA (@JohnMorton215) August 6, 2025
Photos: John Morton/PGA/X
Article Link: Golf historian uncovers 175-year-old feather ball