While most American sports memorabilia auction houses focus on the four major sports, you will occasionally find some golf items.  Nothing, though, like what you’ll find in a couple of the European companies.  Most notably, Bonham’s.  Based in Great Britain, they often have some exceptional golf memorabilia.

Bonham’s golf specialist, Kevin McGimpsey, has written a very nice book that collectors might want to consider putting on their Christmas list.  Entitled, appropriately enough, “Golf Memorabilia”, the book covers 10 chapters and is 220 pages long.

The book is just out–and should provide a valuable reference to collectors around the world.  There really is a shortage of good books on golf memorabilia and a thirst for information that often goes unquenched.  The best information, of course, comes from those who have a lot of knowledge and since he deals with it on a daily basis, McGimpsey is an authority.

There are no less than 360 photographs of golf antiques and collectibles in the book.  It’s priced at about $50 US Dollars, which includes the author’s signature and dedication as well as all postage costs.  For more information, you can go to craigcampbellart.co.uk.

It’s died down a bit now, but the praise heaped upon golfer J.P. Hayes for essentially disqualifying himself for using a non-approved Titleist during the second round of a qualifier came from all corners.

It’s kind of sad that someone is complimented incessantly for simply upholding the rules of a very traditional game.  Hayes said so himself.  “It’s important for players to police themselves,” he told ESPN.  “We don’t have referees.”

If pros don’t police themselves, who will?  And Hayes does deserve plaudits for doing the right thing.  It would have been so easy to ignore the violation.  No one would have known.  The ball was a prototype and looked no different than any other golf ball in his bag.  But why did his caddy even have the ball in the bag to begin with?

Players and caddies both know that using such golf balls is a no-no during competition.  Hayes has been a touring pro for a long time.  Navigating his way through the qualifiers to earn a PGA tour card for 2009 was important to this 43 year-old from Wisconsin.  He’s got only a few years left to make a really good living on tour.  So why would an experienced player even put himself in a position to make such an error?

At least he knows now that he’s one of those guys who isn’t afraid to call a penalty on himself no matter what the consequences… or the stakes.