Golf Equipment That Changed the Game

TaylorMade Pittsburgh Persimmon
Metal woods existed long before 1978, but they were barely used novelties. Then came Gary Adams, a brilliant club designer. In the late 1970s Adams created his first metal wood, a 12-degree cast stainless-steel driver, and he called it "Taylor Made." Adams also founded a company with the same name. He convinced a few Tour players to use the driver, also known as the Pittsburgh Persimmon, in 1979, and the first pro to win with it was Ron Streck in 1981 in Houston. It wasn't long before persimmon woods were gone and metal woods were ubiquitous.