1912Steel Shaft
Innovator: E.H. Winkworth Scott

Scott patented a square steel shaft in the U.K., though it was at first used only in putters. Steel remained a mere novelty until it made its way into woods and irons around 1915: Allan Lard's perforated design was one of the most popular early models. Steel's stability, consistency and versatility eventually set it apart from hickory, which was defunct by the mid-1930s. Still, the USGA did not allow steel-shafted clubs until 1926, and the R&A continued its ban until 1929.