Golf Cards: Values, Prices & Trading

While Golf Trading Cards have been around since the early days of multi-subject tobacco cards in the late 1800s and early 1900s, they have not usually been as popular or valuable as those of other sports. The 1920s and 1930s saw more production of golf cards, as professional gold became more popular in America. The most popular sets of the era include Goudey Gum Company's 1933 and 1934 National Chicle sets, which featured many of the sport's greatest players, such as Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. Many of these cards have appreciated in value nicely, selling for a few thousand dollars.

While production of golf cards continued through the 1900s, they really didn’t make a major comeback in value until the 1980s and 1990s. That’s when modern printers like Upper Deck created a new series of cards featuring popular golfers of the era and these sets started to rise in value. Like most other sports cards, fans and collectors delighted in the opportunity to put together valuable collections of these cards with details about their favorite golfers’ careers and achievements.

These days, golf trading cards come in a wide variety of designs and editions. Some cards are more desirable and valuable to collectors because they are a part of exclusive sets or promotions. There are also holographic versions of cards, which are highly prized due to their unique design and they can command more money when sold. Collectors prize all types of cards, including those from commemorative events, rookie cards of famous athletes who later became legendary, and cards with restricted distribution, too. All of these factors can increase the value of a card, which is best to determine by using a professional grading service.

In general, collecting and trading golf trading cards is a fascinating and entertaining activity for golf enthusiasts. With a wide variety of modern cards available and lots of vintage cards still affordable, amassing your ideal collection should be within reach.