PBA Galleries

Mechanical metal and wood backyard practice device to help straighten your shot. Golf ball attached to a thick nylon cord (portion of which with plastic coating), held in correct placement by triangle metal rod; once hit goes up to a selection of plastic grooves with closing metal hinges (i.e. the comb device): middle for Fairway, next Hook and Slice, and outer grooves Out of Bounds. Softer plastic resting pad in middle where ball should finish after being hit. Wooden portion moves with spring-action closing metal device. One side with metal gauge with turning knob showing yards, 25 to 350. Does not include metal base, which it should slide into to hold in place. Measures 35¼" tall.

Includes a 9x7" press wire-photograph, dated February 4, 1952 from the New York Bureau with paper label on verso explaining: "Cleveland golfer Ed Preisler demonstrates a new invention for indoor golf enthusiasts, a mechanical contraption that enables you to swat the ball...with all your might in the house. The machine then measures the length of every shot, and indicates whether the shot is in the fairway or [not]...". Photo showing the device being practiced on inside a home, which was attached to a large metal base (not present with actual item here). Also identified and pictured in Olman's Encyclopedia of Golf Collectibles (1985), p. 140 with short description: "The Folda Fairway is a captive ball shot analyzer which was sold in the 1940's. After hitting the ball, the distance is measured and the rope is captured in the comb device." Maker's label on the wooden sides.