When you interview golfers about club appearance, the invariable response is that the 'look' is immaterial ... performance is always stated as the governing purchase factor. However, marketing golf equipment is a competitive business. With the USGA setting rules on general club shape, there aren't too many real variations to be had. Putters usually demonstrate the most design leeway because the USGA recognizes that no matter how much you dress it up, some frontal surface must still strike the ball in the intended direction at the intended speed. Regardless of the putter loft, weight distribution, face height, swingweight, or shape, the player's skill level is the final determinant of putting result.

The consequence is innumerable designs and innumerable marketing selling propositions .. Marketing 101 ...

Before contemporary head materials became available for woods, there wasn't much allowed difference in club vendors' head shapes so colors, finishes and inserts were about the only 'head' elements club designers could vary. Fancy Faces on woods became one such differentiator. Also known as 'pretty face' woods, they were generally made from around 1920 through the late 1940's. Some are available with wood shafts and others with metal. Some beautiful and colorful inserts were created using plastics, epoxies, screws and plugs.

Nowadays, these woods make wonderful displays, particularly if grouped.