Inside the Museum
Explore the Collection
01
Major Trophies
The museum features a dedicated Trophy Room with replicas of the four major championship trophies, along with replicas of the Ryder Cup and U.S. Amateur trophies. Throughout the museum, visitors can also view a number of special trophies from domestic and international events, many of which are one of a kind.
02
Evolution of Golf Balls
From the feathery golf balls of the 1700s to today’s modern composite designs, the museum traces the evolution of the golf ball through a variety of materials and styles. The collection includes a special feathery ball played by the 1902 Champion Golfer of the Year, along with numerous gutta-percha, bramble, and rubber-core balls.
Visitors can also see the different cover patterns developed over the years to provide golfers with greater consistency—a goal manufacturers continue to pursue today.
03
Evolution of Golf Clubs
Like golf balls, golf clubs have evolved significantly over the years. Early wooden clubs were carved by hand, while irons were individually forged. As golfers looked for greater distance and improved performance, club making became both an art and a challenge.
The museum features a large collection of clubs designed for specific shots, with names such as the rut iron, fork iron, mashie, and niblick. Visitors can see many of these clubs on display and follow the progression of golf club design throughout the museum.
04
Greats of the Game
Throughout the museum, visitors will find displays honoring some of the legendary players who helped shape the game of golf. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, and Walter Hagen are among those featured in dedicated sections containing personal memorabilia.
The Bobby Jones collection includes private correspondence with The R&A and original typewritten letters announcing the creation of Augusta National. The Ben Hogan collection features the original contract between Hogan and Twentieth Century Fox for Follow the Sun, the film based on his life.
05
Local Golf Memorabilia
The museum’s collection reflects Mr. Lee Brandenburg’s many years of involvement in golf throughout the Bay Area. In 1981, Mr. Brandenburg founded The Gathering at the Farm at Stanford Golf Course, one of the first senior professional golf tournaments.
Two of his favorite events were the Bing Crosby/AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Bob Hope Invitational. The Crosby/AT&T display includes programs dating back to the original event in Southern California, along with the Waterford Crystal trophy presented annually to the AT&T champion. The collection also features special pieces from U.S. Opens held at The Olympic Club and Pebble Beach.
06
Unique Golf Items
Did you know that the first golf tee was actually a pile of sand used to hold the ball? Come see how golf tees developed into what they are today, along with many of the original items that made the early days of golf so interesting.
Whether it’s clubs, balls, books, trophies, or unique golf accessories, the museum gives visitors a look at golf’s history and how the game has developed from its beginnings in Scotland to today. On display are instructional books dating back to 1900, an 1894 golf club membership voting box, and a number of other historical pieces.
The collection also includes a special Royal Blackheath Captain’s Tailcoat, delivered from Scotland, which inspired Bobby Jones to create the Green Jackets for members of Augusta National.
The Founder
Mr. Lee Brandenburg
The Brandenburg Historical Golf Museum opened with Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in August 1998. Located inside the clubhouse, the museum is open to the public free of admission.
Founder Mr. Lee Brandenburg was an avid collector who spent more than 60 years building this unique collection. His lifelong love of golf can be seen throughout the museum in its historic books, golf balls, clubs, photographs, and rare memorabilia—including Walter Hagen’s Ryder Cup captain’s jacket.
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Plan Your Visit
Experience Golf History at Cinnabar Hills
The museum is located inside the Cinnabar Hills Golf Club clubhouse and is open to the public free of admission.