How to Collect Golf Cards

Determine the focus of your golf card collection. Areas to consider include collecting the golf cards that feature your favorite golfers, gathering the golf cards of golfers who attended your college or lived in your home town or state.

Understand that collecting golf cards is different from collecting other sports cards. The players associations and the various major leagues usually sign blanket agreements with sports card companies. This means most players are featured on at least one trading card each season. When Upper Deck started production in 2001, not all PGA golfers signed agreements. Consequently, various sets of cards do not feature all the major golfers. For instance, Phil Mickelson does not have a card in Upper Deck's inaugural set. Today, most golf cards are produced by the Upper Deck sports card company.

Buy golf cards at larger sports memorabilia shows and exhibitions, local sports card stores and at some golf equipment stores or golf pro shops. Be aware that golf cards are not widely available. Unlike baseball and hockey cards, chain department stores are unlikely to carry golf cards.

Write letters to the golf professional asking them to sign the enclosed golf card. Remember to send a self-addressed, properly stamped return envelope with your letter.

Place the golf cards in 9-pocket, acid-free plastic binder sheets in a D-ring binder. These sheets can be found at many business supply stores as well as sports memorabilia shops and shows. You can also store your golf card collection in acid-free boxes. Place the golf card into individual hard plastic sleeves called "top loaders", then put your cards into the boxes.