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Picked this up from a local golf course closing (sad to see it be turned into parking lots I’m sure) but it looks to be an older machine that someone has added a coil in the bottom stand to release a gold ball when you get 2 cherries.

There is a Watling coin box inside and the reels have Mills on them.

What do I have and should I leave it as a golf ball slot or have it converted back?

if it was mine, it would remain EXACTLY As found. golf ball machines command a premium, and that's a nice one....

That's a really interesting slot conversion. I'm curious what the coil and golf ball release mechanism looks like inside the machine. Would you please share pictures of that apparatus?
Thanks, Sal

Let me know if these help

What you have is a modern day revamp of a 1940's Mills Black Cherry. Does the payout correspond properly to the winning combo or is it the same payout no matter which combo you would hit? If the payout is properly set I would leave it as is. Someone did a lot of work to get this up and running it would be a shame to dismantle it. Revamping an old machine and integrating it with new technology that works is a rare thing these days.

Thanks for the info! It pays out when ever you get 2 cherries. Sometimes. The coil / release mechanism needs cleaned up (may even need a sleeve on the coil shaft as it sticks every now and then. Maybe some lubrication at the end of the coil shaft where it is grooved out and the small arm that releases the ball rests in?)

I’m more into pinball but my neighbor is more knowledgeable on these machines. From this info I think I’ll just have him go thru it to get it cleaned up and working 100% and leave it as she is. Plus it has the “historic value “ from the course that’s been around for years.

Thanks again for the info!

Thanks again for sending that response to me last month about how the coil and golf ball release mechanism worked. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but I've been working on some other slots in the interim, including a 1930's Jennings all-mechanical golf ball slot machine that came from a country club.

On your machine, It appears that the coil and mechanism have been hooked up to integrated circuits to use as a counter and release mechanism for the golf balls dispensed. Per the award card, I only see 1 golf ball paid out for two cherries, as you mention in your response. Maybe your neighbor can get it to pay out more golf balls for the other payouts (3 oranges, 3 plums, 3 bells, 3 bars) if he can set the integrated circuit for that possibility. Also, I think you're right, you do need to lubricate the coil shaft and surrounding parts. Thanks again for sharing!