I find myself fascinated when sport overlaps with other interests in my life, and hickory golf occupies the space on that Venn diagram where athletics, history, manufacturing methods, craftsmanship, reclamation and restoration, and nostalgia for simpler times intersect. I have casually played golf since I was in my early teens. Recently, I became very interested by the current debate within the world of modern golf regarding whether clubmaking technology and/or enhanced training methods have made the game "too easy" for the pros. In May of last year, I read an article online regarding that debate, and it made mention of a counter-movement to modern golf called "hickory golf." A few clicks later, I had landed upon my official COVID-19 pastime/distraction, and a few clicks after that, my first 100 year-old club was en route via eBay. While I began building my hickory set one restoration project at a time, I pared my modern bag down to five clubs, and was immediately captivated by the challenge of shot-making on the course. The creativity, nuance, and concentration involved in the execution of every hickory swing became my Zen. By August I was playing hickories full-time. The game I've played for almost 40 years is brand-new again.
I started collecting some hickory shaft clubs to put near my fireplace. I found out on the internet that golfers were actually playing with them. I found the SoHG website and became very interested after reading the articles. On my way back from Florida to Ohio after a vacation I stopped in Louisville, KY to visit Louisville Golf. Mike Just gave me a tour of the plant and was very encouraging. I bought some irons and a brassie on ebay and gave them a try. I was hooked. Now I play about 75% with hickories.
I just found your site, having picked up a set from Louisville Golf just about the time this thread was started. Why? Well, a good friend who has used hickories exclusively for quite a while now got me interested. But, why interested? Now actively and happily retired, I think it is the thought of going back in time. The first set of clubs I ever touched was an old set of hickories my mother had, with those magical names, Spoon, Mashie, Niblick etc. cast in their soles. And, I am an historian at heart. It seems to me that using modern equipment is a bit like cheating, letting us think we are better than those who played before us; when in fact they accomplished wonders with the equipment they had. Now, I have my eyes on a set of original Hagen irons, and I am trying to figure out the nuances of the Track and Rut iron I recently added to the collection! I belong to the SoHG, and hope to play in my first event later this month at Winter Park, FL. I look forward to hearing about more events this year closer to home, which is in Allegany County, New York, about four hours from Youngstown.
Thanks. I just reserved a tee time at the Pinecrest course in Avon Park for Friday to play on the way to Winter Park. Also an “Old Florida” course, it should be a fun warmup.
While playing Mid Pines in Pinehurst, NC I noticed a fellow golfer with knickers and a small bag of clubs. He also had this funny looking bag stand. It definitely caught my attention. When I finished the round I inquired in the Pro Shop about what that golfer was doing. I was told that he was practicing for the upcoming Mid Pines Open hickory event. When I got home I immediately joined the Society of Hickory Golfers and went on E bay. After acquiring about 5 clubs I told my son, Zack that if I shoot under 50 on a local course I would be hooked. I shot 43 and was definitely hooked. Now about 5 years later I have 4 sets of hickory clubs. Two original and two reproduction. I play about 65% hickory during the season and just returned from playing in the World Hickory Open in Scotland.
I find myself fascinated when sport overlaps with other interests in my life, and hickory golf occupies the space on that Venn diagram where athletics, history, manufacturing methods, craftsmanship, reclamation and restoration, and nostalgia for simpler times intersect. I have casually played golf since I was in my early teens. Recently, I became very interested by the current debate within the world of modern golf regarding whether clubmaking technology and/or enhanced training methods have made the game "too easy" for the pros. In May of last year, I read an article online regarding that debate, and it made mention of a counter-movement to modern golf called "hickory golf." A few clicks later, I had landed upon my official COVID-19 pastime/distraction, and a few clicks after that, my first 100 year-old club was en route via eBay. While I began building my hickory set one restoration project at a time, I pared my modern bag down to five clubs, and was immediately captivated by the challenge of shot-making on the course. The creativity, nuance, and concentration involved in the execution of every hickory swing became my Zen. By August I was playing hickories full-time. The game I've played for almost 40 years is brand-new again.
I started collecting some hickory shaft clubs to put near my fireplace. I found out on the internet that golfers were actually playing with them. I found the SoHG website and became very interested after reading the articles. On my way back from Florida to Ohio after a vacation I stopped in Louisville, KY to visit Louisville Golf. Mike Just gave me a tour of the plant and was very encouraging. I bought some irons and a brassie on ebay and gave them a try. I was hooked. Now I play about 75% with hickories.
Great to hear from you. I agree that the modern game is like cheating. I will be posting our events schedule in February. Enjoy your hickory golf.
I just found your site, having picked up a set from Louisville Golf just about the time this thread was started. Why? Well, a good friend who has used hickories exclusively for quite a while now got me interested. But, why interested? Now actively and happily retired, I think it is the thought of going back in time. The first set of clubs I ever touched was an old set of hickories my mother had, with those magical names, Spoon, Mashie, Niblick etc. cast in their soles. And, I am an historian at heart. It seems to me that using modern equipment is a bit like cheating, letting us think we are better than those who played before us; when in fact they accomplished wonders with the equipment they had. Now, I have my eyes on a set of original Hagen irons, and I am trying to figure out the nuances of the Track and Rut iron I recently added to the collection! I belong to the SoHG, and hope to play in my first event later this month at Winter Park, FL. I look forward to hearing about more events this year closer to home, which is in Allegany County, New York, about four hours from Youngstown.
While playing Mid Pines in Pinehurst, NC I noticed a fellow golfer with knickers and a small bag of clubs. He also had this funny looking bag stand. It definitely caught my attention. When I finished the round I inquired in the Pro Shop about what that golfer was doing. I was told that he was practicing for the upcoming Mid Pines Open hickory event. When I got home I immediately joined the Society of Hickory Golfers and went on E bay. After acquiring about 5 clubs I told my son, Zack that if I shoot under 50 on a local course I would be hooked. I shot 43 and was definitely hooked. Now about 5 years later I have 4 sets of hickory clubs. Two original and two reproduction. I play about 65% hickory during the season and just returned from playing in the World Hickory Open in Scotland.