Miles Bennett
Hickory golf is a traditional form of golf that uses wooden-shafted hickory clubs. It is a style of play that dates back to the early days of the sport and is celebrated by societies and associations around the world. The Society of Hickory Golfers, for example, aims to preserve the traditions of the game and hosts a variety of hickory golf events. Hickory golf tournaments and championships are held in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, France, and Japan. These tournaments often involve the use of vintage golf attire and equipment, including hand-crafted hickory clubs and period-accurate replica balls.
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What You'll Learn
Swing speed and tempo
Hickory golf is a traditional form of golf that uses wooden-shafted clubs. There are several tournaments and societies dedicated to preserving the traditions of the game, with participants donning vintage attire.
Hickory golf clubs are often heavier than modern clubs, so it is important to hold the club lightly and maintain a light grip during your swing to gain a "feel" for the club. As you begin your swing, focus on feeling the weight of the club head as it moves through your swing.
Hickory clubs have different torque characteristics compared to modern clubs, so keeping your swing smooth will help with accuracy. A smooth swing tempo is essential in hickory golf and can even translate to better swings with modern clubs.
The wooden heads of hickory clubs will naturally hit the ball lower, so they should be treated more like fairway woods rather than drivers. Tee the ball low, as if you were hitting a 3 or 5 wood with a modern club.
Hickory golf clubs are a great choice for full swings of up to 150 yards and "chip and run" shots around the green. They tend to produce shots that fly well and run out down the fairway.
When it comes to putting, hickory putters are typically blade-style heads made of forged steel. They offer a great feel when struck in the sweet spot, but they may feel a little lightweight. The lofts of these putters have been adjusted to match the speed of modern greens, which are generally faster than those of the past.
Bobby Jones, considered the greatest hickory golfer of all time, had a swing speed of about 113 mph, enabling him to hit average drives of about 260 yards. His blend of rhythm and balance allowed him to excel in hickory golf, demonstrating the importance of tempo in this traditional game.
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Golf balls
For pre-1935 hickory golf, low to mid-compression modern balls are recommended. The Titleist TruFeel is a popular choice, but any ball with similar characteristics will do. These balls provide optimum performance and are usually among the cheapest options available.
When starting out, it is advisable to use low-compression balls as you are likely to lose many balls to errant shots. As you improve and gain consistency, you can upgrade to balls with higher compression. However, it is important to note that a higher swing speed generally requires a higher compression ball.
For those participating in formal hickory golf events sanctioned by the Society of Hickory Golfers, period-accurate replica balls produced by McIntyre Golf are commonly used. These balls are mostly low-compression and have been remolded to resemble hickory-era designs.
The McIntyre Golf Company also offers replicas of the Vardon logo from the movie "The Greatest Game Ever Played". These balls are available in gutta percha, a material commonly used in pre-1900 golf balls.
Additionally, some hickory golfers choose to make their own golf balls using antique cast iron molds, further embracing the traditional and elegant aspects of the game.
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Hickory golf clubs
Hickory golf is a traditional form of golf that uses wooden-shafted clubs. The sport is kept alive by societies such as the Society of Hickory Golfers, which organises tournaments and events, and the USGA, which works to preserve the game for future generations.
When playing with hickory clubs, the ideal swing is one that ensures consistent impact with the ball on the sweet spot. This usually means slowing down your swing speed and focusing on clubface accuracy. Golfers should expect their swing with hickory clubs to be slower than with modern clubs.
There are several hickory golf tournaments and championships around the world, with the majority currently held in the United States and the United Kingdom. The US Hickory Open has been held annually since 2008 and rotates around the country at various golf and country clubs. The National Hickory Championship, Foxburg Hickory Championship, and Keeper of the Spirit Hickory Championship are also prominent tournaments in the U.S. In Europe, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, France, the Czech Republic, and Finland have all held national championships.
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Tournaments and championships
Hickory golf is a variation of golf played with hickory-shafted golf clubs. The main organizing body for hickory golf in the United States is the Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). The SoHG maintains a worldwide tournament calendar on its website.
There are several prominent hickory golf tournaments and championships, including the National Hickory Championship, the Foxburg Hickory Championship, and the Keeper of the Spirit Hickory Championship. The National Hickory Championship, or the NHC, has been held at various locations, including Pinehurst No. 8 & No. 1, and The St. Martin's course of The Philadelphia Cricket Club. Other notable venues for gutty golf include the Foxburg Country Club and the Eagle Springs Golf Course.
The U.S. Hickory Open is another major tournament that rotates across different golf and country clubs in the United States. The Northwest Hickory Players, based in the Pacific Northwest, also host the U.S. Hickory Open and other hickory golf events. The World Hickory Open Championship is held annually in Scotland, attracting participants from around the world.
In addition to these major championships, there are numerous other hickory golf tournaments and events held worldwide. These include the Arizona Desert Hickory, the Australian Hickory Shaft Open Championships, the Bluegrass Hickory Open, the China Hickory Open, the Pioneer Classic, and various member and charity events at country clubs across the United States. Hickory golf has a dedicated following in Europe, with national championships in Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, France, the Czech Republic, and Finland.
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Golf attire
Golf has always been a traditional and elegant sport, and this is reflected in the evolution of golf attire. For those who want to embrace the heritage of the game, hickory golf is a great way to do so. This page will outline some key aspects of hickory golf attire, from the early days of tweeds and woollen ensembles to the vintage clothing options available today.
Hickory golf is a style of golf that uses wooden-shafted clubs, often handcrafted and made from hickory wood. It celebrates the traditional equipment used in the early days of the sport, and this classic style extends to the clothing. While modern golf attire is often focused on performance and technical fabrics, hickory golf attire leans into the vintage and elegant side of the sport's history.
For men, a typical hickory golf outfit might include a flat cap or newsboy cap, often made from Harris Tweed. This classic fabric is also popular for waistcoats, which can be paired with trousers in a complementary colour. Plus fours are another popular choice for trousers, with their distinctive wide legs that narrow at the knee. For women, the options are more varied, but can include skirts or trousers in classic fabrics, paired with a blouse or sweater.
When it comes to footwear, golfers might opt for classic golf shoes, often with a more traditional design and a softer spike. Gloves are also an important part of the outfit, and these can be found in classic leather. As for accessories, a golf bag made from leather or canvas is a stylish option, and players might also choose to carry a hand-sewn headcover for their wooden clubs.
Overall, hickory golf attire is about embracing the elegance and tradition of the sport. It's a chance to step back in time and imagine playing golf in its early days, with a focus on classic fabrics, vintage styles, and unique, handcrafted accessories. For those who want to fully immerse themselves in the hickory golf experience, the right attire is an essential part of the game.
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Frequently asked questions
Hickory golf is a traditional form of golf that uses wooden-shafted clubs.
Golfers use wooden-shafted clubs and low-compression golf balls.
Some hickory golf tournaments include the US Hickory Open, the World Hickory Open Championship, the Kohler Par 3 Hickory Challenge, and the National Hickory Championship.
Hickory golf tournaments are held in various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Switzerland, France, Australia, and Japan.
