You might one day see what looks like a scene on a golf course from 1920. A group of men dressed in ‘plus fours”, colourful socks, maybe a tie, usually a large flat cap, or perhaps a Balmoral (Tam)
They’ll be using mashies, niblicks, brassies, and spoons in what is known as “hickory golf”.
Ken Leedham is a member and webmaster for the Golf Historical Society of Canada
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It’s called “hickory golf” as the wooden clubs were primarily made of hickory which proved to be quite strong yet slightly pliable.
Yes, there was a time when golf clubs didn’t have heads the size of grapefruits and weren’t made with exotic metal alloys with unpronounceable names, and when golf bags weren’t the size of small utility trailers ( I was going to say steamer trunks..but that’s going back in time just as far!).
It was a time when a narrow canvas bag of clubs was easily carried, and the clubs themselves were made of wood, often individually hand-crafted.
Sprinkled around the world are people who appreciate those older times, the equipment, and the clothes.
These are the people who enjoy hickory golf.
About 200 of them are members of the Golf Historical Society of Canada
Ken Leedham’s collection of early golf bags and clubs. He notes that golf bags date from the 19th century, Prior to that golfers or caddies simply carried the “sticks” tucked under their arms (Ken Leedham) CLICK to ENLARGE
When you see them on the course or in the clubhouse, they look very dapper, but like something out of the past. And that’s sort of the point. They play the game with the old wooden golf clubs of the early 20th century and so dress to match.
These hickory golf groups love the game of course, and play with gusto, but they also love the look and feel of the old clubs. And there are many like minded individuals elsewhere in Canada, the US, the UK, and indeed around the world.
Not just for men of course. Patrice Gold teeing off, at the 2012 C.B.Macdonald Championship at Niagara on the Lake (GHSC) CLICK to ENLARGE
Ken Leedham says because most members restore and maintain the clubs, and because each one has its own personality due to the unique characteristics of the wood, you develop a “relationship” with the clubs, something that one doesn’t get with modern equipment
In addition many of these clubs would have been hand-made by golf pros of the period and are quite collectible.
Such antique clubs are generally still quite reasonable to purchase, ranging roughly from $30-$50 at flea markets and garage/yard sales etc. Of course it depends on condition and with many at or near 100 years old, they do need some restoration, which again, most of the collectors do themselves.
Looking quite dapper in saddle shoes, plus fours and cap, GHSC member Jeff Pineo displays good form in Sarnia Ontario in July 2012 (GHSC) CLICK to ENLARGE
Especially rare clubs and pre 1900 models however do not usually make it out onto the course but are kept as collectors items.
Leedham says it’s a bit trickier to play with the old clubs compared to the new ones, but a good modern golfer is nonetheless likely to be a good “hickory” golfer.
There are many competitions held across North America in summer and on every weekend there are one or several hickory golf competitions held somewhere on the continent.
While Ken says everyone tries to perform their best at such competitions, most people are there for the camaraderie as much as for competition.
He invites anyone interested to inquire about hickory golf at their local golf club, and to come out a try a “wee whack” with the old clubs
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