Hickory Golf: Ok, what is really the big deal anyway

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Updated: June 5, 2017

By Dave Hall, Special to Inside Golf
I love golf. Like many who have played the game for most of their lives, I learned it from my dad over a half century ago. Legends of golf like Ben Hogan, and Byron Nelson were still playing, though I joined my father as an early enlistee in “Arnie’s Army”. Golf is my extended family’s unofficial sport, shared in common by my brothers, grandfather, uncles, aunts, and cousins; when my dad passed away a few years ago, we spread his ashes under a tree along a fairway, next to those of an uncle and a cousin. And now that I’m retired from full-time employment, I am fortunate to spend four days a week out on the course at Chambers Bay, assisting our guests to have a memorable golf experience! So, yeah, golf is in my blood, even though my handicap index is high enough to purchase alcohol.

This love for the game is what recently got me interested in the world of “Hickory Golf”. Probably like most of you, I had no idea that anyone would actually use hundred-year old wooden shaft clubs to play serious rounds of golf. That ignorance changed when a former colleague posted something on Facebook about her brother’s victory in a hickory golf tournament. She tagged me on the post, and suggested that I might want to check it out. Soon afterward her brother, Tom Kennedy, invited me to Linden Golf Club for an introduction to Hickory Golf. I was quickly hooked.

The very first thing I noticed about golfers who have embraced this aspect of our game is how genuinely welcoming and inclusive they are. And when I say “they”, I mean EVERY single hickory player I’ve ever met! These folks will let you use their clubs, putting some very valuable antiques in the hands of newbies who are used to swinging titanium drivers at 100 mph. They patiently explain the difference between a “Mashie” and a “Niblick”, when to use a “Brassie”, and how to assess the condition of a club you’ve picked up at Goodwill for $2. When I decided to put together a set of my own clubs, I went on Ebay to see what was out there. There was a listing for a matched set of reconditioned clubs which appeared to be just what I was looking for. The seller, Glenn Thatcher, does hickory club repair from his home in North Bend, Oregon. When I made an offer for the set, Glenn not only accepted my offer, but also added a refurbished wood and a lightweight canvas bag at no extra cost! Glenn’s approach to hickory golf is to put reasonably priced starter sets in the hands of new players. This is a key concept, because having your own set of clubs allows you to become consistent and confident out on the course.

Yet another resource I quickly connected with is the network of both local and national hickory golf organizations. The two local groups I joined are the Northwest Hickory Players (nwhickoryplayrs.org) and the AP National Hickory Golf Club (apnationalhickoryplayers.com); the national organization I chose was the Society of Hickory Golfers (hickorygolfers.com). These groups provide a wealth of resources for the new hickory player, and sponsor events to “grow the game”. I’ve attended four different golf outings/tournaments this year, plus volunteered to help staff the AP National Hickory Club’s booth at the recent Seattle Golf Show. The Golf Show booth was a real success, providing an opportunity for attendees to hit balls with hickory clubs. This caused many to change their perception of antique clubs being too fragile, or too difficult to play golf with. One of the prize drawings was for a free entry (including use of a hickory rental set) to the Vintage Hickory Invitational at Tacoma’s Meadow Park Golf Course on May 7. Both winners not only showed up, but also played extremely well for first-timers.

The other aspect of hickory golf, which I enjoy, is dressing in period golfing attire. That’s often the only way which you’ll be able to spot hickory golfers out on the course. Tweed or cotton newsboy caps, long-sleeve dress shirts, vests, ties, and knickers paired with argyle socks are what’s typically worn. Some go all out, adopting outfits Scottish golf legend Old Tom Morris would have found familiar.

Are you intrigued by all of this talk about Hickory? Meadow Park Golf Course sponsors “Introduction to Hickory Golf” sessions, taught by AP National’s Club Captain, Barry Field. Come join us.