The Hickory Corner: Time to check your knowledge

By Brian Giboney, Special to Inside Golf
Welcome back to The Hickory Corner where we explore hickory golf (golf with pre-1935 equipment). Because not many of us were alive during the hickory era there can be misinformation circulating about rules, equipment, and even what Bobby Jones’ favorite number was. To help the education process I have developed a pop quiz for you with a grading scale at the end to see where you stand.

1. Golf gloves were forbidden in the 1920’s.
A. True
B. False

2. The 1896 U.S. Open held at Shinnecock Hills was played from what yardage?
A. 4,423 yards
B. 5,279 yards
C. 6,356 yards
D. 7,084 yards

3. In a golf set the “play club” is which club?
A. Putter
B. Chipper
C. Driver
D. Fairway Wood

4. During Harry Vardon’s seven major wins, what was the highest score he shot?
A. 72
B. 74
C. 78
D. 83

5. Hickory shafts are made from what part of the hickory tree?
A. The branches
B. The trunk
C. The top cut
D. The roots

6. How many clubs could be used during a competition round in the 1920’s?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 14
D. Unlimited

7. In what year did Bobby Jones win the Grand Slam?
A. 1923
B. 1925
C. 1929
D. 1930

8. Francis Ouimet is known for winning which event as an Amateur?
A. The 1905 British Open (now known as the Open Championship)
B. The 1934 Master’s
C. The 1913 U.S. Open
D. The 1931 PGA Championship

9. Hickory shafts come in only one stiffness:
A. True
B. False

10. Hickory golf is more challenging than modern golf:
A. True
B. False

Answers:
1. B. False, gloves were in fact used & many resembled a modern day fingerless weightlifter style glove.
2. A. 4,423 yards, courses short in the Hickory era.
3. C. Driver, as that club is supposed to put the ball in play.
4. D. 83, scores were much higher in the hickory era. Harry had several rounds in the 80’s in the seven majors he won.
5. B. The trunk, further up the tree the trunk splits and limbs join all of which negatively affects the grain of the wood. The trunk provides the best wood with straight grain and strong enough for hickory golf shafts. (Source: Mike Just, Louisville Golf).
6. D. Unlimited. It wasn’t until 1938 a rule specified “not exceeding fourteen in number.”
7. D. 1930 is the year Bobby Jones won the grand slam and was given a ticker-tape parade in NYC.
8. C. The 1913 U.S. Open held at Brookline as depicted in the movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
9. B. False, unlike modern steel, which can be replicated, hickory shafts come in a million different varieties of stiffness – hence the uniqueness of each club.
10. A. True, once you try it you will know – hickory golfers embrace & enjoy the challenge.