With as much as I collect vintage golf equipment and my close friendship with resident vintage/hickory expert at DRH, Justin Thompson, you’d think having a nice play set of hickory clubs would have been a no brainer. I also always keep my eyes peeled scouring flea markets, club collections, and ebay for hidden gems. A nice Wright & Ditson here, a Spalding Bros. Kro-Flite there…I’ve amassed a fun “little” collection. Even so, I still hadn’t put together a good solid set of hickory golf clubs that I can actually play.
Now, that really isn’t a fair statement and, shocking, my weird golf snobbishness and OCD were a major factor in that. I had it stuck in my head that I wanted my play set to be period correct and how a player from the era would have constructed their bag. According to Justin, most golfers would have the same brand all the way through as that is how they purchased their clubs and didn’t switch things up as regularly as we do today. (Is that true? Comment below!) So I wanted one brand and I wanted them to have real deal hickory shafts. Pyratone shafts are also 100-years old and cool, but that’s not the spirit I was shooting for!
Fortunately I have a like-minded golf-obsessed friend that just happens to be an avid vintage golf collector. With his own collecting/playing goals in mind, Justin always had his “ideal” play set in mind. Once he finished rounding up said play set, he knew someone that might be perfect for his old play set…
A Hickory Golf Play Set Comes Together
Next thing I know, I get a text from the Vintage Range Hero himself saying, “hey, do you need a full set of MacGregor Go-Sums so you finally have a complete hickory play set?” You see, some time ago, Justin also hooked me up with a real nice Spalding higher-lofted “3” hickory brassie. Knowing I had that club in the collection, he knew I had already a tee club, so now I’d have the correct irons setup to round out that play set. However, with my previously mentioned OCD about being “appropriately period correct” with my set make up, I felt like I needed a hickory Macgregor driver/brassie to properly round out my set. Eventually, I stumbled into a steal of a MacGregor brassie that just needed a little TLC.
My MacGregor brassie arrived and I opened the box to make sure it was the expected club. I didn’t even unwrap it from the bubble wrap and just stuffed it right back in the box to send off to Justin. Once Justin got it, he worked his magic bringing it back to life.
Some light sanding to get gunk off the head made the club look almost brand new. When he pulled the hickory shaft to reset it, Justin noticed the original shaft was a little crooked. Not to worry, he’d get that nice and straight for me too. A fresh new leather grip and she was ready to go!
Soon thereafter, FedEx dropped off a box containing some 100 year-old clubs and I was set. I quickly emptied my canvas “M-K Balanced” golf bag (guessed to be from roughly around the ’50s…it’s the closest period-correct bag I have, lay off me!) and threw my “new” set in. I was off and running.
Final Thoughts – My Hickory Bag is Complete
So my hickory golf rig is set! Even though I’ve had plenty of hickory clubs laying around, there’s something about it that feels real now. I decided to keep the higher-lofted Spalding brassie in the bag for more options on the long end. Per Justin’s recommendation, I added an “ambidextrous” putter to use as a “trouble” club. Apparently this is a common hickory hack, but I have no idea yet and am sure I’ll find out for myself quickly.
I’m dying to get out with them as soon as possible! Admittedly, I’m kid of nervous as I’ve never actually hit hickory clubs and I have no idea what to expect. But hey, gotta start somewhere, right? I feel like I’m not quite ready to play hickory golf on any and all courses yet. For whatever reason, I feel like I want to play on courses that were built during this era for some unnecessary level of authenticity. Also, you can’t exactly just go to any driving range and pound away on balls. Apparently this is a big no-no for the durability of hickory clubs. Without actually practicing, I have no idea if I’ll even be able to hit the ball in any serviceable manner.
Regardless of these “concerns”, I’ll give it a go soon and report back I suppose. I can’t thank Justin enough for his generosity, support, and insight on this era of the game. It’s been a lot of fun learning about this period in golf equipment and adding a cool piece or two to the collection. Hopefully one day soon, the Vintage Range Hero and I will get out for a real round of hickory golf together!
Great article Bill! Have you played these yet? If yes, where? What ball did you use? I understand why no range balls, but with your swing, I’d be afraid to hit any modern ball for fear of the shaft breaking.
Frank! I haven’t. Just talked to Kris tonight that I’ll have to break them out for an early morning 9/content making round at The Links.
As far as ball I’ll play, I just know something soft. A lot of the hickory guys play Wilson Duo Spin or Soft and speak highly of them, so I’ll probably give those a whirl! Something nice and marshmallowy. I’m shooting a billion first time out with them anyway!
I play pro v with my hickory clubs, never caused any problem. More importantly no driving range matts, and don’t get to step on your swing, alot of ground contact will cause breakage. the soft ball helps more with getting more spin on ball to help it get in the air and stop faster, that’s the main reason for a softer ball, but play what you like…
I would like to play in some hickory golf events.I dont know how to go about it so cool reading bout clubs, I played for years Im lookn to start playn again
Check out the society of hickory golf. I am sure they have a hickory playing group close to you. They will be happy to help you out. I’m heading out to play with mine as we speak. Getting ready for the U.S. hickory open in Florida next month. Be careful they can hook you.
Wonderful. I’ve got an old putter and ball display in my basement.
I have a set of Wright and Diston Harry Cooper straight play clubs. Any idea how old they may be?
I’m not familiar with the irons, and hard to say with just that information, but a quick Google search would lead me to believe somewhere in the 30s or 40s.
I think my first round with hickories will be my local city par 3 course. That is a low-pressure environment, will help me dial in distances,and has a couple long enough to hit the woods on! (Plus my only ace is there so it has sentimental value to me!)
You need a bag stand.
I know! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve added one to my watch list on eBay!
Playing hickory clubs is very nostalgic and takes you back to the roots of it all. You need to swing steady and easy as the weight is higher for the club’s, They perform amazingly and feel great don’t miss it, you’ll enjoy it.
Love the clubs! I’ve bought a lot of hickory clubs over the years, including quite a few that belonged to someone’s grandpa/uncle, etc. as their playset, and they’ve always been mixed. I’m sure lots of people bought matched sets, but plenty had mixed sets based on what felt right and what the pros at their area courses were selling.
I have sole of these exact spaulding clubs. Whole set in original carry bag. Anyone know wheee i can sell these?
The clubs pictured here are MacGregors, not Spaulding.
As far as selling, your best bet is probably ebay or Facebook groups focused on hickory golf clubs, etc.
Good luck.