You have settled on your playset of hickory clubs, now your question is about the golf ball. You see it all the time on the message boards, “what is the best golf ball for hickory golf clubs?!” Your enthusiasm with your newfound golf passion exudes itself in your post. I know, because I asked the same question, and luckily there is a core group of collectors and hickory enthusiasts who respond to every golf ball post. And, with the USGA and R&A golf ball announcement, what better time to discuss our self-imposed rollback!
All Best Golf Ball for Hickory Golf Clubs: Low Compression
In previous posts, I have discussed that to get the best experience possible, you want to play a low compression golf ball. Yes, you may still play your Bridgestone Tour B Series, or Pro-V, if you would like. In all honesty, if your hickory swing speed is decent, you will retain most of the performance of a high compression ball.
However, modern low compression balls are more aligned with the classic and hickory era golf balls. However, after a few rounds, you find yourself looking to further immerse yourself into the hickory golf world. Maybe you find yourself in a similar position as my friend, affectionately known as Billy Bogey, and it doesn’t feel right to use a golf ball with modern dimple patterns. So again, you ask yourself “what’s the best golf ball for hickory golf clubs?”
Enter, McIntyre Golf.
McIntyre Golf Company
Since I began playing hickories, I have predominantly played a Wilson Duo Soft. I can find a box at any store in town, and they only cost around $25.00. These are great for hickories, and they perform well when I put my “modern” set of 1953 Spalding Top Flite irons, and 1970s Top Flite persimmons in the bag.
Recently, I had a conversation with friend and fellow hickory golfer, Billy Bogey, after which I was pointed back to a ball I had tried once before, made by McIntyre Golf Company. If you have done any research at all in the hickory realm, you have come across the McIntyre Golf Company website.
McIntyre Golf Company was founded by Chris McIntyre, who wanted to produce replica golf balls in the way they would have been molded during the hickory era. McIntyre Golf is now owned and managed by Dave Brown, and the balls are produced in Omaha, Nebraska.
McIntyre Golf Company offers a hickory golfer several options to fit the era of hickories you are playing. If you have taken the deep dive, they even offer gutta percha golf balls made from imported synthetic gutta percha. I have not ventured into the gutty era myself, but I know I am not far from the tipping point.
The Taylor, The Vardon, and The Brown
The Brown Line-Cut, the Vardon Bramble, and the J.H. Taylor Soft Mesh Pattern golf balls are modern, low compression golf balls reproduced to replicate vintage dimple patterns. The following is my summarized review of each of these. Please note that I used my Mills Ray Model aluminum putter for each ball.
The J.H. Taylor Soft Mesh Pattern
Last summer, I ordered a sleeve of the soft mesh pattern J.H. Taylor balls, mainly because every time I think of the 1910-1930 era of hickory golf, the mesh pattern is what I envision.
I played two rounds with them and enjoyed them for the most part. They are great off the tee and on approach shots. They run out similar to a low compression ball with a modern dimple pattern. I would recommend the J.H. Taylor mesh pattern ball to anyone, especially knowing several players only play this pattern.
The only detractor for me, personally, is on the green. For some reason, I was never comfortable standing over the Taylor ball with a putter in my hand. It is purely a visual thing. I tried it on the course, on the practice green, and at my house. The mesh pattern messed with my fragile mindset, and I couldn’t get past it.
The Vardon Bramble Pattern
Named after the legendary Harry Vardon, the bramble pattern is distinctive. It looks and feels like a golf ball would feel if you inverted modern dimples. The Vardon Flyer originally was a late gutty era ball that didn’t last long because of the Haskell wound golf ball. McIntyre offers the Vardon ball in gutta percha, limited flight, and modern.
If you are used to looking down at a modern dimple pattern, the bramble pattern can be alarming. Don’t let the pattern fool you on the performance. From tee to green, this ball performs great. It quickly became my favorite ball for short approach shots and chips, because I felt like I had more control of spin and run out. The run out on short approach and chip shots was my biggest adjustment to playing hickories in the beginning. So, I had to quickly re-adjust to the bramble pattern after leaving my first few chips short.
You are probably wondering about the bramble pattern rolling smooth on the greens. I was honestly shocked at how smooth and straight this pattern rolled. Before playing it, I pictured a plinko board style of rolling, but that turned out to not be the case. The Vardon bramble pattern modern ball might have become my main player, if not for the next ball.
The Brown Line-Cut Modern
My personal favorite of this group, The Brown Line-Cut Modern golf ball plays great and has an even better story. Golf history aficionados will recognize the name almost immediately. David Brown famously won the 1886 Open Championship after being pulled off his day job, as a roofer, to fill an open spot. McIntyre offers this line-cut pattern in gutta percha, limited flight, and modern.
I love the style of this ball, something about the line-cut pattern just appeals to me. From tee to green this ball performs great, but for the conditions in which I typically play, The Brown gives me maximum roll out in the fairways. At least for the two I hit each round.
You would think that a line-cut ball would not grab on the greens, but the edges are sharp enough that it gives you a small amount of bite on short chips and pitches. Is it the same amount of bite you get from your modern ball? No, but if you are transitioning from modern to hickory and play for spin on your short shots, The Brown would be the ball I recommend.
On a personal note, The Brown Line-Cut Modern is my favorite ball to putt. Because the lines are cut into the surface of the ball, it is smooth, and rolls like a ball would if it didn’t have dimples. I take great comfort in standing over the line-cut, because my eyes aren’t being deceived by the pattern. Sure there are visible lines, but when compared to the Vardon Bramble and Taylor Mesh, the pattern doesn’t mess with my eyes and throw off my line.
Do As You Wish
Is the golf ball that big of a deal to your game? Yes, in fact if you look through history, the golf ball is the lynchpin for all technological advances. Every time the ball has changed, equipment has changed and allowed you to do more with the ball.
Having said that, when you take the plunge and pick up the hickories, are you going to see a drastic difference in performance between the different molds? No, even in the simulator I hit each of these with a new Tad Moore OA Mashie Niblick, and a 1910s – 1920s Macgregor Popular diamondback Mashie Niblick. The numbers showed that there was no significant difference, when I put a solid strike on the ball. That said, you’ll still likely settle on something that works as your best golf ball for hickory golf.
Try Them All to Find the Best Golf Ball for Hickory Golf!
I obviously have my preference, but in the end, I encourage you to try the J.H. Taylor Soft Mesh, Vardon Bramble Modern, and The Brown Line-Cut Modern and see what you prefer! Remember, if you are looking for performance, stick with your modern gamer. No matter the hickory stick you swing, the sweet spot is still smaller than the ball and there is no forgiveness.
Dave Brown is furthering the legacy started by Chris McIntyre, and continues to provide hickory and gutty golfers with opportunities to connect with the history of the game. McIntyre is 100% producing the best golf balls for hickory golf, and it’s not even close. Go check out McIntyre Golf today and see which ball you want to try first! My advice is to start with one of the variety boxes, Eagle Set or Birdie Set. The Birdie Set was my choice, simply because I don’t play gutty golf, and every ball in the set is playable with post-gutty hickories.
Tee it up, have fun, and remember … you’re playing antique technology, the pressure is off!
