Tommy and all,
Hickory is for FUN, and should not be attempted on your average 7000 yard layout. If necessary, play off the ladies markers if your ego can handle it.
And if any of you decide to buy a couple of hickories, I advise you NOT to play with Pro V's or the like. Use a balata if you can't use the REAL thing !
Great to see YOUR man in the States airing his views. Excellent post Ralph and I agree with everything you say.
Re - the shafts ; it's been said, that some of the old pro's would deliberately break the hickory shaft on a club and then glue and whip together again to modify the club. So if you ever find one with whipping on the shaft, it could be quite special ?
Playing with hickory ? Yes. Play - live - and learn ! It's the only way to truly understand the "feasibility" of the roll back.
Alfie Ward. (ex Hickory Golf in Scotland)