What clubs make up a Hickory Set?

[Willie_Dow]

Ralph - Having enjoyed play with four Thomas Stewart Jr irons with Alfie Ward's  W Park gutta ball, which I've tried to copy with my mold.

I would like a copy of your book if it is within reach of my funding.

[RSLivingston_III]

Willie the standard version is $50 USD + shipping.
Intn'l shipping runs $31
forwarding an $81 payment through Paypal to ralph@hickorygolf.com tends to work the best.
ralph

[Carson Pilcher]

I have been lucky enough to compile an authentic set from Scotland.  A friend of mine there was very helpful, and my wife bought them for me as a surprise Birthday gift about 5 years ago.  I have:

Driver - Ben Sayers
Spoon - Ben Sayers
Driving iron - Tom Stewart
Mid-Iron - Tom Stewart
Mashie
Mashie Niblick
Niblick - Tad Moore Replica
Putter - Willie Ogilvie

[David Harshbarger]

Thanks to eBay I now have the following:

Brassie - Silver Cup Ladies
Mid-Iron - F. W. Chisholm
Jigger - Burke, I think, as there is a partially obscured Set of Scales cleek mark.  The full mark is obscured by the lead that was added to the back.
Mashie-Niblick - E. Block (Approved by the Professional Golfers Assn of America !)
Putter - Wilson "Walker Cup"

On the way:

A hickory/bamboo Brassie
A Brass Mussel Back Approaching Cleek
A 1-iron.

The big hole so far is a Niblick.

Played with friends today at The Edison Club (Emmet).  Was nice to have the long drive off the 1st tee :-).  Unfortunately, my short game so far is crappy-doo, but good things are on the horizon.

Our pro, interestingly, has frowned on my recording my hickory rounds against my handicap.  What's the accepted protocol here?

Dave

[Jim_Kennedy]

David,

If you chose to play all your rounds, casual and tournament, with hickory clubs there's no problem. If you mix your hickory rounds with those using modern equipment you'll most likely be skewing your handicap upwards.

I don't believe anyone can use hickories and score as well as they possibly could if they were using modern equipment and balls, and that's why your Pro frowns upon it.

[David Harshbarger]

Jim,

I think that was his thought also, salted with a dose of "why would you play these?"

I sent a question to the USGA on this.  The gist was, what changes in equipment would negate the requirement to record every round?  Is it swapping out one putter for another?  How about a wedge?  Is putting a persimmon driver in for the Sasquatch enough? What about Billy Barou?

 What about the round with rental clubs?  Does playing with the latest/greatest lower your handicap?  Should you be forced to record those rounds?

Or, is it more the perception that using inferior clubs is sandbagging, aka cheating? 

The more I've thought about it, the more I think it's nobody's business what's in my bag, other than is it conforming?  Are there no more than 14?

[David Harshbarger]

Jim,

You are a pro; when would you call foul?  Is it more about the person?  Or is it about what is in the bag?

Dave

[Jim_Kennedy]

David,
Fair handicapping relies on personal integrity. If you score equally well with antique or modern equipment there isn't a problem.
If your scores aren't 'equal' keep two handicaps, one hickory and one modern, and the issue is resolved.

Same thing for a persimmon driver, if you see that your average scores are higher when you use one vs. your Sasquatch, and you post those scores, you are artificially inflating your handicap. If your scores with the two clubs are 'equal' then there's no problem.

I know every player at our club, and I keep up with their potential. I don't have to call 'foul' on anyone.    

[David Harshbarger]

Jim, I completely understand what you are saying, and agree that fairness is the driving consideration. 

My question is what if it's not 2 or 3 sets of clubs, but tens or hundreds of combos?  The rules allow 14 clubs a round.  They don't have to be the same, and some players tailor their kit to the course and the weather.  I don't think anyone suggests a different handicap per set in these circumstances.

So if that is the case, where is the line drawn?  If I play with my $199 set vs. my $899 set, do I not record it? 

Is it my intent?  If so, who decides?  What if I throw a fiber speed in my bag for a month?

I'm of a mind that the handicap process handles this. 

Dave

[Jim_Kennedy]

David,
Did you ever hear of a player tailoring his kit to a course so he'd play worse. 

It has been my experience that cost has little bearing on scores.

Would you throw a fiberspeed in your bag for a month without first testing it out to see if it suited you? If it did, no problems, if it didn't, why would you use it?
 
You are the only person who knows your intent when posting a score.