Looking at Acquiring Hickory Clubs

[Wayne_Kozun]

After playing in a hickory tournament last week I am looking at acquiring a set of hickory clubs.  One of the guys that I played with restores clubs so I can buy the set from him.

Anyone have any advice on how many clubs to get?  He is suggesting getting some Stewart irons - does anyone play with these?  How many woods - is two enough?  What about irons - is about 6 the right number? 

Should I get the same flex (stiff) that I have been fitted for with my modern clubs? 

Any other advice?

[Neil_Crafter]

Wayne, a friend of mine who lives in Texas bought himself a set of new reproduction hickories made by Louisville. He loves them and looks like he might even use them permanently!

https://louisvillegolf.com/Shop/tabid/79/rvdsfcatid/hickory-golf-2/Default.aspx

[Mike Policano]

Wayne,

First you should decide if you are going to play reproductions or originals. Two US companies make approved exact reproductions, Louisville Golf and Tad Moore Golf. Both companies make excellent clubs.

As for original clubs, Tom Stewart irons are considered amongst the best. Stewart made clubs for Bobby Jones, Francis Ouimet and Harry Vardon as well as other notable golfers of that era.

Even if you decide to play originals, you may decide to include a few reproductions in your play set.

As for your first set, I would suggest starting with the following clubs (my yardages)

Brassie. This serves as a driver and a fairway wood.
Mid-iron. This long iron will go 170-190.
Mashie. This is a 150 club.
Mashie Niblick. A 130 club
Niblick. Preferably a flanged niblick to get out of the sand.
Putter

As you play, you will see the gaps you need to fill and you find clubs you like to hit.

The Society of Hickory Golfers website has an excellent piece on how to put a set together.

IM me if you have any questions.

Cheers, Mike

[Andrew Lewis]

Wayne -

As noted, reproduction sets are available from Louisville Golf (http://louisvillegolf.com) and Tad Moore (http://www.tadmoore.com).  I did the Louisville "starter size" set of one wood, four irons and a putter and, at the recommendation of Mike Just, who runs things at Louisville, I opted for stiff shafts.  The clubs are fantastic and play well up to around 6000 yards.

If you're interested in Tom Stewart clubs, I would suggest reaching out to GCA's own Ralph Livingston, our resident Stewart expert.  His site is http://www.hickorygolf.com.

One last thing I would mention is that in addition to acquiring clubs, the ball you choose to play can make a huge difference.  Many guys play modern soft-cover balls like the ProV, which is a fine choice.  But I have found that I prefer vintage balata or low-compression reproduction balls like those made by Chris McIntyre -- http://www.playhickory.com/golfballs.htm.

Good luck in your search!

Best, Andrew

[David Harshbarger]

Wayne,

The Tad Moore and Louisville reproduction clubs look, and I am confident are, excellent.  I, however, have been quite satisfied with the vintage clubs acquired through e-bay.  The process isn't as buttoned up as a call to the manufacturer, but then neither are the clubs.  1 club, for instance, I doubt you would get in reproduction, is a jigger with added lead in the back, and a St. Andrews bend in the shaft.

A handful of clubs really seems to do the trick.  Be prepared to lose yards off the tee.  Other than that, I've found there's some shot to play for everything from 200 in with a brassie, mid-iron, jigger, and Mashie-Niblick.  Except for the sand shots.  They are a nightmare.  Find a club that can handle them, as Mike suggests. 

I've been happy with Wilson low compression balls but haven't tried the MacIntyre balls.

Have fun and enjoy.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Thanks for the responses guys.  The guy I am working with is with the Golf Historical Society of Canada and said that he restored about 300 clubs over the winter.  My club (Scarboro) had a hickory tournament as part of our club's Centennial celebrations and the Society provided the clubs and escorts for each group. 

We used Srixon soft feel balls as that was recommended by the society as being easier on the golf clubs.

[Mike McGuire]

Randy Jensen can sell you a restored set. I have two sets I got from him.  As good as it gets.


Classic Golf
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