Equipment Guidelines Update

by SoHG
February 15, 2012

 

If you have been to the SoHG website recently and visited the Equipment Guidelines pages, you might have noticed some housecleaning. Your Equipment Committee has been busy updating these pages. Go ahead and check in for a look now. We’ll wait….

http://www.hickorygolfers.com/hickory-golf-equipment-guidelines_5127_ct.aspx

Now that you’re back, here’s an explanation of what we were trying to do...

 

First, we wanted to bring the information up to date, to eliminate old and irrelevant content and re-organize the remainder into a coherent, more meaningful document. 

Second, we have, I hope, reduced a lot of redundant material. There is good reason, sometimes, to repeat things, but not everything all the time!

Third, we found the Equipment Guidelines difficult to navigate. It is so frustrating to try to find something and after three or four attempts, give up. I hope our “cleanup” has made navigating the site easier for everyone.

And, fourth, we hope that the update will help our members, and others, who visit the site become more informed and more likely to engage in a conversation about equipment questions. Above all, we hope these updates make the hickory golf experience more interesting and more enjoyable.

It is important that all SoHG members become familiar with equipment issues and feel free to discuss/question/argue about those issues most important to you.

The Equipment Committee is always available to answer questions about the guidelines, specific equipment issues or whatever comes up. That is, unless we are on the course enjoying another great day of hickory golf!! (In which case, we'll get back to you right after a visit to the 19th hole.)

Rob Ahlschwede,

Equipment Chair

 


Have your say...
5 Comments

Jonathan Broga
February 21, 2012 12:11PM
Love it - great job and I am glad there are people of this caliber willing to take the time to think this through and put it down in writing. On the repro side I couldn't help but notice the Benny and the Jigger from Louisville Golf were not listed as approved. Was that intentional, and if so, what was it about the clubs that precluded them from entry?
Rob Ahlschwede
February 21, 2012 9:07PM
Jonathan--no intent there. As the club companies bring out new additions to their lines, we try to keep up, but from time to time, it takes longer. Rest assured that we continue to communicate and eventually will add those clubs too. We trust the companies listed to add clubs to their lines that conform to SoHG guidelines over time. Thanks for the inquiry and please, enjoy playing the Benny and the Jigger!!
Lang Willie
February 24, 2012 5:42PM
Robb, me lad. Could you clarify the grip material, please. I know it says leather and should be dark and/or black. However, I've seen a lot of what looks like gauze or mesh tape used on top of the leather wrapping to build up the grip. What are the specific equipment guidelines in this area? I've seen some of Vardon's old clubs and he had whipping material wrapped on top of the leather grip with a spiral about one inch apart and then a spiral in the opposite direction also one inch apart. Would this be conforming today? Also, I've seen a putter with what looks like air conditioning insulation with black leather on top. The final result is a grip as fat as that used on tour by K. J. Choi. Could you clarify the committee's view on this as well? Fine job and thank you to the committee. Far and Sure, Lang Willie
Rob Ahlschwede
March 3, 2012 11:07AM
Lang Willie--grips are an interesting area. As you note, back in the day there were lots of different kinds of grips and gripping techniques. In working on clubs I have found some interesting gripping materials. Rubber wrap in red, for example. The intent of the grip guidelines is to allow players to have grips that don't make it harder to play without giving up the appearance of the grips back then. As we are re-enactors, we hope to "look the part" as well as play our best. There is a lot of different kinds of wrapping grips--everything from electrical tape to hockey tapes to those bright "tennis wraps". We discourage that but also understand that the original grips are usually very slick and hard to hold. The guidelines are designed to allow some of that in the short term giving the player time to re-grip their club with a more authentic leather wrap. The bit about dark color has the intent of keeping grips typical in appearance. Even though there were red, green and white grips historically. As for the extremely built up grip you refer to, it most likely falls inside the limits of the guidelines. Not what was usual back then for sure, but the possibility is there. Hope that talked around the subject enough and thanks for the query! Rob
Doug Marshall
March 7, 2012 4:03PM
Rob Nice job with the updates ! Flexibility and not USGA rigidity is the word . In an era where few rules governed equipment common sense must rule the day . I feel you have acheived just the right tone . Keep up the good work ! Doug

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