JULY 31, 2009
SOCIETY of HICKORY GOLFERS
GENERAL EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES -- 19TH CENTURY HICKORY GOLF EVENTS
The guidelines presented here represent a flexible framework from which organizers of 19th century-style hickory golf events can strictly follow or use to create their own equipment policies. These guidelines were drawn up with the knowledge of how most of the world played golf in the 19th century, the equipment they used and the etiquette they followed. Except as approved below, these clubs are to be ones manufactured prior to January 1, 1900.
In the view of the SoHG, the general observance is that wood head clubs should be scare or splice head and of oblong shape. Iron head clubs should be smooth faced. Historically, it is recognized that there were examples of socket head woods, punch face irons and club attributes generally considered to be modern being used in the late 19th century. These were not the norm and were used by a small minority of golfers. This framework is built around equipment the large majority of late 19th golfers would have used.
- WOODEN HEAD CLUBS
Permitted: Long nose, semi-long nose, transitional and old style bulger shaped heads. Heads must be attached to shaft by splice or scare joint. The form of the club head should be more oblong than round in shape.
Not permitted: Short head with splice joint or any club head shafted in a socket. A wooden club head that is basically round, like the shape of today’s woods (short head), does not, even if it has a splice joint. This issue may be addressed by the tournaments individual equipment committees and will be clear as to what they allow and prohibit.
- IRON HEAD CLUBS (including other metals, like bronze or alloy)
Permitted: Irons must be smooth face. Random hand punching still constitutes a non-smooth face and is out of compliance.
Not permitted: Any iron with punch, line or similar face markings/ scoring.
Specific exclusions: jigger, pitcher, sammy, spade mashie, sand wedge are 20th century innovations. Clubs with those club names stamped on them should be considered non-conforming.
- PUTTERS
Putting irons or cleeks: Maker/style to be contemporary with 19th century design and use.
Wood putters: any wood head putter of a long nose or semi-long nose shape (splice or heel-shafted socket). Modern replica type putters are allowed as per list of approved clubs.
Exclusions: All aluminum head putters, all Schenectady-style putters.
- GRIPS
Permitted: Traditional leather wrap; either antique (original leather found on club) or modern leather/suede replacement type grip. Also stitched/sewn grips (like Bussey, Clan, or Cosby). Recent era leather wrap grips with perforations should be discouraged.
- a). Grips may be as thin or built up as fat as practical, as long as they are leather wrapped. Grips of non-uniform taper or grips built with a ‘reminder’ ridge under the leather are permitted.
- b). Some antique clubs have original grips made from “rubberized linen.” While not leather, these are permitted if they are contemporary with the club itself.
- c). Certain putters and a few other clubs were made without grips, utilizing bare wood, shaped wood or with cloth listing and no leather. These may be allowed but the policy regarding their use will be established by the event equipment committee.
Not permitted: Modern rubber slip-on grips of any sort; modern towelingtype wrap; modern friction, electrical, or adhesive tape.
- SHAFTS
Permitted: Any original equipment wood shaft or replacement shaft from another hickory shaft club. Also, modern-turned wood shafts attached to an antique head. Modern made shafts would also be part of any approved replica/reproduction club.
Not permitted: Any modern wood shaft with a metal core or metal support.
- REPLICA CLUBS
Permitted: Specific approved replica/reproduction clubs, woods and irons, are shown on the SoHG website, are mentioned in text following these guidelines, or may be obtained from the SoHG Equipment Committee.
- BALLS
Permitted: Balls for use in 19th century events should be from an approved list. For 19th century play, they should have limited flight characteristics to match the length of the course being played. If possible the cover pattern of the ball should be historically accurate. The Society of Hickory Golfers maintains a list of approved balls after they have been submitted for testing and final approval by the Society’s equipment committee.
- TEES
Permitted: 19th century competitions should use sand tees on the teeing ground. Sand is readily available at most golf courses by prior arrangement.
- BAGS & CLUB CARRIERS
Permitted: Bags in general are permitted, and should be, if at all possible, in keeping with the historical period. (Event organizers may exercise discretion as to their use.) Club carriers (like patented caddie stands from the 19th century and clasp-carriers) are also allowed.
Other considerations and suggestions
- The length of the course should be a function of the layout available and the type of ball selected for play. Ideal yardage may fall in the 2200-2500 yard range for nine holes.
- There is no limit on the number of clubs any player is allowed to carry during competition.
- Illegal clubs: No specific rules were enacted on the make or form of clubs until 1907, therefore there are no illegal clubs in a pre-1900 set (unless they are not 19th century clubs). It is assumed all clubs will have shafts made from wood.
- Alteration of an original club where weight needs to be added or subtracted is permitted. On woods this usually implies adding lead in the club back or sole, or to subtract by filing lead out of the backweight. On irons lead tape may be added to the back of a club head but it must be fixed in place. All other alterations to a standard club should be approved by the SoHG equipment committee.
- Non-Conforming clubs: Clubs not conforming to the age or make specifications shall be deemed nonconforming. Penalty shall be 1 stroke added to each hole where a non-conforming club was carried during a competition, whether or not it was used, to a maximum of 9 (nine) penalty strokes in a stipulated round of either 9 or 18 holes.
- Event organizers have the ability to modify the equipment rules to be consistent with the chronological decade or the purpose of the competition as long as the equipment rules are written and available to all contestants in advance of the event.
- Tournament director (or equipment committee) has the right to allow or prohibit a club regardless if it can be proven the club existed before the year 1900. All decisions should be at his/her/their sole discretion or that of their respective committee. Equipment should be inspected in an approved manner before the commencement of the event.
- There are many ways in which one can date golf clubs including books on the subject; cleek marks that can be identified and dated within a few years; the expertise of our fellow members; and certain conditions mentioned above. If you need any advice or suggestions on anything just mentioned please contact the SoHG Equipment committee.