The set that I play with, and the set that taught me how to make hickory clubs playable again.
My personal playset is a mix of Scottish makers, with one American made club, and a modern replica putter. They represent my first year of seeking, playing, and restoring hickory clubs. There is a mix of grip materials, colors, and whipping styles. This motley assortment exists as I learned how to repair and restore hickories with these clubs.
This set also contains some of the more unique pieces in my collection. Of particular note are the three “Dreadnought” clubs (driver, mashie, niblick). So named as they are oversized compared to typical clubs of the era. The modern made putter is the first hickory club I purchased, and it is the only club made after 1935 that I own.
Dreadnought Driver
“Thunderer” – After HMS Thunderer, Dreadnought battleship, veteran of Jutland
Ben Sayers Dreadnought
Loft: 13, Swing Weight: A8, Length: 40″, Grip/Whipping: Original
Driving Iron
“Deuce” – referring to its 22 degree loft
William Gibson “Gairdners Model” sold by Cambell & Co. Aberdeen
Loft: 22, Swing Weight: D1, Length: 39.5″
Grip/Whipping: Tan smoothside leather, green and grey thread. Colors inspired by the uniform of the US National Park Service
Mid Iron
“The Swordsman” – the James B. Halley cleek is crossed sabres
Maker: James B. Halley Co.
Loft: 32, Swing Weight: D6, Length: 38.5
Grip/Whipping: Gold suede leather, green and gold thread. Originally made for my father’s set in his favorite colors.
Jigger
“Emmet” – After Emmet French of Bryn Mawr, PA. The pro who likely sold this club.
Spalding Gold Medal Series
Loft: 32, Swing Weight: A9, Length: 37.25
Grip/Whipping: Original
Dreadnought Mashie
“Warspite” – The Royal Navy’s greatest Dreadnought battleship
J&R Crighton Dreadnought sold by Lee & Underhill of New York
Loft: 40, Swing Weight: A9, Length: 35.5
Grip/Whipping: Green suede leather, grey thread
Mashie Niblick
“Achilles” – shaft is partially missing on the right side of the club near the hosel. Like my missing right Achilles tendon.
Maker: Robert Condie
Loft: 48, Swing Weight: B7, Length: 35.5
Grip/Whipping: Original
Dreadnought Niblick
“Conqueror” – Sister ship of HMS Thunderer, hopefully will ‘conquer’ some greens
Maker: Hendry & Bishop Mitre Brand Dreadnought
Loft: 55, Swing Weight: D6, Length: 36
Grip/Whipping: Tan smoothside leather, green and grey thread. Colors inspired by the uniform of the US National Park Service
Concave Sand Wedge
“Cheat Code” – video game reference selected as concave wedges were banned in 1931
Maker: James Gourlay
Loft: 50, Swing Weight: D1, Length: 37.5
Grip/whipping: Black garment leather and green suede, green whipping. Colors to evoke the Xbox.
Putter
“Bison” – has a bison horn inlay face.
St Andrews Golf Co. modern remake of a George Nicoll all wooden putter
Loft: 4, Swing Weight: D1, Length: 35.25
Grip/Whipping: black suede leather, thread in blue and white evoking the Scottish saltire.
My personal playset.
Detail of grips on my playset.
Detail of clubheads on my playset
A proud moment. Having my ginger beer and shortbread at Kingarrock. This is where I discovered hickory golf. My first round there I played with their loaner clubs. The second round was with clubs I found and restored myself.
"Conqueror" after getting new gripping and whipping.
"Cheat Code" with two tone Xbox themed leather and thread.
Whipping detail on my "modern" wooden putter. This is the only club I own made after 1935. It's made by the St. Andrews Golf Company in 2023 and styled after a pre-1900 George Nicoll putter.
"Deuce" on the whipping stand. See the length extension added back in the 1920's.
"Deuce" after getting gripped and whipped.
"Achilles" a Robert Condie made mashie niblick missing a sizable chunk of shaft, yet still playable.