The Society of Hickory Golfers​

Welcome to a world of friendships forged over the love of golf's enduring traditions.

The Society of Hickory Golfers​

Welcome to a world of friendships forged over the love of golf's enduring traditions.

The Society of Hickory Golfers​

Welcome to a world of friendships forged over the love of golf's enduring traditions.

The Society of Hickory Golfers​

Welcome to a world of friendships forged over the love of golf's enduring traditions.

The Society of Hickory Golfers​

Welcome to a world of friendships forged over the love of golf's enduring traditions.

The Society of Hickory Golfers​

Welcome to a world of friendships forged over the love of golf's enduring traditions.

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Upcoming Events

Here are upcoming hickory golf tournaments from around the globe. Have an item to share? Send your tournament information to news@hickorygolfers.org

2026 Bluegrass Hickory Open – Update!
Until just recently Will Jacoby, host of the Bluegrass Hickory Open, was not sure the event would come off this ...
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CANCELLED –– 2026 Max Hollon Indiana Hickory Open
The organizers of the annual Indiana Hickory Open regretfully have had to cancel the 2026 event. Please contact Gary Oldham ...
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2026 Mid Pines Hickory Open
The Pine Needles Resort reports that the Mid Pines Hickory Open is scheduled for Oct. 30-Sunday, Nov. 1. Click here ...
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2026 Monterey Hickory Classic
Hail hickory golfers! It’s that time of season for another fall classic on the magical Monterey Peninsula. We have a ...
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The Alabama Hickory Tournament
The Alabama Hickory Golfers are pleased to announce the Alabama Hickory Tournament, scheduled for Friday and Saturday,  Nov.13-14, at Twin ...
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2026 Bobby Jones Hickory Challenge
Join us Nov. 19-20 for the 2nd annual Bobby Jones Hickory Challenge, to be held at the Bobby Jones Golf ...
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6th New Zealand Hickory Open
The 6th New Zealand Hickory Open is planned for the Shirley Links at the Christchurch Golf Club. The format is ...
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2027 Columbus Winter Trade Show – GHS
The Golf Heritage Society is pleased to continue the great tradition of the winter trade show and thanks Susan and ...
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Why Join the SoHG?

You’ll find lifelong friendships with people who share your enthusiasm for golf’s rich history and traditions. You’ll also find a global network of playing groups and tournaments. With your membership, you’ll also enjoy:

  • a welcome kit that includes a welcome letter, SoHG bag tag and ball marker
  • access to our biannual “Wee Nip” magazine & our monthly email newsletter
  • pre-qualification for play in the SoHG’s U.S. Hickory Open
  • a website that allows you to
    • follow a WW calendar of hickory tournament events
    • track your hickory handicap area to track the progress of your game
    • review resources to improve your game and build & maintain a quality club set
  • social media properties that continue to keep you informed & connected throughout the year.

So take the next step and review our membership options by clicking on the button below.

Wee Nip

This is our information packed journal, published and mailed twice a year. Find out about all hickory happening throughout the world.

Member Directory

Another benefit of membership is staying in touch with friends. Our directory is sortable by name and location so you can find players near you!

Hickory Handicap

Enter your scores and track your progress. Our database allows you to set up favored courses and easily review your data.

SoHG Bag Tag

This is mailed to each new member who joins our society. It’s something to display proudly on your golf bag, letting people know you support the growth of our game.

Hickory Golf News

We cover hickory golf news around the globe. Have an item to share? Contact Jim Davis at news@hickorygolfers.org

Jane Pohlman joins Nebraska Hickory Hall of Fame at River City Championship
The 2026 “Johnny Goodman” River City Championship and NEHGA Hall of fame gathering was held Sunday, Oct. 11, at Oak ...
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An ace of a shot on Pinehurst No. 3
Richard Phinney, of Pinehurst, N.C., recorded his first hickory hole in one on April 3 on the No. 8 hole ...
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Riker prevails over solid field for second McNabb title
“There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all ...
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Grant Raffel is our 2026 U.S. Hickory Open champion
The ’26 US Hickory Open is in the books!  112 players from around the globe—Australia, New Zealand, Canada and 22 ...
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Lermans take top title in SoCal’s 2026 Captain’s Cup
Jack Eichler reports on the 2026 Captain’s Cup, an annual event played by the SoCal Hickory Golfers. Our most recent ...
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Michiana Hickory Open fields 39 on a lovely day in South Bend
The 14th edition of the Michiana Hickory Open Borger Cup was held Aug. 2 at the Warren Golf course on ...
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Full field enjoys the Golf Society of Australia’s Annual Hickory Day
Tim Taylor reports from Melbourne, Australia: A full field of 33 players gathered at Frankston Golf Club on Sunday, Aug. ...
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Shiffermiller takes 2026 Nebraska Hickory Open title
The 2026 Nebraska Hickory Open is in the record books.  Congratulations to All the 2026 Winners.  The Open Division winner and thus the ...
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SoHG Member Profiles

The 2027 US Hickory Open

Sept 19-21, Pine Lakes Country Club, Myrtle Beach, N.C. 

The US Hickory Open returns to the East Coast next fall for a magical event with an international field. Registrations will be available in early 2027 – watch this site.

Latest Issues of Our "Wee Nip" Journal

Review our past issues of our ‘Wee Nip’ Journal.

Spring/Summer 2026

Regional feature on Northeast hickory groups; article on torsion in hickory shafts; review of World Gutty Championship; profile of Lang Willie Engelson.

READ THE ISSUE

Autumn/ Winter 2025

Regional feature on Southern hickory groups; the Hickory Golf Masters with Paolo Quirici; the new World Gutty Championship, Scottish hickory golf sojourn; metallurgy of hickory irons.

READ THE ISSUE

SoHG Guidelines

The SoHG Tournament Guidelines are provided here to assist tournament directors, event organizers, golf professionals, golf clubs, their members and their committees in the planning, organizing and conducting of “hickory golf” events.  Note that they were not created as “rules” but remain “guidelines”; they exist to help regularize the nature of play across tournaments and regions.  
 

Featherie Era Golf

Golf’s origins—hand-stitched balls, long nosed play clubs, and the game’s earliest traditions.

Modern Ball Era Golf

Early modern golf—introducing rubber-core balls and longer course setups, setting the stage for Bobby Jones.

Gutta-Percha Era Golf

The classic age of hickory golf, with the introduction of gutta-percha and the further development of irons into playsets.

Modern Ball Era Golf​

Early modern golf—introducing rubber-core balls and longer course setups, setting the stage for Bobby Jones.

Featherie Era Golf

Golf’s origins—hand-stitched balls, long nosed play clubs, and the game’s earliest traditions.

Gutta-Percha Era Golf​

The classic age of hickory golf, with the introduction of gutta-percha and the further development of irons into playsets.

Support for Worldwide Hickory Growth

We’re actively supporting the growth of hickory golf on a worldwide basis. 
Since our inception, the growth has been impressive. 
Learn more about where hickory golf is growing across the globe!

Support for Hickory Event Organizers

Here are just a few of the ways we support the many passionate individuals who devote their time and resources to promoting the growth of hickory golf.
 

Worldwide
Tournament Calendar

Our Worldwide Tournament Calendar features over 200 tournaments throughout the world, allowing people to plan their calendars for hickory golf play.

Event Promotion

In addition to our Worldwide Tournament Calendar, we promote upcoming events in our monthly email newsletter and in our bi-annual journal, the “Wee Nip.”

Hickory Handicap
& Holes-in-One Registry

We also maintain a hickory handicap system to allow players to keep a handicap — and even celebrate hickory holes-in-one!

Event Promotion Materials

Do you host hickory golf play?  To support your efforts, we will create and will ship to you a banner you can use during play.  We even have ball markers for your use.

SoHG Mike Brown Award

2025 Award Recipient: Bill “Ernie” Ernst 

The Mike Brown Award honors the memory of Mike Brown and his many contributions to hickory golf.  It shall be presented annually to a hickory player who shares Mike’s respect for the traditions of hickory golf, dedication to growing the game and passion for promoting lasting friendships. This year’s well deserving recipient is Bill “Ernie” Ernst.

Resources

We have a wealth of resources available on our website.  Please explore some of them…  including the categories listed below (which are in no way comprehensive!

How to Build
a Play Set

How to Restore Hickory Golf Clubs

How to Play
with Hickories

In the SoHG Shop

Go ahead, get your SoHG swagger on.  Have a look at some of the lovely merchandise you can order to underscore your passion for the game.

SoHG Scarf

Stylish neckwear for the ladies. Available for purchase on the McIntyre Golf site.

SoHG Women's Apparel

Available in a logo store we’ve made which features hats, bags, towels, shirts, tops and more.

SoHG Necktie

For him;  something elegant for evening or the course. Bowtie also available.

SoHG Men's Apparel

Available in a logo store we’ve made which features hats, bags, towels, shirts, tops and more.

Swings of the Hickory Greats

We’ve pulled together various videos we think might help you in mastering the hickory game. You can view them in our “How to Play Hickories” section.

Harry Vardon

Joyce Wethered

Bobby Jones

Mike Brown Award Application

Carefully read the document describing the Mike Brown award and eligibility criteria on the preceding web page.

for consideration as a candidate by the committee for the annual SoHG Mike Brown Award. Here’s why I feel this person exemplifies the characteristics that made Mike Brown such a valuable presence within the hickory golf community. [Please provide specific examples of this hickory player’s contribution to the hickory golf community in these three areas: Respect for the traditions of hickory golf; Dedication to growing the game of hickory golf; and Passion for promoting lasting friendships through hickory golf.]
Provide any additional information that you feel will assist the committee in its deliberations in arriving at a worthy recipient of the annual SoHG Mike Brown Award:

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