How to Play Hickories

Why Play Hickory Golf?

There is something quietly transformative about striking a golf ball with hickory. The game slows down. The swing finds its natural rhythm. Courses that modern equipment has overpowered suddenly reveal their original character and strategic nuance. A well-struck shot feels earned in a deeper way — not launched by technology, but shaped by tempo, balance, and touch. Hickory golf reconnects players to the game as it was played for generations: walking fairways with fewer clubs, relying on imagination over mechanics, artistry over force. In an age of distance, data, and endless equipment cycles, hickory golf offers something increasingly rare: a more human game.

Eight Tips for Your Hickory Journey

Yet playing with hickories is not merely an exercise in nostalgia. It is a voyage of discovery. Again and again, modern golfers describe the experience as transporting: a return to golf’s essential pleasures and enduring spirit. The soft persimmon click, the living feel of the shaft through the swing, the camaraderie of like-minded players, the challenge of shaping shots rather than overpowering them — together they create an experience that feels timeless. Many who first pick up hickories out of curiosity soon find themselves captivated by something unexpected: not simply the history of the game, but its soul.

1. Swing Smoothly — Hickories Reward Rhythm

Modern golf clubs often forgive aggressive swings. Hickories do not. The key to successful hickory golf is tempo and balance. A smooth, rhythmic swing allows the shaft to load and release naturally, producing surprisingly solid and consistent shots. Most players quickly discover that trying to “hit hard” rarely works — but swinging well does.

2. Let the Clubs Teach You

Hickory clubs provide immediate feedback. Mishits are unmistakable, while centered strikes feel extraordinarily pure. Embrace the learning process. Hickories naturally encourage better sequencing, improved tempo, and a more connected swing. Let the clubs inform your swing. Many golfers find that playing hickories provides critical insights for improving their modern game as well.

3. Play the Shot, Not the Number

Distances with hickory clubs are different from modern equipment, and that is part of the joy. Instead of obsessing over yardages, focus on trajectory, ground game, and shot shape. Learn to bump-and-run, flight the ball lower, and use the contours of the course creatively. Hickory golf rewards imagination far more than aggression.

4. Take More Club

Hickory shafts generally launch the ball lower and shorter than modern clubs. Most new players benefit from taking one — or even two — more clubs than they might with steel shafts. A smooth swing with extra club will almost always outperform an over-swing with too little.

5. Respect the Equipment

Many first time players are concerned about breaking clubs. Hickory clubs might break, but they are extremely durable when inspected and prepared properly. Hickory shafts will lose moisture from the wood over time. This can cause the joint between the head and the shaft to become loose. Find a knowledgeable hickory player to help you review your equipment before play.

6. Walk Whenever Possible

Hickory golf is best experienced at a walking pace. The game becomes quieter, more relaxed, and more connected to the landscape. Walking the course with a light carry bag and playset helps recreate the cadence and spirit of the game as it was originally played.

7. Start Simple

You do not need a full matched set to begin. Many golfers start with just a few clubs — perhaps a brassie, mid-iron, mashie, niblick, and putter — and quickly discover how versatile these clubs can be. Part of the charm of hickory golf lies in the experience of learning creativity and shot-making, which are things that a reduced playset promotes.

8. Enjoy the Community

Perhaps most importantly, hickory golf attracts people who love the game deeply. Whether at regional gatherings, national championships, or casual rounds among friends, the hickory community is known for camaraderie, sportsmanship, storytelling, and a shared appreciation for golf’s traditions. New players are always welcomed enthusiastically.

Learn to Play with Bobby Jones

Perhaps there is no more widely respected golfer from the hickory era than Bobby Jones. He created several instructional videos with Warner Brothers, excerpts of which we’ve placed below for your instruction and delectation.