SoHG Equipment Guidelines

Gutta-Percha Era Event Guidelines

Updated August 2026

The guidelines presented here represent a framework that organizers of a gutty ball era event can use to create their own rules. They are intended to only be a guide and are not expected to be “hard and fast” rules. Event organizers are welcome to use them as needed. It is important that individual event organizer/directors set the “Rules of Competition” and then publish those rules well in advance of their event so all participants have full knowledge of what is and what is not allowed.

TIME FRAME

What are the dates of the gutty era? The gutty ball was introduced in 1848 and was played by everyone almost immediately. The end date corresponds with Sandy Herd winning the Open in 1902 with the new Haskell ball, defeating Vardon who still was using the gutty. Herd was out driving Vardon by a considerable distance and in 1903 Vardon won the Open using the “new” rubber core ball!! Other champions—like the Smith brothers—switched from the gutty to the new ball in that same year. We can say the dates of the gutty were 1850-1902/3 with some certainty. Certainly many players still used the gutty after that date, but the golﬁng mainstream went with the “new” ball quickly.

Many refer to Gutty Golf as “Pre-1900” golf. That date is quite arbitrary and should only be used as a broad guide. In fact, any speciﬁc date is in itself only a guideline in the case of Gutty Golf.

1) Clubs

Woods—Long nose, semi-long nose, transitional woods and “compressed heads” should be allowed. The head should be connected to the shaft with a scare or splice. The socket heads were not available during the gutty era and should not be allowed. Face decoration(lines, crosshatching, inserts,etc) are of no consequence for woods.

Irons—Irons must be smooth faced. Random dot punching, lines etc should not be allowed as the use of face scoring of any type was not important until later in the development of golﬁng equipment.

Speciﬁc non-conforming clubs labeled as Pitcher, spade mashie, sand iron are examples of clubs that are deﬁnitely from the 20th century and should not be allowed. One interesting exemption is the jigger. There is evidence that the ﬁrst jiggers were actually introduced in the mid-1890s And should be allowed for gutty play. Note: trying to ﬁnd a smooth faced jigger is a challenge as that club came into common production later—into the 20th century. A jigger with face scoring of any type should not be allowed.

As we all are aware, dating clubs is a challenge. Essentially, any smooth face iron should be acceptable for a gutty event realizing that many club makers did make smooth faced irons into the 20th century.

Modern Reproduction Hickory Shafted Clubs

The following types of clubs have been approved for SoHG sanctioned Gutta-Percha Ball Era tournaments:

Kelly Leonard (Manitoba, Canada)
Gutta-Percha and feathery era replica woods
Seven-eight different types of clubs replicating a dozen or more early club makers.
Louisville Golf Co. (Louisville, KY)
Long Nose Driver
Long Nose Spoon
J. Wilson Transitional Driver
J. Wilson Transitional Spoon
Tad Moore Hickory Classics (Selma, AL)
Long Nose Series
Driver Playclub
Spoon
Putter
Transitional Series:
Driver
Spoon
20 Degree, 30 Degree, 40 Degree, & 50 Degree Irons
Rut Niblick

2 ) Grips

There is no regulation/guideline covering the size (diameter) of grips in the Gutta-Percha ball era. Grips of non-uniform taper or grips with “reminder” ridges should be allowed. There were many types of grips used in the Gutta-Percha era: shaped wood (no covering), leather wraps, gauze type material, rubberized cloth, and plain cloth, as well as other tape-like materials. Every kind of gripping material was used with the exception of the modern slip-on rubber grips.

3 ) Shafts

All shafts are expected to be of wood. Other shaft material – steel core covered with a wood veneer, for example – should not be allowed.

4 ) Replicas

Approved replica/reproduction clubs are available for use; see the list of approved clubs. There may be other modern day club makers who are not listed but who also replicate Gutta-Percha ball era clubs. If such clubs are found to be conforming, event organizers are encouraged to embrace them should they choose.

5 ) Balls

Individual event directors will determine the balls to be used in their events. There are many replica gutties and other limited-ﬂight balls on the market.

6) Putters

Putting irons or putting cleeks: Maker/style to be contemporary with 19th century design and use.
Wood putters: Any wood head putter of the long nose or semi-long nose shape(splice or heel shafted) should be allowed, including modern replicas of the same type. Center shafted putters should not be allowed as that idea was not introduced until the rubber core ball era. It should also be noted that the Standard Golf Company’s Mills type aluminum putters were not commercially available until well after the turn of the century and should not be allowed.

7 ) Tees

Gutta-Percha competitions are encouraged to use sand tees on the teeing ground. Sand is readily available at most golf courses by prior arrangement. If this is impractical, an event organizer may permit use of manufactured tees at their discretion.

8 ) Bags & Club Carriers

Club carriers and carry bags were being manufactured and sold in the Gutta-Percha ball era and their use can be permitted. They should be, if at all possible, typical of the era (small in diameter, of leather or canvas or similar). Event organizers may exercise discretion as to their use. Club carriers such as patented caddie stands from the 19th century and clasp-carriers should also be allowed.

9 ) Other Considerations

There was no limit on the number of clubs during the Gutta-Percha ball era; most players, however, carried only 5-8 clubs during play. Alteration or repair of an original or authentic replica club should be permitted. Adding weight, re-gripping and re-shafting are good examples. It is suggested that equipment be inspected in an approved manner before an event to ensure a fair competition.