Hickory
Hickory is the classic hardwood of the early golf shafts and today stands for historical golf.
Until the 1930s, the shafts of golf clubs were made of hickory, a tough American walnut wood. It was elastic enough for the swing and stable enough for the strike, but never entirely uniform in strength and torsional stiffness. At that time the heads of the woods were made of persimmon, the irons were forged and small. With the approval of steel shafts around 1930, hickory disappeared from normal play within a few years. Steel was more uniform, cheaper and lasted longer.
Today the wood lives on in the hickory golf scene. Players compete with original or faithfully reproduced clubs, often in period clothing, and play balls of old construction. An example of the experience: the long shaft and the soft flex demand a calm rhythm — anyone who rushes immediately loses direction. Many players report developing a better feel for timing and impact with the old material.
A typical misconception: hickory is not a synonym for poor or primitive. The old clubs were elaborate handiwork, and good players achieved remarkable length and accuracy with them. Anyone who wants to try it will find playable equipment at collectors' fairs and specialist workshops. Starting with two or three irons is enough to feel how differently the swing worked a hundred years ago.
FAQ
Can you still play with hickory clubs today?
Yes, there is a lively hickory golf scene. Players compete with original or faithfully reproduced clubs, often in period clothing and with balls of old construction. You can find playable equipment at collectors' fairs and specialist workshops; two or three irons are enough to get started.
Why were hickory shafts replaced by steel?
Steel shafts were approved around 1930, and within a few years the wood disappeared from normal play. Steel was more uniform in strength and torsional stiffness, cheaper to produce and lasted longer. Hickory was elastic and stable enough, but never quite identical from shaft to shaft.
How does a hickory club play compared to modern clubs?
The long shaft and the soft flex demand a calm rhythm — anyone who rushes immediately loses direction. Many players report developing a better feel for timing and impact with the old material. The clubs were not primitive, by the way: they were elaborate handiwork, and good players achieved remarkable length with them.