Has anyone ever rented hickories?

bonvivantva · July 1, 2021

I watched the NLU guys play a round (I think it was just 9), with hickory clubs a while back. I thought it would be fun, but as a 15 handicap, maybe it would be too frustrating to enjoy. I saw that pinehurst rents hickories. Seems like it would be a fun way to play one of their shorter courses or even the par 3. Has anyone done this or something similar? How did it go?

RobotDoctor · July 2, 2021

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyplace offering this. Would be rather interesting. I take out my persimmon drivers out from time to time with a balata ball or few but I’ve never hit hickory.

The Aspidistra in the Hall · July 2, 2021

I spent 20 years of my life renting out 80 sets of hickories across the UK and Europe, nearly always 18 hole events. They went very well. You got maybe 10% who overenthused about it and about 10% at the other end of the spectrum who swore 'never again'. The rest in the middle enjoyed the experience for what it was, great fun and a leveller for all handicaps. Live and learn!

JimmyC59 · July 2, 2021

I played in a hickory tournament in Ct last weekend. The organizer rented me a set for $15. I really enjoyed it. I'm a 19 HC, and had trouble with the shorter lengths of the irons, I play +1", but finished par, par, bogey, bogey, so I was happy about that. First time I've played a Ross course too!

As a bonus, he told me the putter was mine to keep!

I'm going to be assembling my own set soon.

putterboy75 · July 4, 2021

I would love to find a place to rent, please let me know if you come upon one. I'd like to own my own eventually but from my observations of the Mid-Pines hickory events last October you don't just "buy" a set, they're carefully and patiently assembled over a good long time.

That said, I want to play Belvedere in Charlevoix, MI (home to the U.S. Hickory Open and about as good of place to go back in time as any) later this week with a hickory set. I've played there several times, but always with my clubs, I don't think the pro-shop has them available and I definitely don't want the responsibility of borrowing a members set.

Thanks and good luck to you as well!

BIG STU · July 4, 2021

On 7/2/2021 at 7:54 AM, JimmyC59 said:

I played in a hickory tournament in Ct last weekend. The organizer rented me a set for $15. I really enjoyed it. I'm a 19 HC, and had trouble with the shorter lengths of the irons, I play +1", but finished par, par, bogey, bogey, so I was happy about that. First time I've played a Ross course too!

As a bonus, he told me the putter was mine to keep!

I'm going to be assembling my own set soon.

Ross course with Hickory clubs???-------- Man I am jealous

BIG STU · July 4, 2021

2 hours ago, putterboy75 said:

I would love to find a place to rent, please let me know if you come upon one. I'd like to own my own eventually but from my observations of the Mid-Pines hickory events last October you don't just "buy" a set, they're carefully and patiently assembled over a good long time.

That said, I want to play Belvedere in Charlevoix, MI (home to the U.S. Hickory Open and about as good of place to go back in time as any) later this week with a hickory set. I've played there several times, but always with my clubs, I don't think the pro-shop has them available and I definitely don't want the responsibility of borrowing a members set.

Thanks and good luck to you as well!

IMHO if you want to do the Hickory thing seriously and spend the money Tad Moore is the only way to go. He hand selects and ages and works the shafts and has his own line of reproduction quality built heads. I piddle with Hickory some have 6 clubs total ( mostly Macgregor expect anything less from me?) Did play in a Par 3 event 3 weeks back longest hole 105 yards. Had played in my Saturday Shoot Out that day. Was trying to take it easy on my back because I have found Hickory shafts or at least the ones I have are stiffer. Hit mostly punch runners and did ok. Really my first full round and event with hickory clubs even if it was a pitch and putt course

JimmyC59 · July 4, 2021

3 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Ross course with Hickory clubs???-------- Man I am jealous

I know, right?

They try to play the hickory events on courses from that period.

LeftyMac · July 5, 2021

Hickories aren't like even the classic clubs from the 50 thru 80', everyone of them is different and the only way you "match" a set is by having a lot to choose from. I have about 50 hickories and am still trying to find a driver or brassie that works. I have a Bulldog which is magnificent but the other woods are all over the place. Irons wise again I mix and match what works and am forever looking for a flanged lefthanded niblick.

Modern repos such as the ones from Tad Moore are a different kettle of fish.

bonvivantva · July 6, 2021

On 7/2/2021 at 3:21 AM, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

I spent 20 years of my life renting out 80 sets of hickories across the UK and Europe, nearly always 18 hole events. They went very well. You got maybe 10% who overenthused about it and about 10% at the other end of the spectrum who swore 'never again'. The rest in the middle enjoyed the experience for what it was, great fun and a leveller for all handicaps. Live and learn!

Thanks for the reply. This is exactly what I wanted to find out.

On 7/4/2021 at 6:54 AM, BIG STU said:

IMHO if you want to do the Hickory thing seriously and spend the money Tad Moore is the only way to go.

Pinehurst rents Tad Moore hickories, so if I do get around to it, that's likely what I'll play. On the NLU episode, Neil is asked about club selection and he says something like, "Niblick Special." I'm not sure why, but on the Louisville Golf website their irons are stamped with the word, "special" so I'd imagine they were that brand.

Edited July 6, 2021 by bonvivantva