Best way to pick up a playable short set of hickories

[scott19]

What's a good route for a playable short set of hickories? I can't justify the newly made Tad Moore or Louisville options but you can't trust the stuff sold on eBay.

[hollabachgt]

Where do you live Scott? The best way is to connect with a regional hickory play group in your area. Odds are someone has a set to sell or can get you in contact with a seller.

 

How comfortable are you working on your modern clubs? I’ve had good success with buying clubs off eBay and rebuilding them to be playable. But that requires a basis in modern club building with a touch of woodworking knowledge. Or at least an interest in learning those things.

[scott19]

Thanks for the reply! I’m in the Chicago area and there does seem to be a good amount of hickory action here and especially in southern WI. I’m a decent modern club builder (grips, re-shafting, ferrules). It just seems to involved on the wood working and unpredictability of hickories, too much new equipment and knowledge needed. 

[hollabachgt]

Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan all have active play groups that could be a great resource for you. Take a look at the SoHG website for contact info.

 

Ralph Livingston put together a fantastic website years ago detailing his process for working on hickory golf clubs, After his passing, Chris McIntyre took over the site, but has preserved Ralph's Club Care and Restoration guide. I'd tell you, even if you purchase a well sorted playable set today, in the future you will most likely need to do some work to the clubs, so having Ralph's guide bookmarked would be a good thing.

[Mr. Clean]

I agree with hallabachgt.  I was lucky to have a past SOHG president near me who helped me put together a set to try hickory clubs and now I am hooked.

I already knew how to build "modern" equipment, and he was kind enough to teach me how to disassemble and reassemble irons, pinning the hossel, regripping with leather wraps and whipping.  It is very easy once you do a few clubs.  The really cool thing about leather wraps is there are endless possibilities to length and thickness and can be wrapped and unwrapped until it fits your hand.  

 

I would add I did try the reproduction irons.  I have been playing forged blades since 1984, and the cast clubs were empty and felt awful.  I traded them for a couple hickory irons.  If you are not used to the feel of forged then it may not be an issue, and I am glad there is that option.  Vintage clubs feel fantastic.

 

I also have a repro spoon and driver and those feel great, which can be hit with modern golf balls.  I just acquired 2 brassies, so will be trying them this weekend.

 

Edited January 17 by Mr. Clean

[cold_war_era_golfer]

On 12/17/2023 at 12:52 PM, scott19 said:

What's a good route for a playable short set of hickories? I can't justify the newly made Tad Moore or Louisville options but you can't trust the stuff sold on eBay.

Reach out to the Hickory Hacker.  I got a short set of playable and actually vintage irons + wood from him 2 years ago.  We actually played a round here in Chicagoland and he sold them to me after the round in the parking lot after I got a chance to try them.  They were VERY affordable and I didn't have to pay Tad Moore or Louisville prices and they are "real" hickory clubs from the actual time period.  

[Mr. Clean]

Couple tips on Ebay for irons specifically.  Look for length, and loft and most important swing weights.  If the seller cannot provide that it may be due to not having the equipment of knowledge to get those specs.  Does not hurt to ask the seller.  I have had great success with finding quality hickory, and I am left handed, so its even harder to find equipment.  Bob Georgiade (stixnstuff) knows his stuff and has fantastic collection.  He was very helpful with me, reach out to him on Ebay if you want a reputable seller, he is well known in the SOHG and hickory community. 

 

Look for High C or low D swingweight.  If you plan on fatter grips and you want a D0-D1 the swingweight will need to be mid to high D's.  I added lead tape to get to my desired swingweight and went and played and pulled the lead back off and went one strip at a time.  Its hard to dial these in as the only time you hit them is when you are playing.  

 

I do not worry as much about loft and lie as you can have them bent.  It is always better to bend them soft then strong unless you have a wide sole as these narrow soles were designed to dig.  I love taking divots and have had to bend my mid iron and long irons softer as they were really hard to hit. Look for irons with the widest sole, MacGregor made some great irons but they are hard to find and expensive.  With the way these dig the next thing is the lie angle.  Most of my hickorys have been bent upright, was hitting some wicked slices, that has now been sorted out.  I have played six rounds of hickory and every time I run into another slight change.  By the time the hickory tourney is here in late February, I should have them where I want them.....who am I kidding, there is always room for tweaking and adjustments 🙂

 

 

Edited January 17 by Mr. Clean

[Hickory4ever]

Congratulations on joining the hickory fraternity @Mr. Clean. Getting help from an experienced player is by far the best way to go and you could not have done better.

 

I recommend that you don’t worry about score as you need to try and adapt to playing hickory golf. It takes a while before you play a hickory style instead of trying to play a modern style with hickory clubs.

 

I have played close to 500 rounds with hickory clubs and part of the fun is sorting out your play set which you seem to be doing. Personally, I prefer 5-6* gaps in my irons and most of our hard core guys are similar. Enjoy the journey and above all enjoy yourself.

 

Try and find a copy of Randy Jensen’s book Playing Hickory Golf. It is highly informative.

[Mr. Clean]

Thanks @Hickory4ever sage advice for sure!!  The only issue is I am playing in the SOHG tournament 2/24 and 2/25, and I wanted to establish a handicap even though I am not going to accept a net trophy.  I have not kept score since my competitive days back in the 90's and 2000's.  It is nice to play the ball down, no gimmies 🙂

 

I have six rounds 87-90-85-85-85-92.  The 92 I had too many clubs in the bag and mentally was not focused.  Going to play at least every Saturday until the tourney and rotate a few selections.  

 

Randy Jensen's book was loaned to me, I am in the process of reading it now.  Thanks again for your knowledge and advice, means alot.