Reaching Out to Another Hickory Rookie

My regular golf buddy and I were playing a standard round of golf, using modern clubs, at Meadow Park Golf Club in Tacoma. As we were getting ready to tee off on #17, I noticed a fellow on the adjacent 9-hole executive course, carrying what looked like hickory clubs. Being the friendly sort that I am, I ambled over to him, said "Howdy, those look like hickorys you're playing." (Yep, we old cops are what's known as "trained observers"!)

The gentleman returned my greeting, although he seemed much too sad for someone out enjoying a traditional golf outing. This fellow, who introduced himself as "Ernie", soon explained the reason for his lack of cheer: "I got these clubs years ago, and this is the first time I've used 'em," Ernie said. "I think they're good clubs, but I already broke one." Ernie pulled the remains of a shaft, and the broken off head of the mashie, and held them out like a dead squirrel. He added, "These are Tom Stewart clubs, which are supposed to be pretty good." Well, that's an understatement...I've learned that clubs made by the great Scottish craftsman Tom Stewart are very rare, and even the ones manufactured with his trademark (a pipe) go for a whole lot of money.

This is where some of the values taught by my hickory golf mentors kicked in: I asked Ernie if he knew anyone who could repair and refurbish those fine clubs. He shook his head, so I handed him my business card, and offered to put him in touch with folks who could fix him right up. Ernie brightened up, and asked if he should keep the broken off mashie head, or toss it. "Good lord, man, don't toss it...one of those club repair geniuses can replace the shaft, and it'll be good as new!"

Now whether or not Ernie ever follows through is up to him. The point of my story, however, is that the creedo of hickory players is different from the majority of recreational golfers. Heck, how many times have we encountered someone with a busted Callaway or Taylormade club, and not given it a second thought? I know I have, probably more times than I can remember. Yet from everything I've experienced from the hickory golf community, it would be an exception if somebody DIDN'T reach out to a fellow hickory hacker and offer assistance and support. And THAT is why I'm drawn to this subset of the golf universe!