Mac calls himself, an “Auld Golfer”…and after 21 years in hickory golf he has posted his vision.

Auld Mac had gone through all the stages that one goes through… the newness, the excitement, the travel, the competitions, the camaraderie, the workshop, etc. But then he realized that there was something missing. So he studied the game through old books and conversations. The result was clear, “we need to play the game of the era, not just the clubs.”

Auld Golf is for players who want to play the game in a way more like it was in the golf era of 1880 to 1930. This means playing the games and rules used daily by players around the world in those times. Yes the equipment has changed…drastically over the years, but the way we play has changed as well. We’ve lost the basis of how the game was played. If we’re to play the clubs of the era it makes sense to play the “game it was” as well.

It is asked that you read through the entire site of information and then decide if this is of Personal Interest for you to pursue. It will not be for everyone and it will take effort on your part to capture and apply this knowledge to your Auld Game.

An “Auld Golfer” would hopefully be interested in playing the “Auld Golf STYLE”:

• playing with authentic, antique clubs in the bag is the incredible. And, the deeper you get into the variety of clubs the more interesting it can be. BUT, the auld game can be played with any type of clubs.

• playing more Match Play using correct era rules - more of a “reenactment” of the game of the hickory era. This was the daily style of play for the common golfer. Match Play events can be sponsored, but the hope here is that you try to take the style of the game to your daily, fun golf with your friends.

• scoring the match with the “Reckoning” between players - “Playing the Odd and the Like”. This is kind of the Auld Golf mantra - a special way to connect to the Auld Golf Era. This was the common way two friends would score the match on a daily basis.

• having the ability of playing with an “era correct” golf ball for the style of play of the day. This option is thankfully available, even if used only on special occasions.

• experiencing the other options, games and rules that enabled players to keep the game fresh and fun and challenging.
  See the details below in “Rules and Games”

• tracking personal Stroke Play scores to help establish rankings and handicapping basis among Auld Golf Players.
  See the details below in “Handicapping”

• and occasional Special Events… ( see Bandon Dunes blog post from the first Auld Golf Rules match play event in 2017 )

Also, Early steel shafted clubs were professionally produced in 1921, played in unofficial events in 1922, barred from play in 1923, and approved by the USGA in 1924 and by the R&A in 1929. By the late 1920s steel shafted woods were extremely popular and full numbered sets of steel shafted irons were changing the game. Jones played hickory all through his playing days and “the great achievement” in 1930. But the pure hickory era had all but ended by 1925. Jones happened to stick with hickory but he was playing against a field using steel shafted sets or combination steel and hickory. Billy Burke won the US Open in 1931 using all steel shafted clubs, essentially ending the reign of hickory. This is not imperative of course, but is to raise the fact that these clubs were part of this era and it is an additional niche to explore and enjoy.’ Auld Golfers are encouraged to include early steel shafted woods in select games. The woods were more prolific in their introduction and much easier to procure. Again, this is simply an option to open up the experiences that Auld golfers can have based on the games and clubs that were actually used during what we typically call the “Hickory Era”… For the FUN of it!