Old Bandon Golf Links is presently one of only a few public golf facilities in the U.S. offering hickory rentals for play with authentic gutta and other period-appropriate balls. The course was built in 1927 for use with these clubs.
While in Bandon for your golf outing, why not complete your stay with a short round of hickory golf to experience "golf as it used to be." Imagine Harry Vardon or Bobby Jones playing with these sticks, and the skill required before the age of graphite, titanium and GPS!
We have boxes with sand and bottled water at each tee for use with the 1880's clubs and your guttie balls. When using those clubs par changes from 32 to 36. Par does not change with the 1920's clubs and you may use standard tees with those.
We have found that groups tend to enjoy themselves more-so than the individual player, where match-play may be employed as was popular at the turn of the century. Forget par and your modern day handicap and get back to the basics.
Read more about it below or visit the Rates Page for more info on packages and pricing.
Also below you will find the link to a hickory game on You Tube, filmed here at OBGLwhen we opened in April 2009 as we had just recovered the course from its' abandoned state.
Three of the most famous golfers of all time; J.H. Taylor, James Braid, and Harry Vardon were all 20-year-old golfers in 1890, using gutta percha golf balls just like we offer for play. This is a once in a lifetime experience to enjoy an extinct version of golf. "The game of golf will never be the same," Harry Vardon said when the rubber band wound golf ball gained the favor of golfers by 1902.
OBGL gutta percha golf balls are hand crafted and produce a "click" when hit that is a unique and pleasant sound. They fly light, land light, and do not set any long distance records being a perfect match for the historic 1927 golf course with small greens an a need to play smart shots. Putting and chipping a gutta percha is simply amazing!
The combination of antique smooth face irons, a "true to play" gutta percha golf ball, and the short but tricky reconditioned Old Bandon Golf Links golf course creates a challenging (even for the best of golfers) round of golf that will never be forgotten.
Tee it up with a gutta percha ball on sand tee at Old Bandon Golf Links!
HICKORY GOLF AT OBGL ON YOU TUBE !
Important message for viewers: The You Tube video was filmed before the new grow-in of the course, back in April 2009.
The greens and tees are in great shape now and ofcourse other modifications are in place that you won't see on the video.
This video is fabulous insight into the game of Hickory Golf, so well worth the viewing... just remember the course is looking much different today! Enjoy!
Chris McIntyre, of playhickory.com, ready for 9-holes at Old Bandon Golf Links as Harry Vardon. Dapper!
Chris McIntyre and Dana Niehaus prepare to "Play Hickory!"
"Played Gutta Percha fo the first time. 2,000 yards may not seem like a lot, but with the antique clubs and gutta balls it was a perfect match. Anxious to stop by again!" Dana Niehaus, Santa Cruz, CA, November, 2009.
The Vardon Flyer, new gutta option from Chris McIntyre and playhickory.com. This version of ball was created in 1901 and only played for two years. Seen here on sand tee at Old Bandon Golf Links.
Tee it up with a gutta percha ball on sand tee at Old Bandon Golf Links!
