Cornwall leads the way in hickory golf

Paul East likes to play hickory golf wearing traditional clothing

A type of golf, popular more than a hundred years ago, is making a comeback thanks to golfers in Cornwall.

Hickory golf uses clubs where the shaft is made of hickory wood rather than modern metal.

Now, Paul East, a member of Truro golf club has started to embrace the traditional sport.

As a result, the Cornwall Golf Union (CGU) has officially recognised hickory golf, giving the game the same standing as modern forms of the sport.

Mr East said it was the history and tradition of hickory golf that sparked his interest.

Hickory golf clubs have wooden shafts

"I thought, this is the game for me, not just having the hickory clubs hanging on the wall, but actually playing with them.

"So for the last five years, I've only played hickory golf, I haven't touched a modern club since."

Mr East said he also feels it is important to look the part, and dresses in old-fashioned clothing.

"Hickory is a traditional game and it's not a bad idea to dress appropriately, which basically means plus fours.

"You don't have to, but it's the norm in this game", he added.

Shaun Davies has been club making for 34 years

Shaun Davies has been making hickory clubs since 1990, following in the footsteps of his grandfather.

He said: "My grandfather started club making when he was 14.

"He was getting to retirement age with no one else to take it on - so here I am 34 years later still making clubs."

Mr Davies added: "The sport is growing definitely - I can't see myself stopping my job."

'Good idea'

Cornwall is the first county golf union in the UK to officially recognise hickory golf.

Martin Edwards is president of the CGU and said: "Golf's been played in Cornwall since 1889.

"We thought it was a good idea to get involved, and to go back to a traditional way of playing golf again."

Martin Edwards thought it would be good for the CGU to get involved

The CGU has organised a hickory golf competition in Lostwithiel in August to promote the sport.

Before that, Great Britain and Ireland join forces to take on the Continent of Europe in a three-day hickory golf tournament at the Royal Blackheath Golf Club in July.

Mr East will be captaining the Great Britain side, hoping to showcase Cornwall's hickory Golf credentials on an international stage.