Photography: Santiago Martínez de Setién

The third edition has been held at the Real Club El Candado, a nice and different day for all those enthusiastic `players of Hickory, a format that recovers the rules and materials used a century ago to enjoy playing golf. 40 members of the club have participated this year with sunny weather and perfectly dressed with clothes from that time. The idea came up in 2020 from Los Palomos, a group of friends that are members of El Candado Club. 

To participate in this event, the players dressed with clothes from that period, wearing white shirts, ties, bow ties, flat caps, long skirts, Plus Fours… And the rules are adapted, they don’t allow modern shoes, the use of trolleys, hybrids (just iron and wooden woods), the ball can’t be marked on the green, the tees are wooden and the balls white.

It’s all about sharing a different day travelling to the past, enjoying the proper essence of what golf was at the time, to use the words of the players it makes you live a very amusing experience that leaves you wanting to do it again.

The Hickory is a game format that is gaining more followers every day because it makes the players use their abilities and skills and in which it is more important to participate and enjoy rather than to win. It has been such a success that the 2023 edition is already being prepared.

The rules of the tournament are the following:

1. 4 clubs
2. Classic putter
3. Woods that are only made of wood
4. Hybrids are not allowed, only irons or wooden woods
5. Only wooden tees
6. The ball is not marked on the green and if any are obstructing then that ball plays first
7. The ball on the fairway can’t be touched
8. The trolleys are not allowed
9. Old fashioned bags that can be shared
10. Modern shoes (spiked) are not allowed
11. Balls have to be white

Meet Goloria González, vice-captain El Candado Golf