Hickory Golf at Kingarrock

Our last Scotland golfing adventure was an amazing experience hitting hickory clubs at the National Trust offering at Kingarrock.

Mowing the fairways at Kingarrock

The course is colocated with Hill of Tarvit Mansion, and we were a wee bit confused on arrival as the parking is the same for both. It is maybe a quarter mile walk along a road to get to the golf course. We were greeted as we walked by the head greenskeeper (dog) leading the assistant greenskeeper (tractor driver) through the mowing routine.

Dave gives us our orientation

This is a very special place and I’m so grateful we booked this adventure. Manager Dave Allen was escorting a two ball to the first tee but soon joined us in the pro shop. With five players we booked a spot for three and a separate time for two, with the hope that we’d all be able to play together. Things were very chill and slow paced as Dave talked us through the history of the mansion, the golf course, the decline, and the resurrection of the course by the National Trust. Dave was instrumental in all of this and as one the avid golfer local senior folks working for the trust he was tapped to look over Kingarrock. He’s very passionate about this assignment.

Showing us the ropes on the first tee

Each player was issued a traditional bag, five clubs, some tees, and some soft Srixon or Taylor Made balls. They used to use handmade traditional balls but they are expensive to make and procure, and players would often walk away with them in their pockets. Dave’s advice was to swing more slowly and controlled than normal, and to play a ground game as much as possible around the greens.

My golf clubs

Each set of clubs was unique but contained a similar range: a driving wood, a driving 1 iron, a 2 or 3 iron, Mashie iron, a Niblick lofted wedge, and a putter. The bag also had a wooden cross stand that you took out, unfolded, and rested the bag on to stand it up.

It was hard learning to hit these. My first 9 holes I spent a lot of the time searching for (sometimes losing) my ball in the deep rough. Many three putts. Everyone struggled. I shot a 51.

At the turn, Dave treated us to ginger beer and shortbread. So refreshing and relaxing.

Julie putts

Two of our party left at this point, so Britt and Julie opted to walk along with a putter and join us by playing around the greens. Things got easier for me a I learned to hit a little cut with the driving wood and started to figure out some distance control with the mashie and niblick. Improved to a 36.

I’m not going to join the hickory golf movement any time soon but I would gladly repeat an experience like this.