ORANGE golfers took a step back in time when they tried their skills with traditional hickory golf sticks at Duntryleague yesterday as part of the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival.
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The golf day was about celebrating the golfing heritage in Orange
Duntryleague and Rotary Club of Orange member Mick Doyle was among those to take part in the social golf game where three holes were played with hickory sticks, and there was a competition for the straightest drive using a hickory stick.
He said the event was co-ordinated by the Rotary Club of North Orange, the Rotary Club of Orange, the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival committee and the Duntryleague Golf Club.
About 60 people took part in the day.
“It’s an opportunity for people to reflect on how golf used to be played,” Mr Doyle said.
“The Australian Golf Heritage Society at Glanville sent those [hickory sticks] up, they play quite regularly with hickory clubs.”
Mr Doyle said scores were mixed, with some playing better with the hickory sticks than with their own sticks and others having more difficulty.
He said the biggest difference was noticed with the putting, particularly for those who were used to the balance of their own putters.
“The technology changes haven’t been quite as different as you would think they would be,” Mr Doyle said.
Along with using the historical golf sticks, some golfers played in period dress from Banjo Paterson’s era.
tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au
