Hickory Legend: Heritage Center Celebrates Golf Great Walter The Haig Hagen

April 30, 2003

The Haig drew back his hickory shafted brassie swinging awkwardly at the teed up gutty, he and the gallery watched as the gutty landed in the tall grass giving him a nearly impossible second shot. The gallery moaned, but the Haig smiled as he walked to find his gutty. Reaching in his bag he pulled out his mashie niblick and somehow landed his gutty a couple feet from the cup for a tap in for birdie. The gallery cheered in amazement.
This was nothing new for Walter “The Haig” Hagen, the king of the recovery shot and one of professional golf’s greatest players. Hagen would win a total of 11 majors, third most ever among golfers. Hagen retired from professional golf in 1939 and moved to a 20-acre estate on Long Lake near Traverse City in 1954 until his death in 1969.
The Grand Traverse Heritage Center, in honor of Walter Hagen, is hosting “The Haig” Golf Classic, June 20 at Elmbrook Golf Course, an event played with hickory clubs and vintage attire. After golf, participants and others will be treated to a traditional Hagen dinner and an awards banquet at Grand Traverse Heritage Center on Sixth Street. The Center will unveil a new exhibit that evening featuring Hagen memorabilia and other historical golf items from that enlivening time.

BRASSIES & MASHIES
Participation in the golf is limited to the first 84 to sign up and each foursome will be loaned two sets of traditional hickory shaft clubs.
“We have been searching all over the country to borrow these sets and we are close, it really is exciting that so many people are interested in this,” said Carolyn Olson of Elmbrook Golf Course and one of the event organizers. “Dr. Joe Gadbaw has been helping us and he is even purchasing some old sets to start a hickory shaft golf league.”
Hickory shaft clubs have different names, for example a 3 wood is known as “brassie” and is for shots around 180 yards, a 5 wood is known as a “spoon,” a 5 iron known as a “mashie,” and is for shots around 100 yards (with modern clubs 5 irons are used for shots around 175 yards for a typical player) and pitching wedge is referred to as a “niblick.” The general rule of thumb for using hickories is to go up two clubs so a 175-yard shot would be best played with a mid-mashie (3 iron) instead of the 5 iron of today.
The Haig will be a scramble format and will incorporate some special rules to keep the event fun. Traditional hickory stick rules vary from rules of golf today. One example is when your ball is on the green, traditional hickory club rules prohibit moving or cleaning your ball. If your opponents’ ball is in your way you have to putt around or over the other ball without hitting your opponents ball. Another rule was if your gutty (ball) broke in two you would finish the hole using the larger of the two pieces.
Hickory shaft golf events and leagues are gaining popularity throughout the country. Using these type of clubs evens the playing field for golfers of all abilities.

THE HICKORY SWING
The swing technique with a hickory shaft club is different then today’s graphite or steel clubs. The Old Hickory Golf Association makes the following suggestions:

1. Swing smooth. With a hickory shafted club you will experience far more torque (club head twist) than you do with your steel or graphite shafts. To minimize the torque you must eliminate any quick or forced movements in your swing. If you swing too quickly the club head torque will guarantee an errant shot. The wooden shaft necessitates a buttery smooth swing.
2. Swing low. Golfers in the early 1900s had a flatter swing plane than the modern golfer. Part of the flatter swing plane could be attributed to the emulation of great players of the eighteen hundreds. The long nose clubs required a sweeping swing similar to a slap shat in hockey. As the swing evolved to match the newer equipment the swing plane became more upright. To increase your proficiency with the hickory shaft you may want to flatten your swing plane.
3. Hit with your hands. The great players of the early 1900s often described the feeling of hitting with their hands. The modern swing focuses on body rotation as a way to develop club head speed. The hickory player, however, must rely on well timed hand action to ensure a square hit. You must use your hands and wrists to open shut the club face. But remember no quick movements.
4. Swing slow. The slower the better. The hickory shaft cannot withstand an aggressive swing and the golfer cannot withstand the results of an aggressive swing. If the player wants accurate shots then he must not force the shot. A general guideline is to swing at about 75% of your normal swing speed.
5. Have fun. Realize that you are experiencing a new style of golf. Do not expect too much. Experiment with the clubs and try to find a swing that will move you around the course in the fewest number of strokes, and remember that even the great players were pleased when they broke 80 for 18 holes.

Event organizers want to emphasize the “fun” of this event. Keeping with Hagen’s approach to life “I stop to smell the flowers, often,” was his common response. Hagen, the first U.S. Ryder Cup Captain (A position he held for six straight Ryder Cups), was often late to the tee and once an angry tournament official asked, “Practicing a few shots, Walter?” He responded: “Nope, just having a few.”
It was comments like that that made Hagen popular and he helped to popularize golf. He was the first athlete to make $1 million playing a sport. When he started professionals were treated as servants and often not allowed in clubhouses and often had to enter through back doors. Once when competing at the British Open he rented a Cadillac and pulled up to the clubhouse, when he was refused entrance he returned to his Cadillac and changed his clothes in full view of those gathered.

LITTLE BO‘S REGULAR
Hagen stories are legendary around Northern Michigan. His favorite watering hole was Little Bo’s, where he enjoyed beer and whiskey and reminisced with other patrons. He was a regular at the Traverse City Country Club and on August 20, 1967 the Country Club organized a tribute and testimonial dinner that featured many dignitaries including Arnold Palmer, here is a sampling of the testimonies:
• Former President Dwight Eisenhower: “Your achievements at home and in Great Britain have earned you both the PGA‘s Hall of Fame and an enduring place in the affections of all for your stout heart and great talent.“
• Edward, Duke of Windsor: “I recall the great kick we all used to get out of watching you play and win on the great championship courses.“
• Bob Hope: “Walter‘s the fellow who said, ‘After watching Bob‘s swing, you‘re not sure which rest room he uses.‘“
• Bobby Jones: “I always enjoyed the many rounds of golf we played together, even when you were giving me a good beating.“
• Ben Hogan: “Without you, golf would not be what it is today. I give you my deepest thanks.“
• Byron Nelson: “There is absolutely no way that we golf professionals can properly thank you for your great contribution to our profession.“

GET OUT YOUR KNICKERS
“The Haig” golf outing will feature a special appearance by an actor who is portraying Walter Hagen in an upcoming documentary about Hagen’s life. Tournament winners will ride in a convertible Cadillac during the Cherry Festival parades and enjoy a unique trophy.
What about vintage clothing from the era?
“We want people to have fun with this, so start in your own closet first,” said Olson. “You will be surprised that you already have everything you need. Ladies should wear long skirts and men can make knickers out of old pants and where a white shirt with a tie. If you need help creating an outfit just call The Haig hotline at 946-4858.”
According to Olson, whose Elmbrook Golf Course was the first 18-hole public course in the area; golf slots are filling up quickly. However for those not interested in golfing organizers are encouraging anyone interested to come out and be a part of the “gallery” for the day, of course dressed in the themed clothing.
The evening will close with a special appearance by “The Haig,” a dinner at the Heritage Center, featuring local wines and microbrewed beer along with awards. Plus participants will get a first look at the golf exhibit. There are tickets available for just the dinner but space is limited and advanced purchase is required. All proceeds from the golf and dinner will go to the Heritage Center Capital Campaign.
The Grand Traverse Heritage Center is a non-profit organization with an education mission. Founded in 2000, this group of volunteers collaborates with the City of Traverse City to operate a public facility that provides meeting space, educational services and a safe, accessible repository for the community‘s resources of cultural heritage. It is the Home of Friends of the Friends of the Con Foster Museum, Inc., Maritime Heritage Alliance, Railroad Historical Society of NW Michigan, Grand Traverse Pioneer & Historical Society, Women’s History Project of NW Michigan and the Grand Traverse Area Rock & Mineral Club.

For additional information on this unique event call “The Haig” hotline at (231) 946-4858. Event organizers are looking for hickory shaft era items for display as well as Hagen memorabilia, call if you might be able to help.