Old Hickory also provides early rule sheets that instruct the participants to play by the old rules, including the stymie rule.

1. Play the ball as it lies.

However, the embedded ball rule is in effect through the green.

2. The stymie rule is in effect

The stymie rule dictates that the player is not allowed to mark and / or pickup his ball on the putting green. His playing partners must putt around or over his ball. The honour system of play is in effect. 

If you strike another players ball while putting there is no penalty to either player. The person that hit the putt must play his ball as it lies. The player whose ball was struck can replace his ball or play it as it lies. In the event, the non-putting player's ball is knocked into the hole he is deemed to have holed out on his previous stroke. If your ball comes to rest within six (6) inches of the hole you must hole out. Additionally, if balls are within six (6) inches of each other, the putting ball can ask for the other ball to be marked. This is known as the six (6) inch exception.

3. You can use the other players clubs

You are allowed to and are encouraged to use the various clubs in your group. Part of the fun is to try the several clubs to find the ones most consistent with your style and swing. 

4. Use the Old Hickory golf gutty balls

The Old Hickory golf balls must be used except on specified holes. 

If your gutty ball would split or crack during play, you can either finish the hole with the largest piece of the ball remaining or finish with a new ball. 

5. Play by the honour system

Always allow the person farthest from the hole to play first. DO NOT get ahead of any person about to play. The hickory shafts can break. If clubs do break, please collect the broken pieces and return them to one of Old Hickory's staff.

6. USGA Rules Apply

Other than the above, Modern USGA Rules and any local rules apply. If questions arise, please contact the pro-shop or an Old Hickory Golf staff member.

Old Hickory also provides tips for the participants to assist them with using the hickory shafted clubs and gutty balls.

The following tips for hickory shafted play were compiled by drawing upon the experience of the great players that used the wooden shaft:

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 nineteen hundreds 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 nineteen hundreds 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 eighty for eighteen holes. 

TIPS FOR CLUB SELECTION

You will notice that the hickory shafted clubs and the gutta percha balls are different from their modern counterparts. Because of the differences you will quickly realize that you must adjust your expectations regarding club selection and ball flight. Golf was played lower to the ground in the early nineteen hundreds; therefore, you must adjust your game to match this bump and run style of play. Following is a range of distances for the various clubs that you may find in your foursome. All distances are in yards, and are typical for a player that hits his modern five iron 175 yards. A general guideline is to hit two (2) more clubs than normal. Therefore, if you usually hit a 5 iron 175 yards, then hit a 3 iron with the hickories when you have 175 yard shot. 

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