The colourful scene is one from a bygone era of golf. Resplendent in tweeds, plus fours and the odd handlebar moustache, competitors in the World Hickory Open Championship get ready to tee off.
Scores are kept, but the competition is less than fierce. This is more about enjoying the sport and the company, as well as the joy of a hitting a ball with clubs dating from pre-1935.
Who takes part?
More than 120 golfers from 14 countries are taking part in the event which is being staged in the Highlands for the first time.
Starting at Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, which hosted a team event, the players will move on to Castle Stuart Golf Links, Nairn Golf Club and Royal Dornoch Golf Club over three days.
And they have come dressed for the occasion.
Long dresses and hats for the women, flat caps, tweed jackets and even bow ties for the men.
Organised by Platinum Golf Scotland, the last event was held in 2019 at Gullane in East Lothian.
An event planned for St Andrews was cancelled due to Covid and last year it was announced the competition would move to the Highlands.
Andreas Biste from Cologne is visiting Scotland for the first time to take part in the Hickory Open.
For anyone wishing to understand the difference between playing hickory golf and its modern equivalent, he has a descriptive explanation.
“Playing hickory is like playing jazz and swing music. Playing with modern clubs is rock music.
“I’m not an ACDC player.”
‘They will never forget this for the rest of their lives’
Andreas is the founder of the Hickory Society Cologne and organiser of the bigger hickory event in Germany.
But he says Scotland is a special place for players: “Scotland is the home of golf. On the continent you don’t have so many chance to play courses like this.
Alex Bruce, originally from St Andrews but now living in Japan, is attending with 12 Japanese players who have won previous golf competitions.
“They are very enthusiastic and are having the time of their lives here.
“To play hickory in Scotland where golf started…. these people will never forget this for the rest of their lives.”
He says hickory players have a different outlook on the game.
Why is hickory golf different?
“If you play modern golf, you get back in the car and tend to talk about the shots you missed.
“With hickory, to tend to talk about the ones you hit. It changes the perspective from the score to the enjoyment.”
The weather, he says, is not an issue: “People just laugh about it. They see four seasons in one day and they like that.”
Tatjana Thoss, from Wiesbaden in Germany, took up hickory golf about eight years ago.
“The difference is it’s much easier with modern clubs. It’s like skiing with old skis, you really have to know what you’re doing.
“And of course dressing up is part of it, as long as the weather allows.”
Event chairman Hamish Steedman says the Hickory Open is important for Scotland.
“Having these people coming here from all these countries, particularly at this time of year, is great business for the golf clubs and hotels.
“There is huge excitement about the event, people are really buzzing.
Keeping alive a piece of golf history
“Every year people come and make new friends and want to come back.”
He said hickory golf is growing around the world and is helping to keep alive a part of the game’s history.
“And while people love getting dressed up, there is a practical side of going out in winter in plus-fours – you don’t get your trousers so muddy and wet.”
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