A Return to Hickory Golf

The story of the Hickory Golf Shop began with the owner's fascination for the "Golden Age" of Britain—a time when elegant products shaped the worlds of sport, travel, leisure, and fashion.

In 2013, during a family visit to his homeland of Scotland, a handmade hickory putter arrived as a Father's Day gift from his children — and it changed everything. He returned home to Japan with his first full hickory set, and headed straight for the hills of Karuizawa. Playing with it in the beautiful setting, he rediscovered the true appeal of hickory golf—the purity of the game, its distinctive style, and the camaraderie shared with friends on the course.

That round became the catalyst for something bigger — opening a specialty shop in Japan, founding the "Happy Hickory Golfers (H.H.G.)" with the friends who first gathered to play, and helping preserve hickory golf workshops worldwide. Word spread, and hickory golf began to find its audience across Japan.

The Nationwide Growth of Hickory Golf

Following this, members of H.H.G. began organizing regular events, paving the way for major national tournaments such as the Japan Hickory Open, the Japan Hickory Players Championship, and the Japan Hickory Masters Championship. These efforts helped spark the creation of new nationwide hickory golf associations, groups, and clubs, further spreading the game across Japan.

Today, more than 400 players take part in hickory golf events throughout the country. These gatherings capture the spirit of 1920s Scotland's golden age—from the craftsmanship of classic clubs and timeless fashion to the romance of the game itself. Events range from friendly rounds with fellow enthusiasts to competitive tournaments for Amateurs and Professionals.

We invite you to join a hickory golf event, meet fellow enthusiasts, share laughs over missed shots, and celebrate the great ones together.