K Leonard Hickory Golf Long Nose Play Club Set

Long Nose Hickory Golf Club Set by K. Leonard

Step into the world of 19th-century golf with this handcrafted 4-club long nose set by K. Leonard—an artisan dedicated to preserving the traditions and techniques of early clubmaking. Each club in this unique set is individually shaped using more than 85% hand tools and built with period-correct materials, offering both playable quality and collector value.

These long nose hickory golf clubs are inspired by the craftsmanship of the feathery and gutty eras, roughly spanning the late 1700s to the mid-1800s. Back then, golf was a handmade game. Clubs were not mass-produced but painstakingly crafted by individual makers using locally available woods and tools. K. Leonard draws on this heritage, combining historical research with years of hands-on experience to bring that lost art into the present day.

Each club features a traditional long nose head—slender and elegant in profile—carved from select hardwoods. While some early clubmakers used beech, apple, or pear wood, Leonard selects from a curated mix of hardwoods, including some less common yet well-suited for play, depending on regional availability and grain quality. Every head is shaped, rasped, and scraped to exacting dimensions by hand before being matched with a spliced hickory shaft using the classic “scare joint” method. This tapered splice is then glued, whipped with linen thread, and sealed—just as it would have been in the 1800s.

The faces of the clubs are reinforced with a horn insert, and some include a lead backweight for better balance and flight control, a technique borrowed from traditional play clubs of the early Scottish makers. Authentic sheepskin or leather is wrapped at the grip, giving a tactile and historically accurate feel in hand.

These are not reproductions in appearance only—they are performance-ready hickory clubs built to be swung and enjoyed on the course. Whether you’re a hickory golf enthusiast or a newcomer to traditional play, you’ll feel the difference in rhythm, tempo, and satisfaction that only comes from using a club made almost entirely by hand. The set is suitable for play with replica feathery or gutta percha balls and is commonly used in hickory golf events around the world.

This 4-club set includes:
- Play Club (Driver) – Long and slightly curved, designed for distance from the tee.
- Grass Club (Spoon) – A versatile fairway wood for medium to long shots.
- Baffing Spoon – Higher loft for shorter approach shots and lies in rougher ground.
- Putting Cleek or Putter – A delicate touch club designed for smooth greens and final strokes.

Each set is marked with K. Leonard’s craftsman signature and may feature slight variations that reflect the individuality of handmade construction—no two sets are exactly the same. This adds to their character and echoes the uniqueness found in original 19th-century clubs, when every club was a personal tool rather than a standardized product.

K. Leonard’s philosophy embraces not only the methods of the past but the mindset of the clubmakers who came before. “I often think of what those craftsmen would have made if they had access to the tools I use,” he says. “But at the same time, I try to stay true to their limitations, relying on hand tools wherever I can. Most of the hours are spent at the vise with a rasp or scraper—it's a very physical process.”

As the popularity of hickory golf grows, sets like these offer a direct and tangible connection to the game’s roots. Whether displayed as part of a heritage collection or used in play, this set bridges centuries of golf history with precision, integrity, and soul.

Made in Canada.

Grip material: Suede leather.

This can be used to play hickory golf or regular golf.
This putter is only available as a right-hand model.
Can we use it in the rain? Yes. When finished, wipe it with a towel and let it dry naturally. Do not place it near a stove or fire.
What golf balls should I use? You can use any ball you wish.