Updated May 2023
These guidelines are a framework that gutty event organizers may use to create their own rules. They are not considered “hard and fast” rules. Event organizers are welcome to use them as needed. It is important that individual event organizer/directors set the “Rules of Competition” and then publish those rules well in advance of their event so all participants have full knowledge of what is and what is not allowed.
THE GUTTY GOLF ERA
The gutty ball was introduced in 1848 and played by everyone almost immediately. The end date of the gutty era corresponds with Sandy Herd’s Open victory in 1902 when, using the new Haskell ball, he defeated Harry Vardon who still was using the gutty. Herd was outdriving Vardon by a considerable distance. A smart competitor, Vardon switched to the new rubber core ball and won the following year’s Open. Other champions – like the Smith brothers – switched from the gutty to the new ball in that same year. For our purposes, the gutty era spans 1850-1902/3. Certainly many players still used the gutty after that date, but the golfing mainstream quickly went with the “new” ball.
Many refer to “Gutty Golf” as “Pre-1900” golf. That date is an arbitrary one applied only for its ease as a general description. Gutty Golf cannot be tied to specific dates.
CLUBS
Woods – Long-nosed, semi long-nosed, transitional woods and “compressed heads” should be allowed. The head should be connected to the shaft with a scare or splice. Socket heads were not available during the gutty era and should not be allowed. Face decoration such as lines, crosshatching, inserts, and the like, are of no consequence for woods.
Irons – Irons must be smooth-faced. Random dot punching, lines and other face markings should be disallowed as the use of face scoring of any type was not important until later in the development of golf equipment.
Specific non-conforming clubs labeled as pitcher, spade mashie, or sand iron are examples of clubs that date from the 20th century and should not be allowed. One interesting exemption is the jigger. There is evidence that the first jiggers were introduced in the mid-1890s and thus would be allowed for gutty play. The trick is trying to find a smooth-faced jigger as that club came into common production only later in the 20th century. A jigger with face scoring of any type should not be allowed.
Gutty Golf Guidelines
Dating clubs is a challenge. Essentially, any smooth-faced iron should be acceptable for a gutty event as these were made well into the 20th century.
Putters, putting irons or putting cleeks – Maker/style should be contemporary with 19th century design and use.
Wood putters – Any wood head putter of the long-nosed or semi long-nosed shape (whether splice or heel shafted) should be allowed, including modern replicas of the same type. Center-shafted putters should not be allowed as that idea was not introduced until the rubber core ball era. It should also be noted that the Standard Golf Company’s Mills type aluminum putters were not commercially available until well after the turn of the 20th century and should not be allowed.
Grips – There is no regulation/guideline covering the size (diameter) of grips in the gutty era. Grips of non-uniform taper or grips with “reminder” ridges should be allowed. There were many types of grips used in the gutty era: shaped wood (no covering), leather wraps, gauze type material, rubberized cloth, and plain cloth, as well as other tape-like materials. Every kind of gripping material was used with the exception of the modern slip-on rubber grips.
Shafts – All shafts are expected to be of wood. Other shaft material – steel core covered with a wood veneer, for example – should not be allowed.
Replicas – Approved replica/reproduction clubs are available for use; see the list of approved clubs. There may be other modern day club makers who are not listed but who also replicate gutty era clubs. If such clubs are found to be conforming, event organizers are encouraged to embrace them should they choose.
BALLS
Individual event directors will determine the balls to be used in their events. There are many replica guttys and other limited-flight balls on the market.
TEES
Gutty competitions are encouraged to use sand tees on the teeing ground. Sand is readily available at most golf courses by prior arrangement. If this is impractical, an event organizer may permit use of manufactured tees at their discretion.
BAGS and CLUB CARRIERS
Club carriers and carry bags were being manufactured and sold in the gutty era and their use can be permitted. They should be, if at all possible, typical of the era (small in diameter, of leather or canvas or similar). Event organizers may exercise discretion as to their use. Club carriers such as patented caddie stands from the 19th century and clasp-carriers should also be allowed.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
There was no limit on the number of clubs during the gutty era; most players, however, carried only 5-8 clubs during play.
Alteration or repair of an original or authentic replica club should be permitted. Adding weight, re-gripping and re-shafting are good examples.
It is suggested that equipment be inspected in an approved manner before an event to ensure a fair competition.