The ghs welcomes you!

We love all things golf:
Playing, Collecting, Preserving history
We are a family and you are invited.

For over 50 years our members have relished the thrill of the hunt, be it discovering and documenting an obscure bit of golf lore, tracking down an ancient artifact, obtaining a favorite player’s signature, or displaying our admission ticket to the Masters. There is joy and pride in “Holding History in Our Hands.”

Our members include collectors, authors, course architects and superintendents, and anyone interested in the game and its history. Seasoned collectors and writers network with other members, share their knowledge and frequently surface as recognized experts in their field. With the help of mentors and Society resources, finding your personal niche amongst untold options can be part of a wonderful journey. Fellow travelers within the GHS will appreciate your discoveries and encourage your pursuits.

Members Attend Regional Events

The GHS is divided into 10 Geographic regions (including International) each led by a director who serves on the board. Those frequent events are opportunities for local get-togethers in addition to the Nationals. 

Recent visits to world renowned sites not otherwise accessible to the public include:
• Luncheon and a full tour of the Merion GC Clubhouse and Archives (left)- Next Visit 3-23-24
*18 holes of golf and reception at Arnold Palmer’s own Latrobe Country Club (right)
• Other recurring venues include Oakmont CC, Columbia CC, and Belleview CC

GHS members enjoy a golf trade show with all the socializing and great treasure hunting they love about such gatherings.

NEWS ALERTS

  • The 2024 GHS National Convention Packet has been mailed to all GHS members. We’ve attached a PDF of the packet here for your convenience. There’s a lot planned for the 2024 GHS Convention in Pinehurst, so don’t delay securing your spot.
  • Deadline for articles and news for the autumn edition of The Golf is July 29.
  • GHS member and author John Riley has a new book that covers the life and career of legendary Philadelphia amateur Bill Hyndman. Titled A Will to Win, the book already has great reviews, but we’ll post one in the Autumn edition of The Golf. Meanwhile, here’s a video of an interview with Inside Golf host Harry Donahue. Jay Sigel and Gordon Brewer also make an appearance on the video to talk about the book and Hyndman. Riley’s previous golf book was How He Played the Game, about Ed “Porky” Oliver. You can find A Will to Win at the following link: https://awilltowin.com/. It is the best place to buy the book.

Tom Stewart, right, hosts GHS visitors Scott Staudacher, left, and Ed Ronco, center, to his Old Sport and Gallery shop. The two golfers were in town for the 2017 Mid Pines Hickory Open.

pinehurst shops are troves of golf history

The website magazine First Call paid a visit to two of our favorite Pinehurst shops during the recent U.S. Open. The Old Golf Shop’s owner Bob Hansen took the magazine’s writers on a tour of his remarkable store of vintage golf memorabilia. Over at The Old Sport and Gallery, owner Tom Stewart welcomed the First Call team for a tour of his equally wonderful collection of golf history… all for sale, you understand. These are businesses that cater to both the casual tourist and the savvy golf historian/collector. Click here to see the story.


ghs classics from the Archives

The GHS quarterly journal, The Golf, and its long-lived predecessor, The Bulletin, had features that were – are – just plain fun to read. Below we are pleased to offer a “classic” from the past, a look at the collection of one of the Society’s long-time members.

Book collector and co-founder of the British Golf Collectors Society Philip Truett examines a rare volume from his collection.

the golf collection of philip truett

From the December 2014 edition of The Bulletin we share a feature on the rare book collection of Philip Truett, a resident of Walton-on-the-Hill, England. Truett’s lifelong interest in books has led to an astonishing variety of rare volumes, most published before 1920, his central focus. This feature gives us a little peek at Truett’s amazing collection. We are indebted to the late Dick McDonough for his work in providing photos and background for this feature.
Click here to read the article.


News / Features

Queen of golf shattered racist, sexist barriers
June 16, 2020

CELEBRATING BLACK GOLFERS – Ann Moore Gregory June 15, 2020 – With all that is going on right now, golf can seem a trivial thing. But it is the sport we cherish and its history is our passion. Not all of that history was spotless, however. As the world struggles to cast a light on systemic racism, golf, too, must […]

Moments that Matter – new series from the World Golf Hall of Fame
June 12, 2020

The World Golf Hall of Fame is featuring a 10-part series on YouTube that highlights some of golf’s most exciting stories. Called “Moments that Matter,” the series debuted June 10 with an episode titled “Miracle at Merion.” June 10 just happens to be the 70th anniversary of the great man’s legendary 1-iron shot at the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion […]

Southern Hills CC prepares display of club’s heritage

Many dozens of golf clubs in the U.S. have a rich and storied history and more than a few have dedicated historians/archivists, like the GHS’ own John Capers III at Merion. Southern Hills CC in Tulsa, Okla., is the latest to prepare a new display that chronicles and celebrates the club’s history. An article by Joe Barks in ClubandResortbusiness.com, describes […]

GHS featured in Ohio golf journal
June 10, 2020

The GHS has been featured in the Ohio Golf Journal’s June edition. Word is spreading about the Society and its welcome to golf enthusiasts of all stripes, from historians to hickory players, collectors, researchers, authors and more. This issue also contains a lovely feature on golf Hall of Famer and GHS member Renee Powell. Click here to check out the […]

Golf Heritage Society announces special membership fee
June 9, 2020

LEBANON, Ohio (June 9, 2020) – The nonprofit Golf Heritage Society (GHS) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and has just announced a membership fee of $25 for the remainder of 2020. With this special mid-year offer, the GHS (GolfHeritage.org) continues to welcome new members from throughout the U.S. and around the world. “It is our pleasure to announce this special […]