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

the “broken bottle” open at royal st. george’s in 1949
July 14, 2021

By George Petro Today is July 14, 2021, and the Open Championship is about to be contested at Royal St George’s in the southeast of England for the 15th time since 1894.  In 1949 the winner was “Bobby” Locke, who would win three more Opens in 1950, 1952 and 1957 and ensure his induction into the hall of fame. Locke’s […]

southern pines restoration uncovers “lost” hole
June 30, 2021

Work goes on to complete a restoration of the Southern Pines Golf Course in Southern Pines, N.C. The Donald Ross layout was acquired by the Pine Needles resort and has the loving attention of its owners to bring the layout back to Ross’ intentions. The work has revealed a “lost” par 3 hole, thanks to close examinations of Ross’ blueprints. […]

r&a opens newly renamed golf museum
June 23, 2021

Welcome news for golf history fans. The R&A has re-opened the newly christened R&A World Golf Museum, formerly the British Golf Museum. The facility is across the street from the R&A clubhouse in St Andrews. The Club has taken full advantage of the Covid lockdown to extensively renovate and update displays, add new ones and update the upstairs coffee shop. […]

videos promote ghs national convention
June 22, 2021

Randy Tantlinger, president of Victory Sports Entertainment, (http://www.golfinaround.org/) has produced two short YouTube videos with Dr. Bern Bernacki that promote the Society’s National Convention this fall. Excitement is building as planning continues for a truly remarkable gathering. The dates are Sept. 29 through Oct. 3 at the DoubleTree Inn-Monroeville, Pa. Check the Events listings on this website.Click here to view […]

rocco and tiger at torrey pines
June 16, 2021

The U.S. Open comes to Torrey Pines this year, scene of a thrilling finish in 2008 when Rocco Mediate, a journeyman pro, battlied golf phenom and superstar Tiger Woods to a tie and thrilling playoff. Click here to view a story posted on Kingdom Magazine about the tournament and Mediate’s friendship with Arnold Palmer.