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.
  • The Autumn 2024 edition of The Golf is just about ready to mail. The edition has been posted to the website on the Members page. Meanwhile, the deadline for articles and news for the winter edition of The Golf is Oct. 28. Sooner is always better.
  • 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 masters amateur dinner
April 4, 2023

By John Fischer III Anyone who follows the Masters golf tournament has probably heard of the Champions Dinner held on Tuesday evening of the tournament week. The idea came from Ben Hogan in 1952 who sought permission to hold a dinner for all prior winners of the Masters. The group would constitute The Masters Club. Augusta National Golf Club Chairman, […]

video flyover of ron lyons golf car collection
December 8, 2022

Every August, Ron Lyons of Canada hosts the annual Canadian Hickory Open Championship on his Legends Golf Course in Edmonton. He is also a GHS member and golf collector of the first order with many dozens of clubs, balls, tees, books… you name it. The item that sets him apart from most others is his passion for golf cars, especially […]

golf historian pete trenham receives distinguished service award
December 7, 2022

Peter Trenham, a Golf Heritage Society member for many years, was honored on Oct. 26, 2022, by the Golf Association of Philadelphia with its Distinguished Service Award. This award is bestowed upon individuals who have exemplified the spirit of the game of golf at its highest level and who have made a substantial contribution to the game locally, nationally or internationally.  […]

tiger collectible a rare ace
November 4, 2022

Under the heading of rare golf collectibles comes an item with a Tiger Woods pedigree, a ball he used to score an ace during the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open. Click here for a Golf Digest story about the ball and why it’s coming up for auction now.

si writer posts visit to ghs convention
October 1, 2022

Golf journalist John Schwarb was among the many visitors who took a tour of the trade show at the annual Golf Heritage Society convention held in Indianapolis Sept. 22-24. Several items caught his eye, among them a Phil Mickelson golf bag and a Canadian Open medal won by Bobby Jones. His is a great look at the show through the […]