an unusual, but true tale of Ozark heritage

Huckle: the proper word by which a new wager
shall be invoked at Hickory Hills Country Club
—circa. 1936—

officially adopted: 1941 by HHCC Tournament Committee

The father of the “huckle” first used the expression while eyeing his opponent’s unfortunate protrusion at the left hip. The term “huckle” referred to the bellowing and hollering of contemporary fruit and vegetable hucksters who—noting the lateness of the day and the pile of unsold produce—would often “huckle down” to get the job done.

Instigator of this grand tradition at Hickory Hills (which occurred on Hole 3, Old Glenstone Course, 1936) was Joe Fisher, Jr., who “huckled” Art Sanders and Dick Farrington that fine day. After a bit of harassment, the “huckle” was accepted by the competitors and a bit of golf history was made.

It is, of course, pure coincidence that “huckle” could easily sound like “heckle” on the Course. The two words are generally mutually exclusive, though the end result of both could render like consequences. Golfers are therefore advised to be clear in their “huckling” (and, for that matter, in their heckling) efforts.

And so it was that Hickory Hills Country Club became the renowned and infamous “Home of the Huckle.”