WORLD'S CHAMPION AT 20.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 3, 9 February 1914, Page 11

WORLD'S CHAMPION AT 20.

9 ■ A conspicuous illustration of the value of an early start in golf is afforded in the case of Fraticia Ouimet, who won the open championship of the United States after playing off, stroke for stroke, against the famous British professionals, Var&on and Ray/in a three-ball game. Previously he had tied with them over v a gruelling course of 72 holes. ''When Francis was at high school/' says his mother, '' I used to hear noises in his : room at night, pnce I went upstairs. What do you think that funny boy was doing? Practising- putting. .He was in his nightclothes, swinging his stick over the bedroom floor! He Wanted to try a : touch grip, and- couldn't wait till [morning." No 3pub~t Ouimet is a naturai, boxn golfer,/bujk he would not have Reached his present pinnacle without entiTusiasm and perseverance. Somebody jbia's said that there-are three rules for a golfer." "The.-first is-practfce; -the-seephd is - practice;; and the, third is> .-practiced

vjuimec appears to pe. iiiucu ux mis opinion. But he.has othel'.ideas as wellj and the following, is a piece of advice fffhieh he has given:to the 90,000,000 of the tlriited States through one lOf the big Sunday; circulatoins:—''The splayer should stand- directly opposite the pall. He must nol; make the mistake of gropping the club dn the palms of the hand. must grip it with the fingers . ijastead. ■ th£-wrists flexible. Just as the club-head niLeets-the ball the wrists should be brought :pitb redoubled action. tt ; is they that-give power to the stroke. They give steadiness and control, to the drive. Through them the golfer can attain smoothness of stroke. And' a •smooth stroke is the first sign of a master." Of course, a good deal of this is not original; but at fche present moment it is interesting because Ouimet says it.