GOLF.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1691, 19 June 1929, Page 3

GOLF.

Good weather was experienced over the week-end and opportunity was taken to get in some good practice in i view of the approaching mateh against f the Wanaka dob." The Wanaka Club has aeeepted our challenge for the Dewar Cap and this will be simultaneously played with an • inter-elub match. Approximately 25 players have signified their intention of making the trip which is anticipated with" no small aa ouat of enthusiasm. The" organisation of the personnel and, ears is practically completed. The detailed' arrangements are to be seen in Mr Hewitt's shop. In view of the above match it is suggested that a little attention be given to the rules, particularly those affecting the loss of the hole. The greens on the Wanaka links, as far ss can be remembered, are turf tt*j contrast to the local greens. An hour or "two spent. with the putter on the back lawn would help to overcome the difficulties which possibly may be experienced on turf greens. Another point worthy of mention is that before commencing a match on links away from home the local roles should be closely scanned. Knowledge and observance of them are frequent means of faking an advantage which would otherwise be lost. There should be no necessity to remind members making the trip; that they should leave Alexandra not later than 9 aon. The match commences at 1.30 pan. over a course of 18 holes. Accommodation will be aneanged by the seeretarv of the Wanaka Club. « With the present pleasant weather being experienced, the thaw following . "oa the hard frosts is producing early in the day unfavourable conditions on .some of the tees and greens. Considerable damage was caused to some of the tees and greens during the last few daya ia view of which it should" not . be necessary to point out that players should- tee up on temporary teeing grounds; on the greens the wet patches after the thaw should be treated as

casual water. Golfers are also reminded that Mr Schaumann has been authorised to iaforni players that eer-%--laia greens are unfit for play. Should aay. player be so inconsiderate as to* defy the green keeper that player will, ■ore merit the displeasure of the com-, mittee and fellow members. While on th« subject of preserving the -.good order of the links, it should be noted that divots should be replaced or the dub mark otherwise erased with the foot Failure to observe the "replace the turf" rule is not common to only junior members on the local links. More care should be exercised on the greens, especially from now onwards. Heel, dab and pin marks—whether your own or those of other players—should be erased before leaving a green. We cannot expect our greenkeeper to maintain good greens if we do not give him ' some assistance. Severe criticism has been lately levelled at some of the disabilities to ' be encountered on the local links. The ■object of exempting the road as a ! hazard has been diseussed frequently. J It remains a hazard and must be treated asussdi till exempted. It is' list-exactly enervating to discover that | a good drive or second shot has come to i rest in the roadwav. The m,«t;„- ~#

lifting to one side of a rock on a putting green was thoroughly discussed at I the last committee meeting when it was decided that no loeal role be made to that effect as it was hoped that a considerable number of the obstructions would be moved. There is no rule per- . mitting a ball to be lifted to one side t to avoid a rock. On the green it may hc lifted and placed at a distance of Bdt more than two lengths of the clnb behind the reek. It is rather inter- , esting to note also that the rule in xegard to lifting from behind a.rock on * the green is rather an arbitary one. The point raised by the writer is that ' the .spirit of the rule should be observed. • The rale gives permission to lift only when there is a likelihood of - "injury to player or ciub.".Jn numerous instances shots played from such places on the green are of such a nature that there is no danger to the player or.the.club in whieh case the ball should not be lifted. This latter point is worthy of some discussion: