GOLF PROWESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 8

GOLF PROWESS.

MEN'S SUPERIORITY.

HELEN HICKS' ADMISSION

NOTED AMERICAN VISITOR.

One of the most noted women golfers ever to visit New Zealand, Miss Helen Hicks, an American, stepped ashore from the Mariposa this morning to start a tour of the Dominion with her fellow countryman Gene Sarazen, who has made golf history on both sides of the Atlantic. The only lady golfers to play in New Zealand who f.re comparable with Miss Hicks are the members of the British team which toured here last year. Their play was a revelation to both men and women. It far eclipsed that of any of the New Zealand women, and rivalled that of most of the best men players. However, Miss Hicks frankly admitted this morning that the world's best men players are much superior to the women's best. "In my own country the best women play the best men, and they give lis six bisks '(strokes taken when desired) and beat us. Oftimes we beat i them," added Miss Hicks, "but I don't | think you can compare the standard of I the best of the two sexes."

Though she is noted for the distance she obtains with her drive, and has been dubbed "hard-hitting Helen," Miss Hicks said that it was not power which gave her distance. Women did not have the power in their wrists that men had. Against the best they consequently were at a disadvantage from the tees. "We have to play our 'seconds' with a club two or three different from the men. Men play a mashie to our spoon, or No. 2or 3 iron. Though we may perfect that club we are at the disadvantage that we have to get the distance and accuracy with a longer club. Thus length from the tee counts against us. Compared with men we have to get our par figures often by chipping and getting down in one putt." Miss Hicks may have been rather modest about the capabilities of her sex, and Gene Sarazen, whom she is accompanying on the tour, spoke of the marvellous accuracy with which she played her wooden shots to the green.

Five Wooden Clubs. Women players in New Zealand who eschew iron clubs, and stick to their woods on the fairway, may receive some comfoit from the fact that in America some of the women carry five wooden clubs in their bag. They" have the orthodox driver, brassie and spoon, a number 4 wood or spoon with a deeper face, and a No. 5, which resembles the clique, she said. "However, I and other leading women players do not use those clubs," she added, suggestively. "There is no such thing as ladies' tees iii our championships," said Miss Hicks. "We certainly have our tees forward of the men's in club competitions, but in the championships we drive from the same place, or at least work back to the same tee as the tourney proceeds." The visitor will play from the men's tees during her New Zealand tour, a fact which will lend additional interest to her exhibitions.

Enlarging on the subject of men's power compared with women's, Miss Hicks stated that her sex were at a disadvantage when they had to recover from the rough, or awkward situations. Gene will go in with a No. 3 iron and ram the ball home. I may play the same club and get satisfactory result 3. but not the same perfection. I can't do it. I haven't wrists like Gene's." she added.

Miss Hicks turned professional in 1934 w ' nn ' n ~ Major championships of Canada and America and representing her country in the Curtis Cup competi" tion against England. She admitted that she commercialises any-thin" from junipers to clubs. She did not do anv coaching. There were others whose profession that was. Her object, apart fi om making her livelihood, was to stimulate interest among women in the game. She has standardised clubs to suit women of various heights, a matter which will make for a great improvement in their game, she said.