Golf

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 300, 19 September 1928, Page 8

Golf

By

“Niblick,"

Preparations al Balmacewan. In view of the preparations of the course for tlie New Zealand golf championships next month, several temporary greens are in use at Balmacewan just now. That at the fifth hole, the Terrace, lias been the cause of a certain amount of dissatisfaction, as its situation on a fairly steep slope makes putting more largely a matter of luck. It is recorded that a player of no mean ability, whose second was within three yards of the hole, finally took nine to bole out. This certainly demonstrates the virtue of patience. It lists, been suggested that a better plan than that which lias been adopted would be to make tlie fifth a one-shot hole, as at that distance a level piece of ground can be found. “Cleek,” the golfing writer of tlie “Southland Times,” had an opportunity of inspecting the Balmacewan course a few days ago, and he states that he has no hesitation in saying that, given reasonable luck with the weather during the next few weeks, the Otago Club will be able to give the competitors in the open and amateur championships fairways and greens that will leave no room for complaint. The Otago Club is doing an immense amount of work in preparation for the championship tournament, and at tlie present time the members are cheerfully playing on makeshift tees and greens in order that the tees and greens proper may be spared and nursed for the championship meeting. With favourable weather the course should be a perfect picture when the tournament begins, and the championship committee should be rewarded for its expenditure of time, labour and thought, by expressions of appreciation from Hie competitors. Improvements have’been made in the club bouse, and the buildings are all being smartened up with a coat of paint. Only very bad luck with the weather can now prevent the committee from having the Rnlmacewan course end its appointments in beautiful order when Hie championship dates come round. Australian Open Championship.

The hitherto unprecedented fear accomplished bv Fred Poppelwell, professional to the Australian Golf Club. Sydney, by holing bis tee shot at one hole during the Australian open championship stood him in good stead, as he only won the title a stroke ahead of Rufus Stewart, who re eontlv returned to Australia from overseas. While abroad Stewart took part in both the British and the American open eliam pionships. In Hie latter event his score of 193 for the first two rounds automatic allly eliminated him. as l->8 or better was required to remain in. The scores in toe Australian open were: F. Poppelwell. « 73. 73. 75—295: R. Stewart. 78. <O. <-i. io—--299. Harry Sinclair, who will probably be a competitor at the New Zealand chamnionships next month, was third with 3ini Poppelwell’s score is the second best ever made in an Australian open. It was equalled bv Le Fevre at Sandringham Melbourne."in 1921. but Kirkwood’s 299 at Kensington in 1920 still stands at tlie head of the list, and lias never been seriously threatened. Both tlie Australian Open and the Australian amateur championship this year lost a good deal of interest through the enforced absence of Ivo Whitton. Australia’s greatest amateur. Open champion in 191° 1913 and 1920. amateur champion in 1922 and 1923. Whitton wns this year plaving as well as ever before in Ins career. ’ In fact, some thought he had reached even higher heights, and it was unfortunate that just before the cliani pionsliips a sprained wrist should put Him out of action, so far as golf is concerned. Len Nettlefoid. the brilliant Tasmanian, who was Australia’s amateur champion in 1929. was first amateur in the Australian open this year with 302. and a meeting in the amateur championship between Nettlefold and Whitton would have produced

a memorable match. Aruiui ouaeaii, New Zealand’s veteran golfer and champion of champions, took thirty-sixth place on the scoring list tor the open, his score being 81. 78, 79, 81—319. This score qualified him for the match play in the amateur championship, and in the first round lie disposed of Edgar by 3 and 2. In tlie second round, however, he came up against Len Nettlefold, aud the Australian, who subsequently won the title, won 5 up and 4 to play. The quality of Duncan’s golf is proved by the fact that he can get into the last eight in Australia. It is the sound game that stands to a man in later life. Tearing tlie Turf.

A Victorian writer tells this story of Ivo Whitton’s trip to Japan several rears ago: Australia’s greatest golfer created a sensation when he played on local links there, the fairway turf of which had been carr’ed 200 miles at great trouble and expense. Whitton hits very bard, and takes big divots with his powerful irons. The great gallery following him were amazed when they saw great strips of turf torn out with every shot. Of course, he was careful to replace them. Months later, after he had returned to Australia, he received a letter from tlie secretary of this club deploring his visit to Japan. “The beautiful turf of which I was so proud,” wrote the secretary, “is no more. Everyone takes divots like von now, but, unlike vou, they forget to put them back.” Golfers and Swaying.

Golfers have been told so long and so often not to sway that this advice and the concentration upon it have turned a lot of them into wooden posts. Swaying is not the sign of a sound swing, but it is much better to sway a point or two than it is to stand as rigid as a marble pillar. Any golfer, and this means any who are inclined to rigidity, is better off with a slight sway to the right if he only lets his body turn at the same time. The right leg and right foot can eatch and hold a slight sway if it isn’t overdone, and there are times when something of this sort is needed to, break up stiffness. There are many golfers who have a slight sway to the right as the left side turns on the back swing. There is no good golfer in any part of the world who attempts to play the game with a cast-iron swing, minus any touch of elasticity. There are many times when concentrating too mu<-h against certain mistakes will lead to errors of an even ranker breed. Missing Short Putts.

' An American writer once asked Walter Hagen why it was that on certain days even the best putters could be constantly short on their putts. “It’s about this way,” Hagen explained. "You hit your first putt and you are several feet short. You are short again on the ■ next green. On the third green you decide to be up to the cup. whatever else you do. You draw the blade of your putter well back, and then instinct tells you that if you hit it that hard you are going eight or ten feet over. So you ease up on the swing, and once more you are four or five feet short. There are certain days when it seems hard to bit a putt firmly. You lack a certain amount of confidence in your putter, and this usually moans a tighter grip and a tendency to lift the head or move the body, causing one to cut across tlie ball a little. This will keep you constantly short until you decide to lilt well beyond the cup and ease up. as I have explained. I have been short on three or four successive greens when I had determined to lie up. if nothing else. If vou are short of the nin once or twice don’t take the blade of the putter baek any farther, but hit the ball a little harder with the same length swing. And don't make the mistake of gripping tighter to ■ret tlie extra run. This helps to shove the hands out in front as tlie ball is hit and takes away the needed clubhead speed or follow through.”

G W Melvins Golf School. —Expert tuition: chibs made; all requisites stocked Swinson Chambers next King’s Theatre — Advt