HUTT GOLF LINKS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 42, 19 February 1931, Page 10

HUTT GOLF LINKS

(To tho Editor.) Sir,—lt is the privilege of every person to express an opinion, but when that opinion is made public and it is at variance with the ideas of experts, then it certainly calls for comment. In your 'issue of Saturday last your golf Critic, "'Chip Shot," passes strictures on the Hutt golf course which are not in accord with what those competent to judge have expressed. The club has recently spent £3000 on improvements, and to make certain that it would be spent in the right direction it engaged the ■ services of an experienced golf' architect, of excellent standing, to advise, what was required. •■• Prominent players have since played over the course and expressed entire approval of the layout, and the fact that it provides a good tost of golf. Among those who have been playing over the course regularly since last winter is J. D. Macintosh^ the wellknown professional, and it is interesting to note that his best score is.a 71 (par 75) made under summer conditions. When asked to comment on "Chip Shot's" comments this is what he" had to say:— (1) Does the Hutt course lack the tightness associated with a course which is a real test of golf ?—lt certainly does not lack tightness, especially comparing it •with other championship courses. The second shot has to be played perfectly, or else heavy penalties are incurred. (2) Is a hook or slice from the tee up and down the length of the_ second nine penalised?—-A hooked or sliced drive is severely penalised,, as it simply closes the entrance to the green in all cases. (3) Ist there lack of variety?— Definitely no. The distances are judiciously mixed, and call for the use of .every club in the bae- _ . .

(4) Is it impossible to stop on greens with an iron?— There is ample room on all the greens enabling one to stop, providing a reasonably good iron shot is pTayed. .. , _ '' • (5) Are many of the two shot holes too ehort for championship purposes?— No. The distances vary considerably, and provide for every shot from the drive and pitch to two full woods, and having regard to prevailing winds, the latter will sometimes be two good woods and a pitch. I have never played on a course in New Zealand where I have had to exercise so much care over the choice of my club for my second shot as at the Hutt, owing to the varying distances, which range from 305 yards for two-shot holes to 515 yards. -' —* Mr. M'lntosh's opinions are also those of other leading players who have played over the course. Minor suggestions have, of course, been made to improve the holes, but these have nothing to do with the general lay-out to provide a good test of golf.-I am, etc., JOHNgTON>

19th February.