GOLF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3562, 29 June 1912, Page 10

GOLF.

LA is DOM SHOTS. (By “Niblick.”) The third round cf the Poverty Bay Go!f Club's handicap tournament will be played this afternoon, when some interesting fights should be witnessed. « * * The game between F. Traill (scr.) and 1 11. U- Burke (10) should fiirmsn a. close contest. Both men are playing well at present. * * * G. M. Dodgshun (scr.) should dispose of W. Gibson (6). The fonner is at the top of his form, and is never more at home than when playing in important engagement-s. P. H. Hamilton and B. C. Jeffreys should 'have a hard-fouglit round. Both arc on the 12- mark. « * #• * The record drive for a lady- is- 275 yards, by Alias C. Leitch. ♦ *. if A handsome coster girl was watching two golfers drive off. “That's a fine 'carry,” said one- “’Ere, not so much of it, young feller,” cried the donah, “Aly name's Caroline, and dont’ you forget it!” Beginner (to Swears, who is strug- : ghrjg in a prickly thorn bash): “\\(uld you call : that a hazard or a bunker?” , ' { ■ Swears: “You’ll hear what I call i

it directly those ladies are out of caisl.ot.” * * * Immaculate Golfer (to caddie): “I suppose you have been round the links ! with worse player* than me, eh?'’ i No answer. 1 Golfer (slightly louder) : “I sup-v.so yt.u have been round the links with vorse players thar me?” Caddie: “1 heard verra well what you said the first time. I’m" thinking abbot it.” » * * Father : “Do you know what becomes of .little boys who swear ?” Boy: “Yes, they become golfers 1 when they grow up. *' * * Unemployed' Caddie (after watcliingBertie raise tho turf half a dozen times): “Hey, man, ye’re in tho wrong place ; the ploughing, match is in the next field.” * * * The New Zealand Championship meeting commences «af the Trent ham links, Mellington, on September IC. ADVICE TO THE LATE BECINNEFt. (By Henry Hughes, in Golfing). To the uninitiated the game of golf appeals' but little. It is looked upon as a harmless sort of recreation, ■knocking about a small inoffensive white ball over a nicely kept grassy fairway—a simple proceeding, with walking exercise for elderly gentlemen as its chief recommendation.

The clubhouse certainly is attractive, and its cosy and comfortable appearance suggests that the golfer does not neglect himself. This aspect of golf is obvious enough, but it is in regard to the game itself that the onlooker is so- much in ignorance.

Pleasures of a Keen Match. No one but a golfer realises too pleasures and benefits to bo derived from a round of the links on a fine morning, playing over a good and not overcrowded course, breathing the health-giving, •exhilarating pure air of the open country, enjoying tho companionship of a genial partner, both of you in gc-od playing form and keen on winning. Mhat fine prospects for an excellent well contested match! The thrilling effect of your drive at the first tee, a “real beauty,” plumb down the centre and a good two hundred yards. The realisation of this form of pleasure is left to tho golfer, and it can-

not easily be over-rated. -So you progress, 1 you and your partner, from green to tee, revelling in your own good play and appreciating tlie excellence of that of your companion; until the end. of the round is reached, and ,iuciclentaly, the clubhouse aforesaid. lliis game of golf is a wonderful physician, and although he undoubtedly Ims an extensive practice it would be far greater were hi s skill more generally known and appreciated. Mhat a number of people one meets to tell of their improvement in health since they t-cok up tlie game. This alone should be a sufficient inducement to play golf, and once having started, the remainder may safely b 9 left to the attractions of the game itself. There is something strangely fascinating- about tlie game; it interests and absorbs is followers more than any sport they have hitherto participated in v and each succeeding round played adds to the zest. The Game of All Ages.

One great advantage of tjie game is that it can be played by persons of all ages, and by the excellent system of handicapping universally adopted, the indifferent, player is a match for the adept, to the enjoyment of both.

It is often said that to most people the expense of golf i s prohibitive, but there are rich and poor golfers, and it is a game that can be adjusted to suit the pockets of most people. The luxury of a caddie can be dispensed '"*th, and the little rubber sphere made to do duty for many a round.

And so having succeeded, it is hoped, in inducing tho reader to take up tea game, a proceeding which, it is safe to predict, will never be regretted, the remainder or this article is devoted to describing how to proceed with the object of becoming a golfer. How to Begin.

Having selected and joined a suitable golf club, go to its professional, u ho, with his extensive experience, will be able to appreciate your physical peculiarities and so give you the style of clubs most suited to you. la is advisable to purchase as few clubs as possible at the beginning, and to proceed to learn the correct use of each one as it is obtained. A commencement should bo made with tho “brassie’ ’and “iron’ ’only, and tho remainder of the set of clubs procured as they are required in their turn..

Having made your initial purchase, take tuition from the same pofessional.

.. It is essential, if reasonable proficiency is to be attained at the game, that sound tuition should be bad at the very beginning, before even your newly-purchased clubs have been used, for by this means correct methods are learnt, and faults which are easily acquired and are so difficult to rectify afterwards are, to an extent, avoided.

Practice-On Sound Principles. Having been taught tho correct methods, practice must be indulged rn, for practice, and plenty of it, is certainly most necessary, but if such practice is not- based <on sound principles, it is of little avail, and valuable time is therefore wasted.

The majority take up golf somewhat j late in life, and consequently it is advisable that they should,have explained to them tlie intricate movements and positions necessary for the proper execution of the numerous strokes in the game. g Such correct positions and movements can be acquired by the youth, with his natural gift of imitation, but have to be described to tlie grown-up person to be realised. The lessons should be continued weekly if possible—not an expensive affair— and the practice continued. The wooden clubs are certainly the most 'difficult to the beginner, and for this reason should, to an extent, he mastered first of all. ' Ors 3 Club at a Tima. ; After acquiring reasonable proficiency with the “brassie”—the wooden club with the brass protective sole—■ from which it derives its name—the “iron” is tackled, and so on with the other clubs of the set until each one can be used with a fair amount of success. • -

Then, and not until then, should tlie first round of the links be made, and the beginner will now experience both the difficulties .and pleasures which help to make the game so attractive. Make a rule to practice persistently and with the club that needs it. most. In conclusion, it is promised that if the reader about to take up golf will adopt the suggestions here offered to him, he will find that the amount of enjoyment to he derived from the game lias not been exaggerated, and that ho will not long remain amongst the golfing duffers who, alas! are all too numerous.