GOLF PRACTICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3584, 9 March 1914, Page 9

GOLF PRACTICE.

the best method. In a very sensible as well aB entertaining article on this subject which ho contributes to a recent number of the ‘‘Windsor Magazine” Mr Edward ltay says:—. “There is one phase of the game in wfiich I am of opinion no amount of practice other than competitive is of any use. I refer to putting. Go out | to the nearest green and you will hole | putts wit'n the greatest eerse, and this for the reason that nothing is depending on the result. Your nerves arc at rest, and the ball is struct correctly. I3ut. what a difference when you are engaged in a match or playing in a competition; the hole seems smaller, the ball bigger, and when you search for the ‘borrow,’ you see trouble all along the line. Putting is a psychological matter and difficult of explan Mi on; therefore, I repeat, that to practice putting is a sheer waste of time. J know there are some who will be against me in this, but the majority wi'l agree. Naturally, the beginner has to learn how to hold his club, and how to strike the ball; learn to judge the strength of the greens, and many other matters. But this being acquired, the hole puts is quite another matter, and nothing but competitive practice is of use. The fact, however, remains that practice in other strokes is absolutely a necessity if one would improve. The lead- | l 'rs of every sport devote hours every day to the task of keeping in term, and without urging on golfers tho necessity of spending hours every dayon the golf course, yet would I suggest that when off their game they should not be so keen on playing matches just to oblige friends. Let me assume that a man i.s completely off his drive. He should stop playing, take a diver and half-a-dozen balls, and seek out so secluded part o-f the con’-so , and there take himself seriously to task. Better still, he should invoke the aid of his professional, whose practised eye will at once discern the fault, and point out the remedy. We have not tho gift of seeing ‘ourselves as others see us/ and therefore one used to'oar method can perceive at a glance wherein we are different for the time being. But a warning must be uttered against the evil of accepting the advice of all and sundry. The average player, having missed a few drives, naturally appeals to his opponent, who assures him —and he is judging by his own methods —that he is doing this and that. The unfortunate takes tho suggestion seriously, and in nine cases out of ten finds himself plunged deeper into the mire. The advice is well meant, but in order to put a player once more on the right track one should judge of the fault by the players’ own method play, and not by one’s own. Therefore, the professional, who is familiar with the styles of every member, is llaturally the best court of appeal.”