GOLF

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11833, 14 January 1933, Page 10

GOLF

JAMES BRAID'S ACTION. SET TRICKY PROBLEM FOR. GOLFERS. RULE ABOUT THE PROA'IS lON AT, BALL. There has been no golf problem of recent times that has aroused more controversy, and produced more conflicting solutions, than the one associated with the game of that world-famous player, James Braid, says a, prominent English golf critic. It will be remembered that, at St. George’s Hill. Wcy bridge, during tbe .qualifying rounds, for the match play championship, Braid took an 8, or estimated that he did, for a short hole, the 14th to he precise. Incidentally, it is a point not without interest that during nearly 40 years of championship golf, this j s the first time he has taken so high a, figure for a hole that can he reached with the tee shot. As 1 have the facts of this particular incident from Braid himself, they are not in dispute. Pulling his toe shot to the edge of a wood and thick undergrowt.il whence there was the possibility of the ball being lost, Braid decided to play a provisional ball. Arriving at the spot where the first was likely to be. the caddie, espying a ball, said, “Here you are, sir.” whereupon Braid, quite unsuspectingly, played the ball and picked up the provisional ball. So far -o good, but when Braid was on the point of playing another shot he was startled to fnd that it was not his hall at all. Both he and the caddie had been deceived. Having played only one shot witn the wrong ball ill ere was. of course, no .penalty, but Braid found himself in this dilemma; “I cannot find the original ball, I have played a wrong hall, and f have picked up the provisional ball. What am I to dor’ Basing his subsequent actions on the assumption that, «s tbe first was lost, the provisional became the ball in play, he penalised himself a coup!.* of shots for picking it up. mid. going back to the ice. played six. a total made up as follows: One shot with the fir-i ball ; two ('stroke and distance with the provisional ball; two -'penalties) for picking" ir up; one wirl, the third ball The solution of ike problem involve-. a correct interpretation of the functions and status of the provisional ball. ami. in my view. Braid’s interpretation is wrong. The provisional ball rule states: “In order to save delay, if a ball lias been played on to a part of the course where ir is likely to be lost or unplayable. ilie player may at onc-e play another hall .... but if the first- ball be neither lost nor unplay aide if shall continue in play without penalty." The key words to the nib- are “to save delay. * They mean exactly wluu they say. neither more nor less; indeed, m a note issued by tlie Rules of Coif Committee. if is expressly stated; “It should be noled that n a player desire 1 to play a provisional ball lie may only play if "in order to save delav. - | in the ease under review. Braid played the second ball with this ob- • j.-ci in view only, and picked it up when the first, a- - - he concluded, was found. In the circumstances. Braid was entitled to return to the tee. ami. disregarding the provisional Kill which was picked up legitimately and in perfect good faith, count three. He tints holed out in five inis fend of eight, the figure marked on the card.

The objom of the provisional ball rule is clearly laid down in the case cited by the Sundridge Park Wo men’s Club. A player drives a ball, but on going forward cannot find it. She then goes back to the iee and drives another bull. On walking to ibis she sees the first hall. 'The two points arising are: (1) .May she continue piny with the first ball, counting the second as a provisional ball; or ('2) may she go hack to the tee and play a provisional hall, allowing her caddie meanwhile to look for the first ball with the understanding that it will bo played if found ?

The decision of Si. Andrews is a* follows: "A provisional ball can only he played before the player goes forward to search for the bail which has been played with the previous stroke.” From this it is perfectly clear that the player acted contrary to the spirit and intention of the rule. “TTow many shots may he played with, a provisional ball?” is a question frequently asked by players with confused thoughts on the subject. The answer is. “As many as you like.” It is still a provisional hall until the original has either been found, or abandoned. If found, and it- is decided to continue play with it. tho provisional hall is picked up ; if the original is lost, or, when found, the player decides that it is unplayable, the provisional Kill then comes into play. The point- is decided in the case submitted to St. Andrews by the Truants Golfing- Society. Tn this instance. a provisional ball is played because the player considers that his first may he out of bounds. On com ing up to ii. he finds that it is on the. course, but he deems it unplayable. The point at issue is: ‘fis the player entitled to continue play with the provisional hall which was played because of the possibility of the first hall being out of bounds?” The reply of St. Andrews is: "A player is entitled to continue play with the provisional hall whatever tlie cause may he which induces him to abandon his play with ihe original hall.”

As regards the Braid incident, uillustrates more than anything else the importance or identifying the ball before a shot is played. As is so oljl'en the case, Brant accepted the word of liis caddie without himself being satisfied that the ball was his. Failure to do this has led to L, many golfing tragedies, even to the disqualification of champions, \