GOLF

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11949, 20 May 1933, Page 11

GOLF

RECENT DISCOVERY IN STEEL

SHAFTS

CLAIM. MADE THAT IT GIVES GOLFERS MUCH GREATER DRIVING POWER.

By a lucky chance, there has been discovered 'a new type of steel shaft for which is claimed by some of the loading golfers in England that it not only drives the ball definitely farther, but assists the golfer to swing the chib with greater ease and rhythm. There are other players of equal distinction who f flute the claim. I am not taking sides, because my experiments are by 110 means complete (writes, the golt correspondent of the London “Observer”), but I can say that hi certain circumstances —a slower swing, eliminating the tendency to hit, and waiting for the clubhoad-—the ball does go father. How much farther 1 am not as yet prepared to say, but 1 hear of some of the big hitlers claiming to drive regularly 1300 yards, and others, cf the moderate contingent, hitting a comfortable 200 yards. Frankly, .1 do not believe any of them. [. often wonder whether the people who talk so glibly about JOG yards drives as if they were nothing at all, have- any conception of what.- it means in terms of power, apart from anything else, to propel a ball 'weighing approximately an ounce and a hall, this vast distance. Apparently, drives of this length are as simple <>i accomplishment as (licking the ash Irom a cigai Some of us wish the .process' v.-«s so delightfully simple as- alj tnat. The chance discovery of the new shaft was made by a Yorkshire professional. who, on accidentally breaking one of the ordinary steel shafts joined the two parts together by inserting the thin end into the thickei end. By this means th 0 thick part of the shaft came somewhere near the centre, while Hie thinnest P art was under the grip. Further experiment: on these lines showed tnat with the “whip’’ coming just at the bottom of the grip, as in the case '-•i the perfect hickory shaft, which, in. the old days, averaged about one in every KJO, the bail could be driven farther.

Chi this now yjoint ? Percy Aliiss, who has given tlic new shaft a thorough trial, has no doubt whatever. 1 saw lain playing at Cinslehurst in the South v. Midlands match, am. ho pyas certainly hitting the ball an unusually long way, perhaps an additional Id yards or so compared with hi s normal drive. Because the shaft prevents the ball from soaring Aliiss estimates that in summer tins figure will be doubled. Another feature is that a heavier head can he used without the player noticing Hie difference; and, of course, everything else being equal, the heavier the club the longer the drive.

tn the case of Alliss, he has increased the weight of the driver from l3>ox to 13m. and because of the ‘‘spring” being in the right place, he can swing the club just as easily as before. He regards the discovery of the twin-taper shaft- as of first importance, and, provided that the player will swing; the club, be believes the average golfer will, derive as much benefit from the new shaft as the- expert, At present, what I like most about the shaft is the presence of a little life, as against the old dead, poker-liko feeling.

GOLF REBELS

Til November, Gene Saracen and XL othc r golfing stars seceded from Hie American Professional Golfers Associiation their own union.

it is anticipated that the twenty “rebels” (will shortly open negotiations for recognition by British clubsThe breahaway was the culmination of two years’ discussion and disconten over the reign of the “Czar Albert W. -Gatos, administrator of the American Professional Association. The effect on the Ryder Cup matches, due to be played at South port, Lancashire, next summer, remains problematical at the moment, as the association hitherto lias always selected the American team from among its -own members. Among thaso who seceded, in addition to Sarazen, are Walter Hagen, Joe Turncsa, Joe Kirkwood, Jolnuiy Farrell and A 1 Watrous. Tommy Armour, the Scottish exaniatcur, who migrated to America and hceaiiio a professional champion, is Expected to 'join the new group shortly, and overtures were to be made also to “Bobby” Jones. Another probable- recruit will bo von Elm who was snubbed by the Professional Golfers’ Association when lio gave up His amateur ranking.,