CHEATING THE WIND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 May 1927, Page 13

CHEATING THE WIND.

KEEP THE BALL LOW. D. G. Soutar makes the assertion that, taking 20 of the leading players in the State of New . South Wales, three-fourtlis of them could, to use a racing phrase, “write their own ticket” for all the hope they would have of collecting at the end.’ of the round when the conditions are rough and boisterous.

“It is rare indeed,” he says, “that a player can by fundamentally altering his methods, adapt himself to unfavourable conditions. The players who are successful under unfavourable conditions are those who'se methods are sound and will achieve success under any conditions.

“The greatest difficulty against which the player has to contend when playing against heavy wind and rain is a wet and slippery grip. Assuming that that difficulty lias been overcome, the next is faulty timing. This may be due to bad wrist movement, or a want of balance in the body movements. It is difficult to state which is the greater fault, but either will seriously affect the- shot, ais true hitting becomes almost impossible and tho ball cannot be controlled.

“Good safe rules to follow are: Keep tho ball as low as possible, consistent with safely, from the tees, unless at the short holes, allow the hall to travel with the wind. When approaching the green (short holes come under this category, use a club which does not require a forcing shot, and play with tho wind.

“With regard to the first rule a slight alteration in the stance—say three or four inches in front of the ball, and slightly more open than usual —will have a. better effect than any alteration in the wrist movement, and, besides, it is much easier to accomplish.

“The second rule really means to use the wind. If it is blowing from the left play for a slight null, and from the right a slight slice. When the shot is played’ in this manner it means that when the ball is losing its impetus the wind will carry it on. With regard to rule three the following illustration may prove of value. Let us suppose that the green to be approached can he reached with a full inashie with the wind blowing from the right. All fall shots with a lofted club have a tendency to ‘hook,’ iso that in the case being described the hall would lve finishing under the influence of a following wind, and, therefore, less under control.”