GOLF

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 21 April 1928, Page 13

GOLF

THE SEASON’S GOOD OPENING. The season which was ushered in so well by the opening day celebration and competition has so far proved very interesting and members 'have shown enthusiasm, despite the unusually ho> weather 'experienced each week. The course Is in splendid order and improving every week. (More rain xs wanted for some of the greens, but considering all •circumstances they are wonderfully good. In specially good order are the second, third and seventeenth. As 'the season gets the “nip ■ of autumn, so will the keenness to play increase with members.

The programme of events has commenced for the Ladies’ Club and will begin soon for the men. This always adds interest to the season.' At the eunu'al meeting it was res'olved to foster intcr-clulb mateues as much ’a's possible and some playing days must be loft open for these matches.

Euolgising A. D. S. Duncan’s marvellous 0 consistency year after year, a Wellington critic says that Duncan s drive has shortened little if any, his inas'hie and putter still behave, an.l at second shots to the pin (there is still no better golfer in New Zealand.

D. H. Butcher, formerly of 'Taranaki, n doing well in Otago. In the Easter championship meeting'he qualified fifth with 78 and 78, and he went to the fourth round before being beaten.

Miss 0. Kay, of 6?t. Clair, Dunedin, has again won the Ladies’ 'championship of Otago. She first was champion in the previous year when only 18 years of age.

The report of the ’Wellington Golf Club states inter alia that three members, Messrs lan Duncan, B. K. Edkins, and Dr. McEvcdy had paid £IOO each and become life members.

When presenting 'the prize's at the Golf championship in Auckland at Easier Ilis Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral said that he was one of 'a number of young soldiers who introduced golf into Ireland in 1883. He took part in the first in Ireland,' playing with the Elarl of Balfour and three or ¥ our brother soldiers, at Phoenix Park, Dub. lin. “I have seen many matches, but I do hot think I have played since,” he added.

“There are two- kinds of golf—golf and tournament golf,’-’ writes the leading amateur golfer of to-day. Justly or”unjustly, in these days a golfer is judged principally upon his tournament record. There’ are, however, many good golfers who do not shine out in Lh<jse events; they do not possess that temperament which is so essential to success in tournament play. That a golfer must be physically fit before starting on a three days’ tournament goes without saying, and this fitness plays an important part in overcoming the" mental tension which is by far the greatest strain in close, continuous competitions. A point that a golfer should always remember is that if a stroke has been lost through a bad piece of play never to attempt to' regain it at once. You are sure to press if you try for this extra distance. There is this to remember also, thatthe other fellows may be losing strokes too. Exercise a little care and patience and the stroke or strokes will pe redeemed Before starting in a qualifying round, firmly impress on the mmdi that golf is played one stroke at a j tinie.

Most golfers fail to putt accurately because of little details that do not seem of great importance. One thing that should be remembered is to keep the head over the ball. If this is done, the putt can be lined up more accurately than m any other way. The wrong why to line up a putt is to stand erect and lopk at the ball on the slant, or an angle directly in contradiction to the line of the hole. It is almost impossible then to bring the elun back in the proper /groove and send the club head through after the ball. If a golfer will practice with his head directly over the ball on the green, or at home, he will find that the putting stroke will be improved .almost immediately.

‘ “What.” said the minister to his long-suffering' caddie, “is your own recreation?’ ’ “il’m a Presbyterian!” “No, no! that’s your religion. What I mean is, have you any sport or •hobby? Just as I myself am a golfer! ” “No! That’s your belief!’’

65’s are but rarely done in any country and it is (always worth recording them when accomplished. Last week a young Cammeray player (6. Keane) near Melbourne, returned such a card and its details are worth reproducing: Out, 4,3, 3,3, 4,4, 3,3, 4—31; Home, 4,3, 4,3, 4,4, 4,5, 3—34. Nothing above a five and only one of thac figure.

The caddy who retrieved the first ball driveu by 'Sir Dudly de Chair at the official 'opening of the Avondale (N.S.W.) Golf Club, received a golden •half-sovereign. He’d never seen one before, and it took some persuasion to convince him that there wasn’t a catch' in it. |His employer for the day, on congratulating the laid on his good fortune, was met with “Aw, I don’t know, I knew he wouldn’t hit it far.’*

Whatever may .be the shortcomings of the American Navy (says a Beuter cable), it is henceforth not going to tolerate guf buffers. Without even asking the consent of Congress the authorities of the United States Naval Academy • of Annapolis have decreed that midshipmen, qualifying at the academy for commissions as officers must take a course of ten lessons in golf and pass the course. The academy officials point out that golf would be au asset to the- men, as after graduation they would associate largely.with . the groups that followed the pastime. “The Navy develops men, not wallflowers,” said ' one official. “For purely social reasons, apart from the physical benefits of the game, naval officers should know their golf.”

“I read recently a little article on ‘pressing,’ which is very interesting, • says “Auld Reekie” in the “Referee.” “Few of us but try to hit when we know quite well that by so doing the shot is bound to go astray. The article says that “Don’t Press is the oldest piece of golf advice m the world, and if a player would follow it he would find his game improving out of all knowledge. Grip,..stance and swing are all a matter of argument, and even to some extent a matter of fashion. But nine times out of ten, when a shot goes wrong, • the primary cause is not in . any definite error, hut in the general endeavour to do too much. The advice, applies to every aspect of the game. If, for instance. you are intending to . bring your handicap down, don't start- by thinking you can bring it down six or seven strokes in one go. And, to take a more particular case, if you would like to drive a longer ball, don t imagine that you can do it by hitting harder. That' will only lead to tetfser muscles, and the hall will not fly so far as if you kept the muscles relaxed. Remember that if you are conscious of putting the power into the stroke, it is almost a certain proof that you. have put the power in too .soon. Take it easy, and you will get a longer drive, and, as you drive longer, you will learn unconsciously tq speed up the downward swing.” r 1