Golf. CHAMPION’S METHOD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 236, 18 September 1936, Page 12

Golf. CHAMPION’S METHOD

Controversial Point of Style CLUB ACTIVITIES (By "Stymie.”) Matters of major interest la a new champion concern his methods of play, says a writer in the London “Observer.” Are they suitable to the average golfer? In the cane of Padgham, there can be no doubt that, in the main, his methods are not only eminently sound, but may be followed with considerable ad-

vantage. The principal feature is the slow back-swing; indeed, the movement is so slow as to be almost lazy.

Therein lies the eeeret of timing, the principal factor of clean and long hitting. The slower the club is taken back, the greater the concentration of mind and vision on the ball The common fault is to rush the swing, with the result that the actual bitting of the ball becomes mere guesswork; in other words, the player hopes for the best, but generally encounters the worst.

Padgham’s swing is just a light, easy, free, flexible movement with a gradual generation of speed from the point when the hands, on the downswings reach a point opposite the right hip. Other features of the champion’s methods are the lightness of the grip of the hands and the length of the back-swing. Since the days of Harry Vardon, I do not recollect any notable player with so delicate a grip as Padgham ’s. Vardon would go through an intensive season without the sign of a eallouse on his hands, and the same can be said of Padgham. What a striking contrast to the present-day player whose fingers are plastered with bits of tape. Grip lightly and swing slowly are established maxims of good golf. A Debatable Point,

The length of the back-swing Is a more debatable point. In the old days, the club was taken beyond the hori zontal line; in some instances, the clubhead almost touched the left heel, so flamboyant was the swing. In recent years, a new technique has been evolved by the Americans, the basis oi which is a cutting down of the backswing with the horizontal as the absolute limit. But most of them do not go as far; they stop at the three-quarter stage. The modern method is to take the club to the three-quarter stage with the hands about opposite to the point of the right shoulder. The new technique which, unquestionably, cuts down considerably the margin of error, habeen adopted by the leading British players, among them Padgham and Cotton. Each swings slowly, and takes the club back the minimum distance. They would do neither of these things if the results obtained were not wholly satisfactory. Even on a giant’s course like HoyJake the player, assisted by the high power ball and matched sets of steelshafted clubs, can get all the length he wants without taking unnecessary risks through exaggerated swinging. The art of golf is control of club-head, and it is obvious that the further the club goes back, the less is the degree of control.

An Exception As in ail things, there are exceptions, and because of recent achievements, one of the most interesting is James Adams, the young Scotsman of the Romford club, who recently won the Scottish Open at Beileisle, and, only one stroke behind, was runner-up to Padgham in the British Open. Adams is what is known as a “full-swinger” with all clubs, even to the mashieniblick.

There is one other point —a controversial one—about Padgham’s style, which is of interest. In the up-swing there is, so he says, no marked transference of weight from the left foot to the right; rather is most of the weight kept on the inside of the left foot. This makes for an upright swing which Padgham has developed. Most, if not all, the experts agree that there must be a substantial transference of weight in order to get the clubhead moving in a wide arc, which is essential to long and accurate hitting. It is my opinion that Padgham transfers more weight than he imagines, otherwise the distance he obtains would scarcely be possible. Perhaps it is presumptuous to argue with a man who is not only Open champion, but Match-play champion, and, in addition, has won practically everything there is to win since the start of the season. There seems to be no limit to his conquests.

Hastings Ladies. The Hastings Ladies' Club championship series was advanced a further stage by recent matches. In the club championship semi-tinals Miss M. Jeflerd won from Miss Dalton and .Mrs. Crerar won from Miss Yule. In the junior championship and Baker Cup semi-finals Mrs. Holden won from Mrs. Jeft’erd, Mrs. Meikle won from .Miss Oxenbani. In the final plav-oii .Mi». Meikle won from Mrs. Holden. Hastings Club Championship. The senior competition for the Hastings Club championship has been advanced » further stage by matches

played during the past two weeks. In the second round T. Garrod beat W. A. Wilson, 5 and 4; W. Matthews beat H. J. Longstaffeat the 20th ; P. E. Clifton beat E. A. Murley, 2 and 1; F. M S. Budd beat R. B. Read, 3 and 1. In the semi-final T. Garrod beat W. Mat thews, 3 and 2.

In the intermediate grade semi-finals J. Vesty beat H. Blackmore, 5 and 4; F. M. Murray beat H. G. Harvey, 1 up.

In the junior grade semi-finals F. M. Murray beat F. Cole. Games completed in the Consolation Handicap are: G. M. S. Kelly beat W. H. Wood, J. L. Patersun beat J. F. Jones, and A. E. Palmer beat F. H. Goldfinch.

In the fifth round of the Club Handicap R. Vesty beat F. S. Candy; C. Campbell beat F. S. Budd, 2 and 1; F. E. Nutter beat R. D. Brown at the 19th; J. Leggatt beat N. B. Appleby, 6 and 4.

Saturday's Four-ball Bogey. Some excellent scoring was recorded in the four-ball bogey match played on Saturday, due no doubt to the favourable weather conditions and the excellent state of the course. The winner* uproved to be R. White and C. B. Wilkinson, who returned a card of eight up. N. and B. Appleby were only one point behind with seven up, followed closely by three pairs with *ix up, C. Arahill and W. H. Wood, T. Garrod and 0. Vidal, P. E. Clifton and J. G. Esam. Twelve other pair* returned scores from 4 up to all square.

Longstane't win. The performance of H. J. Longstaffe in winning the Hawke’s Bey championship was highly meritorious, defeatnyj as he did proved players ot the calibre of H. D. Brinsden, H. B. Lusk and A. Kawhe. His win was very pleasing to bis iellow member* of the Hastings Club, who have been highly impressed with the excellence and consistency of bis golf during this season’s play. It is hoped now that L .ugslatte will be able to compete at the New Zealand championships m October at New Plymouth. His presence would add an u> interest to the meeting for Hastings player*. Another representative the Hastings players would also like to see among the competitor* is T. Garrod, the club champion of last year, who is going strong in this year’* competition. Garrod h** phyed *ome excellent rounds on hi* pwn course and is at present on a local handicap of two, but he has had little opportunity of competing away from home. It i* hoped circumstances will permit of the Hastings Club being represented by one if not both of these player*.

Parkvale and Maraenui. Last week-end saw the return game between th* Parkvale and Maraenlil Clubs played. The Maraenui men’s team, playing at Parkvale, won seven of the eight game* played in the fourball. In the singles Parkvale improvea their position somewhat, winning seven of the sixteen games played. The visit was very enjoyable from every point of view.

At Maraenui, the return game between the ladiee’ branches of th* clubs .were played anil resulted in a fairly easy win for th* Maraenui ladies. In tl» motnisg the four-ball games were piayed over 12 holes, resulting in Maraenui winning all but one gam*. Just before lunch rain made play somewhat uncomfortable aad tho outlook was not very promising for the continuation of the games. However, a welcome change came over and the afternoon was beautifully fin*. The result was never in doubt and Maraenui again ran out winners. The greater length of the course was too much for the visitor* whose home course i* much shorter than Maraenui. Maraenui Tournament.

Great interest i* being evinced it. tho club 's annual tournament which in to take place month. Many inquiries for entry forms have already beau received, and judging from the present outLck the success of the tournament appeals assured. One qualifying round only will be played, commencing at 12.30 o’clock on the Saturday. This should fcive many player* a chance to participate who, owing to the nature of their occupations, would otherwise be unable to take part.

Warning Sign. Through the generosity of one of th* Maraenui Club member* a warning sign has been erected at the railway crossing, warning motorist* to beware of approaching tiains, which are obscured from view by the stopbank on th* southern side. Club member* much appreciate the kindness of th* donor.

Maraenui Successes. George Templeton succeeded in winning an event at the Hawke’* Bay championship meeting, while Bob Duthio reached the semi-final stage in the Waiohiki Handicap. Arthur Bogg* did not appear to be at his best, while Norman Smith gave his opponents quite a busy time.