GOLF

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1927, Page 10

GOLF

GAME OR SHOTS

“Wo (the British), it is pointed out, eonoontrate on the game, and the whole game, whereas the American golfer forgets about the game and gives his mind only to the shots. It is an important difference.”

These words of Fred Bdbson’s give point to a rather obvious 'difference in method between the British and the Americans. I remember when I was first struck by the different attitudes of the typical American golfer (writes “Bunker”. It was in the British amateur championship of 1911, at Prestwick. “Chick” Evans, then at the height of his power as a golfer, was playijig. It was obvious that he relaxed completely between his shots, and was ready to converse with his caddie, or with acquaintances in the crowd. Indeed, he sometimes seemed to converse with the ball; but that was when he was addressing it in a 'bunker.

The typical British player, on the other hand, is not nearly so ready to unbend, to relax. Having played his tee-shot, he immediately concentrates upon his second shot. Evidently the American waits unntil he reaches the ball. The Britisher is tense all the time. Someone tells the following story of James Braid, when he was compiling the fine sequence of scores which won him the open championship in 1910 at St Andrew’s. Towards the end of the contest, while the issue was still doubtful, a longish putt by Braid had overrun the hole, and he missed the return. An indiscreet spectator ventured to say, “Hard luck.” “Will you hold your tongue?' ’ snapped the usually calm Scotsman, no nettled was he by the thoughtless remark. That, certainly, is the way in which most concentrated Britishers are apt to feel, when well-meaning onlookers show an interest in them, or wish to encourage them. Perhaps I should say that they used to feel like that. For I believe that the younger school of British golfers are much more ready to forget the game and concentrate upon the shots when they reach their ball. I have no' doubt at all that to concentrate on the whole game makes you incredibly tired, especially if it be a very close and exacting match you are playing. If you are to be a first-class performer today, you must school yourself to turn off and turn on your concentration as if it were operated by a tap.

VARDON ON SWAYING,

Vardon holds very decided opinions with regard to swaying, condemning it as both a common and a disastrous fault. He himself could certainly never be accused of failing to practice what he preaches in this connection, for Ins own swing contains the minimum of sway. Imagine that, as he addresses the ball, a pole is passed downwards through the centre of his head and body and also the ground; then his swing is a rotating movement performed by the shoulders and hips, round the pole, while the arms are being lifted up, and the left knee is bending inwards. At the top of the swing, the arms are'held fairly high, and the left one is distinctly bent at the elbow, the later in violation of the “straight left arm” theory. Vardon is of the opinion that this type of swing makes for control, and, eonsequcntlv, accuracy, and indeed, it is noticeable * that those players who sway badly are the most erratic and inaccurate. Vardon was always a model of consistency and accuracy. It is related of him that, in half a dozen rounds, he would not be on the fairway six times.

Under the heading “Plus Fours For Tennis Girls,” a correspondent writes as follows to a London paper:—The illustration in your paper is a refreshing contrast to the universal display of" leg to which wo are treated nowadays, showing a costume sensible, becoming and decent. For which three reasons its vogue will, I fear, be a short one.