THE MAGIC SPELL OF GOLF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14235, 4 December 1909, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE MAGIC SPELL OF GOLF.

TIIK TONIC FOR MIND AND MUSCLE. I svpi'ose there are many reasons why people play golf, but to suggest that any other reason than actual love for the game should be set forth as an inducement for people to begin to play .'•eems very little short of treason to one who is already a golfer, so writes J. H. Tayloi (open champion 1894-95, 1900-09, French champion 1908-09), in the current issue of the Pall Mall Magazine. As, however, it is only those who play golf that seem able to appreciate the fascination of it. it is obvious that some other . si' ■■>,} mnt be adopted to bring outsiders within the magic pell. That there is a magic spell will scarcely be disputed by any one who is familiar with the- wonderful progress the game lias made, or who has seen the almost invariable conquest of all who have put themselves within its power. How many a casual beginner have T seen speedily develop into a most zealous lover of the game! I remember in particular a certain gentleman who had suffered such a severe loss that nothing seemed to be of any interest to him and life was almost a burden, coming into a club-maker's shop and asking for one or two clubs and some balls, as he wanted to try knocking the ball about a little. He had been advised by some friends to take up golf; he made it quite clear to the shopkeeper that he would not need more than one or two, as lie did nut suppose anything would come of it. Well, from that time on he did very little else but play golf. One cannot travel far in these days of extensive advertising without being reminded of the fact that wo are living in an age of over-wrought nerves, for the relief of which one specific after another claims to be invaluable. That our minds and bodies are constantly in need of toning up we are all ready to admit, but when I say that golf is the tonic par excellence for mind as well as muscle there will be somo who doubt whether I can prove my case. THE MAN OK Bt'SIXESS. Take the business man, struggling day by clay with perplexing problemstrying to decide the best plan of campaign when the pros and cons, of either side are so evenly balanced that there seems nothing to choose between them, striving to avert this disaster or overcome that difficulty; Voiding on when everything seems to bo going wrong, and harassed withal by the thousand-and-one petty worries every business man is subject to. until with nerves strained almost to breaking-point, he becomes possessed with an uncontrollable longing to get out and away, he cares not whither, so long as it's away from business. Can one conceive of anything more refreshing and beneficial under such conditions as these, than a visit to the nearest golf course and a friendly match with some congenial member of the club? For a while he will forget that he has an office, the tension of the nerves will be relieved, and by the time the end of the round is reached he will be able to think more clearly and decide with better effect the right course to take in the weighty matters he has to deal with.

The essentials necessary for the maintaining of a healthy body, 'and consequently a healthy mind, are sunshine, fresh air, pleasant surroundings, and exercise. Uolf courses are laid out in all kinds of places, but usually on the highest available land, and quite frequently close to the sea, where one gets the air as free from taint as possible. In any case, the fact that so much ground is needed for a golf course gives one at least a large space to breathe in. The sun does not always shine even on a golf course T know full well, but we get our fair share of what is goinsr, and when on a summer's day the heat is tempered by a cool breeze from the ocean, it makes one feel that life after all is really worth living. The golfer is not suviosed to be much interested in scenery, but even so, the mere fact that the beautiful is all around him must add to his tranquility of mind and temperament, even though he may seemingly ignore it. Every time a golfer goes round an average-length golf course he walks at least four miles, in addition to which he. swings his club a great many time?, thereby bringing into

play all'-the muscles of his body. For the average man to walk four miles in the ordinary course of business, or even for the walk's sake, would seem ouite a hardship, and at the end he would be very much fatigued ; but the fascination of golf is such that even an old man can walk this dis- ; tance without becoming at all unduly tired. It is surely the secret of successful exercising, even when the mind is bent on the attainment of some object which-brines into play all the muscles of the body, in such an easy and pleasant manner, that, in spite of the'expenditure of a great deal of effort, there is no accompanying weariness or exhaustion. THE JOYS OF THE GOLFER. T cannot believe that it would be possible for a man, finding himself on an average seaside <:oi.rse, on some bright summer i!".riling with the air thrilling with the perfume of wild thyme about which the bees are lazily humming, and feeling the spring of the greensward under his feet, not to experience some glow of new life. The story of a golfer being annoyed by the singing of a lark has been well circulated, and seems to he long-lived, but surely it was started with malicious intention, and conveys a very distorted impression of the golfer. Wc all know'the game demands the undivided attention of the player, and he is none the less affected, if only in a subconscious manner, by the conditions which surround him, and though he may be short of something to blame for a missed putt, he will be in hard case if he cannot light on something nearer the earth and less agreeable than the song of a lark. It would be difficult to estimate the amount of good derived by the citizen of a town where there has been provided municipal links, on which, by the payment of a small fee, a round of golf mav be enjoyed by any who feels so inclined. After a busy day in the office cr store, or any place of confinement, what a boon it is to be able to spend two or three hours in the evening on the links ! EVERY TOW.V SHOULD HAVE ITS I.IXK.S. The pitv is that more of these are not provided bv the governing bodies of our cities, so that people who cannot afford to belong to a golf club might still be able to get'a game. That links of this kind are appreciated is proved bv the number of players who avail themselves of the opportunity when it is afforded.