GOLF

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1610, 7 January 1903, Page 56

GOLF

(By “All Square.”)

(Secretaries of clubs are invited to send contributions to tins column.) Mr .Horace Hutchinson contributes an entertaining article- to “Loll Illustrated” on hypnotism in golf. Aecoi’ding to Mr Jttuicmnson there is a great deal of hypnotism, personal and suggested, conscious and unconscious, ®ln the game. i±e instances the mainwiio casually remarks on the difficulty of the lie or the perils of the shot his opponent is about to play, clearly with the idea of suggesting' dimculties that may cause the prayer to lose confidence. Then there is the influence of certain holes and certain people, not to speak of implements of the game. There are men who always play with confidence, and therefore with success, with, a particular club or ball. There are men hypnotised by certain holes. Take the waterhole at Bondi. Put a dozen men to drive down an unobstructed paddock and they will probably every one easily carry from 15U yards upwards off the tee. but put the same men to drive across the Londi lagoon, and a goodly x>roportion of them will go in, and continue going in* though the carry is only 13ft yards. The management of the World’s Fair, Sfc Louis, proposes to arrange “woria’j*., championships” on the Glen Echo links, St. Louis, during the currency of the great exhibition. To this end the golf champions of all countries are being m- • vited to compete. A 50,000d01. club-house is being erected on the links in anticipation of the events. The Glen Echo course is 6019 yards long, and has tram and train communication with St- Louis

According to the “Scotsman,” the wisdom of the famous professional who is known throughout the golfing world as “Old Toni” has found quotation in a sermon. Preaching in the old parish kirk of Ayr. Professor Smart discoursed of Sabbath observance, pointing out that nature, as well as man, required rest. To give point to his remarks, he instanced Old Tom’s well known saying anent Sunday golf to the effect that, “If the goiters don't; want a rest the green does.” Sir George Reid, president of the Royal Scottish Academy, has been commissioned to panit a portrait of Old Tom Morris for the Ruyal and Ancient Club. The distinction has been well earned by many years of faithful service as greenkeeper of the classic links of St. Andrews.

The great match between Tom Vardon and Jack White bad rather an unexpected ending. At the end of the first round at Sunningdale White had cleared off the deficit of one hole which Vardon had placed to his credit at Sandwich, and stood 2 up in addition. Later on the game was 3 up with 7 to play in W’hite’s favour, and victory seemed almost within his grasp. Then came one of those strokes of fortune which so often change . the whole current of a match. Vardon got down a 20 feet putt on the fourteenth green, and, disconcerted by this success of his adversary, White went off his game, and suffered defeat. The play on both sides was remarkably good. Each man made mistakes, but as their average for 71 holes works out a little over “fours,” tlie blunders cannot have been very serious or frequent. Mr Balfour’s pronouncement on the new golf balls, which is published in “Golf Illustrated,” cannot fail to influence the ultimate verdict of the authorities. The Prime Minister is not of the first strength at golf, but be plays a sound game, is thoroughly conversant with it. and his opinions on this or any other subject must carry weight. Mr Balfour would view “with great apprehension. . . . the standardisation of the implements to be used by tbe player.” As he justly remarks, restrictions cannot logically be confined to the balls, and the idea of a standard set of golf clubs is wholly impossible. Within the memory of present day golfers no event has aroused so much discussion and argument as the introduction of rubber cored balls. The entire question is still in the throes of trial and indecision. As the supply of nexv golf balls comes to equal the demand and professionals are able to “stock” them, the professional prejudice against them will weaken, and in all probability the idea of adopting a standard golf ball will be dropped altogether before the next championship meeting is held. After all, we play golf for amusement, and if the rubber cored balls make for its better enjoyment, why should they be discarded?