IS GOLF SELFISH?.

NZ Truth, Issue 882, 21 October 1922, Page 10

IS GOLF SELFISH?.

Our original correspondent craves space to comment on the scolding meted out to him by a, player m last week's issue-thus wise:-"I ought to feel like a spanked kid, .of course.' tout neither m the letter nor between the lines can 1 discern, any- rebuttal. Xqur correspondent might' appropriately enough have chosen 'Selfish' as a norn de plume. I have, "hot asked^ Arthur Duncan' to play yet, nor anyone else, but I like to think.-he is bis enough to do so. I still want to know why beginners are not wanted on the links on Saturday or Sunday. ;is it because all the old players are "pot-hunting?" Who invited 'Selfish' to moon round'the verandah waiting for someone to ask him for a game? Certainly, I -did n6t. So Gol£ Clubs provide professionals to teach their members how to play! The beginners' guineas help the club, and every beginner has to pay the professional as well for his lessons. The professionals are-great indeed, but they have something else to do besides coaching." I have succeeded m getting two whole half-hours so far. Why should players bother themselves with beginners iwhen there is an instructor at call? 'Get busy,with the professional,' cries "Selfish." If he took the slightest interest m the beginners, beyond collar- > ing their guineas, he would know it can't be done-^there is not enough of the professionals! . My point is this:'— If expert golfers don't want to be bofrh/ered with beginners, why. do clubs take (their guineas and give nothing m return. If I must go and practice m a paddock for a few years I have one of my own that will serve without paying expert golfers big fees to keep . their club going, ■ provide pots, etc. And if | ' [ cannot get the professional for more than half an hour, at most, per week, and the good players are too selfish to help oven a little, how can I practice, noi knowing how to go about ty? On the other hand, another correspondent, a scratch player, -writes that he has found that if not m the 1 inner, circle \ one' is not wanted m golf m any of the blti clubs m Wellington, whether a champion or a beginner! Some indictment! Is it true? Any more contributions? Now I will make an offer. If "Selfish" wiM come out into the open and disclose his-identity, club, etc., I will do the same; indeed, I prefer it. Of course, it might mean boycott arid blackball for me, but if my club is that sort of club it won't want me, and I shan't want it. The money may have been well spent."