DO YOU KNOW THIS GOLFER?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19578, 26 August 1933, Page 16

DO YOU KNOW THIS GOLFER?

THE SLOW PUTTER What particular golfer in your club did John C. Emery have in mind when he wrote this under the caption, "What to Do While Waiting for Your Opponent to Putt?”:— "Notice that your ball is nearer the hole than your opponent’s, and remark, “You’re away!” Watch him take his putter with a thoughtful air and smile to yourself as he goes to the far edge of the green, gets down on his hands and knees, and carefully studies the line of his putt. Tell yourself amusedly that that sort of showing off doesn’t mean anything.”

“Become concerned when your opponent continues to study the line of his putt for endless moments. Wonder if he is ever going to get up off his hands and knees. Clear your throat absently, and try not to look guilty when he gives you a black look. Be resigned when he settles down once more to his study of the task in hand. Hope that he isn’t going to be all day about it.

“Cheer up and hope for the best when your opponent finally gets up and approaches his ball. Watch with revived interest as he crouches over his ball, putter carefully gripped. Hold your ’ breath as- he . places his. putter first iff. front of the ball, then behind' it. Release your breath and resume normal ffreathing when it becomes apparent that your.'opponent. is going to be placing his .putter in front of the ball and. behind is for some little time. Ask yourself with increasing - impatience What good that does. “Become; aware that .your nerves, are slowly disintegrating under the strain. Catch yourself in the act of tapping your foot impatiently on the green. Determine to get a grip on yourself id:stop chewing your lips. Set your jaw and refrain determinedly from voicing your impatience.”

"Ask yourself what in the name of heaven he is going to do fiow. Learn that your opponent is going back to look once more at the line of his putt. Look away and try to think of something else. Realise that you will go crazy if this sort of thing happens on every green. Become absolutely convinced that it will happen on every green. Groan to yourself in desperation. Ask yourself what you have done to deserve this.

“Take hope when your opponent once more approaches his ball. Watch fascinatedly as he waggles his putter. See him go through all the motions of utterly relaxing ffimself. Note how carefully he sights along the. line of his putt, and refrain from snorting. Heave a sigh of relief when at last he swings his putter back and then brings It forward, to knock the ball five feet past the cup.” “Try vainly to get a grip on yourself. Resent the fact that your opponent is impatient for you to putt. Swing hurriedly. Miss your own putt.”