By His Clubs Ye Shall Know Him.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 22, 1 June 1910, Page 11

By His Clubs Ye Shall Know Him.

This motto is specially adapted to golfers, and should be made a note of. By the condition of a set of clubs, a true index can be obtained as to the handicap of the owner, and, in a slight measure, to his character. Let me prove the truth *>l this assertion. At Westward Ho? it used to be the custom, when a stranger arrived, for the caddies to examine his clubs, and speculate as to his handicap, and it was really extraordinary the accuracy with which they could forecast this. After all, their deductions were arrived at in a very simple manner. They would first take careful note of the condition of the clubs. Then they would examine the heads of the wooden ones. The presence of a few well-defined ball-marks on the neck, or the toe, immediately conveys to the most uninitiated that the owner has still something to learn of the game. The caddie examining this set would be perfectly justified in fixing the owner's handicap at not less than 20. Again, should the centre of the face show signs of countless true-struck balls, this player i.s decidedly not a novice. The grip often betrays the powers of the owner. Strange as it may appear, very few good players play with thick grips. There are exceptions, of course, but very few. When the heads of the wood clubs are sans varnish, dented all over, and otherwise showing unmistakable signs of neglect, the owner of these derelicts may be classed as a careless, indifferent golfer, one who plays the game only for the exercise lie derives from it. Certainly not a keen golfer, for your true golfer would see to it that 'his clubs are always in good repair, and would look carefully after them. The presence of a much-battered niblick would also prove that here is a. golfer who has played for a considerable time, with a knowledge of a large number of courses. Iron beads with a total absence of name on the back, due from constant cleaning, would also place the

length of the owner's acquaintance with the game at anything over ten years, this being the length of time necessary to remove the maker’s stamp by the mere use of emery cloth. You will also find that the colour of the varnish on the shaft or the head of a wooden club is a sure guide to its age. This cannot be imitated successfully. I know of a friend of mine, a cabinetmaker, who for a brief time got his living by boring worm-holes in new furniture to make it look aged. And this, we know, or suspect, is a trade by itself. But this is impossible in a wooden club. These, then, are the methods employed by caddies to arrive at their deductions. And, now, as to the care of chibs. Give me the player who, when he has holed out his last putt, sees to it that his clubs are put away in his locker, well cleaned, and in a good condition, ready for the next time that he may require them. The inclination of the ordinary caddie is to scamp the cleaning. Personally, I never pay the caddies until they hand me over the clubs well cleaned, and if golfers would refrain from tipping their caddie until he has done so, the caddie would soon be taught to take an interest in this necessary part of his work. Mr. Horaces 11 utc.lilson has laid.it down that no golfer should take his pet driver out on a wet day. This is sound advice, and golfers would do well to remember it. But, if you should, by any chance, be playing in an important match, and you really cannot leave it in your locker, when the round is over see that your clubs are all perfectly dried with a cloth. Then take an oily rag and rub well the shafts and the heads of the wooden clubs, but not the faces, as 1 have often seen players do. Keep them out of the bag until that also is dry, or the grips will suffer. If this advice is followed, your clubs will last far longer. We all have some club in our bag which we might justly describe as our “Breadwinner.” Attempts to copy this favourite have only resulted in a club that resembles it in shape and length, thickness of grip, possibly in the feel —in fact, a good copy—but there is something lacking. What is it? In a violin it is the tone, and in the case of a favourite club it is that indescribable something, we know not what, whereby you could swear to it, even if your eyes were bandaged. Perhaps it is In the feVl of it, as you swing it lazily back. The slightest difference in the weight at the end of the shaft can be felt, be it ever so little. Whatever it is, you should take great care of not -only this but of all your clubs. Get a good club and stick to it, until you understand its peculiarities, for no two chibs are alike, though they may look alike. Despite the now historical fact that Harry Vardon won a championship by the help of a putter that he never used before, or since that time, it is a good policy to stick to the same putter. Even if you are not putting well with it to-day, it may be just the opposite to-morrow. Chopping and changing about is no good in golf. Now. just examine your bag; see that your clubs are not red with rust. Book after them for the future, and when you go to a strange course, there will be a rush of caddies for the honour of bearing your burden. A man is known by the company he keeps, and it is equally true that a golfer is known by the condition of his clubs. HARRY FULFOKD.