Thoughts on Medal and Match Play.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 9, 30 August 1911, Page 11

Thoughts on Medal and Match Play.

T'nis tis an age of competition, lor scarce a week passeth without a club contest, ’• hietly under medal conditions; therefore seek well the cause of so many failures in stroke play. The usual remark made by a player when he purchases a card is “Another tanner gone.’’ this being the usual charge for entry; but if we inquire the reason why he considereth his prospect of winning as nil. he is at a loss to explain other than that he never could play in a stroke competition. For a medal sweepstake, the true reason why a player risketh his coin, is the possibility of annexing the coins of other player*. The honour of winning is not thought much of. for every golfer knows perfectly well that the winning of a medal, or any contest, means the outlay of much silver in celebration thereof. In addition to this, a medal winner usually receives the attention of those in charge of handicaps, to his subsequent sorrow. A golfer's handicap is a sacred thing, and any reduction meaneth a reduced income. t And this is the reason why some players never enter for competition: — Then* handicaps are useful for match play, and they have no wish to attract

the attention of tho*e in charge of handicap*. The reason so tew players do well in *troke competition lies in the fact that every stroke counts, or rather, should lx* counted. They proceed in satisfactory manner lor a tew holes, ami then an eight — which they have been expecting Hom the start is placed upon the card. This spoils its appearance, ami the unfortunate player hath a mrllstone around his neck for the rest of the round. He is crushed beneath it. and therefore makes no seriou* attempt to reduce its effect by concentrating hi* attention on the hole* that remain. The result oi thi- apathy is invariably another eight: but i»y thi* time hope hath fled, and he takes no heed. lie huggeth hi* sorrow to his breast, for he hath taken the first eight “lying dow n.’ ? The successful c<mi|.etitor is he who. having accomplished the bad hole, reflects that all is not yet lost, and pursues the even tenor of his way. Naturally he is annoyed, and perchance relieveth his feeling* at the time, but it i* then over, tor it i* but transitory, this display of anger. He resumeth his way with the determination to keep ii a player, who is overtaken by a ba I hole, would but pause, and reflect that the other are equally liable to encounter troubk . then would they often find that their * ine is the lowest returned. Few. however, do this, for in their opinion, no other player could take thi* numbei to a hole, and no other player could po—ibly meet with *iu h cruel misfortune as they: therefore they give up. at the same time remarking to their companion that stroke competitions are but a poor form of golf. 1 have always held that -troke competition provideth the best te*t. not only for golf, but for the player’s ability to conquer his own shortc(»minj*; for a player’s greatest opponent is alway- him self, and on- e he can master tint |»essimistic feeling experienced by ad golfer*, lie bet-ometh a formidable opponent. Always expect to accomplish a hole in four. Toil have done this before, therefore you can >4»» it again. Th!*, then, is the true secret of medal play—keep going; for your slight lapse can be remedied by concentrating your ef forts on holes to come, and there is no need to brood over pa*t misfortunes. Though I hold to the opinion that stroke play is the great te*t. yet do I realise that a match calleth for much more of that pugnaciousness essential to successful golf. For the enemy i* not hidden amongst the other players as in -troke play, but we have him in the open, and it is a personal combat, for we watch every stroke he play*, and hi* varying fortune affects us accordingly. We sympathise with .hi* had <roke*. which, as every golfer know*, is pure hypocrisy on our part*; and we applaud his good, at the same time regretting them. This i* mere politeness which costs nothing. A pugiilist. wlio reeviveth a blow between his eyes, doth not pause to congratulate the giver on the accuracy ot his aim. but immediately doeth hi* best to respond in like manner. In match play, therefore, when your opponent getteth aaay a good drive, you *liould not let it affect you. but rather should you do your utmost to emulate it: for many mau-hes are lost by taking notice of your opponent’* goo 1 strokes, and these should be expected. For the true art of match play i* to play dn a selfish manner. A’ou are the

only person that in:-, and if you can bring yoiir-.l! to the belief that you are the greatest player on earth, you will soon begin to win matche*. We are told that it i- not good to be over-confident, and that "Pride preceded! a. fall.’’ but bow many players win their matches when lhey start out fearing the worst ? 1 often play with a well-known amateur win) would be willing to concede me a third if I hinted a- *uch. I defeat him as often as he defeat* me. yet he does not. for one moment, ever expect to lose a match: and thi* confidence lias brought him to hi* present position in amateur golf. For he plays the game a- if bis life hung on the result. A mutch might end in hi* favour at th - 14th hole, but thi* ilolh not prevent him from playing the remaining four with great are. Every stroke should be thought out, and not for vm> moment -boald a player relax his vigilance. This manner ; of playing might not appeal to the majority of golfers, but no careless player even yet readied the front rank. And those who plav lor pleasure alone are usually plav er* of 12 handicap or over; but tlfose whose desire, it is to become tir*tdas- golfers also derive much pleasure from the striving to become proficient. • W’e often encounter (he inhuman player, who seems to us to be composed of blood and iron. This is he to whom golf is a serious matter, and we are defeated by hi* imperturbability. It hath been written that he who can putt is a match for any person, but this doth not avail him much if he knows not how to approach: therefore heed not remark* regarding the powers of your opponent when on the greens, for anything can happen en route. Should your opponent inquire if you concede to him thi* putt of two feet, remain silent, or rather observe that you know the green. He will then study the line afresh in an endeavour to disi over the whereof you are acquainted, and hi* imagination discovers many things, the existence of which he was unaware ere you spake. Hold not in contempt the short driver—remember Travis. Constant dropping wcareth axxay a Hto>e, ami putts con *tantlv dropping breakoth the heart of a golfer. Do not give your opponent reason to think that you fear him, hut rather think that he is holding you in great respect. He who feareth the worst is halt beaten, but the player who anticipates victory hath his opponent in a cleft stick. If you are Loth of the same mind, then fall Lack on your powers of intimidation, and do vour >»ost to put him off.