The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-21
Golf.

We extend our Fluctuations to women on
the appearance Of a game, outdoor and
athletic, which they can play without i'm
perilling any charm Of femininity, or with
out even jogging the prejudice against
their trying the severer bodily exertions in
dulged in by their brothers. The game Is
golf. As we survey all manner of sports
which flourish in the open sight of Heaven,
exploiting in one way or another the most Of
mans physical, mental, and moral abilities,
we have to say Of golf: What a combination |
Yet to the majority of men who have
known the great games golf may not be
great This very point has been discussed
within year or two in England, the home
OF outdoor sports. The Hon. ALFRED LYT-
TLEToN for example, most brilliant crick-
eter and the amateur champion of ten
mis-, who kept wicket for England In
her palmiest days. which is to say
the time of GRAcE's prime, put golf
in the second class, as inferior in the
nature both OF its scheme and action.
ANDREW LANG perhaps leads in the issue
against Mr. LYrTLEroN, holding with the
natural sympathy Of a Scotchman and
the instinct Of a poetic temperament,
that Of the three supreme sensations
known to mankind, the first two being
the first pull Of salmon and the de-
licious consciousness of having got off good
thing in wit, the third is the thrill follow
ing grand drive at golf Impartial judg-
ment must sustain Mr.. LYTTLEToN. Golf
does not I'LL the bounds covered by cricket
or tennis. The circumstances Of its play
afford no nashlike crises like theirs for the
ind md ha "A
IL cannot raise the spirit to the exhilaration
springing from great heating Of the blood.
1t Is too contemplative, too quiet and I'M
hurried to be put in comparison with these
other amusements. People walk in golf, and
never run. They pose with care and thought
for every shot, strength being called out
only In the short moment of the actual
stroke. Every one Is studied for the most
desirable method Of making il, as In billiards.
without pressure for time, and with the add
cd refinement of a choice Of instruments.
For the first and finest stroke, the drive,
which, in Mr.. LASG's opinion. lifts golf to the
plane of true greatness, the player makes
himself ready and plays after much cere-
mony, as a gymnast poses on the perch of a
flying trapeZe, and launches himself at the
chosen moment.
And in justice to golf, IL must be said OF
the drive, that of all motions known to
physical sports, it is far and away and be-
yond comparison the most elegant. Every
force from the crown of the head to the toe
takes part in it, curying first into form
OF extreme grace, and then unbending and
flying into the reverse Of it, and effectively,
in proportion as head, limbs, and body pre-
serve at every phase the faultless beauty OF
mechanical perfection. A noble thing is
the drive. 1t can give pause TO any mans
doubt about admitting golf to the first rank
After the drive, the player walks to where
the vanished ball Is, or where he supposes it
10 be, and II luckily he finds it he strikes it
again in the manner dictated by his expert
ence and facility Golf strokes demand
absolute delicacY, or the delicate restraint
Of strength or effort exhaustive of the en-
tire muscular resources; but the game
Il piE sniOyably within the power OF
WOHpan or child The good player and the