New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-14
COURTESY ON THE LINKS.
POINTS FOR YOUNG GOLFERS TO BEAR
IN MIND.
THERE'S MORE IN THE GAME THAN NOVICE
MIGHT sUPPosE--CHoJcE OF cADDIE AND
OF A BALI-MArcH AND MEDAL PLAY.

OF A BALL--MATCH AND MEDAL PLAY.
II 10 frankly conceded that most thoroughgong
golfers are more or less 'cranks." Nearly every
one has some favorite fad which he takes de-
light In airing. But there some fads common
to golfers q body.
Take for instance what has been called the wig
gle." No true golfer would be guilty OF SUCH
heresy attempting to strike the object ball with
out going through what has been called by the UNI
initiated striking attitudes in scarlet" A. tho
flourish Of the bat to the baseball player and crck
eter or the several approaches Of the billiard play
ers cue to the object ball. before striking 20 10 the
'wIggle" to the golfer. The club Is laid hrst In
front of the ball (ths may be unnecessary, though
1t Is a custom more honored In the observance than
In the breach), then carefully raised over the top
and placed behind the ball. and drawn back severa,
times. each time further and further from the ball.
until it ascends for the last time with full body
swing ready to descend with FULL and what should
be- unerrng force on the ball. Striking attitudes"
indeed. 1t is no such thing. 1t is next to impossible
to strike a golf ball fairly and with the centre Of
the club. a most important point, unless the club
has been handled
The object of 'wiggle Is to steady the player, to
get the balance of the club and the exact position
and lie OF the ball. Try for yourself and Judge BY
results. II you can. without such preliminary. drive
a ball far and sure. you will accomplish feat
which has seldom been done by the most eminent
opponents Of the game.
NO UNDUE FAvORITIsM.
Similarly most golfers have a Partially for q ceN
tain club or clubs often carrying this to extremes
and using a favorite under circumstances for which
1t is wholly unsuted. This is habit which cannot
too quickly be unearned.
Stick to old friends, advises old golfer. When
you get a set OF clubs to suit you, and this takes
time don't keep constantly changing them. The
longer you use club the more familiar you will
become with IT, and the greater should be your at
tachment for It, or course clubs will not last for
ever but when falls try to replace II with IT.
twin brother 1t stands to that man Of
FIVE feet cannot properly handle six-footers clubs
and vice versa Half inch In length or an ounce
In the weight Of a club will make all the difference
In the world
Always try to get the services of a good caddi~
He should know the green thoroughly. and the
clubs and game better than yourself even though
he may not himself be player He should also be
able to give you advice when II Ia called for.
smart caddie Is worth his weight in gold lie will
keep his eye on your ball. which In consequence
will seldom be lost. and will hand you the proper
club for each shot, The better he knows your play
the better he knows what club to hand you. 80
stick to a good cadde when you once get him.
The choice OF ball also is no unlmportant mat
ter IN golf. Some makers balls 'ny" better than
others. Made up balls never "hy' like new ones.
and only NJ for practice. This Is one OF the
most expensive parts OF the game OF golf. as a new
ball is required for almost every game. Though
hard as a bullet. they easily knocked out OF
shape. especially In warm weather when the sutta-
percha is more less affected by the heat. In
frosty weather bad balls will invariably crack.
MATCH AND MEDAL PLAY.
In match and medal contests the play difers
somewhat. In match your object is to gain
holes: In medal competitions to make the holes"
In as few shots possible In the former case Il 10
especially advisable TO play 10 the score Thus
your opponent has taken three shots to- fetch the
green" whereas you have accomplished this feat
IN two You play 1.-THE like" with your third. Your
object now should be to ''e dead" anyway. Your
adversary cannot possibly hole OUT In less than
four. and four will give you at least half. proba-
bly, 'the hole" A half with chance OF a hole "
thus the correct play.
Take another case. Your opponent lies dead"
with his third while your third is twenty feet from
the hole To obtain half you must run chances
and make the long putt" These are two simple
instances OF playing to the score"-a most !mpor.
tant factor in match playing. and one often over
looked by young players There Is no use struggling
to make a hole in three when four will win Il
'Play to the score" should be photographed on the
golfers brain.
THE STRAIGHT WAY NOT ALWAYS THE BEST
Don't hesitate to play away from the hole when
doing is the safe or prudent course. but Of
absolutely necessary. and don't take the bee line
II the bee line Is dangerous and II is more prudent
to hold either the right 10 the left. The safe
player is the best player. and will in the long run
out his more fiashy and reckless opponent.
Never play rashy or carelessy. The better you
know a green the better should be your play upon
H. II IL half the battle and like the barnyard cock
you should be able to crow loudest on your own
ground. II you strange green ask your
caddie for advice. or better STILL go over the course
before playing and note the lie OF the greens and
4oaaa Of oss to ss
should your ball land In water as ar rule lie n
chances. II the ball Is only partially under water
il is always more or less risky shot and the rule
to lift should be stuck 10 unless under exceptional
on the cadde's shoulders or even back to make
Remember the poor caddie is a human being and
has feelings jus. like yourself Don't then: fall foul
OF him because you are running In hard luck or
plumage has got ruftied. The better you treat him
the better he will serve you. and u he cannot can
Tor you to know that he considers you good fell
low.
THE COURTESY OF THE GREEN.
Remember that there both written and unwrit-
ten rules OF the green. Some Of the former are
dead letter. but the unwritten laws are the results
OF experience and closely followed by all true
golfers. To the green you some respect. Should
you "cut turf q. e.. dig up piece OF turf while
playing). restore 1t as nearly as possible to It's
former position. pressing 1t down In place with your
foot. To your fellow players you owe much con-
sheraton. Walt your turn patiently at the star:
unless some one offers you his place. You are no
entitled to precedence on the green than In
barber's shop. Never drive on until the players
ahead OF you have played their second shots; and
under no crcumstan approach a green when
those ahead OF you are putting out II you are
are consequently pressing them little. they VIII
probably ask you to pass But under no circum,
with a view OF compelling them to let you pass.
for this they not bound to do, On the green as
terms OF equality. and the best player Is king OF
all. This Is Of the reasons which makes gon
popular
AN IyCORRIGyBLE WITNESS.
Eror hA Constitution