The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-06
WILLIE DUNN.

IL ililiiiculatcIy became 1aSnlOnaDle. NOW
every one is playing it, and the gamo is
spreading moro rapidly than ever did lawn
tennis, ono of socicty's former fads.
But lawn tennis secured normal and
steady growth even after socictys sudden
interest in it began to wanc, and it is to-
day tho most popular game of gentle
folk throughout the country. Perhaps
because of its similar class Of dovotecs
lawn tennis will be moro affected by the
new found popularity of golf than any
other sport. Both appeal to the gentleman
sportsman rather than to the professional,
and both are games for the players rather
than for the spectators. Lawn tcnnis
however, is game of infinitely more Sc
verify than golf; hence the more active
enthusiasts of outdoor pnstimc will still
adhere to tho older game, while those to
whom tho violent cXertion is burdcnsome
will find an excellent substitute in the old
Scotch game.
One plays golf It's one takes an after din
ncr walk With n cigar OF II pipe still in
ones mouth, and an argument on some
abstract question still on ones lips, golf
exercises the body while the mind is dis
tractcd from fatigue by other matters 1t
Is the healthy exercise without the severe
physical cxcrtion of moro violent sports
and without tho attendant fatigue which
invariably follows any sport which occu-
pics both body and mind that attracts so
many to the game. Your enthusiastic
golfer Is the business man with the cares
and worries of more important affairs
upon his mind, who finds his .ong tramp
over the fields after Il tiny golf ball an cx-
ccllcnt excuse for the fresh air exercise he
needs so much to maintain physical health.
To the uninitlatcd, golf presents few at
lnt HON
of 'shinny, while hockey and polo have
each their limited number of dcvotccs.
But golf does not present the same features
of antagonism of all three OF these sports,
and the sole object of the player is to drive
his individual ball into II small hole In the
ground perhaps 4 quarter of a mile from
tho starting point, with fewer strokes OF
his stick or club than it takes his opponent
to do the same thing.
To an uninitiatcd onloolcr, the game
reminds one of the Chinaman's quaint de-
scription of tobogganing. When Ching
Lee first saw n toboggan chute, he watched
the mcrrymakcrs very seriously for some
time. After trying the slide himself he
was asked what he thought of the sport.
He funny game. Gctcc on sled.
S-s-s-s-sht! Walkcc mile black again"
So golf seems to the stranger. Swot!
down there in the grass, and, whiZ! it
dies through the air for 200 or 300 yards.
Then after The flying sphere the golfer
trudgcs over the fields and through the
broiling sun. Again he drives the ball, and
again and again until it reaches the
smoothly rolled 'puttingYrccn, and here
he plays croquct with it for II tiny hole
sunk in the center of the green. His oppo-
ncnt follows suit, and when both balls
have been 'holcd' the next link is started
and the operation is repeated to the end of
the course, which is generally Is links or
holes.
But to the true golfer, whether he be
Scotchnan or only an imitator of the
Scotch, the sport presents II wonderful va
riety of unseen possibilities and fascna-
lions. Tho dclicacy of stroke, the flncssc
Of the play, are both hidden books to tho
novice. He must play for years before he
learns the exact difference in value of the
different clubs he must have His arm
must have long training before he can cs-
innate closely the amount of power ncces-
sary TO drive the ball exactly the required
distance. He must have seen many OK
pcrts do tho trick before he learns how to
pass the hazards and barriers put i'll his
course on all the good links.
Throughout the country the golf clubs
have sprung up like mushrooms after
summer storm. At all the fashionable
country places courses have been laid out
and clubs formed which will lie the center
| of attraction during the gay season this
| summer. IN the suburbs of all the big
cities, too, where tho Weather residents
| live, the sport has thrivcd To Il wonderful
| extent. 1t is impracticahlc for the cities
themselves because of the great space seed