The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-12
SOME IDEAS ABOUT GOLF.
Popular misconceptions Regarding the
Pastime.

In Scotland. where the game is almost as old
as the hills, no true golfers will ever speak lightly
OF their pet recreation. With them 1t IL never
dubbed a sport in an off-hand way. but spoken
OF with respect as an institution akin to the
"auld kirk"
In this country even the experts are more free
and easy in their talk about 1t. although they
will not admit that the Scotchmen, with all their
dignity, have a more sincere reverence for golf.
1t was Mr.. Henry +. Rowland. for instance,
who in an article on the game quoted q detini-
ton OF golf as chasing n quinine pill around n
ten-acre lot" He has high standing as q golfer
on the Shinnecock Hills links and loves the
game he referred to SO tlIppantly. No Mussel-
burgh or North Berwick golfng grandee could
ever speak so lightly Of the institution"
This "quinine pill" JOKE Is so apt that it mas
much currency among the golfnR amateurs. 1t
is one Of the first stories told to the new men,
bers. and their appreciation of wit is gagged by
the way 1t strikes them. Not to laugh long and
loud would be thought high treason at the
clubs. Among the outside public. who know
nothing OF golf, the favorite joke about the
game defines 1t as the striking OF a tiny ball
with a big club. from an ant hill in the centre OF
a forty acre lot and If you find it the same
day you win!" This story is told nightly amid
applause by Dan DAILY In the Lady Slavey,"
and has had a long life In the music halls. 1t
appeared originally in q Chicago newspaper in
August, and has been the round OF exchanges.
At the sporting goods stores 1t is an ordinary
thing for the statesmen to be asked for a set OF
those new-fangled Skinny sticks The idea
that golf is u variation OF shiny. or hockey. is
partially right, but really these games are
modern and only Of yesterday in comparison
with the royal and ancient " pastime. Shiny
and hockey. according to the students, are mere
vuigarisms of Rolf. An instance of the tenacity
the Skinny idea has on some was in evidence
at the New Years Day competition for
from the hotels mustered on tho links,
and between players and spectators there
was a throng about the starting tee. One portly
gentleman, gorgeous In a sealskin overcoat and
a shining silk hat. stood about for two or three
hours watching the players striking off in
away on their JOURNEYS, lie asked the scorer.
with some impatience, when the men would no
Why, they are playing now" answered the
official,
you mean to say they amt going to line mn
and shiny on their own side. That's what I've
been waiting for"
No explanation could quell his wrath, and the
stout party, hurried off In high dudGeon to his
The competitive spirit. the fighting against all
odds To gain n goal, is the life of both shiny
and hockey. In r3lf II is the game that must
%cellence. The player, who covers the links in
the fewest strokes will win. but he has only col
lateral form to beat, and may take his time In
judging the strokes. There il no hustling adj
versary to rush UP and bang the ball tho con-
tr Gn n way nyn frI IN um 4 dGin ms felt etto across country
1t win drop into all sorts OF ruts and hollows,
and roll among rocks and 6riers' TO overcome
these obstacles quickly and get the pill" in
swift motion toward the next hole, yet save all
the spare strokes possible, is the great object OF
wooden ard iron clubs, which he has learned To
pick from and adapt TO each emergency as IL
and muscle