New-York tribune., 1901-12-16
S,p0RIS I 7
0pORI>r1fN'
GOLF.
UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION NAY BE
ASKED TO ADOPT AN OFFICIAL GOLF
BALL-LOCKWOoD ANALYZES
THE NEW FOUNDER"

Bounding Billies.' the deriSive term ny Wflch
the new rubber covered golf balls are known among
those who decry their use, making lots OF
trouble just now. The question to their en-
ployment in the national championships may inject
new interests into the usual placid duiness OF the
annual meeting of the United States Golf AS
sociation. for there is growing faction which
seems determined that the association shall de-
eide whether not they to be recognized
The scofTing which followed the first Introduction
of the ball senced when Travis won his cham
pionship Atlantic City through it's and since
then there has been good deal of wild tax ABOUT
special legislation in authorizing standard ball
It is declared that the association Should adopt
such ball at least for its championship tourna-
ments that there could be question as to
every player being the same footing. To sup
port this contention is pointed out that in pract-
cally every other branch of sport-football, base
ball and lawn tennis-a standard ball has been
adopted. Why not in golf? is asked.
But the advocates of the idea have evidently
overlooked the fact that there is fundamental
difference between these sports and gof said a
well known Morris County player in discussing the
other side of the question recently. IN golf each
player has his own ball; in the other sports men
toned all PLAYERS use the same ball. And even in
billiards and croquet the same is indirectly true,
for. although each player uses a distinctive ball
that ball may be played upon by his opponent. In
golf there is combination whatever between op-
ponents. it is silly to talk of standard ball
as a standard caddie bag. If a man his OPP
ponent getting the better of him with one of the
balls. let him also use the same bali. He has
a perfect right to do So
The Bounding BiIlies" have been strongly in
evidence ever since Travis's victory at Atlantic
City, and the general consensus of opinion in re-
cent matches has been to intrench ii more firmly
than ever in popular favor. No more striking illus
traton of its effectiveness has been given than was
furnished by Devereux Emmet's record breaking
score of &c at Nassau. Emmet is good player.
but he is allowed seven strokes in the official met
ropolitan handicaps. and such performance would
ordinarily be expected from one in his class. En-
met himself admits that he could not duplicate the
score with the old fashioned gutta.
Just what the good and bad points of the new
bah are have been subjects of some difference OF
opinion The most critical analysis however.
from Lockwood. of Boston. whose promi-
nence in the national Championships-bo open
and amateur-lend the greater weight TO his opin-
ions. At handcaps about Boston. Lockwood. at
plus 1. has ruled the roOst" for the last three
seasons. and in his trip abroad last he capt
ured many OF the important prizes in the Engish
tournaments.
coyeTe6 a @ IN WIN be 5ee R6S@n
Post II have found the following advantages and
tremendous distance which he gained with iron
clubs especially on half shots StanG5 an out InoSS
to but very little. The ball will rise more easily
out of bad lie, and can be hit more easily IL mas
great running powers hard ground and will run
numerous buukers II going at any pace, 2
drive # the ground Is hard II does slice or
pull badly gutta ball VIII. Strengthening
considerably during its flight II does not lose
its shape and is durable If the outer smell Is
not cut through by topped iron shot. II ho!as
up against the wind. and is good ball to pu'
IL the green's absolutely true and not very laSt
1t he driven a long way with an eNtreinely ~
easy swing. and for this reason is invaluable to
women men with short swings, and short drivers
in general
'The chief disadvantages lie in the short game
especially very short approach shots, where IL
requires an extremely delicate shot 70 lie dead. II
PLAYING a short loft. on account OF It's being SC
lively II Is Il bad ball to on rough green's as
irresularity will the ball off seven or eight
inches than ordinary ball A longer run
has he allowed for in approaching the hole. ON
account of the thickness Of the shell and not being
absolutely uniform. 1t cannot be dennnded upon
always fly perfectly straight a half topped ap-
proach good deal further than II the bali
had been hit clean. that style OF shot Is gen
orally the green instead Of on it, as frequently
happens with the old gutta.
This criticism makes Il evident that the balls
chief advantage lies way from the green: that the
nearer cup is approached the more unreliable 1t
becomes Consequently the balls continued popu-
larity rest largely with men whose play at
the tee is inferior to their short game.
Among English golfers the new ball has just
made its appearance and is said 10 he making a
mild sensation. J. l. Low the English ColhnE au-
thority. is the first to pass its merits. and ac-
cordng TO the latest advices he is quoted as say
ing that if the ball be driven. as is asserted
some sixty v-ords further than the gutta. it will
he the ball Of the future, unless its antics in the
short game actually absurd.