The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-14
OUIBBLERS ON GOLF RULES
FINE PLAYERS NOT AMONG KICK
Frs FOR REVISION.
Unite d states Association TO Ask for RecOs.
milton at ~. Andrews When Code Next
Is Amended WOW the same laws
Govern the Game All Over World.

Jul SNaNNb Wv w HNsN w
milton at ~. Andrews When Code Next
Is Amended wow the same laws
Govern the Game All Over World.
At no very distant time the United States
Golf Association committee il TO ask for a
conference with the rules Of golf committee
Of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, at st.
Andrews, Scotland. or at least for recogni-
ton when next the rules are to be revised.
What will the answer be when the request
Of the American golfers reaches the auto
cratic rule makers Of st. Andrews? The gray
city by the Eden is not nearly so grim and
cool as the temper Of the domineering golf
committee. To the usual phlegmatic and
conservative elaboration with which the
committeeman treat the communications
sent to hem must this time he added a
grain Of precaution. All they know of
American golf is that one Travis o a
championship at Sandwich and that many
sbrithers a." are feathering their nests
as professionals in this country.
The golf of the colonies is dearer to the
Scotch court. The predicament to be faced
and dreaded il whether to recognize the
Americans will not also compel recognition
of Australia, Canada, New Zealand. South
America. Japan, India. France, Germany,
South Africa. Egypt. and many more places
where golf has to be fitted according to
the rules as they stand. To temper the
rules for the Americans. horrible thought
to a canny Scot burgher. may force a recog-
milton Of many more odd characters who
play the game. The shortest way out of
the dilemma will be to decline c~ourteously
the request OF the United States Golf As
ISOLATION. To yield to it would lead to
annual congresses of golfers from all over
the world to patch up the rules.
The rules are a complete and satisfactory
code except to the quibblers. just as the
rocking chair feet" of the clubs carries the
greatest kickers on yachting laws and eti-
duette. there is in golf a set Of veranda
sharps who can pick many discrepancies
in the rules. If they played the game
more they would clear the cobwebs from
their minds. There is one sort Of golfer.
who may be classed as the tournament
sharp. who can quote the rules offhand,
and through the knowledge often steals
a hole from a generous or careless opponent
As a protection. therefore. it is wise to study
the rules before going to hun for cups.
aud, in a general way. an elemental knowl-
edge of the rules will add to the enjoyment
Of golf
The rules were made for Scottish golf.
and in that country the players imbibe the
fundamental principles in early youth and
seldom have to consult the book. Scots carry
this suavity regarding the rules wherever
they travel, and it Is the best way for a golfer
20 treat the edicts. This attitude has re-
GENTLY been expressed very happily by David
r.. Forgan, a Scot OF that ilk very promi-
nent In Chicago golf. In reply to n query
from the Golfers Magazine he wrote
I am glad TO learn that the L. S. G. A..
executive committee proposes TO have a
conference with the rules of golf committee
OF the Royal and Ancient Golf Club OF st.
Andrews before undertaking to make any
serious changes in the rules OF golf for this
country.
So many Americans go abroad every year
and play golf al ST. Andrews and elsewhere
that IL would be a great pity TO have one
set OF rules for the old country and another
set for this country. II may be possible
10 express the old rules in clearer language
and 70 arrange them in more convenient
form. but ! think IL would be a mistake to
change them radically.
For my part | can scarcely understand
the demand for a change. because ! never
have a dispute with any one and conse-
auently never have to refer to the rules.
For meuHl play COIlptblNiVhb ~ IN vi ohl N'
desirable that there should be no ambiguity
of Language OF doubt OF the meaning. and
every one VIII welcome any improvements
IN these respects on the present rules; but
Z do not wish to play with any one who finds
n necessary to refer to the rules more than
once in five years.
Every five yearsi There is the true spirit
of golf back Of this stipulation. Yet it is
often wise to seek an exact knowledge OF a
penalty or privilege when at medal play
for then zach player must guard the honor
of the entire field. The putting greens OF
Scotland are browns" of sand or clay in
many countries: its whins are cactus plants
or high grass, and there are no rabbit
sorapes elsewhere, but instead land crabs,
snake holes and elephant hoof prints. As
a there are situations forever
arising that are not covered by the rules
Questions on such points come in hundreds