New-York tribune., 1908-07-12
NEW GOLF CODE HERE.
st. 4ndrezcs Committee Has Pro-
duced More Concise Book.

Advance copies Of the rules as revised by the
rules committee Of the Royal and Ancient Golf
Club of ST. Andrews have been received by the eX-
ecutive committee of the United States Golf Asso-
ciation- In the context. well the rearrange-
ment and typographical style, 1t is evident that
the Scots have used the pamphlet of suggestions
sent over in January by the American sub-com-
n1ittee rules. E. B. Sharp, member of the St
Andrews rules committee, arrived the Lusi-
tania on Friday and left for Canada in the even
ing With c. B. Macdonald he called on Presi-
dent Chauncey of the United States Golf Associa-
ton to express the appreciation Of Captain Burns
committee for the interest and energy Of the
United States Golf Association in preparing its sug
gestions
The non-adoption of suggestion, Mr.. Sharp
wished 1t 10 be understood. did not mean any
lack of appreciation of It, for only by weighing
in the balance of judgment a wide variety OF opin-
ions the ST. Andrews committee able to make
the revision of encyclopedia value
The advance draft has been sent TO all who were
asked originally 10 cooperate and they are ex-
pected TO advance any further opinions deemed ah-
visable. to draw attention TO points overlooked
The final draft will be submitted on August 81 to
the Royal and Ancient club for approval and IN
September there will be general meeting to rat
ify the revised code Should this be before Sep
tember Il to 10, the revised rules will govern the
American amateur championship at Garden City,
unless there is agreement that the code shall
operative until it has been formally accept
ed by the United States Golf Association, or else
Most noticeable in opening the new code book
is the classification that has succeeded the hap
hazard sequence of the former books, and the
grouping of rules in conformity with the order OF
strokes in game, attention being instantly at
tracted TO any paragraph desired by 'sideheads
in heavy type The main chapter headings
Definitions" General and Through the Green,
Hazards and Casual Water Putting Green"
Best Ball and Four-Ball Matches and Conduct
and Play in Stroke Competitions
hare i- olco nCed ''E'tjoUefte n
which, however valuable. contains nothing
cept Article "a player who has incurred pen
atty stroke should. as soon as possible, intimate
the fact 10 his opponent
Three Special Rules for Match Play Competi-
tons important any ever framed to
mould attitude of players toward the game for.
besides compelling the playing of stymies, for in
stance they force much for the interests
Of the entire field has hitherto been the law
only at stroke play competitions. The three rules
whose hose bali is nearer to the hole play rst his
6e Se fl m 6no both t
Rule "A competitor shall not waive any
penalty incurred by his opponent, under penalty
Of disqualification.
Rule 3--Competitors shall not agree to exclude
the operation of any rule, or local rule, at any
time, under penalty of disqualification.
The st. Andrews committee also recommends that
players should not concede puts to their opponents.
Other recommendations for local rules on such
local conditions the existence of mud or rabbit
scrapes. Regarding the form and make of golf
clubs there is an intimation from the committee
that may be wholly sentimental. else may be
prompted by some advance information the
trend of trade inventions. The warning is the COM
unittee will sanction substantial departure
from the traditional and accepted form and make
of golf clubs. which in its opinion. consist of
plain shaft and head which contains no mechani-
cal contrivance such as springs"
While there is apparent curtailment in the
number of words in the code, there is a clearer
preston polishing up of the ancient phrases, that
NAL kes them read better The brevity of expression
would condense the of the rules it not for
the topics included.
Regarding specific changes in the rules. there is
new addendum to that advice A player may
not ask for willingly receive advice from any
one except his caddie his partner or his part
rer's cadde, except when playing through the
green or from q hazard player may have the line
to the hole indicated to him. but no mark shall be
placed nor shall any stand on the proposed line
while this stroke is being made
An abuse Of long standing. the rule that made it
OBLIGATORY to place the ball back of casual water on
the putting green. If is so unfortunate as TO
get into it, has been reformed. A player may now
place his ball one club length from the side mar
gin of the casual water, but not nearer the hole
The American suggestion that the overflow of
water hazard should be casual water was not
adopted The suggestion turned down. too
that at medal play ball could be teed al any place
| on the course under penalty of two strokes. The
committee has kept the old rule on lifting intact