University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1908-09-25
GOLF, ANCIENT GAME.
FAVORITE OF KINGS
Whether Fat or Lean. Its Devotee EnJoys II
Beyond All Other Sports-f1onarchs and
Politicians Equally Fond of 1t.

While Charles l., was engaged on the
links of Leith, in 1912, the news reached
him of the Irish rebellion of that year
He did not 90 on with the match.
British Monarchs Golfers.
Some rude readers may say he was
known at the time, but he was a great
enthusiast and long afterward found
his favorite diversion in the royal game.
One might almost 60 from descendant
to descendant right up to the reign of
the present king of Great Britain and
have always taken a keen interest in
the game, even if some of them did
not test their skill on the links.
In 1884 William ". became the pat
ron of the famous st. Andrews golf
links, and years later. as further proof
of royal favor, he presented a magnifi
cent gold medal for competition; while
the following year the queen dOwager
became patroness of the club and pre-
sented another.
In the last 80 years the British royal
family have been great admirers of the
game. King Edward, however, in spite
of many statements to the contrary,
does not play golf, nut he has had a
course laid out on his private grounds
and is always pleased to sit near the
home green and witness the players fin
ishing their rounds.
According to the really great expon-
ents of the game its chief attraction
consists in the almost supernatural con-
troll they exercise over the ball whether
it is lying well or i'll, and their marvel
Gus putting powers. 1t is the fascina-
tion when the long game is being i'm
proved and the terrOrs when confronted
with the short put, which have made
the game what it is. There is no golf
er from the open champion down to
the variest dufrer who has not felt, in
varying degrees, the terror of this fright
ening put. Golfers tell us that soldiers
have gone into battle and faced death.
but they are unable to conceal their
nervousness when asked to sink a short
putt"
1t is putting" which is really the
chief and necessary requirement for
those seeking championship aspirations.
Failure to hole the ball is responsible
for the comparatively obscure place num-
bers of golfers occupy who are pro-
ficient through the greens. but who fail
when the pin has been lifted. Though
a man drive far and sure and beat his
opponent until the green is reached, if
he be poor putter he will invariably
bite the DUST
Must Have Style.
1t has been laid down, more or less,
as a rule that unless a golfer acquires
a correct style he will never be great
player, and yet this seems extraordinary
for there are not two golfers who play
the game the same. The most faulty
style is always cultivated by the man
who teaches himself golf and will not
have it taught him. The chances are
that he will begin by holding his club
wrong. by standing wrong, and by
swinging wrong, and should he hit the
ball it will probably fly wrong.
The beginner will in his own way un-
dOubtedly improve, he must do so, his
aim becoming more perfect; but he will
gradually find that his bad habits will
find for him hazards of all descriptions,
and unless his temperament is good
his language will be bad. One day he
will be worse than others, will bemoan
his fortune, and will seek the aid of
some friend to bear patiently the burden
of his 'cursory" remarks
1t may happen that good Samaritan
will take pity on him and tell him
where he is wrong. Another effort will
be made, but the new grip feels awk-
ward, and the change in tactics reduces
his hitherto bad golf to worse. Back
to the old style he goes, and back to
the old ways, and though he pIods along
and may play some good holes, there
will always come one bad one which
will invariably hold him back
No Pleasure For buffers.
OF course there are exceptions. but
they are rare. When matters 90 wrong
in golf you must start from the begin
ming again. and it is only the constant
practice which leads to perfection. To
enjoy golf it is necessary to play WELL
The constant duffer-and Washington
has scores of them-is filed with dis
may and shame at his own short com
nGs and is an unhappy spectacle as he
knocks the ball from tee to tee: but
he who has started under the eyes of a
good tutor and uses grace and ease
in his sbofS will J,,r:,, A.