The Washington times., 1908-12-08
w. ]. Travis, Golf Authority,
Thinks Revision Has Great
ly Strengthened Code.
PLAY OF STYMIES
MUST BE DEFINED
Expert Says This Feature Neces-
sary to Game-Other
Comment.

NEW YORK, Dec. SIN gOlfing-cir-
cles It Is but natural that the new code
of rules which will go into effect with
the new year has attracted widespread
attention, for while there are no radical
changes, a number Of important amend
nents have been made TO the old fOTmu-
Ia, with which Il Will be absolutely
necessary for golfers to be familiar.
Some criticisms have been made 10 GER
tain OF the changes abroad. out the
general consensus of opinion is that
what changes have been authorized
viii make for the better conduct and
appreciation Of the game.
The United States Golf Association.
which sent carefully prepared draft
of recommendations last spring to the
rules committee Of the Royal and An
Client Club Of St Andrews, Scotland,
will formally adopt the new code at its
annual meeting early IN January, and
there is not the slightest indication that
a single objection will be made to any
portion Of the accepted code.
Travis Explains.
Walter ! Travis, who has made as
close a study Of the technicalIties Of
golf as any one in this country. has
issued an unqualified Endorsement OF
the new code.
IN dealing with some of the changes
in detail, Mr.. Travis says that they
must be frankly admitted as distinctly
in the line Of improvements over the
former code. Railways and fences will
no longer be regarded as hazards, but
permanent grass within a hazard is to
be considered part of the hazard. This
omission in the old rules, says Mr..
Travis, read in conjunction with the
new rules simply means that at present
when ball is in n hazard. whether II
be on the grass or not. the club shall not
be so led under penalty Of the loss Of
the hole. implying that now all haz-
ards must be carefully defined.
Mr. Travis approves heartily of the
change which prevents a golfer from
using the back OF his hand to smooth
down the line Of his put Commenting
on this. he says:
Loose impediments may be lifted
from the putting green Worm casts,
snow. and Ice may be lightly. sCraped
aside with a club, but otherwise th- line
OF put must not be touched. Brushing
with the hand means the loss q. -
hole = very important change, and a
most excellent one"
Other Changes.
other important alterations are. No
through the green or from a hazard.
Penalty. loss OF the hole.
1t is no longer necessary to drop q ball
from the head. Face the hole. stand
erect, and drop behind, over the shOuI-
der
Under no circumstances shall a prac-
tice swing be taken anywhere. except
on the tee, when the ball Is not in play.
under penalty Of loss Of the hole.
Casual water on a putting green is
now practically nOn-eXistent. When a
hall IS on a green a clear put to the hole
is permissible, free from intervening
water.
On the much-mooted question as to
whether stymies shall be played or not.
Mr. Travis says
Stymles form Az integral part Of the
code, and, therefore, should be played.
They are defersible on the ground that
they are capable Of being negotiated by
the exercise Of the highest degree Of
skill In match play competition IL IS
absolutely essential that ali contestants
should be compelled TO pay stymies
otherwise great injustice may be
worked. The new rules make their plav-
ing compulsory under penalty Of dis
qualification"