New-York tribune., 1911-01-13
GOLF|NC THORN NO BABY.
Centre. .Shafted Clubs Made ana
Used Forty Years Ago.
UNIFORM RULES DESIRABLE
One More Chapter Written lii
Controversy Over the Sche-
nectady Putter.

Considering that the centre-shafted put
ter Is not such baby as many golfers nave
been led 10 believe. the question has been
raised why all this furry now? leighton
Calkins calls attention to a paragraph IN
c. B. MacDonalds second circular which
seems TO show that the centre-shafted club
was in existence as far back as forty
years ago incidentally. this brand OF club
does not seem to be so truly American after
all Mr.. Calkins said yesterday:
There Is very amusing paragraph In
the second Macdonald circular letter which
has not been commented upon. keterrlns
to statements which have been made 10 the
effect that a Schenectady putter, or any
centre-shafted putter, Is an American idea
or invention, Mr.. Macdonald allows ms 10Y
atty TO st. Andrews (Which we all admit
and sincerely admire) TO draw MIN INTO
damaging admission so far as 81. Andrews
itself is concerned. He says:
Mr.. Hodge. an eminent golfer OF 81. An
drews in the early 70's, made putter
fashioned like the schenectady; also A. T.
MacFie over twenty years ago dld tne
same. | have book puDnsneu IN
1897 in England extolling the merits OF CEN
tre-shafted clubs"
So ii seems that centre-shafted clubs were
in use nearly forty years ago. Yet 81. An
drews now bars them because they are not
of a traditional form and make How
much time ought 20 be given to an imple-
ment IN this royal and ancient game that
we have been talking about before II can
honorably and fairly be called "tradi-
ditionaI'?
To sum up: We all. or nearly all, believe
that st. Andrews, notwithstanding It's non
0rable and historic influence, has made
stupendous mistake I'm beginning an era or
Standardization which is contrary 10 the
basic character Of a game which has al
ways allowed freedom Of choice as to to clubs
and balls. That is the first point: The ., sec,
rules here and in England, so far as pos
sble? To this every true golfer VIII say
Yes" Loyalty to the game requires IT.
II Is on the third point that we part
company. Mr.. Macdonald sincerely be-
iieves that uniformity can be maintained
only by Our allowing ST. Andrews 10 CON
tinua to make the rules for the whole
world. He probably believes that st. An
drews knows so much more about the game
that IL Is better qualified than we are 10
say whether centre-shafted putter snail
be used, or whether balls should De stand
ardized. etc We others look further into
the future and see dark days ahead II our
national association adopts a position so
impossible to Justify. II We are 10 have
lasting uniformity In the rules, IL VIII come
only through a recognition OF the princi-
Dle of mutually of obligation.
Starting with the same rules mere ana IN
England, If neither country VIII MAKE any
changes until after conference, substaI!lai
uniformity will be assured, and In no otneT
uav The game Is no longer young In thls
country We do know something about H.
enough at least to recognize what even IN
England is admitted to have been tatai
blunder on the part of St. Andrews III
his instance. st Andrews has not DE.
manded that We shall adopt its rules, Dut
we voluntarily have done so. Consequently
II is not a question Of tyranny on tneir ite,,
part. or of lowed allegiance or loyalty
It is a practical question for MS to decide
FOR ourselves. ! believe that Mr.. MacDon-
aid. with lhe best Of intentions: mlsteahs us
the signs of the times Uniformity Is he 70 rec. Ce
ignition of the widespread interest In g0li
In this .ountry-in fact. all over the worid.
A worldwide game will not forever take taSe
Fro,n tho Royal and Ancient Club OF 81.
Andrews. ,UtIr VS.. much as We truly, owe that or or
panization for all that IT has stood Tor
in the past.