New-York tribune., 1911-01-19
PICKS OUT GOLF TANGLE
Leighton CaIkinS Fears Players
viii Get Wrong Impression.
EXPLAINS CHANGES MADE
No Rule Adopted Abroad May
Become Operative Here
Without Action.

Although the war Is over with regard
| 70 the much abused centre shafted putter,
there continues TO exist more or less con-
fusion and uncertainty concerning the re-
cent legislation. Leighton Calkins, who has
followed the subject probably as closely as
any one, writes a follows:
! noticed an error in some of the morn
lhS papers, in statement purportng to
nave come frorm Secretary Watson, 10 the
effect that the new bylaw Of the United
States Golf Association has the result OF
tactO any changes in the rules which ST.
Andrews may hereafter make That is eX-
actly what the new bylaw puts veto on.
The mistake must nave been inadvertent,
because of course Mr.. Watson could not
have 30 stated. The important reform aC-
complshed at Chicago last Saturday was 10
provide that hereafter no rule adopted by
81. Andrews shall ever become operative In
this country unless we decide affirmatvely
20 adopt 10.
Perhaps golfers do not appreciate that
the schenectady putter was absolutely out
.dwed In the United States from last Sep
tem1er until our annual meeting last Sat
Urday In Chicago Why Because our by
law then provided that competitions should
ge played In accordance with the st. An
drews rules except as interpreted other
wise by us. The new bylaw reads that
'CompetuQps shall be played in accord
ance with the rules Of golf as approved by
! N4E NNbN al ana Ancient ITOlI AlQN OF SI.
Andrews, Scotland, September, 1908, with
such amendments and interpretations only
as may have been or may he hereafter
adopted by the United States Golf Associ-
alton
In other words. St Andrews legislation IN
the future will not Immediately become op-
er8tive In this country. This was the one
really important and vital bit Of legisla-
ton enacted last week. The adoption Of
the amended clause on form and make OF
clubs operates 70 bar an out-and-out NAL
let. but great care was taken not TO include
anything remotely approaching Schenee-
tady Even the title % our rules must now
be changed. Up TO last week they read
..The Rules Of Golf as Approved by the
ROYAL and Ancient Golf Club Of St An
drews. september 1908, and as Amended by
the United States Golf Association, Fe0ru-
airy T.. 1902 Tie date, February H. 1903
Is now struck out. We now accept nothing
from ST. Andrews except the revision OF
1905 which We helped 70 make and which
we aflrmatively adopted ourselves.
American golfers. especially those in this
part Of the country viii be greatly disap-
pointed If the report q the effect that the
projected visit Of the American team
70 America next summer has fallen
through proves 20 be true. Among those
who had been named as likely 20 come
here was Michael Scott, several times
winner OF both the open and amateur
championship tournaments n Australia.
The course Of the Columbia Golf Club
al Washington has been abandoned In
fact. this well known organization has
undergone decided changes during the last
wear. even % the altering Of its name 20
the Columbia Country Club Henceforth
the Columbia golfers will travel out IN the
direction OF Chevy Chase, where new
home has been found and where it IS ex-
pected 20 have q fine course.
plans are making 10 hold a professional
tournament az the indoor golf school In
rg-tn street Jack Hobens, the Englewood
nura." has been asked 10 arrange the de-
tails