New-York tribune., 1911-01-04
MORE VIEWS ON PUTTER
This Knotty Golf Problem Now
0vershadoWing All Else.
MEETING TO BE STORMY
MIR. Calkins Says, Why Swallow
Rules and Then Choke Over
interpretations?

The more one talks with golfers on the
parent IT becomes that this knotty prob
lem is going TO overshadow all others at
the annual meeting Of the United States
Golf Association, 20 be held in Chicago on
January IA. In speaking of the matter yes
terday w. d. Vanderpool secretary OF the
Metropolitan Golf Association said that
while he has always considered. and does
srl consider, himself conservative and op-
posed TO any radical or warlike action
against ST. Andrews, he feels that the time
has passed when practically one man on
the Royal and Ancient rules committee
should make laws for the entire golf world.
Like many others, Mr.. Vanderpool favors
having St Andrews assume a broader atti-
tude toward golfers, especially in this coun-
try, considering that the Schenectady put
ter is an American creation.
leighton Calkins has not in any way
| changed his views so decsively expressed
at the recent special meeting Of the Plain
! field Country Club. He is more firmly con-
/ vinced than ever that further bending OF
/ the knee to the Royal and Ancient club.
! even through some form OF Interpretation,
| would be only putting off the evil day.
| Continuing along these lines, Mr.. Calkns
/ said:
/ There is no sense in this policy of swai-
lowing st. Andrews rules and then chok
| ing over the interpretations II st. An
drews is going to go on making and
! changing rules II ought to at least consult
/ the United States Golf Association. The
! governing lawn tennis bodies in this coun-
/ try and Great Britain rarely make changes,
and when they do, neither attempts any
, thing without first consulting the other
1t is also my judgment that the United
, States Golf Association a its annual meet
ing should refrain from finally adopting
the proposed set OF boyle rules without
first consulting with 81. Andrews
In referring to the controversy at hand
and the revision Of the rules IN general, a
Boston critic writes in part as follows:
| when the rules were revised, In 1903,
ST. Andrews for the first time recognized
the United States Golf Association rules
committee and adopted much OF its work
but II is extremely doubtful if this would
have come about If the clubs in the West
had not been in almost open rebellion
against st. Andrews and the United States
Golf Association. The puncture of rebel
lion, If deep enough, can rock throne and
agitate A crown.
AT that time c. B. Macdonald. who has
not been an officer of the United States
Golf Association for many years but is a
member Of tie st. Andrews Club was made
a member OF the St. Andrews rules OF golf
committee, which was the St. Andrews
method Of recognizing the United States
Golf Association. a most unsatisfactory one
to an organization which was entitled to
representation by the usual methods.
when the rule in relation 10 form and
make Of clubs was amended so as to bal
the mallet headed putters tho United state:
Golf Association was not consulted. MOI
does II seem probable that Mr.. Macdonald
was consulted II was only when the sen
timent against the putter amendment de
veloped so strongly here thai Mr.. Macdon
aid took the field with circular of expla
nation in which he omits the importan
fact that when the rule was passed r. c
Watson, secretary of the United States Col
Association, cabled st. Andrews whethe
the ruling would bar the Schenectady put
ter and received an affirmative answer. Nj
Macdonald evidently was not able 10 Civ
the secretary Of the United States Col
! Associa ton this information.
The question which the delegates to tn
annual meeting have to consider is whethe
p it is desirable that St Andrews should de
liberatey select an American putter. in us
for ten years, for condemnation and pass
, to the junk heap without consulting III
, United States Golf Association; and fur
thermore. whether II is advisable TO stand
q ardize the implements Of the game in sue
radical fashion. St Andrews accepte
many suggestions from this country whe
it revised the rules in 1905. Why shoul
such an important step be taken withou
9 the golfers Of the United States having