New-York tribune., 1911-01-11
GOLFERS WAXING WARMER
Weak Spots Pointed Out in the
Putter Controversy.
NO CHANCE TO COMPROMISE
Leighton Calkins Says No Need
to Slap Old st. Andrews
in the Face.

IN Lne race.
Weak spots In the arguments on the golf
rules situation as advanced by c. r. Mac
donald and Crafts ". Higgins are appa--
ent. In the Judgment OF Leighton Calkins.
The president Of the Plainheld Country
Club said yesterday that # seemed ex-
traordinary that Mr.. Macdonald, VINO ac-
cIises Walter J. Travis OF making errone-
GUS statements, should be guilty OF saying
one thing IN Circular No. 1 and an entirely
different thing in Circular No. 2 LOT
course ne meant right" added Mr.. Cal
kins.
Reference is made 10 the complicated
clause" and mote" workings with regard
10 the rule on centre shafted clubs and
the Plainield man adds that il only goes
to show how hard Il is even for Mr.. Mac
donald TO find out what ST. Andrews meant
and did. The statement made by Mt Cal
kins yesterday was as follows:
careful consideration of Mr.. Macdon
aids second circular letter reveals nothing
startling except that he now says with re-
gard TO the new rule that II is divided into
two parts. a clause and a note" and
that the mote" II not part OF the rule
whereas IN his bTst circular he stated with
regard TO both clause and note that he had
been informed that they were both a part
Of the rules. In which circular was he
right2 His point is that the clause be
adopted by u.s. but not the note, which
ne now says is not a part of the rules.
Here is what Golf Illustrated the lead
ing British golhng authority, mas TO say of
that suggestion of Mr.. Macdonald in an
editorial dated December 20, 1910:
The American Association is deliberately
invited by the rules OF golf committee tof
st. Andrews. while nominaly processing
interpret one Of them contrary 70 It's
avowed intention! Such solution OF the
difficulty would be worse than no solution,
for II this principle were 10 be admitted
the authority Of 81. Andrews would be gone.
since II would open TO any union or asso-
citation to interpret away any provision or
the rules of golf TO which II takes excep-
ton. The American golfers will either play
under the ST. Andrews rules or not, accord
ing they decide to accept or reject the
barring OF the Schenectady. There is no
possibility of compromise In a matter OF
this kind"
This is exactly the argument that some
Of US have been insisting upon during the
last few weeks II is absurd nominally 10
accept the rule and then outlaw II entirely
with a so-called Interpretation. But as
have pointed out before, IL Is still more
absurd for US to find ourselves stuck in a
bog Of rules from which We must wriggle
out IL we can by amendments without dar-
ing TO call them anything other than in
terpretations" The entire situation is abb
surd: Uniformity can be had In a more
sensible way
There are only about fifty voting clubs
in this country, and q concerted effort Is
being made to save St Andrews this time.
Very likely II Will succeed. But the near
future Is bound TO see more rational
method adopted. Beginning with tho pres
ent rules. which, with only SIX or seven
exceptions are tho same here and abroad.
Will show our respect for ST. Andrews and
our loyalty for the game and our sincere
desire for substantial uniformity in the
rules by making no changes without In
Tting st. Andrews 70 q conference.
We need not b discourteous; we need not
throw down any gauntlet or talk about their
tyranny or anything OF that sort Surely
we can take a reason able and digtfed atti-
10 decide whether Il cares enough about
uniformity Of rules to follow our example.
THIS would not be either an u. qnwsrranta. "a
Royal and Ancient Club In the face" as
Mr.. Higgins viii say IN the January number
OF The Golfers Magazine" Nor would II
be dasoyalty TO anything TO which we owe
allegiance. The very best kind Of a name
| 10 give II would be horse sense"
Mr.. Higginss suggestion TO retain the 81.
Andrews title 60 the rules as OF September
1908 with an opening for future amend
ments by the United States Golf Associa-
ton, hardly seems necessary, because II is
based on the theory that 70 entitle the
rules in our own name would be a slight
directed at the Royal and Ancient Club.
But It does not follow that because we
have accepted the St Andrews rules for
fifteen years We should continue indef-
nitely 10 do so. II as Mr.. Higgins says,
they are not obligated 20 consult US neither
are we obligated 10 keep their title solely
out Of Difference TO their feelings. We do
owe them something for the game which
they produced. Have we not paid of
large part OF our Indebtedness Further
more the revised rules OF 1905 were formally
adopted by the United States Golf AS
soctation in 1909. There Il nothing disre-
specttuI IN our adopting a code our own
which we helped 20 frame.
Mr.. MscDonalds claim that erroneous
Impressions have been disseminated as 70
Rule 16, and as 70 the barring OF the
Schenectady last spring, Will not bear
analysis. Il will not DO for him 10 say
that Il golfers in this country would read
foreign papers and books they could keep
up TO date with St Andrews rulings. Our
national association itself has never felt
equal 20 the task OF keeping up to date
with 1t Andrews The time has come for
II TO assume q position OF national impor
tance in a country where golf is played as
generally, and with as much interest and
enthusiasm. as anywhere else in the world.
The annual meeting Of the Plainheld
Country Club will be held at the Hartridge
Auditorium. at the corner Of Seventh and
Arlington avenues. Plaintield, on Tuesday
evening, February Z, at S:16 o'clock
Leighton Calkins, J. z. Erickson and r. 8
Rowland for t7istees