New-York tribune., 1912-03-03
GOLF BALLS ON THE RACK
Much Progress Made Toward
Standardization.
CEMENT SPHERE IS TESTED
May Be Substitute for the
Guilty" Article-Travis
in Opposition.

Instead Of losing interest and becoming
indifferent with regard TO the controversy
over the standardization of the ball. golfers
the world over are displaying signs OF In
creased activity with each succeeding
week. II has remained for the devotees
Of the game abroad. however. to take a
step so decisive that the outcome will be
or the greatest importance.
In brief. Golf illustrated" has sent let
ters 70 two hundred and fifty Of the lead
ing golfers in Great Britain, asking their
opinion on the subject The questions are,
whether they favor standard ball;
whether they believe in continuing alons
as at present. or whether they would even
he willing TO go back to the solid guilty.
week after tho letters were sent out 15-
replies were received. and Of these l4l IA
vored Standardization. Seven were against
anything being done. while the other four
thought that something ought 10 be done.
A pair of former champions. John Ball
and A. c. Barry. favored Standardization.
as did A. J. Graham, Captain " E. Ham
bro. w Herbert Fowler. Edward Black
well and s. Mure Ferguson. This last
named would place veto on the small,
heavy ball Barry writes that the latest
lively creations are hurting the game. He
saws that lie goes to ST. Andrews for a
few weeks OF golf every September, and
ne notices that every time the course
seems shorter
Among those who come out boldly in
favor Of a return TO the guilty are John L.
Low. Harold Beveridge, John Graham. jr.,
Osmond Scott. =. F. C. El7'es. A. F. Macf1e,
f. NJ scott-Smith and D. S. Crowther.
That they are also alive TO the situation
In the West was shown by a report sent
out from Chicago last week TO the effect
that golfers in authority there have signed
petition asking that the club managing
the amateur championship tournament con-
slider the question OF making all the en-
trants use balls Of the same material and
structure.
Apropos Of golf balls. one Of the most un-
usual exhibits shown at the recent cement
show in the Coliseum in Chicago was a
cement golf ball. The new ball was tried
out the other day by Ned Sawyer. a former
Western champion. at one Of the indoor
courses and the golfer seemed to be
pleased with its possibilities. II is of SINH
lar size 10 other golf balls, but with core
of a composition OF cork and concrete
mixture, which il is declared, will act in
the same manner as rubber.
Whether or not the cement ball amounts
TO anything or not. the mere turning out
OF such an article indicates the never
ceasing endeavor to devise something to
outdo the present popular brands. Several
local players who have discussed the posi-
blity OF some new ball coming along are
in favor OF restrictions. though just what
few are prepared to say. W. j. Travis has
already declared himself as opposed tc
Standardization, while Leighton Calkns
favors getting at the trouble through the
courses rather than the ball
one player who has given the subject con-
siderable thought says that while the ac-
ton on the part of the United States Coli
Association in deciding to investigate the
ball situation and patent rights involved
sounds we'll enough, II may after all prove
nothing more than an interesting theoreti'
cal topic incapable OF realization. While II
looks well on paper. he adds. It is toe
Utopian to work out. In the mean time
golfers are tired or paying 80 dozen rol
balls. but even so there Is little Likelihood
OF the national body starting ball factory