New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-25


fessional golfers in instructing the
young or old idea how to shoot. Mean
ing the proper physical handling OF
club or the essence OF some grip or
stance.
But in the matter Of golhng psy-
chology. IL the class is willing, we'd
esteem il a great pleasure 20 rise and
say few words that might, or might
not. be OF benefit TO a few dozen
citizens here and there.
The Idea Being
The idea has in the main to do with
the improvement Of medal play in
tournaments now just getting under
way. If you will run through the vari-
Gus scores you will notice that two
golfers cut OF every three in these
medal play rounds are from to 10
strokes above their normal game. With
in the last few days one first class
golfer required % strokes for the frst
nine. Another required 80; stu a
third required IS. All three came back
under 40 after they had once settled
and had gotten going.
And so II runs in other tournaments
and so it will run probably until
time and mashie shots are no more.
This. in main part. is the result Of
one common fault self-consciOusnesS
Zach tournament entry permits himself
10 become keyed entirely too hlgh.
Each entry has a hidden feeling tina: II
will be disgrace 20 80 above certain
score. ANY number have the fear that
If they slip and break badly they will
be charged with cowardlce under IRE
or with weakness OF nerve against the
test. As consequence only fcw vet
Gran souls or a few nonchalant ones
are able 20 do justice 20 their game
Medal Play.
Medal play 10 eight golfers out of
tens a cross between pain and pleas
ure-torture and Joy. Few permit
themselves 20 start at a natural. nor
NAL clip We know Of any number OF
medal play golfers who require good
start 10 make any sort Of showing.
Let them bunglc up the first hole or
miss short putt and the uerve-mined
detonation rs terrific.
Now, there is only one way TO eh'eI
medal play qualifying tournamenI
round that is. for most golfers ana
this is in the spirit made famous ny
Miss r. Tanguay. VIZ. 81 dom care
This feeling brings on lack OF rlgidl'y
and tends 10 relaxed muscles that are
more easily maintained under contrOl::
Entirely too many golfers take goI
TOO seriously. II isn't q fippant, con-
versational game and neither Is 1t
matter Of life and death-of gore and
horror of destruction and ruin.
Golf Philosophy.
Golf is a game that calls for philos-
ophv in all It's extensive branches. Inc
true golfer and the successful one
must be q philosopher or pay the pen
atty.
The only system is to enter tour
nament feeling that II one makes
good showing 1t is pleasant, brt OF
no worldwide significance. And II one
makes a bad showing II is all part
Of the game. to be taken only a.
minor incident.
This proper golf philosophy doesn't
lead one to expect too much al the
start. 81 never start out expecting
anything" says Francis Oulmet, who IS
certainly entitled TO expect more than
most others. Don't expect anything.
just take each score as II comes.
Furthermore. proper golf philosophy
refuses TO become pcrturbed az any
bad luck. such as a bad he or a putt
that hits the cup and jumps out 1t
figures that all this Is a part Of golf,
lust as much a. the mashie and the
fairway are.
Why fret or worry about an event
that is absolutely bound to happen
Just so often that has been happening
for 400 years and will continue hap
peninC another 400. or 1000, years. or
hov&cr long golfers will be allowed
20 roam beneath dying sun?
Serious Fault
Expecting too much is q serious
fault among too many golfers. You
have often heard golfers complain that
when feeling best they seemed to play
their worst. This was largely because
that inasmuch as they felt physically
fit they expected TO do wonders, and
soon became OyeranXIOus and over
curious. with the result that either a
shell Of pressing or Of looking up fol
lowed. The golfer who retains IN his
throbbinC memory recollection OF each
bad shot is IN for day of anguish and
round Of extinct pRrs. There is only
one shot in the game and that is the
shot ahead.
10 follow Yet il is an essential part
Of golfng pleasure and success. Harry
Vardon is a great golfer not only be
cause he IS master of each club but
because he has schooled himself to
play each shot relaxed and at mental
case. He has missed putt after putt on
the green that any duffer could make
without any semblance Of ANNOYANCE
or without letting II crack his philo-
Sophical calm.
And forget that matter Of being
charged with cowardice or lack of
nerve. Jack McDermott played an Eng
Hsh course in 70, and two DAYS later.
attempting TO qualify over the same
bunkered plain. used up SO. Yet Nc
Dermott is conceded TO be one OF the
earnest golfers that ever lived.
Make up your mind before starting
that YOU will miss few puts you
ought to make; that you will get your
share Of bad lies and that here and
there YOU will flop into a bunker. And
having done this take the game as It
comes, whether il be 3 or Z, or
an s
Crescent A. {. Defeats
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