Evening star., 1915-07-11
What Is Rule of Etiquettef

What might be a rule of etiquette for
those players who take an abnormally
long time in the course Of a ma tch? Is
the opposing golfer to be forced to
stand idle for three or four minutes
while his partner tries to concentrate,
does concentrate, then begins to think
that he is concentrating and finally be-
gins all over again, and say nothing or
do nothing about the matter? Is the
situation to be left to the pressure of
the gallery? Or in the case of medal
rounds, will there not be certain OFF,
cials whose duty it will be TO warn
men when they are losing ground ?
Such warning was given five years
ago in the amateur championship at
Brookline when a prominent amateur
with his partner took one hour to play
five holes and there were no lost balls
to use up time. The members of the
committee sent out word to him that he
would have to hurry along or else let
two or three couples go by. He hur-
ried and his game did not suffer.
J always feel when 1 see a player
taking five or six minutes to figure on
what shot should be made that he is
showing signs Of non-confidence at the
game. When George Duncan, j. H.
ylor. Harry Vardon, Tom Mcnamara
and Of the amateurs Max Marston,
Philip Carter. Jerome d. Travers. D. T..
Sawyer. Francis Ouimet, Oswald k!rkby
and hundreds Of others who have won
local IL not national and international
fame. can play along and get results
there seems to be no legitimate excuse
for dawdling. In all the four days
play at Baltusrol fortnight ago there
was hardly wait at u single tee. This
point was remarked by many golfers,
particularly amateurs. and some of
these | know took II as a salufary les
son. Many course with short holes
a-plenty would be benefited greatly on
the busy days II the members had a
little of the businesslike methods of
the professional In his play.
We have to look only to the Wykasyl
Country Club for shining example OF
what is and what could be done. There
/ the nth. sixth and seventh holes are
short. ranging in length from 135 to
about 200 yards. saturdays. Sundays
and holidays it Is the usual thing to
wait for half to three-quarters and
sometimes even full hour before get
ting chance to get started for the
drive to the sixth. Yet at the start the
until the ones in front had got out OF
range. and at the short fifth. which
comes after a lorg hole, there Is gen
orally no wait Of any length.
| Wykagyl Is not the only course thus
| affected. for almost every links has
| some such problem. To make the play
ers drive of from the tee fours is an
| excellent thing. and should be follow.
ed, for experience has proved this te
| be efficacious; but / would plead for q
| faster game. especially on the short
holes. Not only would the play Of hun.
dreds Of golfers be helped. but the TEN.
permanent and perhaps the digestion OF
| az many aided as well.
Finally. IT might be well to remind
the brethren weak in this respect that
| the time Is now at hand when tht
dawdlcrs OF the links, especially IL
match play. will cause free and I'D
! verse criticism; but in medal-play
rounds the remedy is still nearer ant
will be most eflcacious, think. It II
to start Off those who are spotted fol
being the "toiiers" last. Then no on
Is hurt, and IL the qualifying round II
at thirty-six holes in one day this sys
tenn ought to help nightly in chang
ing these habits. 1t never pays to tr.
Ito hatch your shots, not even the putt