The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-17


very lax in their observance of both
rules and etiquette
In spite of the fact that some peo-
pie do not seem to realize it, there
are rules to govern the game of golf
just the same as there are rules to
govern any other game, and 1 must
confess that there are more infringe
ments made in playing golf than in
any other game 1 know Of And
this is simply because the players do
not take enough interest in the rules
to study them.
The only way to play the game is
the right way, and there is much more
pleasure to be derived from playing
according to rule than in playing in
the indifferent way now so prevalent.
In baseball, football, tennis and
other field sports contestants are made
to play according to rules and strict
regulations. Why should any differ
ent method be permitted in golf? In
the games referred to there are UNI
pires and referees whose duties arc
to see that the laws governing these
games are not broken. Whereas, in
golf, there are no officials except on
rare occasions.
Know the Rules.
But the fact that there are no Of
ficials to preside over the matches is
all the more reason why golf players
should acquaint themselves with the
rules, live up to them and insist upon
their enforcement at all times. 1t is
a matter of principle. 1t leads to eff
ficiency and it makes the game a
higher class of sport and a more bene-
fetal recreation.
OF course, it is very unpleasant to
''call the rules on ones opponent,
particularly in a so-called friendly
game; but it is the only way to ele-
vate the standard of play to a point
where it should be. Almost every
golfer knows that he must suffer
penalty for a lost ball, call out of
bounds or for an unlawful play in
hazard but how often will player
claim a hole when his opponent fails
to hole out a 6-inch putt by pick
ing it up or when an opponent even
Internationally steps on the line of
putt.
In Scotland when offepses of this
kind are committed the hole is claimed
Immediately. There is no question of
good fellowship or bad fellowship
about it. 1t is regarded as the proper
and natural thing to do, and winning
a hole this way is no. more unfair than
winning it with a against the other
players 5.
The Proper Spirit.
That same feeling should prevail
here. This sort of offense may seem
trivial to great many players, but
it is this tendency to disregard what
are mistakenly looked upon as unim-
portant violations of the rules that
causes a laXness in studying the rules.
Let a player be called a time or two
and you can bet your shoestringS he
will soon be hunting up a rule book.
Good natured leniency towards ones
fellow competitor is quite as repre-
hensible as ones own failure to OBJ
serve the rules with the greatest care.
1t is obvious that failure to exact
the payment of a prescribed penalty,
no matter how unimportant the Of
Tense may seem, works injustice on
the whole field of contestants. Those
who are beginning to learn the game
should begin right, and 1 want to urge
them to study the rules and live up to
them at all times and to insist that
those with whom they play do the
same.
If this is done, what at first may
seem disa greeable and unnecessary
will soon be recognized as essential by
all and will be considered just as prop
touch the bags in baseball. And the
ultimate result will be that the num-
Der of transgressfons against the rules
will gradually diminish. And in this
way you will find more pleasure in the
game and you will always have the
satisfaction of having your associates
say that you are a golfer who would
be dear to the heart of Hoy1e him
self
A Few Suggestions.
Inc IOllOWlnS are a IeW 90 anu
don'ts that every player should re-
member:
Don't play any stroke until the par
ties in front of you are out of range.
Don't play up to the putting green
while others are putting.
If you find you are holding other
players back. request them to go
through as there is nothing that spoils
the pleasure of the game more than
being held back by slow players.
If you lose your ball, always ask
the players behind to go through, and
if you find your ball don't play until
you have let the party through.
After you have holed out, don't