South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-16
ABILITY To PUTT
SECRET Of GOLF
SAYS W. ]. TRAVIS
Veteran Expert Declares That
Matches Are Won and Lost
in the Putting Game-HaS
Studied This Phase.
by Frank G. NIcnke.

NEW YORK. June 16.-"Ability TO
TO putt-that's the secret of golf sue
cess. says William J. Travis. the won
derful old man OF the links. who. at
the age of 55, met a field of more than
loo Of the greatest golfers in the east.
and putted his way 10 the Metropoli-
tar golfing championship OF 1915.
travis, not even considered as an
outsider when the recent tournament
began, beat every opponent that was
pitted against him-and beat every
one in a decisive way
Golf matches are won and lost on
the putting green said Travis. Il
learned that many years ago. And so
/ decided TO perfect my putting. L
practiced driving. Of course. but L
gave most Of my time 20 putting
putted from every conceivable angle
and distance that was possible and
because practice makes perfect be-
lieVe that / became quite proficient in
putting
Small in Size.
1t was marvellous putting skill that
won the championship for this 55-
year-old veteran. He's small in size
and frail in build. Practically every
one of the men he battled against
OutdroVe him from 10 TO so yards.
But Travis never worried over that
handicap. He knew that the final is
sue would be fought out on the green
and ii was on the green that he won
all of his matches.
Strange as il may seem, golfers are
more liable TO miss a two or five-yard
putt than they are TO miss a longer
one" said Travis. That's because
the short putt looks easy. They rare
ly practice the short puts They all
ways are practicing the long and diff
oh
puts that lose the game for them.
Several times during the Metro
politan it looked bad for me some
times my opponent was one stroke 10
the good on the green because of SUI
perior driving and ii seemed as If
was sure to lose the hole. But ON
most of those occasions my rivals
fooled on an easy putt. 1t seemed
SO easy-and they missed.
Has No Nerves.
Travis, on the green, seems to have
no more nerves than a machine. Moth
ing upsets him. lie is cool. confident.
unerring. The slightest twist or
false movement would mean defeat
for him But Travis. through the
years, has schooled himself TO meet
Just such conditions and Travis rs the
master of himself and the master OF
every nerve in his body when the
time comes for him TO drop the bail
into the cup
Travis driving is beautiful 90 watch.
The grand old man of the links can't
get the terrific force into his swing
as do his younger and heavier foes.
but Travis timing is perfect and his
swing is perfect It's been SO long
since Travis topped drive or made
bad slice that the oldest inhabitants
have forgotten about IT.
Travis, in putting. uses some OF the
heaviest irons ever seen on the links.
His mashies are peculiarly shaped. re-
sembling fish hook TO a certain eN-
tent. and his drivers have big knots
along the shafts instead of being
smooth as are most other drivers.
NV clubs look sort Of funny TO
others. but they look all right 10 me,
said Travis in explanation. Inc
knots Of the drivers enable me TO get
q better grip. The mashies serve
their purpose well. and ] find that a
heavy putter is better, for nay Work,
than a light one.
Fourth Victory.
Travis victory in the Metropolitan
gives him that championship for tho
fourth time He won in 1900 when
he was mere child" of 40. repeat
ed i'm 1902. won in 1909 and again this
year.
Travis has held the national cham
pionship and in 1904 went 10 sand
wich. England, and won the amateur
championship there.
How much longer do You expect 70
play in golhng championships
Travis was asked.
That's hard TO say ansW eTed
Travis. with one OF his rare slllies.
Its said that golf is an ola man
game I'm inst a Young fellow now.
and because 7 like the game. and the
spirit of contest guess III continue
to battle for medals and things, hKe
that until I get 20 lee an old ieilo"-