New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-17
TEMPERAMENT IN
GOLF TELLS ITS
STORY ON LINKS
Grantland Rice Sees Ex-
ample in Play of Travers
on BaltusrOl Course.
By GRANTLAND RICE.


definition as to just what is meant by
proper golf temperament" We'd
rather oblige here with an illustra-
ton, rather than with an answer.
In the forenoon round of the Ma
tional open golf championship at Bal
tusrol yesterday Jerry Travers went
out in (Which is par. Coming IN
he played the first six holes in even
tours. With q rare score in sight at
the sixteenth, he hooked his tee shot
into the damp and tangled under
growth of the bordering woods and
finally required an S-leaving an
excessive lump in his score.
To most golfers this incident would
have left a depressing effect, pointing
to more trouble on the remaining
holes. But Jerry accepted the break
with rare philosophy, and, in place
Of slipping, he took a still stouter
hold upon himself, almost got at
the seventeenth and dropped for
under par at the eighteenth. He had
eliminated that from his memory
when he left the green. His only
thought was the next hole ahead:
Which is the essence OF proper golt
temperament" if, as the Futurlsts say
you know what we mean.
Taking the Breaks.
Those among the many hundreds who
have gone out TO secure golf lnstruc-
tion from the way Ouimet, Iravers ana
Hagen play might get even better ala
by watching their psychological proc
esses. Hagen. through the morning
round, missed any number OF chances
to reduce his score, but the keenest
vision in the wake of his game would
have been unable to detect the slight
est annoyance or loss of temper.
There was no tiare-up that might
have upset his system and overturned
his game. These three golfers, espe-
ciallv, are noteworthy examples OF tax
ing the break of the game as il comes
the hard luck with the good luck
but dropping what is past behind as
they concentrate and play for what
still lies ahead.
Of Just how much aid Is practice In
developing first class golf? Undoubt-
edly it is quite a lot. Yet ChlcK
Evans tells US that he has never prac-
tised driving in his life, while he has
spent hours and days and weeks on the
putting green. Il don't remember,
says Chick, hitting two practice
drives in my life. But I'll bet I've
spent a total of two years practising
putting" Evans is a wonderful driver
and an uncertain putter. WHAT'S the
answer?
The Hardest Hitter.
There was some discussion as TO
what golfer stands as the hardest hit
ter with the Hood. This is a debate
that will hardly be answered, as
Barnes, Hagen, Hobens and several
others are neck and neck. But there
were two instances Of abnormal length
scored yesterday worth recording
On the second hole, Jim Barnes, the
Western champion, and mighty swlp-
! err, drove into the trap guarding the
green-this trap being 29O yards from
the tee on an uphill run with the
course heavy from an all night rain.
Not a light wallop when you ilgure 1t
out
The other were two shots that land
ed Hagen within seven feet OF the PIN
on the 5O0-yard fourth-and the Sec
ond had to be all carry over threat
ening trap guarding the way to the
Green. There may have been others
who couli outwaliop Barnes and Ha-
gen, but we failed to locate their pres
ence on the course.
John G. Anderson gave another ex-
hibition of his fighting heart when he
went out in Al, started in badly and
then settled for finish in 81 for Is.
Gil Nichols has been playing super
golf for the last two weeks-golf well
beyond the play of any other contend
or in the American lists.