Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-12

sarns grade so far as concerns the ability
to hit ball with complete skill and IN
perfect style, but who differ entirely IN
the results which they achieve In impor-
tant events. One type can win champion
ships and the other cannot for the Ire
of IL do anything of the kind. Yet to the
person who has studied the methods OF
the less fortunate individuals there seems
at first blush to be no way of accounting
for their failures.
In a comparatively minor competition
or a practice round they play in man
ner which suggests that they are capable
of succeeding in the strongest company
and on any occasion. They execute the
most intricate shot with ease and grace
II is impossible to be other than enthusi-
astic about their gifts. But somehow
when they make their efforts In classic
tournaments, they prove deficient with
regularity that Is strange.
To mention names would be invdious.
Every devOtee of the game knows that
there are truly great golfers who never
win championships, and who exhibit
such characteristics that, after while
they are hardly so much as expected to
win. Yet all the time they are recog-
nized as splendid players. Something
is lacking in their nerve or temperament
(the words / suppose are synonymous)'
and It Is interesting to consider the Yari-
Gus phases of this condition OF affairs.
Sensitlveness Necessary to Champion
Golf
Personally am satisfied that. In order
to be a champion golfer. a person must
have a good deal of sensitiveness in his
nervous system. The man Of sluggish
disposition, the player with a truly
''phlegmatic temperament" Chat phrase
which is so often used approvingIy in
regard TO the individual who remains
outwardly calm in a crisls) would not be
likely 10 rise to greatness on the links.
OF all games, golf is the one that
comes nearest to being an art. 1t is
pursued with deliberatiOn and method
its inspirations are OF the players own
creation, since he ls never called upon
TO strike a moving ball the action of
which has been influenced by his rival.
1t demands the greatest delieacy and
| accuracy OF touch as well as, In many
circumstance the power to hit hard.
An art requires a sensitive nervous sys-
/ tenn, and In golf the difference between
the two sections OF tirst-class players to
| whom ] have referred, Is. presumably,
| that one can keep Its nerves under con-
troll during the most trying period and
] the other cannot.
/ must confess that 1t is sometimes
a dificuIt thing to do. 1t seems TO call
as much as anything for kind Of stub
bornness; a determination not to star
considering a dozen possibilities and 4
dozen different ways Of achieving a pur.
pose at what the player feels to be tbs
| crucial stage OF a contest. Be Ii remem.
bered that there is plenty OF time 4
think at golf (you are not asked L
hurry over your stroke. II you want L
reject on lt), and It is Just this fac
that causes the breakdown OF many per
sons fayorably situated IN tournament.
As you walk up TO your ball. instinct
lively you observe the kind OF shot tina
Is wanted H. then, you begin TO thin
about alternatives or TO pay too mucl
attention to the well-meant counsels .