Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1917-05-21
WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION
MAKES CHANGE IN RULES
Styn1ies Abolished for Flag in the
Western Amateur Championship.

Chicaso May 2O.-Stymies in gol
play are abolished by u revolutionary
rule promulgated by the Western Col
Association today for play in tbs
western amateur championship, to be
held at the Midlothian Country club
Chicago. July 9 70 II. The new rule
which does away, so far as three
fourrfIs Of the United States and all OF
Canada are concerned, with one of the
most discussed penalties of golf also
eliminates to a large extent the bother
Of lifting balls on the putting greens
in medal play
The new rule upsets one of the
cardinal rules Of the ancient Scottish
same by providing that the ball near
est the hole shall be played first when
10th balls are on the putting green
Heretofore the ball farthest from the
hole had to be played first In match
play, where the contest is hole by hole
the old rule brought about a stymie
when the ball nearest the hole was IN
the direct line of play farthest from
the cup In medal play, the old rule
demanded that the ball nearest the
hole be played or lifted until the one
farthest from the hole had been play
cd, if the first player desired as he
would suffer a penalty of one strike
II his ball hit the ball of his fellow
competitor
The new rule promulgated by Pres
ident Charles f Thompson and the di-
rectors Of the Western Golf Associa-
ton unanimously without consulting
other golf bodies and what action. L
any the United States Golf Associa-
ton VIII take in regard to stynies is
not known to officers of the Western
Association. which includes 24v clubs
The new rule reads
When both balls are on the putting
green the ball nearest the hole must
oe PLAYED first I "a stymie exists and
me balls lie within a putter's length
Of each other, the ball farthest from
the mole must be lifted on request I'M
"a - E.4nTT - l.
then replaced in its previous lie |
Penalty for violation: loss of hole in |
match play; TWO strokes in medal play |
Jude- no circumstances, except as |
ABOVE. shall a ball on the putting green {
ne lifted Players in all rounds must |
observe this rule, and ignorance if it |
VIII not be accepted as an excuse for !
The new rule permits the ball fartb-
or rom the hole to be lifted if it is in
q straight line from the hole through
the nearer ball and within a putter's |
length Of the nearer ball This provi-
SION was made, il was explained bv
Assistant Secretary Crafts W. Higgins.
70 give the owner of the nearer bali
iree action in his stroke and to obvi-
Hte any assistance he might gain |
from the three points in the line of
mis- putt
As the new rule as applied to med
al play VIII likely be enforced nat the
western open chOmpionship TO he held
al Westmoreland Country Climb Chi-
CagO. September 1914 professionals
from the eastern territory not under
tne control of the Western Golf As
sociation will be compelled to adhere
70 the new dicturu Of the western |
body. or be disqualified
The rule promulgated today is the
tnird radical action of the Western
7oif association under the present ad-
The first was the form
ilation OF q new amateur definition |
perm ttting amateurs to deal in golf
supplies if their fame or skill as a
golfer did not enter into the business
Nrposely- The second was the recog-
q i-tcD Of Francis Ouimet as an anna
- C-der this rule.