Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-29
Accepting Risks.

1t is undeniable that the ability to
play ball from a hazardous position
is an asset which wins many games.
But just when to accept risks in
closely contested game of golf is a
. matter that takes the exercise of good
judgment. AS general rule it is bet
ter not to take risks when your oppo-
nent is down to you. Then the Sltua-
ton calls for concentrated thought
to maintain your advantage and keep
your opponent where you have him.
The ablest of golfers occasionally
meet with misfortunes and most OF
them maintain that when the ball, is
found in an absolutely impossible sit
uation the best plan is to concede the
hole. The player who adopts this
course should guard himself against
developing a tendency to yield too
easily.
No golfer should ever despair no
matter what kind of an opponent he
finds himself pitted against The ten
dency to be thrown off ones game by
the playing of superior opponent Is
a weakness which must be overcome.
The biggest results come always to
the fighter. If your opponent has a
longer drive don't let that fact dis
concert YOU Accept the situation
cheerfully and let it inspire you to
your best effort without leading you
into trying to get a carry that is be-
yond your ordinary power. Trying too
hard for distance leads to disaster in
the same way tTdt III Ddll game d
batter who tries to knock the cover
off the BALI is pretty easy mark for
the opposing pitcher. Ten or fifteen
yards extra length from the tee, while
q help. does not win the hole. So this
advantage of a rival should not dis
concert you. Go right ahead playing
, your usual game. And don't sacrifice
steadiness to the natural desire to
accomplish something beyond your
power.
Wa all kpow Dlayers who seem 70
have the remarkable ability to do
their best work from seemingly i'm
possible situations.
Recently I watched a very inter-
esting match between two players,
both of whom played wonderfully
well. They were an Interesting con-
trast in type. One was a consistent
steady player. while his opponent had
a curious knack of making some very
poor shots and then recovering from
them at just the right time in a most
astonishing manner The pair were
all square with one to play The
last hole really called for a drive and
pitch with the hole situated just
over a bunker, which ran across the
course. Both got good drives and
the steady player on the second shot
put his ball some ten yards beyond
the hole. The erratic player dubbed
his approach and found himself I'M
der the face of bunker. watched
MIN Win great interest, 1Or IL looked
like perfectly hopeless chance How.
ever. he did manage to get out OF
the bunker with his third shot, while
his opponent was not more than a
yard from the hole on the correspond.
ing stroke. Our erratic friend Their
showed a type of nerve and con.
fdence that must have made him a
dangerous opponent at all times, 70,
he sank n putt of twelve yards wher
apparently hopelessly beaten. Thi.
so upset the steady player that hi.
last putt for half was some thre,
inches short.
DO not take needless risks whe1
fhc odds are naturally against you
but when you are certainly beatel
otherwise rise to the situation will
confidence and you Will win many ;
seemingly lost hole.
No game is lost until il Is won.