New-York tribune., 1920-01-12
Books

A new and perplexing problem in re-
gard to Immortality is introduced by
Horace Hutchinson, the famous English
golfer, in his "Fifty Years of Golf
(Scrlbners). Commenting on the fact
that one of the spirit messages re-
ceived by Oliver Lodge came from a
man who said he had just been golfing,
Mr.. Hutchinson raises the question of
what golf may be like in the future
life. Though there is touch of banter
in his speculatons, he affirms that his
intent is serious. This may we'll be
believed, since he states on u previous
page: "At the moment Of writing it
is most unlikely, according to all the
doctors say, that l shall ever play,
properly or improperly, again; but it
would not do for me to grumble. l
have had very full and pleasant
golfing day-much interrupted, it is
true, by illness, but still as extensive
as reasonable man could ask. And if
all active part in the game is to be
denied in the future. at all events I can
still take interest undiminished in the
work and play of others. Golf is not
only the best Of games to play: it is
also, in many respects, the best to look
on at"
One is willing to believe, then, that
there is touch of wistful hopefulness
In the heart of Mr.. Hutchinson when
he discusses the immortality of golf
and writes:
Such revelations, if we attach value
to them at all, inevitably carry the in
terence that we shall there find golf.
together with other conditions not
widely different from those that we
have known on earth--not fancy
golf on illimitable Elysian Fields, with
never bad lie on the whole immense.
monotonous expanse, but real golf, diff
hcult golf, golf with bunkers and all
incidental troubles to be overcome-not
without vexation of spirit-golf in
which (for we cannot presume an in
Unity OF halved matches) one or other
player will be beaten
$50 it may be. 1t needs at least
equal boldness to deny it as affirm it.
And, If it be so, arises then the fur
ther question: will those who are
champions now, be champions then .
Are we to carry on, into that beyond.
any portion of the skill acquired so
painfully here below? Will Harry VAR
don still be, golfly speaking. Harry
Vardon there?'
1T scarcely seems an equitable pros
pect. Have we not more reason. and
even some high authority. to suppose
that the blessed law of compensation
Will be in operation-that the first
mere Will be the last there, and the
eighteen handicap man now, the scratch
player, or better, of that bright future ?n
OF course, the prospect Of immor-
tality IS enticing to golfers. Some of
US feel that in such an existence there
might be time for us to learn how m
putt.
Englishmen are Inclined, not without
justice, to regard Americans as peo-
pie devoid of sense of humor. 1t is
not to be denied that often we are too
literal to appreciate English flights Of
wit. We hasten. therefore, to affirm
again that we realize that there is
Dit OF spool in Mr.. Hutchinson's specu-
lattons. AND yet they are. rooted in a
definite hope. We rather fancy that in
his heart of hearts the great golfer
thinks OF Heaven as place not unlike
st. Andrews on a clear. coolish dav
with just enough wind to give few
extra yards Of carry whom 1t is at tho
drivers back. For that matter. if
there is golf in Hcavcn We rathcr think
that some arrangement has bssn made
70 that on every hole tha breeze 10 a
h,