The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-07-18
GOLF SHOULD HAVE
ONESET OF RULES
Western and Southern AssO.
Citations Ought to Follow
the U. s. G. A.
BI JOHN c. ANpERsoN.


the representative selected group on the
changes in the rules and on standardiza-
tion gave to the reading public very
little Of additional news concerning what
actually Is to be proposed. The reason
seems TO be found In the necessity Of
action by the executive committee Of
the United States, and within few
days, or a very few weeks at the most
probably at the time OF the open
at Toledo, the summary Of develop
ments will be presented 70 the newly
elected members and will be passed by
them.
In a nutshell II can be said that
Standardization will call for a thirty
pennyweight ball; the penalty for a
ball out OF bounds left 10 club committee
10 decide as TO whether the penalty
shall be loss OF distance or stroke and
distance. or definitely put at one or the
other by the committee: a lost ball will
mean in match play just what 1t does
now In medal and the same for an un-
playable ball. the usual stroke and dis
tance. and our old friend the stymie
will be partly abolished in this country
No golfer in the land but will feel that
the Journey across the ocean was well
worth while
The Britishers themselves were
pleased indeed with the visit OF the
American committee. Just before the
departure OF some OF the players for
America banquet in their honor was
given in the Princes Restaurant, Lon
don, at which sat down three hundred Of
the most noted golfers and men in
terested IN the game ever gathered
together in any one place. A few OF
those present will be knoWn to golfers
from this side, including Lord Forster,
Lord Riddell. Lord sLurgan, John l..
Low. Horace Hutchinson. c. II. j.
Tolley. the winner of the amateur /;
Major Guy Campbell, Sir Arthur Pear
son, Mr.. c. A. Palmer Capt. Angus
Hambro, Fl. S. Colt. A. C. NJ Croome.
Ernest Lehman, s. II. Fry. Henry
Leach, Lord Castlerosse, Victor Maude,
II. d. Gillies, and many others promi-
nent for years in the support of the
royal and ancient game. Grouped among
the more important golfers were the
American delegates and contestants in
the British amateur. including George
H. Walker. president OF the United
States Golf Association; Messrs. Wheel
er. Whitney. Byers. Gardner, Newton,
Graham, Stickney, F1ndlay Douglas,
Maxwell and Nelson Whitney.
Regrets From Duke Of York.
The chairman OF the meeting, Lord
Forster, who that day had been ap-
pointed as Governor-General OF Aus
tralia, read regrets from the Duke Of
York and the American Ambassador as
we'll as the Hon. Arthur ]. Balfour. In
proposing a toast to the guests from
America Lord Forster said that they
were welcoming a body Of gentlemen
truly representative of golf in America
and of the American people. that they
were all presidents or ex-presidents Of
golf associations or champions or ex-
champions. That they had come to Eng
land for a twofold purpose, primarily to
confer on the rules OF the game, and he
trusted that the success which had. at
tended the conference had come up to
their expectations.
They must always remember that the
British were a slow moving people with
rules and traditions OF long standing.
He remembered the saying OF an Amerl-
can that the conservatism of the British
people Is most exasperating until it is
remembered that they have had the
fewest things to do over again. Sec
ond. their object was to match their
skill. and they came so near it they
might be proud indeed Of what they had
done. He ended by proposing a sepa-
rate toast for Mr.. Walker and Robert
Gardner whom he described as not only
a great golfer, a comrade OF the links,
but a comrade of the great war.
Mr.. Walker in his reply said that the
Americans were happy indeed at the
success which had attended the efforts
of Mr.. Gardner; that they knew British
conservatism and admired II, and that
the visitors felt much good had been ac-
complished by their trip to the home Of
golf. Both Mr.. Gardner and Mr.. Tolley
we're given ovations, responding with
brief talks. Lord Riddell in closing said
that politicians alone would never sue
ceed in developing feelings Of amity be-
tween two countries. that those who
would be successful must be the men
business in which there are common in
terests He pronounced that gathering
as the most memorable and highly repre-
sentative which had ever gathered to-
gether since the game OF golf had been
played.
1t is as pleasing as it is interesting to
hear of the success which attended the
trip of the men who have the interest
Of the game Of golf at heart in this
country. As soon as the executive COM
mittee meets there should be a request
from 1t addressed to every golfer in the
country and to the State and district
associations asking that there be but
one set of rules for this whole land. that
sectional rules which differ from the
code to be put into play be at once
abolished, and that the United States
present a united front to the world In
this matter Of golfing play.
We do not see how the Western and
the Southern associations can refrain
from changing their stymie rules to
conform to the new one which Is ex-
pected to be given out, as the give and
take spirit ought 10 be abroad, and there
will be little enough Of the give" nee
essary. We hope that the stymie rule
will be couched In more understandable
terms than came across the cable wires.
for not half the golfers were able to
interpret It Alright. No doubt the clause
as it arrived here will be made clearer.
A better wording would be appreciated.
There Is no way OF extending thanks
to the golfers who went abroad except
through the press. and since many club
men have intimated their appreciation
Of the work done by the rules commits
sion We feel 1t but right to put their
expressions Of gratefulness into print.
Too often have the time and trouble
taken for the common good been un-
recognized. The committee should be
made to feel that their efforts are
warmly indorsed and truly appreciated.