The Washington times., 1921-09-11

IN ment into which British golf
club manufacturers and the
professionals who handle their pro-
ducts have been plunged by the rul-
ing of the Royal and Ancient Club
against ribbed clubs there has been
no uncertain protest on the other
side, and the existing situation will
cause the United States Golf Asso-
citation to 20 slow in adopting any
drastic legislation Of a similar ma
ture. That it will come eventually
there seems TO be little doubt, but
there will be no precipitate action
and all interests will have fair
chance to be heard and plenty Of
time to adapt themselves to any
changes that may be decided upon.
In Great Britain II was known as
long ago as last winter that action
was, contemplated by the governing
body In the North against deeply
scored irons and the rule was pro-
mulgated by the rules of golf com
mfttee after a meeting held at Hoy
lake during the amateur champion
ship. the last week in May. to take
effect on July /. This was accepted
generally, like all regulations adopted
at headquarters.
The shoe did not begin to pinch,
however. until July arrived. when
the manufacturers and the profess
SIGNALS found themselves well stocked
with an article that was illegal and
unsalable-and they had had Just one
month of official warning! What to
do with all these club heads is now
the problem. Some OF the manufac-
turers have agreed to take them back.
The professionals who cannot return
their stocks must either devise some
method OF grinding down the faces of
the clubs to conform with the off,
cial requirements or consign them to
the junk pile. ~ E.7. g
49, What Is Legal.
Just at present the United States
Golf Association is awaiting official
news from the Royal and Ancient as
to what Is legal and what is illegal
in, iron clubs. It took a long time
to get a copy of the original rule; in
fact, 1t was not received by the u. s.
G. A. officials until the middle of
July, during the open championship
at Washington.
But the regulation Is so ambiguous
that the supreme court would find II
knotty problem. The last para
sense of humor of the manufacturers
and professionals in Great Britain.
1t. reads: I'm order. to prevent the
necessity of an exact definition, club
makers are asked to abstain from
marking the faces of clubs in any
way which might lead to ambiguity"
Annual Meeting May Decide.
What the procedure here will be
has not yet been decided by the ex-
ecutive committee of the U. s. G. A.
II In probable that the whole question
will be presented to the annual meet
ing of the national association next
winter, with recommendations from
the executive committee. II Is be-
lieved that the latter has power to
act In the matter, but that in so i'm.
portant a case the members will pre-
fer to let the delegates wrestle with
the problem in open meeting.
That II will come up at the annual
meeting there is no doubt, for golfers
in general feel that 1t is too important
to be postponed. There need be no
fear on the part of the manufacturers
and professionals that any such hasty
action win be enforced in the United
States. Both will be consulted and
their opinions sought, and after full
consideration, IL any regulation is
finally adopted, ample time will be
given to all most concerned to dis
pose Of their stocks. Hardly less than
year will lapse. for American golf
ers would brook no such methods al
those pursued by the Royal and
Ancient. And after the rule is adopted
and goes into effect the golfers will 60
type Of club suits them best, since the
rule will be effective only in tourna-
ments under the auspices of the u.
s. q. A. 10y ...