Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-23


scores are SO high any way that an
other ten or twelve strokes mean moth =
ing TO him. and he doesn't really sense
that the difficulty he is having is his
inability TO play with or against the
wind. However, after one has played
enough no that he is able to get around
the course in Il fairly comfortable
Geurc, he realizes that the wind affects
bis game materially, and he comes to
the conclusion that he must play his
game differently from that on calm days.
To play in or against the wiud is
something which one cannot learn in q
dsy or week. II means a complete
ovsrhuuling and revising Of ones game.
and the man who eau keep his medal
score down in severe wind is, indeed
fortunate.
There are some sections Of tie coun-
try where q golfer has no chance at the
came until he learns how to play in a
Mind. but in New England we get it
spasmodically. and in rather small
doses, and I presume for that reason
down. Enstcrners are inclined to neglect
the study of playing in wind.
Before making the trip to England
INST SnrlDH L was cautioned 10 put IN as
much time as possible playing in the
wind and rain in this country before |
sailed. but was told that the winds in
New England were not TO be compared
with those bowling around the scacoast
courses in England.
Trucr words were never spoken. and
| rau assure you that we from New
England had much 10 learn about play.
ing on windy days.
Low Ball Safe
T HAVE heard it argued that in play
! ing from the tee with n cross wind
blowing one should Intentionally slice
or pull, the slice or pull dcpcr1eut
UpOn the direction in which tho wind
crosses the course. I am inclined to
believe that there is too much risk in
playing this way, for If the slice or
pull does not come out exactly as
planned, the player finds himself in
serious difficulty. ! do not believe that
player adopting this method of play-
Ing cross wind from the tee would
have a fair average Of success that is,
he would be liable to get into difficulty
moro often than to play safely.
say this because to slice or pull in
tentonally is difficult stroke. so diff
'ulI luUJ DClltNpS IL
hc the master stroke in golf. If player
Of the calbcr Of Harry Vardon con-
SidcrS an intentional slice or pull the
master stroke, ! am sure that the aver
asc player would find 1t more than or
dluarily difficult Ny own experience
hos taught me that in playing n cross
wind it is advisable to play II low ball,
depending on the speed of the ball to
cut through the wind.
In playing from the tee with tho wind
back of one it 10 necessary ouly to keep
good direction, and by playing the ball
little higher than usual ono gets the
advantage of the wind. In playing with
head wind the golfer must keep his
ball very low. and he must figure on
placing his shot. lie can figure on only
wO.thirds at the most of his ordinary
distance, and in the case OF u severe
Hind about one-half. If, on this
reckoning, the shot would place him
near a bunker or hazard. he should
play trile short and thereby avoid
trouble Then, again, 1t is we'll to place
the first shot 80 that one will get the
wind more fayorably on the second shot.
I much prefer to play cross wind
than ono absolutely against the flight,
and II I can place my first shot so that
my second can cut across the wind to u
certain extent, I do so.
Affects Putting
HAVE spoken In a previous article
on the effect of the wind on approach
SNotS. but let me repeat. On windy
day the pitch shot is virtually worth
'ess, whether the wind be with, across
or against. and for this reason the
h'sbcr the ball the more of it is going to
u" carried by the wind and doubt it
any Que Is "apnbl" Of gHuginG the eX-
ricd
therefore. the low running approach
the one ro Ufc when there is
wind, and it Is for this reason that
y Us so necessary that crery person give
toIs stroke the consideration which it
oeSeNe9. As l said before, the low
approach Is not only Of value in the
WIND it Il an excellent way of ap-
!Eoachlng on perfectly calm day. and
!" just ag easy TO lay the low gp.
4 dead
Even in putting the wind has effect
upon the play. aud I think that few
ntEerS realize 10 what extent this Is
~ II player IS skcptical about this.
Maht 10 advise him 10 60 ont to the
plttlng green on the next windy day
ana make several experiments. Let hiIn
page balls ten feet away from the hole
tour directions and hit enrh ono with
ne same amount Of effort, or as nearly
lne same as possible. lie will be sur.
prl@d TO find that the balls travelling
s.ltG the wind carry two or three feet
pnrther than those against the wind.
rethapS in the first case hc viii hole
"Gt or be too strong, and against the
Ithd b" will be short, OF course, IN
rne snort approaches the effect OF the
wlna Is more noticeable, say about
IIrty feet. and Que rracticinG these
mort approaches on windy day is