The New York herald., 1921-10-02
Miss Leitch's Rules for
Keeping Fit in Golf Play
British Woman Champion Says Overtaxing Strength
and Lack of Sleep Are Most Frequent Causes of
Ragged Exhibitions in Tournaments.

-Four or five rounds OF friendly na-
.ure, and not serious contests, are
enough to teach a player the course.
together with observations made dur
Ing the following of matches in which
other competitors are engaged. Should
there be any particularly tricky holes
ii mey be advisable to take a few balls
and clubs and gain confidence in the
playing of these holes by becoming
thoroughly acquainted with them.
A Folly to BE Avoided.
Greens often vary from day to day,
and 1t may be wise to learn the differ
ent strengths. But it Is absolute folly
to play two rounds on a day before
the big event. as "stalcncss" Is the
most depressing and worrying disease
in golf. Personally never allow my
self to become stale but I know
many players who have ruined their
chances by doing so. What Is more,
nothing will convince a player who is
below form that this is the cause. She
prefers to imagine that she has con-
tlacted some bad habit, and continues
to play and lose confidence. 1t is far
better to enter the event fresh and a
little below form than to start weary
and In wonderful form that one has
not the energy to maintain.
The hour for arising depends upon
the time one has been drawn to start,
but unnecessary waiting should be
avoided. There is nothing more con-
ducive to nervousness than hanging
about--perhaps in the cold-watching
nr-lerous couples leave the first tee.
II nerves make food unattractive,
chocolate and biscuits will bn found a
good substitute on the WY round;
but, il possible, plain wholesome food
should be taken. Stimulants should
be avoided always. Lady golfers are
an exceptionally abstemious crowd, and
one rarely sees a player drink any,
thing but water.
IT Is said that alcohol helps one to
overcome an attack of nerves. but I
refuse to believe that this can be so,
and am convinced courage" OF this
nature Is more likely to be a danger
than an assistance. The players-if
there are any-who seek such aids
will be easy victims sooner or later.
Plenty Of Rest Needed.
The winner of match should again
avoid standing about and retire to rest
as long as possible before her after
noon round, but should not hurry out
Immediately after lunch. Ten o'clock,
or even earlier. Is my hour for retil-
ing, but this may be unnecessarily
| early for the majority. Some players
maintain that dancing or bridge IN
duces sleep. but this is probably the
sleep caused by dead tiredness. which
prefer to avoid. if possible.
Many spectators at the amateul
championship at Hoylake believed tha
the American players would have gon,
still further had they refrained fror
continual practice before the event
One can readily understand that the,
were anxious to create a good impres
sion before the championship and th
they certainly accomplished. but from
all accounts they did not maintain tn
wonderful form they had exhibited II
practice rounds.
There is nothing better for one
game than competing In strong field
but no player can hope to succeed un
less she considers her health. Con
centration Is the secret of success.
but IT is utterly impossible to concen
trate or take any interest in the gam
when exhausted. When a player ha
met with success in an event sh
should have a few days entire res
from the game. The strain and ex
citement take more out Of playe
than she imagines, and ragged" gol
invariably results if she continues I
play.
Copyright. 1921, by CecH Lcstch.