The New York herald., 1921-02-07
by JOHN G. ANDER son.

There werc several interesting Tea
lures at the annual meeting of the
United States Golf Association. not the
least of which was the announcement
made by the retiring president. George
II. Walker. that in his opinion future
nominating committees should select
man for president who already had had
much experience along golfing lines. In
this connection it may be recalled that
Mr. Walker was chosen as nominee from
outside the group of officers or executive
committee men.
There may and will be many golfers to
take issue with Mr.. Walker on this point.
for he was altogether too modest In his
statement of his own golfng capabil-
tiles, both on the links and in golf poll
tics. The game under his directing hand
has advanced further toward perfection
in the last twelve months than in the
twelve years preceding not the least of
which being the changes in the rules.
II was happy statement concerning the
stynie by Mr.. Walker that this new rule
as amended will be given a trial before
1t is finally accepted as the lasting regu-
lation. If no other issue depended upon
It the openness of mind would show TO
our British cousins and to our Western
neighbors, whose ruling is a bit differ
ent. that trial and acceptance by the
of them at least-must be had In other
words. the play Of the game. not the play
of<words is to be the final test If no
other act stood out among the years
golfing deeds performed this would be
worth praise.
Mr.. Walker was all too modest in
his report of the proceedings abroad
Most golfers think that there were a
couple of meetings held with the British
committee and that everything was set
tied up in a few hours They should
know that the meetings Of commit
tees and subcommittee numbered over
thirty. that hours were given out Of
each day and that the pleasure Of play
ing golf over those excellent links in
Scotland was not fully enjoyed for time
was lacking. And it should be empha-
sized in bold letters that. although there
was deficit of a couple thousand dol
lars in the expenditures of last season.
this was caused by the EXTRA sums al
lotted to the various clubs and not by
any expenses OF committeeman abroad
BE 1t known that not one penny OF the
associations money was used. every ex-
pense being borne by the golfers.
To Have New Set of Rules.
The next bright bit of news may be
found in the statement that in the next
few years the world will have a set of
golf rules which will be far less intri-
cate and less numerous Speed the day.
say we. 1t can be done. we confidently
believe, Instead OF having around
hundred definitions and rules set can
be devised, and has been devised. where
about twenty-five rules serve the same
purpose as the hundred now in the
books.
Congressman Burke of Pittsburg has
done n very neat job, we are Informed.
and but for contrary vote or so there
would have been chance for the Royal
and Ancient to vote upon n universal
new code last September. It is a hard
and fast rule that unless there is alb
solute unanimity among the members
OF the subcommittee there can be pre-
sented to the X. and A. OF st. Andrews
no recommendation for change. But
perhaps the dssenters will be made to
see the light before another twelve
months roll round.
We are scarcely giving away n secret
when we say that several prominent
members OF the w. G.. A. have already
some time ago started developing this
idea of simplifying the rules OF the game
and that they may see the light at any
time. Any effort which makes for sim
plicity of rules makes for n better un-
derstanding OF the game and a higher
sportsmanship.
The golf players hemselves-those
who take part in the championship con-
tests-rarely get an opportunity to de-
eide where the next championship shall
be held. This IS wrong and should be
corrected. Now that all choice has been
taken away from the delegates and reft
TO the executive committee. IL would
seem the proper way would be TO have
q ballot of players at the time OF the
championship. which same could be
taken at the time when the player tees
off in the medal play round OF the
championship.