The New York herald., 1921-09-04
RIBBED MASHIE BAN
IS COSTLY TO PRO
British 'Salaried Brigade Left
With Stocks of Clubs Barred
by st. Andrews.
ny KERR N. PETRIE.

Committee of st. Andrews, Scotland, is
a question that is agitating the mind Of
the British professional these days.
Says George A. Philpot: "Profes-
sionals who happen to be landed with
a large number OF ribbed heads are
naturally perturbed now that such weap-
ons are illegal. The question arises
or must they be thrown on the scrap
heap? Some manufacturers are willing
to take back such heads, for there Is
still q market for them in America. In
the majority of cases, however. profess
sional have these ribs on their hands
without any apparent chance of dis
posing OF tsem.''
Phipot. who. needless to say, is a
British professional then goes on to
outline. his plans for salvaging some of
the slotted wreckage caused by the
Royal and Ancient's broadside, showing
how it Is possible to make effective
smooth faced clubs by filling up the
corrugations with lead or by grinding
Off the ribs.
II the Royal and Acient has enacted
such a rule, to the detriment of manu-
facturers and professionals, they simply
have served notice that they no longer
are a At and proper body to entrust with
the control Of the game. Knowing that
many were saddled with these clubs, the
Royal and Ancient In its infinite wis
dom nevertheless went calmly about
the business Of placing them under the
ban, counting not the cost either to
the manufacturer or the pro
But why the British professionals
cIn,-Id oyau ha uairl,tnp tho cha pcpS nf
financial loss is not quite clear. for un-
til law iHenacted by Parliament bar
ring any one from tilling. the links with
a RIB faced mashie there is no reason
on earth why the great majority of
golfers should give any heed to the far
too hasty edict of the r. and A. I'm
fortunately the fact that the powers that
be havs served notice that the CORFU
gated clubs shall no longer be consid-
cred legal has in itself caused infinite
damage to the trade in these clubs. That
II will stop their use Is unlikely Tho
barring of the stymie in the United
States did not kill Off the stymie. 1t
meant only that stymies could not be
played in the old way in championships
and important tournaments and compe-
titions.
After all, those who participate in
championships represent only a drop in
the bucket In that vast surge Of golfers
who play because they want to and who
cannot be prevented from playing
stymies in their private games any more
than they are TO be told what sort of
ball or style of a club they are to use.
If plain John Smith has the means to
buy a club that will afford him more
pleasure than anything he now possesses
or ball that better suits his game than
the one he has been accustomed to play
ing with, he is going to get 1t. provided
It Is on the market, and no Royal and
Ancient committee ruling is going to
stop him.
The British professionals should keep
their ribbed mashie for little while
yet. John Smith soon is to rub his eyes
and to ask himself few questions.
When he finds that he is out to enjoy
his game of golf exactly as he enjoys
his pipe he Is going back to the profess
sionais shop for that ribbed iron IL he
feels that IL will add to his pleasure.
Then he will say something uncompli-
mentary about golf authorities that do
not consult the wishes and pleasures of
the majority. And then, perhaps, after
a littls more meditation and discussion
all the John Smiths will get together
and decide that the Royal and Ancient
is all Of that, and too much 80. and that
perhaps 1t is about time that control of
such a game as golf passed out OF the
ancient hands and became vested in a
committee that would be more truly
representative OF all the classes that
follow the sport.
Call Halt ON Golf Prizes.
So many donations of prizes have al
ready been made for the golf tourna-
ment for the benefit of disabled soldiers
to bc held over the Van Cortland Park
links tomorrow that the committee in
charge has been forced to call q halt.
For the past few days all persons max
ing such generous offers have been re-
Quested to turn their donations INTO cash
and present same to the representatives
of the American Legion at the park and
thus help swell the fund.
Already fifteen valuable prizes have
been donated by players and golf in
structors at the park and sporting goods
and other firms. They consist Of golf
bag OF the finest make. which will be
drawn for by every person competing
in the event as well as every non-player
who makes a contribution to the fund.
Many of the latter are players who will
be out of town tomorrow and others
who do not play the game but are IN
terested In the welfare OF the disabled
soldiers.
The other prizes TO be played for and
which will be distributed every three
hours consist OF three boxes or golf balls.
three golf drivers. three brassies. one
ten dollar gold piece In case. two COM
binatIon boxes containing a fountain
pen and pencils, silver medal and
pipe.
Play viii start at A. M. and will
continue until dark. Each player fs
expected to donate one dollar for each
round of eighteen holes. Persons who
do not wish to compete In the tourna-
ment but have desire TO contribute
to the fund may do 30 by sending their
contribution to Joseph V. Hogue. chair
man Of donation committee. Van Cort-
land Park Golf House. or Walter T.
DAILY. treasurer. Bronx Post. American
Legion. 216a Bathgatc avenue. The
Bronx.
The affair Is under the auspices OF
the Newspaper Golf Club and Bronx
Post, American Legion and In coopera-
tion with the New York. Scottish-Ameri-
r,p 01sr Tyi11 and Woyy1bp's Golf Clubs