, 1923-09-19

with only a smal percentage OF
golfers hi country owe actively
Interested in tournament play any
thing savoring OF Standardization
with regard to implements of the
game is bound to cause more or less
dissatisfaction. A few years 6
Standardization OF implements might
not have mattered a great deal.
there being less tendency to variety.
Furthermore. no thought haa been
given as to a possible shortage OF
hickory. but now al that has been
changed.
In a magazine article Leighton
Calkins, originator Of tho well
known system OF handicapping'
takes a rap at Standardization in
part as follows:
ut is amusing to note that stand
ardization is asserted as necessary
TO a departure from the
traditional and accepted form n
make. in total disregard OF h most
sacred of all traditions Of the game
which confers upon the player COM
plete freedom in the choice OF the
indictments of play. The mallet-
headed putter, barred by st. An
drews, was no departure from the
traditional form and make OF golf
clubs. Nor is the steel shafted golf
club which has been outlaweo py
our own governing body.
THE shape of tho head m It's
material and that OF the shaft are
Of no Importance. o are they
regulated by the traditions Of the
game, but its most distinctive Tea
ture is outraged by any interference
with the players choice in that re-
spect. Good hickory is probably
better than steel, but It is no o
orthodox and It may be dearer n
less durable. Tho rib1faced iron
facilities back spin. but will never
put the inexpert on all tours with
the technician."
Original Interpretation
CallSins goes on to csu attention
to the fact that the traditional form
and make was properly stated in
the original interpretation; plain
shaft and head which does not on-
tain any mechanical contrivance
such as springs"
In other words, a club must be a
club and not n gun. The idea Is
tina there must be an ordinary
shaft with a solid head or a striking
surface at the md. In other re-
spects such as weight. length. shape
and material are matters of fndi-
vidual preference.
Such was the accepted and rad
No. aNaen ndAlU
enough. first violated by st. An
drews itself. an organization which
has ever stood for conservatism and
5er.e2@os all traditions When the
ROYAL ana Ancient barred =
Schenectady putter the United States
Golf association refused to follow
suit and the latter in SO doing I'M
doubtedly acted wisely. Some of
the leading amateurs in the country
including Jerome d. Travers and
Charles Evans, Jr., used the centre
shafted putter, although a majority
continued to depend upon weapons
moulded on more orthodox lines.
It has peer claimed that Evans
game improved after he adopted the
mallet-headed putter. though 1t viii
ever be a matter Of doubt whether
or not there was any actual benefit.
Imagination plays a large part In
this game. II a person thinks he
has the right club in his hand nine
times out Of ten he will get better
results with It than II he regarded
il in q doubtful way.
Character Of Stroke.
Golf surely is unique among
games played with q ball and club
or bat. In baseball. tennis, squash
and others the same ball is struck
at by opponents. Theirs is h
element Of physical contact. entirely
lacking In golf where competitors
to all intents and purposes play
separate games. merely comparing
results.
Students OF golf know that the
game has only a few constitutional
elements, all others being secondary
or derivatives. It's definition Ia
found in the single sentence: The
game consists in each side playing
a ball from a teeing ground into a
hole by successive strokes"
In the old days there never was
any rule as TO what kind of a ball
should be used so far as concerning
material or weight. The size Of
the holo WIS .ro-rf ael, four n a
quarter inches N 4 ameter and at