The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-05-04
CONTINUED from First Page.)


bring my game to the proper
pitch for some important event
but | have not found it easy
to come upon the magic an
swer.
/ have, however, been able
to reach the conclusion that
the most important maxim to
observe is Don't play too
much goIf. /"
Don't Worry at Night
And / should like the word
"play" to be understood here to
include the worrying you do at
night over those iron shots that
will not 60 right, or the puts
that won't go down.
The golf stroke requires to a
high d. rec coordination of mind
and muscle. But if your golfing
muscles hav been properly school
ed and thoroughly drilled in what
they have to do, you need fear
nothing from them. It is the
mind you must train. From the
force Of old habit your muscles
will respond if the mind by con-
scious effort 6oes not interfere.
How Watts Won
To help me illustrate my point.
ask yourself a few questions.
(Which sand trap are you more
likely to go into, the one you don't
see or the one you are afraid of?
When are you more likely to hole
a long putt-when you think you
will, or when you know you
won't?
Don't you drive straighter when
you are not conscientiously attempt.
ing to guide or steer the shot?"
You know the answer and the
reason for all is that q conscious
effort to control the stroke is
usually attended with disastrous re.
Suits,
1t has always been my conten-
ton that the practice field is the
proper and the only place where the
player should attempt to mould or
alter his method of hitting the bali.
Unconscious Golf
After the first tee is left behind,
every faculty should be concentrated
upon the result rather than upon
the manner Of execution.
think can truthfully say tina.
when I am playing my very best,
the direction of my conscious mind
ceases when step UP to the bali
and take my stance. I have then
determined upon the club should
use, ! have selected my objective.
There remains only to allow the
muscles to go through the motions
they have made numberless times
before.
Call 1t habit, or the control of the
subconscious mind or what you will.
| am firmly convinced that this
other man will play the shot for
you If you will only let him.
Any nervousness, indecision, or
fear of consequences will interfere
with his work and your shot win
be ruined.
How Watts Bore Up
In the championship of 1925 at
Oakmont Watts Gum. of Atlanta,
afforded me, in addition to several
uncomfortable moments, an excel.
lent Illustration Of subconscious
playing.
Watts had come up for his first
tournament of any great impor.
lance. He had qualified comfort.
ably but not in brilliant style and
had been drawn against Vincent
Bradford in the first round. Watts
having started badly. found himself
three down going to the twelfth
hole.
I have 1t from Watts himself
Just what had been troubling him
and the, remarkable way in which
he pulled himself out Of q seem.
ingly hopeless maze OF bad shots.
Anxious to make good showing
ne had consciously attempted to
steer every shot away from Oak.
mont's terrifying bunkers.
The not unusual result had been
that he had been caught by a great
many more than he had avoided.
Playing his third shot at No. Il,