New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-06-23

What makes a golfer 20 far off
his game one day and recover It the
next day or the next week. Or
even play nine holes well aud nine
holes way below his usual FORM
That IS ono of the mysteries of
the game. Every player experiences
lust that sort of thing. It's sonsa-
tons are not confined TO the average
golfer but at times, reach out INTO
the ranks Of the professional.
It is not unusual to see a player
do the first half of Il round III fair
figures and th.nN run up SO big a
score on tho second nine that he will
threaten to give up the game. And
Why
Probably in most cases, because
he begins to worry about the final
score. He has done well going ont.
better than usual and he is eager to
demonstrate 10 his partner and OPP
poncnts that at last, he has arrived
at a good game.
In his efforts to keep up 10 his
new standard OF play he becomes
100 CONSCIOUS. IL 81 AIMS a. 'l''
shots. The first mistake ups"ls him.
After that he is lost. Trying too
hard is the verdict
On the other hand the man who
plays poorly on the first min" is quite
apt to improve at the turn, lie
makes fresh start at the 10th tee
The past is forgotten. He sets out
TO redeem himself.
lie can't play any worse than he
has been doing. Something comes
TO his aid Luck? Maybe, or per-
haps he has got hold of himself. A
bad start does not necessarily mean
a poor ending.
We had such a round this week.
- strokes for the lower nine. nat
according 10 our handicap, r"rrv-
scented far too many wasted strokes
Only two holes in par figures, Moth
ing went right. And there was no
prospect that onr game would I'M
prove on the second nin". Bul a
three on the 9th hole offered en-
coura cement That probably turned
the tide.
The second nine was negotiated IN
IS. which is not brilliant golf but
satisfactory, compared to what We
had been doing.
Another player conIidod that he
had taken "a going out and had then
shot "a coming home. Nothing went
right on the first nine and nothlhE
went wrong on the second nine.
We'll. there are days like that.
Everyone who plays tins tcarful
game knows not when he VIII he
on or off his game. He only can
be certain that his off days Will out
number the days when he IS al the
top OF his form.
The pseudo golf philosopher chips
in with a quip to the effect ''"('
is all a part of the game or II
YOU could play all shots perfectly
golf would lose its interest
Poor shots are in the game AL
right. No doubt about that, Euo
show us a man who would not RISK
losing his interest in golf Just be
cause he could play par, three times
a week.
No sane or insane golf onthus Iasl
expects or hopes to play perfectly.
But he does hope for the day to
come when he will play conslsten'l\,
within a stroke or two Of his handl-
cap. The rub comes in acquiring
the ability TO do that.
To go farther and reduce ones
handicap is more of a test OF mn
provn,ncnt. Playing over the same
course two, three or more tunes
weekly ought to produce TINS re
suit. But does it? Not so YOU can
notice il on the score board.
Why? Imperfect form, pro
would answer That is obvious. w"
all know that. Still We play some
pretty fair golf minus tn" form. We
never had any OF that stuff anyway
Thus the average player reflects.
What them Luck" Yes, that
plays a big part, often, when low
scores are made. Luck may snll"
or frown. Her favor cannot be de-
pended upon.
How about the wind? Blowing
strong ii makes a whale Of lot
OF difference. II may cut or add 50
wards to a drive. 4 head wind
against a tee will change the com
plcxion Of a short hole.
No adverse air currents aud
maShe will send a ball TO he hole
$50 yards distance. Playing against
the wind often requires another
club for the shot.
Wet ground" That takes yards off
the run of approach shots and f"'t
of long puts
DO You take into consideration the
condition of III" elements and tn"
state OF the turf" Or do YOU always
play the same clubs for the same
distances? Defines III adjusting
ones play 10 changed conditions
may be the partial answer why
some golfers succeed In keeping
their game In hand