Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-18

|THE end of the Northern golf
season finds thousands of aver
age golfers playing the new ball.
Il The larger and lighter missile
does not become official in ma
tional championships until 1881, but
manufacturers already are producing it
on a quantity basis.
Golfers PLAYED the new ball first out
of curiosity and then because they &C
tually enjoyed it. With 1t shot-making
becomes easier for the duffer, no harder
for the star, and new interest is added
to the game.
The duffer first notes change in his
favor when he goes to play brassie
shot of the fairways. Although the
larger than the old one, 1t gives the
appearance of much size as It sits on
the grass. That in itself is a boon to
the PLAYER when he finds the ball in a
close lie or on a bare or scuffed portion
Of the fsirway.
Players will find that the lighter ball
rises more rapidly than the one that
has shattered course records all over
the world. That is true regardless of
the club used: Because OF its increased
trajectory it often is possible for spoon
to be used from traps where formerly
o deep-faced iron was necessary.
Little Change IN Long ban.
The long hitter will notice little diff
ference in the carry of the ball. For
the siege guns there may be difference
of 10 or Is yards, and it will be pro-
portionately less for the shorter hitter.
But winds will affect it much more than
the heavy ball. Players must immedi-
ately learn to hit low tee shot into a
head-wind and to estimate the effects
of crosS-gales, for the ball becomes an
easy victim to roistering breeze.
The ball responds nicely to approach
shots, and when it strikes the green
there is less of a roll than with the
heavier one. The duffer will appreciate
the way in which the light ball puts.
One of the faults of the average golfer
Is overstroking the ball when putting,
and with the new one slightly harder
stroke may be used, or so it seemed to
this writer.
In championships the new ball will
add more science to the game. It will
demand the employment of more clubs
and no longer can long hitter antici-
pate getting home on the stiff two-shot
holes with a drive and iron. Brassies
and spoons no longer viii carry their
pristine coat OF varniSh over full sea-
son and all of the irons will be given
q workout. Variable winds will alter
holes from one round to another and
the champions of the future must be
golfng scientists as well as golflng
mechanics.
Deeper-faced Irons.
When the use of the new ball becomes
general. club manufacturers are likely
to bring out deeper-faced irons. Not
that it is impossible to play the light
bali with the present style of clubs, but
rather that fashions change in golf
implements the same as in golf attire.
A prominent Midwestern professional
raises very interesting question rela-
tive to the new ball. Great Britain so
far has not voted for the change from
the small and heavy to the light and
large ball. And unless it does so before
1881 American invaders of the British
Isles will be able to play the old ball in
championships abroad, while Britons
coming here for the open and amateur
must comply with the y. S. G. A. rules,
which is likely to throw them of their
games.
The inveterate duffer, of course, will
heap many curses on the light ball.
He will find that half-topped shot
viii not get him the roll to which he
has become accustomed while playing
the heavier sphere and his pet hook or
alice Will develop more acutely.
win Appreciate Change.
However, the great majority Of golfers
who seek to improve their game will
quickly appreciate the change in balls.
The light ball viii tend to stem the
epidemic of smuggling that has wracked
golf for the past 10 years and partially.
at least, make the game what it was
when Harry Vardon was called "the
. master stylist" and j. H. Taylor was
known as the "nlasl1ie king"
The United States Golf Association
spent much time and money in expert
menting with the new ball and its
ultimate choice will be a happy one
once golfers convince themselves that
the new pellet Is for their benefit and
pleasure,