Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-08
BY HOWARD HOLT.

somewhat like ancient Gaul-S
divided into three parts: /. Those who ike
the new, larger and lighter golf ball. z TnoSe
who do not like it. 3. Those who don't give
whoop one way or the other.
This big spIit-up came about when that play
full boisterous young imp, Mr.. Nineteen Innty-
one deposited on our doorstep golf pan tnaI
weighs 155 ounces and Is 1.68 Inches In
diameter It's arrival did not occasion any
surprised arching of eyebrows, for away PACK
in May 1929, the United States Golf Assocla-
ton placed the stamp Of approval on the larger
and lighter pellet; but not until this new year
blared into existence did it check in as the
Oficial ball.
our New Year golfing gift is now the only
epnere that may be used in sanctioned tourna-
ment competition in the United States. 1t mas
definitely replaced its smaller and heavier
brother which shook the scales at 1.62 ounces
and measured /. 81 inches in diameter and which
is no longer being manufactured in this country.
It was inevitable that there should be some
diversity of opinion regarding the merits Oh
the new ball, but it is rather surprising that so
apparently insignificant change as this shoulo
have developed one of the loudeSt debates that
the ancient and honorable game has known
AS the band of professional players that
annually completes the Winter tournament
circuit swung down and across from California
into Texas and Florida, increased opportunity
was given for testing the new ball under the
strain and stress Of important cash competition
AS a result, argumentative comparisons between
the larger and lighter and the smaller ana
heavier pellets are growing apace, and they VIII
continue long after the center of gofing interest
has shifted to the East and the Middle West.
THIS, of course, Is q perfectly natural situa-
- ton for it is a snowy day in August when
all golfers can be made to agree on any one
technical phase Of the game. But the interest
ing part Of the present case is that each side has
unusually sound and substantial points upon
which 1t bases its contentious.
What will be the effect upon American golf
of the introduction Of this larger and lighter
ball?
This important question has produced three
distinct trends Of thought. Every one agrees
on the primary premises that the new ball will
cause loss of from to 10 yards on full
drives and that 1t Is more difficult to control
in the wind-or when playing conditions are
not just right-than was the old sphere. But
the debaters most emphatically do not agree on
other vital points.
one school of star players is unqualihedly
In favor Of the larger and lighter ball and
argues that, from now on, the big winners Of
the game will be those golfers who are essen
TALLY shotmakers and not just sluggers, and
that the great mass Of divot-diggers will derive
increased pleasure from playing the game be-
cause the present standard ball is easier to hit
than was its smaller predecessor.
The opposition is equally firm in its convic-
ton that international competition will be
injured.
Great Britain and Canada have rejected the
larger and lighter ball. Opponents of the new
ball also argue that many golf courses which
were laid out with primary regard for the
greater distance obtained with the smaller,
heavier ball will now either be manifestly UNI
fair or else viii necessitate expenditure of many
thousands of dollars for readjustments to make
them fair tests of the game.
Each of these two factions has drawn numer-
Gus adherents from that great army Of players
known average golfers" but close investiga-
ton probably would reveal that the average
golfer" doesn't care much whether he plays the