The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-07-04
g%T1@
~ par
A%A4kMz04


Il Il ceived favoring the new bal
loon ball?" inquired Bill Diddel five
times former state amateur golf
champion, and well-known golf
architect and course builder, as we
rolled in to the new Trey-Par pitch
and putt course and driving range
out on Michigan road near Kessler
boulevard. We were taken un-
awares, but rallied to reply:
Well, to be truthful, Bill, we con-
fided, we are still watching for the
first vote in favor Of the new pill. /"
That being the case. then put me down
In favor Of the balloon ball" Bill said.
And before We could answer Ben Steven
son, another member Of the old school OF
golfers, came through with his vote the
same way.
AS golf course builder and architect,
Diddel stated he was vitauy interested in
the new bail, that he had given It extern
Sivs study and finally had decided the big
opposition to the ball was mostly mental
Bill and Ben recalled back when golf
courses we're small layouts, with small
greens and mostly were fiat. Golf balls
were big, rough pieces Of workmanship in
contrast TO the present day closely scru-
tinized golf balls that weigh uniformly to
the decimal Of an ounce, scale to the small
decimal point Of an inch, and are balanced
in every respect They mentioned the old
Blue Diamond ball, and added golf clubs in
the old days we're the same in comparison
rs the old balls.
Golf balls and clubs became the subject
of golf engineering and we're greatly i'm
proved, Diddel said. That meant it was
easier TO score on courses. Country clubs
sought out tracts Of land with running
water, lakes, rolling ground, and abundant
natural hazards. When the natural haz-
ards we're not enough artificial hazards
were built. That was to keep the better
golfers shooting near and under par.
The point has been reached, Diddel said,
where the locating OF more difficult layouts
for golf courses is hard. Clubs and balls
probably will continue to improve, some.
Something new had TO be added TO the
game II the average golfer is to take
Bill Diddel's word for it, the new balloon
ball has added considerable TO the game.
Bill states he is vitality interested in
using the new ball. to play every course
interested in the study of where the new
ball will go. how it will act when hit with
different clubs than those he formerly used
with the old ball. He gets great kick out
Of playing the wind with 1t and after all,
the new ball has not made any noticeable
difference with his game. he claims.
Ut was mentioned that Bill has
4 been having some trouble with
his driver. This led to wager. Bill
was to drive fifty balls from the
driving range tee at Trey-Par. More
of them were to land between two
sand traps fifty yards apart, than
were to land in the traps. The
traps were down the course $50
yards or more.
Bill lost the bet by small margin, but
30 per cent Of his drives were straight
enough to be sitting up pretty OH the fair
ways OF any golf course. And to the
duffer the new ball sure SITS upon the
fairway just like it's teed up.
Diddel then insisted the new ball could
be controlled on the pitches and putting
green just about well the old. The
party played around the 10 hole Trey-Par
pitch and putt course and while many OF
the short shots are difficult. If not more
so than the ones that Will face the golfer
on his regular golf club course, they az
forded a test for the short game and
tested the new ball as well.
Every one in that party putted well.
The course is laid out for three shots on
each hole, and there was flock of treysS
scored. Bill conclusvely showed us the
new ball had It's many advantages and
disadvantages Just like the old ball. If
taken in hand and studied, practiced with
and played 1t will bring Just as good re-
suits, he said. Bill cited the fact thai
he and a club member played another team
recently and one Of the opposition used
che old ball. Diddel said he and his part
ner rarely ever defeated the other pair
before The fellow with the old ball
figured a poor shot Bill made was the
result OF the new ball. Diddel said 1t was
Just poor shot. A few minutes later the
fellow with the old ball made just such
a shot. That ended the argument on the
ball question. except to say the fellow
continues to use the old ball because he
had used it for years and doesn't want to
get into the habit of using the new one
and enjoying the fun Of testing his shots
with the various clubs all over again.