JOURNAL COMBINING TIMELY TURF TOPICS GOLF’S NEWEST TROPHY The lad who wins the first USGA Junior Amateur Championship this month will re­ ceive this 15-inch Sterling bowl for one year and a replica for permanent possession. Richard S. Tufts (left) is Chairman of the USGA Championship Committee. Bachrach I'SGA JOURNAL COMBININ0 TIMELY TURF TOPICS PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION Permission to reprint articles herein is freely granted provided credit is given to the USGA Journal. VOL. 1, NO. 4 AUGUST, 1948 Through the Green.................................................................... 1 50 Years Ago in the Amateur: Findlay S. Douglas.......... 4 Proposed British Rules.............................................................. 7 The New Junior Championship: Richard S. Tufts.......... 8 How to Test Iron Club-Markings: John D. Ames.............. 9 The Play of The Game: Stanley E. Bishop and Miss Dorothy Kirby............................................. 10 Golfing Enemy No. 1: The Slow Player: Morton G. Bogue................................................... 11 Timely Turf Topics: Marvin H. Ferguson......................... 12 Impressions: The Curtis Cup Trip: Mrs. Edwin H. Vare, Jr........................................ 19 The Memphis Country Club......................................... 20 Handicapping The Unhandicapped......................................... 21 The Referee: Rules of Golf Decisions................................. 22 It’s Your Honor: Letters............................. ■.............................. 25 Subscriptions: $2 per year; seven issues per year: Spring, June, July, August, September, Autumn, Winter. Single copies—30 cents. Subscriptions, articles, photographs, and correspondence (except pertaining to Green Section matters) should be addressed to: 73 East 5/tii Street „ UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION Correspondence pertaining to Green Section matters should be addressed to: r, . Plant Industry Station _ USGA GREEN SECTION Room 307, South Building New York 22, N. Y. Beltsville, Md. Edited by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. and John P English. Editorial Advisory Committee—John D. Ames. Chairman; Isaac u. urainger, Janies 1). Standish, Jr. All articles are voluntarily contributed. printed IN U.S.A. USGA COMPETITIONS Invitations Desired for Junior Amateur Championship nSrA a/e cor(’iall-v inviM? fro.m clubs and educational institutions to entertain the L SGA Junior Amateur Championship in 1949 and 1950. It is desirable, though ______ not essential, that dormitory facilities be available for 128 players. Schedule for 1948 Dates entries close m the schedule below mean the last dates for applications to reach the USGA office. Championship Junior Amateur Entries Close Closed Sectional Qualifying Rounds Finished Amateur August 2 Aug. 18 Women’s Amateur August 23 Championship Dates August 11-14 August 30- September 4 September 13-18 Kenne Univ, of Michigan G. C. Ann Arbor, Mich. Memphis C. C. Memphis, Tenn. Pebble Beach Course Del Monte, Cal. USGA Journal: August, 1948 1 THROUGH THE GREEN Nelson Whitney Memorial Unsung Record-Breakers A Nelson Whitney Memorial Trophy is to be placed in annual competition to com­ memorate the well-known New Orleans golfer who passed away this year. At least three golfers now share the unusual distinction of having set new scor­ ing records in the Open Championship without ever having won the title. Through special tournaments held at New Orleans clubs, funds are being raised for purchase of the trophy by the Associa­ tion of Commerce Sports Committee, headed by Joseph Gumbel, who is Presi­ dent of the Louisiana State Golf Associa­ tion and a member of the USGA Sectional Affairs Committee. Mr. Whitney, a member of the USGA Executive Committee in 1920-21, was Southern Amateur Champion 1907-08-13- 14-19, Trans-Mississippi Champion 1919, and Louisiana Amateur Champion 1923. X The Busy Juniors Few if any associations have adopted a junior golf program as enthusiastically as has the District of Columbia Golf Associa­ tion. The DCGA this season set up a pro­ gram of 16 events entirely for juniors and has a Junior Golf Sponsoring Group to raise money to sponsor the program. Some of the more promising juniors will compete in the USGA Junior Amateur Championship and other tournaments away from home, but players of less ability may participate in the program. On five oc­ casions, junior field days are being held at District clubs and the players receive group lessons from the club professionals. The pros cooperating are: Fred McLeod of Columbia, George Diffenbaugh of Ken­ wood, Clagett Stevens of Manor, Al Houghton of Prince George’s, Wiffy Cox of Congressional. In 1936 at Baltusrol, Harry Cooper finished four rounds in 284, breaking by two strokes the previous record made by Chick Evans in 1916 and equalled by Gene Sarazen in 1932. The honor was brief, for half an hour later Tony Manero finished with 282 to win the Championship. In 1948 at Riviera, the situation was re­ peated. Jim Turnesa finished early with a score of 280, breaking by one stroke the record made by Ralph Guldahl in 1937. Then Jimmy Demaret scored 278. Finally, Ben Hogan came in with his winning 276. Golf in Japan Almost three years after the end of the war, the Japanese have restored golf to the point where it was possible to conduct a professional tournament recently at the Tokyo Golf Club. The winner was Yoshiro Hayashi, 27, who scored 72-74—146. Thirty-six players participated, and the purse was 30,000 yen (the American mil­ itary rate is 270 yen to the dollar). Prior to the war there were 62 golf courses in Japan, and the game was rivaling baseball in popularity. Most courses were devoted to crops during the war, and only 18 remain. A golf course contractor is now engaged in constructing two more 18- hole courses. Wisconsin Caddies for Wisconsin The Wisconsin State Golf • Association and the University of Wisconsin are co­ operating in selecting deserving caddies to attend the University under Allis Caddie Scholarships, starting in the fall. The Allis Caddie Scholarship Fund of the Evans Scholars Foundation receives its financial support from interested per­ 2 USGA Journal: August, 1948 sons who donate $5 annually. All dues from Wisconsin are credited to the Allis Fund and are used exclusively for Wisconsin boys attending colleges in Wisconsin. Can­ didates must be good caddies, in need of financial assistance and rank in the upper quarter of their high school class. These Authors! There is a popular suspicion that an author will go to almost any length to pro­ mote the sale of his book, but Ben Hogan’s victories in the PGA and the Open Cham­ pionships are above suspicion in this re­ spect. Nevertheless, Hogan seems on the way to becoming a best-selling author. Byron Nelson’s Winning Golf, published a year ago last spring, is believed to have had the largest sale of any golf book ever published. Almost 70,000 copies have been sold. Early last spring, Hogan’s Pozver Golf appeared and had sold some 30,000 copies even before Hogan scored his “double.” The publisher believes the Hogan book now has a chance to surpass the Nelson book. Kansas City “Oscars” The Kansas City Golf Association re­ cently established five Gof-fer Awards to be presented at the end of the season, in the manner of Oscars, to the outstanding players, male and female. In order to de­ termine the players to be honored, a point system has been set up for performance in all major tournaments in the area. Twenty-five points will be awarded to winners of medal play events, twenty to runners-up, fifteen for those finishing third, and ten for those finishing fourth. A medalist or co-medalist in a match-play tournament will earn ten points. Five points will be awarded for qualifying in a cham­ pionship flight, for winning each match and for each round of par or better in a stroke play event other than a qualifying round. These points will be applied to the USGA Open, USGA Amateur, Missouri State Championship, the KCGA City Champion­ ships at match and stroke play, the Heart of America Tournament, Western Ama­ teur, Trans-Mississippi Amateur and the Midwest PGA Match Play Tournament. To the Ladies! A group of ladies were having a forum on the 1948 Rules of Golf. Eventually, dis­ cussion got around to new Rule 7(5) hav­ ing to do with ground under repair. (This is a section which, although new to the Rules book, comprises elements of various USGA interpretations over many years.) Part of the conversation went this way: The Excitable One—“Why, I just think that’s a terrible rule. The players will just be moving balls all the time. Might just as well do away with the stymie rule.” The Calm One—“I don’t think so. After all, the opponent is there to make claim if the ball is moved without reason.” Another Voice—“I have an old USGA de­ cision on file which says that ground under repair should be so marked but need not be. I suppose the revised rules make that decision obsolete, though.” Still Another Voice—“It seems to me that ground under repair is a question of fact. Distinction must be made, however, between ground in need of repair and ground actually being repaired.” Other Voices—“Does it mean we can move away from divots on the green?” . . . “Heav­ ens, no! That would be ground in need of repair but not actually being repaired.” Excitable One—“Well, if my ball ever landed in some such place and it wasn’t marked, I’d play it as it lay rather than take a chance.” Calm One—“Even if it lay on newly seeded and sprinkled ground where your own com­ mon sense told you the greenkeeper wouldn’t want you even to walk?” We report the foregoing to exhibit and to commend the keen interest of ladies in the Rules of Golf. It is through such dis­ cussions that the truth in the Rules is brought out. To the ladies! Fishing Pole Club At the recent Open Championship, Chick Evans used a 48-inch driver, not unlike the “fishing pole” clubs of earlier vintage. After outdriving George Von Elm and Olin Dutra off the first tee in the second round, Chick was elated over the long club: “It’s fine for old men like me.” USGA Journal: August, 1948 3 Kebo Valley’s 60 Years SPORTSMAN’S CORNER When the directors of the Kebo Valley Club in Bar Harbor, Maine, closed their season last Autumn, they were most op­ timistic. The Club, one of the oldest in the country, had enrolled 30 new members, raising the total to 90, and appeared to be in excellent condition for the celebra­ tion of its 60th anniversary this summer. Then came the Bar Harbor fire which destroyed 300 homes and burned the club­ house to the ground. A club which has survived for 60- years can almost invariably survive a fire, how­ ever, and Kebo Valley is no exception. It came through another fire in 1899, and its new Tabloid History, prepared by John J. O’Brien, now Club President, furnishes ample testimony that it will survive with the rest of the famous resort town. Very few clubs in the United States can boast 60 years of continuous existence. Kebo Valley was incorporated on April 27, 1888, by a group of hunt men from eastern cities. They did not have golf in mind at the time, but did build a half-mile race track, a baseball diamond and tennis courts at a time when the town was emerg­ ing into a period of clubs and summer homes. The “golf ground,” consisting of a few holes, was laid out in 1891, and by 1892 there were six holes within and around the race track. A nine-hole course was completed in 1896, measuring 2,500 yards; it was later extended to 18 holes. In 1903 the Club applied for membership in the USGA. One of Kebo Valley’s unusual features is that most of the holes are dedicated to individuals who have played important roles in the life of the Club. These holes bear bronze plaques bearing the names of the individuals honored. Among the names are Charles B. Pike, Dr. Robert Amory, Shirley M. Liscomb (professional at the club since 1907), Sir Harry Oakes, Roscoe B Jackson, William F. Cochran, Jr., J. L. Ketterlinus, Robert H. Stevenson, Alice- Lee Thomas Stevenson, John J. O’Brien, Ernest Kanzler, Dr. J. Austin Furfey and Edsel B. Ford. William C. Campbell It was a first-round match in the 1947 Ama­ teur Championship at Pebble Beach. William C. Campbell, of Huntington, W. Va., pushed his drive toward the boundary in the elbow of the first hole. His opponent hit one down the middle. Campbell played a provisional ball, which also went toward the boundary. After much searching, Campbell walked the long walk back to the tee. “My first ball was out of bounds,” he said, “and my second is lost.” Thus, the former Princeton player had al­ ready charged himself with three strokes and he still didn’t have a ball in play. But here he was on the tee, not having given up. He drove one straight this time, and lay 4 in the fairway, to his opponent’s 1. The opponent cautiously sent his approach short of the green, in 2. Campbell’s next was on the edge of the green—that was 5. The opponent approached safely, near the cup—in 3. Campbell holed his chip for a courageous 6. The opponent three-putted for a 6. Who won the match? Billy Campbell. (The USGA Journal will welcome nominations for the Sportsman’s Corner in future issues. The calibre of the player does not matter.) 4 USGA Journal: August, 1948 50 Years Ago in the Amateur By FINDLAY S. DOUGLAS USGA Amateur Champion 1898, USGA President 1929-30 When my eldest brother, Robert, invited me to spend the summer of 1897 in the United States—the summer after my grad­ uation from St. Andrews University—I was, of course, delighted to accept, but I had one very important question. “Do they play golf in the United States?” I asked him. “Should I bring my golf clubs ?” Although I had played the game nearly all of my 21 years and had been fortunate enough to win the St. Andrews Gold Medal in 1895, my brother had been in the United States for some time and had lost touch with the game. “I believe,” he answered, “that some golf is played. I don’t know where, but I think you will be able to find a course if you bring your clubs.” That episode, it seems to me, illustrates the difference that 50 years has made in American golf. Half a century ago my brother, in New York, did not know a golfer or a golf course. Today, with 5,000 golf courses and nearly 3,000,000 golfers, the situation seems hardly credible. After my arrival here, in order to find a course, I went to a sporting goods store, A. G. Spalding & Bros., and found it had a golf department. Charles S. Cox, the manager, talked to me for a time and then introduced me to H. L. Fitzpatrick of the New York Sun and Chappie Mayhew of the New York Herald, two of the first golf writers. The next day they took me to the Van Cortlandt Park course, ostensibly to intro­ duce me to my first American golf course but secretly, I suspect, to see if I really could play the game at all. Later I joined the old Fairfield County Golf Club in Greenwich and became an American golfer. Although it will be 50 years next month since I had the good fortune to win the Amateur Championship, it will be 51 years since I played in my first Amateur Cham- The Amateur Champion of a Half-Century Ago Two views of the swing which won the USGA Amateur Championship and two Metro­ politan Amateur Championships for Findlay S. Douglas between 1898 and 1903. He was also leading ama eur m the USGA Open in 1903, the only Open in which he ever competed and the United States Seniors’ Golf Association Champion in 1932. Note the rolled-back jacket cuffs in the close-up of his follow-through and the firm left arm and side as he plays a full shot. USGA Journal: August, 1948 5 Fairfield County Players in the Early Days Courtesy H. B. Martin Seated on the steps of the old Fairfield County Golf Club at Greenwich, Conn., in 1898 are, left to right: rear—Findlay S. Douglas and Charles S. Cox; front—Frank Freeman, Julian W. Curtiss, Ed B. Curtiss, Dr. Carl Martin, James Mason and F. W. Sanger. pionship at the Chicago Golf Club in September, 1897. That year I was beaten by Jim Whigham, the subsequent winner, in the semi-finals. The following year—the year of which the forthcoming Championship at Memphis will be the 50th anniversary—the play was at the Morris County Golf Club in Morris­ town, N. J. A gallery which I would estimate at about 500 persons followed the leading players. There were 120 entrants. And not only for the Championship but also in non-competitive play, there were plenty of caddies. I wish caddies were as easy to get today. In form, the Amateur Championship was in a state of flux in those years, even as it has been more recently. In 1897, there was a 36-hole qualifying competition to determine the 16 players who would enter match play. The first three match play rounds were at 18 holes and the final at 36 holes. The following year, the num­ ber of qualifiers was raised to 32, and all matches were at 36 holes. In the 1898 Championship, Joe Choate, of Stockbridge, the son of the Ambassador to the Court of St. James, led the stroke round with a score of 175, and the highest qualifying score was 189. I am afraid the scores look rather terrible when placed against Skee Riegel’s 136 at Baltusrol two years ago. But most of us were just week­ end golfers 50 years ago and, of course, we used the old gutty ball. In our defense, I would like to point out that rounds in the low 70s were scored, even by amateurs playing the gutty ball. I know because I scored one myself in the third match-play round against James A. Stillman. After I had won the match, 9 up and 8 to play, we finished out the bye holes so that I could make a new record for the course. Apart from the scoring, however, qual­ ifying rounds did not change much over the years. In 1898, with 120 players com­ peting for 32 places, there were bound to be upsets, and that year we had one of the biggest ones in the history of the Cham­ pionship. Jim Whigham, who had won 6 USGA Journal: August, 1948 the two previous years, failed to qualify in defense of his title.' His failure was ex­ cusable, however. He had just returned from the Spanish-American War, in which he had been a war correspondent and had contracted a lingering fever. I was fortunate enough to be very much on my game in that Championship. Al­ though I had saved my summer vacation in order to play, each week-end I had taken the train from New York to Greenwich or sotne other course, and the regular play enabled me. again to hit the ball as I had in my school days at St. Andrews. Aly op­ ponents, in addition to Jim Stillman, were James F. Curtis, of Essex County, Mass.; A. H. Smith, of Huntingdon Valley, Phila­ delphia; my perennial rival, Walter J. Travis, of Oakland, New York; and Walter B. Smith, of Chicago, whom I defeated in the final, 5 up and 3 to play. It seemed to me, however, that the Cham­ pionship really was won in the semi-final round. Walter Travis and I had first be­ come acquainted in an invitation tourna­ ment at Baltusrol the year before. It hap­ pened to be his first golf tournament and my first in this country. We were both beaten in the first round, rode back to New York on the train together, quite disgusted with ourselves, and became good friends and frequent rivals thereafter. After I had beaten him at Morris County, I felt sure I could win the Championship the next day. In that tournament I carried a driver, brassie, spoon, driving iron, midiron, mashie, niblick and a wooden putter. Just eight clubs, which was a normal bagful in those days, although just half the num­ ber the professionals were carrying in recent years, until last spring. They seemed sufficient then, and I am not at all sure that they wouldn’t be sufficient now. I carry more today, but I noticed after a round at Blind Brook recently that the only clubs I had used were three woods, a No. 2 iron once or twice, a pitching iron, a niblick and a putter. My clothing also was a bit different in that 1898 Championship. All my life I have had my jackets made with real but­ ton-holes on the cuffs. I see no purpose in having buttons without button-holes. And when I played golf, I wore my jacket, un­ buttoning the buttons and turning the cuffs back. The Palm Grip As did most players then, I used the old- fashioned palm grip: I simply laid the shaft in my fingers, without overlapping or interlocking, and wrapped my palms around it. It was not until Harry Vardon came over here in 1900 and won our Open Cham­ pionship that any of us heard of the over­ lapping grip. Vardon had to use it be­ cause his hands were so big. He had the biggest hands I’ve seen, and he had to overlap the little finger of his right hand to get them onto the club compactly. After Vardon’s tour, nearly every Amer­ ican golfer adopted the overlapping grip, but I never did. I still thicken my grips with extra felt and use the palm grip. And although it is unusual now, Eb Byers, in 1906, and Jimmy Johnston, in 1929, also won the Amateur Championship with the same palm grip. Soon after the turn of the century the golf ball underwent a radical change when the rubber-cored ball was introduced. In winning the 1903 Metropolitan Amateur Championship at Deal, N. J., I used a pneumatic ball—just a shell filled with compressed air. The golf swings were not at all uniform in 1898. Each player took an individual stance in his quest to achieve balance. Bal­ ance, of course, has remained very impor­ tant in the swing, but it seems to me it was even more important 50 years ago. The gutty ball took a lot of hitting. Two hun­ dred yards was an exceptionally long drive. And without balance, we couldn’t achieve any distance worth mentioning. A full swing, with free pivot and wrist action, were standard, however. The com­ paratively shorter, compact swing has come into the game quite recently. The one shot that has changed most in the last 50 years is the bunker shot. Half a century ago, bunkers were not raked and manicured, and the lies were often nearly impossible. We had no sand wedges and had to get the ball out as best we could with a niblick. Whether a player chose USGA Journal: August, 1948 7 PROPOSED BRITISH RULES The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, has distributed a draft of proposed revised Rules of Golf to interested parties prior to adoption. The revision, when and if adopted, will be the fifth, previous changes having been made in 1903, 1912, 1920 and 1934. The policy of the R. and A. Committee, of which Bernard Darwin is chairman, has been to simplify the layout of the Rules and to clarify their interpretation, espe­ cially in instances which experience shows to have been most productive of questions, but to leave unaltered those Rules which have stood the test of time. In some cases, decisions have been incorporated in the Rules, so that a good deal of case law will become statute law. In this respect, the revision is similar to those made in the USGA Rules in 1946 and 1947, al­ though the two codes will not be identical. “Governing bodies at home and overseas were asked if they wished to retain the present ‘stymie’ rule, and if not, whether they preferred abolition, the adoption of the American rule, or the retention only of what is generally called the ‘self-laid stymie’,” Mr. Darwin explains. “The re­ plies showed a slight preponderance in favor of the present Rule. “Various alterations were suggested, but there was a remarkable lack of unanimity in favor of any particular one. The Com­ mittee having therefore received nothing even approaching a definite mandate for change, propose to leave well alone. “The most important change in layout is a regrouping of the Rules so that those for any point in match or medal play will now be found together. . . . The Etiquette of the Game now precedes the main text of the Rules on the ground that it is a golfer’s first duty, even before he reads the Rules, to know the correct procedure on the Course.” Of particular interest to American golfers is the information that the Rule on Number of Clubs to be Carried has been made more definite as to replacement of a club becoming unfit for play; as pro­ posed, it is now practically identical with the USGA 14-club Rule. Mr. Douglas with Robert T. Jones, Jr., in 1930, when Mr. Douglas was President of the USGA and Mr. Jones scored his “Grand Slam.” to hit a crude explosion shot or chip the ball cleanly, the stroke was a real test which has now practically disappeared from the game. The sand wedge tends to make all players equal when playing from a bunker. In many other respects, some for the better and some, I’m afraid, for the worse, the game has changed as it has grown in popularity. But it still remains a game in which skill without sportsmanship is mean­ ingless—and therefore it is still a game. It is a game which has been good to me. I have been fortunate enough to have played in 15 Amateur Championships from 1897 to 1923 and to have won other champion­ ships. And I am most proud not of what I have won but of what I have been able to contribute—three years as President of the Metropolitan Golf Association, two years as President of the United States Golf Association, and four years as Presi­ dent of the United States Seniors’ Golf Association. 8 USGA Journal: August, 1948 The New Junior Championship By RICHARD S. TUFTS Chairman, USGA Championship Committee The activities of the United States Golf Association are directed by a group of men who voluntarily donate their time prin­ cipally for one reason: They believe that golf serves a useful purpose and are inter­ ested to see it played in the right spirit by as many individuals as possible. Though at times this approach may not be too apparent in the Association’s actions, it is always a basic consideration and has certainly been the motivating force in the decision of the USGA to conduct this year its first Junior Amateur Championship. Psychologically and in the development of their games, boys under 18 years of age should receive special recognition in golf, the Association believes. Therefore, al­ though the Junior Championship is pat­ terned after the men’s Amateur, there are certain departures which, it is hoped, will make the event more interesting and val­ uable to the young golfer whose game has not quite reached maturity. In the first place, there is the matter of age. None of the 128 boys who will meet at the University of Michigan Golf Course this month will have reached his 18th birth­ day, under the Championship rules. There­ fore, the USGA is assuming some of the responsibility for their off-the-course activ­ ities—something that is not done for an adult event. More particularly, the Associ­ ation wants to help inspire in these boys, while still in their formative years, the best principles of good sportsmanship. The USGA is not conducting the Junior Amateur Championship primarily to deter­ mine the best junior golfer in the United States. It is interested in establishing per­ sonal contact with the youngsters in order to help them learn how to get the most out of the game, whether they win or lose. To this end, many USGA officials will join at Ann Arbor in conducting a pro­ gram which we hope will be both instruc­ tive and entertaining. Fielding Wallace, USGA President; James D. Standish, Jr., a Vice-President; Francis Ouimet, a mem­ ber of the Championship Committee, and others will participate. Three evenmg^.will be devoted to forum discussions of golf subjects, including the rules and the his­ tory of the game, and to golf motion pic­ tures. The boys will reside at the Michigan Union, on the University campus, and this, with the group meetings, should help cre­ ate a wholesome atmosphere of good fel­ lowship and sportsmanship. The Age Limit We have been questioned about the advis­ ability of limiting the Championship to boys under 18. The USGA Executive Committee believes that the purposes of the Championship will be best served there­ by. In the first place, practically all the Rules of Amateur Status begin to apply at the 18th birthday. Boys under 18 are allowed more leeway in such matters, for instance, as expense money. To raise the age limit would create two classes of players who would be competing under dif­ ferent rules in the same event. Secondly, as boys near their 20s they be­ come more properly candidates for the Amateur and for State and sectional cham­ pionships. For the Junior, the USGA wants boys who are old enough to go away from home and yet not developed enough to be serious competitors in adult events. If the age limit were raised one or two years, most of these boys would be auto­ matically eliminated, since they probably would be unable to compete. The USGA in this instance is interested in aiding the development of young golfers, rather than in conducting a championship for golfers who already have entered a more or less mature stage. The same limit has. been used for years for the British Boys’ Championship with great success. (Continued on page 21) USGA Journal: August, 1948 9 How to Test Iron Club-Markings By JOHN D. AMES Chairman, USGA Implements and Ball Committee When a player buys a new set of iron clubs, he naturally assumes that the face markings conform with USGA specifica­ tions. Eight years ago the members of the National Association of Golf Club Manu­ facturers agreed to a USGA proposal that all clubs made on and after January 1, 1941 would comply with new rules which went into effect at the start of 1942. However, some new clubs which players brought to this year’s Open Championship did not conform until their grooves had been buffed down. In view of this exper­ ience, the Association has sent the follow­ ing note to entrants in subsequent USGA 1948 Championships: “Attention is called to the fact that mark­ ings on some iron clubs do not conform with USGA specifications. Unfortunately, this is true of a few new clubs made in recent years. “We therefore enclose for your guidance a memorandum interpreting the specifica­ tions. “Entrants are urged to see that their clubs conform before they arrive at a com­ petition.” A player would be dead-stymied if he tried to check his clubs against the actual specifications, which deal with thousandths of an inch. But the USGA has prepared an explanatory memorandum to enable the layman-golfer to test his clubs. This is the memorandum which has been sent to entrants in the remaining Championships, and its main points follow: The preamble to the Rules of Golf provides that the game is to be played with clubs and balls made in conformity with the Rules Gov­ erning Form and Make of Golf Clubs and Balls. It therefore becomes the duty of a committee in charge of a competition to en­ force these regulations along with the playing rules, and one of the most difficult regula­ tions to interpret regarding clubs is the de­ tailed specifications covering the markings on iron clubs. These specifications are tech­ nical and difficult to understand and intended mainly for the guidance of club-makers. The following memorandum will serve as a guide for those charged with the responsibility of enforcing them. 1. Use a scale graduated in thirty-seconds of an inch and a small magnifying glass in testing clubs. 2. A club with grooves probably conforms with the specifications if (a) each groove is not wider than approximately one thirty- second of an inch and (b) the distance be­ tween grooves is not less than three times the width of the groove. Thus, one groove and the flat surface between the grooves should, when added together, measure ap­ proximately one-eighth of an inch. 3. A club with punch-marks meets the re­ quirements if the markings do not exceed a slight amount over one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter. The maximum number of punch­ marks permitted depends entirely on the diameter of the impression. The smaller the punch-mark the larger the number of im­ pressions which are permitted. 4. There are further requirements covering the edges of grooves and punch-marks which can best be tested by rubbing the thumb across the face of the club. If the edges of the grooves appear to be sharp, it is likely the club is an old model or has been tampered with and it should be examined carefully. Some manufacturers meet the requirements of the specifications without using the above described designs. The manufacturing specifications are mere­ ly an interpretation of a general rule, in existence for some time, providing that “Club faces . . . shall not bear any lines, dots, or other markings with sharp or rough edges made for the obvious purpose of put­ ting a cut on the ball.” The above general rule has not been changed. The specifications were adopted primarily to give manufacturers a definite guide as to the limits of that rule. Players are warned against tampering with clubs by filing or roughening them or enlarg­ ing their markings. Clubs which do not meet the regulations can usually be corrected by a chib-maker. The cooperation of all players will be appreciated. * * * It seems too bad that it has been neces­ sary to get down to such fine points in order to insure fair play. Wouldn’t it be nice if, as in the old days, we could just go out and play golf? 10 USGA Journal: August, 1948 The Play of the Game MAINTAINING YOUR GRIP CONCENTRATION By STANLEY E. (Ted) BISHOP By MISS DOROTHY KIRBY USGA Amateur Champion 1946 Member of USGA Walker Cup Team 1947 The most important thing I have dis­ covered about the golf swing concerns the grip. I stumbled on it while trying to recapture my game after three years in the Army, and I fully believe it was re­ sponsible for my winning the Massachu­ setts, New England and USGA Amateur Championships in 1946. When we were learning to play golf, we all were told about the necessity of tak­ ing a firm grip on the club, particularly with the left hand. The result is that we are inclined to take that firm grip as we step up to the ball—and thereafter to con­ centrate on the swing and forget the grip. The discovery I made was that it is equally necessary to maintain that firm grip with both hands throughout the swing. For years, the weakest part of my game was my play with the wooden clubs. I con­ sistently hit a high ball with a fade. One day I happened to. check my grip after I had finished a shot and discovered it had changed considerably from the grip I had taken when I stepped up to the ball. Most important, my right thumb, which I place on the side of the shaft touching the forefinger, had slipped to the top of the shaft and the forefinger had curled under the shaft. Using that as a point of departure, I analyzed a series of shots and concluded that my grip, in the course of the swing, habitually loosened and shifted. This tended to open the face of my club and un­ doubtedly caused the high fade. In any case, I forgot everything else while I concentrated on maintaining my grip throughout my swing. At the end of a week of practice and concentration, I found I had cured the fault. Each time I checked my grip at the finish, my hands were in exactly the position they had been when I started the swing. From that point on, I had my best season in golf. Member of USGA Curtis Cup Team 1948 Runner-up USGA Women’s Amateur Championship 1939 and 1947 When anyone asks me what I consider the most necessary thing in golf, the word "concentration” immediately comes to mind. I believe you will find that true with most golfers who play competitive golf. Concentration is an ability that seems to come more naturally to some than to others. This could explain why some players pro­ gress so much more rapidly than others. I find it difficult to concentrate for a com­ plete round, and consequently run into bad holes or lapses which can only be ex­ plained by lack of concentration. To me, the first step in hitting a shot is to have a clear picture in mind of where I want the ball to go, and, without any other thought, to try to hit it to that spot. It is essential to good golf not to linger mentally over shots that have been played nor to anticipate those yet to be played, each stroke being thought of as a separate shot. I have heard many ideas on concen­ tration from tournament golfers, and they all vary. I think this comes from different temperaments, hence we play and think slowly or quickly according to our tem­ peraments. So to each person concentra­ tion is likely to have a different meaning and to be brought about differently. To me, golf is so mental that it is a bat­ tle with oneself to hold the right frame of mind in making each shot, and it follows that if one’s concentration is good, one will play good, positive golf. It is purely an individual job to reach championship form, and concentration is the most necessary quality that I have found. I would hate to count the number of matches I have lost through wrong think­ ing. So, from past experiences, I now try to set my own pace mentally and play golf. USGA Journal: August, 1948 11 Golfing Enemy No. 1 THE SLOW PLAYER By MORTON G. BOGUE USGA President 1944-45 Th^re is no doubt in my mind that the worst pest in golf is the unduly slow player. He comes in three types which stand out prominently: use of going along the line of putt, picking up pebbles or loose impediments. One may throw the ball one way and one may throw it in the hole.” 1. The player who walks slowly through­ I do not know that I agree entirely, out the round. 2. The one who takes an indeterminately long time to play after he reaches his ball through the green, fumbling with his clubs and maybe taking two or three from the bag before he finally selects one. 3. The player who stands most of the day lining up a putt, and looking for imaginary bumps and rolls until he finally sees a lot that really do not exist. Sometimes a player is a conglomerate of the three types. Such a combination should buy a course for him­ self, or play be­ fore breakfast or after dinner. He certainly has no place in a tourna­ ment or on a club course when others are seeking recreation which must be had with­ in a limited time. Of the three can often be ex­ cused, as physical defects require some persons to walk slowly. pes, the slow walk Morton G. Bogue As for the second type, however, once a player arrives at his ball he should be able to select a club and play the shot promptly, and not carry on a debate with the caddie and take three or four practice swings with a series of clubs before strik­ ing the ball. The same is true on the green. Alex Smith, the former Open Champion, used to say of putting, “If you are going to miss ’em. miss ’em quick.” but there is something in it. It is admittedly in order for a player to line his putt up from both sides of the hole, but he does not need to take three or four minutes to do it. I recall the great pleasure it was to see how promptly the semi-finalists and the finalists in the 1937 Amateur Champion­ ship at Portland, Ore., played the game, even though it was difficult for the gallery to keep up with them. In the final, John Goodman and Ray Billows played the first 18 holes in 2 hours, 29 minutes, and the second in about the same time, despite gallery interference. The difficulty with the slow player is that reproaching him seems to make him slower. He never seems to realize how much enjoy­ ment he is taking out of the game for others. Slow players are indifferent to any­ one else on the course, and seldom, if ever, think of asking the following match to play through. It is all quite unbearable. The Rules of Golf provide that committees in charge of competitions may disqualify players who, by delay in play, unfairly interfere with the play of others. The penalty is entirely too lenient. The damage to the rest of the field is generally done before disqualification can occur. Perhaps it would be well to add an addi­ tional penalty, to wit: refuse the entry of a player who was disqualified more than once for slow play. Golfers in general should “gang up” on the selfishly slow player. Finally, it is almost universally true I have often heard him say, “There is no that the best players play quickly. 12 USGA Journal: August, 1948 TIMELY TURF TOPICS from the USGA Green Section WEST COAST TRIP By MARVIN H. FERGUSON Agronomist, USGA Green Section A visit 'to the West Coast, for the pur­ pose of getting acquainted with our mem­ ber clubs, soliciting new members, increas­ ing Green Section Subscriptions, and encouraging greenkeeper organizations, was made in May and June, by Marvin Ferguson, of the USGA Green Section; O. J. Noer, of the Milwaukee Sewerage Commission, and A. L. Brandon, Secretary- Treasurer of the Greenkeeping Superin­ tendents’ Association. The trip involved visits at Hayden Lake, Idaho; Spokane, Pullman, Ellensburg and Seattle, Wash.; Portland, Imbler, La Grande, Corvallis and Klamath Falls, Ore.; Palo Alto, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Fran­ cisco, Claremont, Orinda, Berkeley, Oak­ land, Los Angeles and San Diego, Calif.; and Tucson, Ariz. Meetings of greenkeepers and others in­ terested in turf were held at Seattle, Port­ land, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The First Annual Turf Conference at Washington State College was held on May 24 and 25, and the Green Section Com­ mittee meeting was held on June 8, prior to the Open Championship at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. Reports of the visits are in chronological order. Spokane, Washington On Saturday, May 22, the Indian Canyon and the Downriver Golf Clubs (both muni­ cipal courses), the Spokane Country Club and the Wandermere Country Club were visited. Sunday, May 23, was spent at Hayden Lake, Idaho, and at the Manito Golf and Country Club in Spokane. There were very heavy rains both days. The chief troubles in the Spokane area are pearlwort, Poa annua and conditions resulting from rather heavy soils. Most of the courses were very well kept. It is significant that little fairway fertilization is practiced despite the fact that large quantities of water are used. Insect pests are not particularly troublesome. Con­ siderable use has been made of 2,4-D for controlling weeds. Pullman, Washington The First Annual Turf Conference was held at Washington State College on May 24 and 25. Highlights of the two-day pro­ gram were the fertilizer discussions by O. J. Noer, of the Milwaukee Sewerage Com­ mission, and Professor L. C. Wheeting, of the State College of Washington; the dis­ cussion of turf diseases by C. S. Holton, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and Roderick Sprague and George Nyland, of the State College of Washington. Weed control problems were discussed by Lowell Rasmussen, of the State College of Washington, and Clarence Seely, of the University of Idaho and the U. S. Depart­ ment of Agriculture. G. A. Amsbury led a very interesting discussion of machinery maintenance problems. Marvin Ferguson outlined some of the new developments in the field of turf management. A. L. Bran­ don of the Greenkeeping Superintendents’ Association discussed “The Value of Greenkeepers’ Organization in Serving Turf Management Problems.” At the dinner meeting on Monday night, Marvin Ferguson spoke on “A Turf Pro­ gram for the Pacific Northwest.” A re­ cording was made on Tuesday for the Special-Events radio program of the State College of Washington by E. G. Schafer, USGA Journal: August, 1948 13 Preparing Zoysia for Planting Zoysia japonica, Japanese lawngrass, was increased vegetatively in flats in the greenhouse during the winter. The sod was removed from the flats and cut into 2-inch squares with an edger. The plugs were molded and spot-sodded into Aerifier holes at 24-inch intervals. Planting was done in a bluegrass lawn at the Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md., on May 3 and 4, 1948. The strain shown is Z-52, a low-growing, fine-bladed strain of Zoysia japonica of pleasing, dark-green color Bureau of Plant Industry Photo 0. J. Noer and Marvin Ferguson. The recording was primarily an outline on the purposes of the turf conference. The conference was well planned and executed through the efforts of E. G. Schafer, A. G. Law, E. J. Kreizinger and Dr. Mark Buchanan, of the State College of Washington. Ellensburg, Washington On Wednesday, May 26, the party drove to Seattle, stopping briefly at Ellensburg, Wash., where the Ellensburg Country Club course is being reconditioned. Weeds are quite a problem, and the greens have de­ veloped a very deep mat. On the whole, the greens were very good in Seattle. A mat had developed on the greens of a few courses. This mat pre­ vented the penetration of moisture, so the greens were quite hard in spite of frequent rains and irrigation. Heavy soils and the abundant use of water indicate the need for improvement in drainage and aeration. Seattle, Washington A meeting was held on Friday evening, May 28, at the University Golf Course. Approximately 35 persons were present. The group included greenkeepers, dealers and park officials. This group was very much interested in the development of a research program at Pullman, Wash. The turf conditions in Seattle were very good. There is some pearlwort and some Poa annua. The chief troubles are caused by matted greens and compacted soils. Irrigation of fairways is practiced exten­ sively. It is felt that some saving of water could be effected by the more liberal use of fertilizer. Portland, Oregon The party drove to Portland on Satur­ 14 USGA Journal: August, 1948 day, May 29. On the evening of May 29, we were the guests of Arthur Craig, of the Alderwood Country Club. Unfortunately, flood conditions prevented our visiting the courses lying near the Columbia River. Several of these courses were flooded fol­ lowing the break on May 30 in the dikes at Vanport. On Monday, May 31, the party flew from Salem (the Portland airport being closed because of flood conditions) to Pen­ dleton, Ore. From there we drove to Im­ bler, Ore., where we visited H. L. Wagner’s seed farms. Mr. Wagner has approximate­ ly 1,000 acres in the Grande Ronde Valley in grass-seed production. At the La Grande Country Club in La Grande, Ore., the mixed fescue and bent fairways were excellent. There were some localized dry spots on the greens despite a great deal of rain. A somewhat matted condition on the greens had prevented the water from getting into the soil. The meeting of the greenkeepers’ group in Portland was held on Tuesday, June 1, at Lloyd’s Golf Course. Thirty-five were in attendance. The meeting was preceded by the inspection of several golf courses in Portland and a “brag and gripe” ses­ sion. It is interesting to note that most of the “gripes” had to do with drainage, irriga­ tion, aeration and matted greens. It is be­ lieved that these four problems are by far the greatest trouble-makers on the Pacific Coast. Corvallis, Oregon On June 2, H. A. Schoth, agronomist of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, showed us some of the experimental work which is under way at the Oregon Experi­ ment Station in Corvallis. The Station, working cooperatively with the U.S.D.A., has developed a number of good turf grasses. While many other States surpass Oregon in turf acreage, Oregon probably derives a greater percentage of its income from turf grasses through the sale of seed than does any other State. At the present time there is not a turf­ research project, as such, at Oregon State College. However, its contributions to turf through the seed industry are of consider­ able importance. Klamath Falls, Oregon On June 3, Air. Brandon went directly to San Francisco, while Messrs. Noer and Ferguson stopped at Klamath Falls to look over the seed-growing areas operated by Geary Brothers. The Geary Brothers’ ranch comprises approximately 4,500 acres of land in a valley which may be irrigated easily and quickly. A large part of the supply of bentgrass and red fescue is grown here. San Francisco, California A joint meeting of . the Northern Cali­ fornia Golf Association and the Northern California Golf Course Superintendents Association was held at the Olympic Club- at-Lakeside in San Francisco on June 4. Approximately 65 persons were in attend­ ance. This group is in the early stages of developing a turf research program for Northern California. Methods used in other States were out­ lined. The group was urged to coordinate its program with that of Southern Cali­ fornia, as both sections will depend upon the State experiment station for much of the research work. In visiting the courses in this area, many conditions were found which were similar to those in Washington and Oregon. Los Angeles, California June 7, 8 and 9 were spent visiting clubs in the Los Angeles area. Monday night, June 7, the party attended a Green Committee meeting at the Los Angeles Country Club. Colin Simpson is chairman of the committee, and William Beresford is the greenkeeper. The USGA Green Section Committee meeting was held in the afternoon of Tues­ day, June 8. James D. Standish, Jr., Chair­ man of the Green Section Committee, pre­ sided. One of the important items dis­ cussed was the feasibility of establishing a Green Section branch office on the Pacific Coast at some future date. USGA Journal: August, 1948 15 Another topic of discussion was the func­ tion of the Green Section at the present time in coordinating and advising the of­ ficials of the University of California at Los Angeles and the Southern California Golf Association in their present turf-re- search project. Mr. Simpson was appointed a member of the USGA Green Section Committee by Fielding Wallace, USGA President. Mr. Simpson is Chairman of the Southern California Golf Association Green Section and is very active in his support of the cause of better turf. Following the Green Section Committee meeting, there was an open meeting which was attended by members of the Southern California Golf Association and the South­ ern California Greenkeepers’ Association. Approximately 135 persons attended. The proposed turf research project at U.C.L.A. was discussed by Dean Hodgson and Dr. Stoutemyer of U.C.L.A., after Dell Griggs and Mr. Simpson had presented a history of the turf research movement in Southern California. Mr. Standish and Mr. Wallace presented a history of Green Section activities and accomplishments. Mr. Ferguson outlined the Green Section’s program and its aims at the present time. Mr. Brandon discussed the value of greenkeepers’ organizations and urged his listeners to attend the Annual Greenkeep­ ing Superintendents’ Association Confer­ ence and Show, to be held in Los Angeles, from February 7 to 11, 1949. On June 9, we visited Dr. Stoutemyer at U.C.L.A., looked over the proposed site for the turf plots and discussed research prob­ lems which might be attacked. The Turf Research Advisory Committee will work with Dr. Stoutemyer in planning his re­ search program. Dr. Stoutemyer accompanied the party to the new El Rancho Golf Course, now under construction. El Rancho has been .selected as the site for the 1949 USGA Amateur Public Links Championship. Messrs. Noer arid Ferguson flew to San Diego on June IQ for an inspection of golf courses and the San Diego Municipal Stadium and a conference with a group of 15 greenkeepers. This group is not for­ mally organized at present but plans are being made to form a greenkeepers’ or­ ganization. Tucson, Arizona On the return trip to Washington, a stop was made at the Tucson Country Club, where bentgrass greens were established in October, 1947. The temperature at Tucson was 105° in the shade at noon on June 13. There is a great deal of speculation as to whether the greens will go out during July and August. Fortunately, Tucson has cool nights—the night temperatures are often 30° lower than the midday temperatures. Most of the greens are fairly well drained, and the root systems are good at the pres­ ent time. It is believed that the greens will survive under those conditions. The courtesy shown to our party in all the places visited was much appreciated. TURF FIELD DAYS August 19, 1948........................... Maryland Twelfth Ft. Belvoir Post Engineer School, 9:30-3:30. Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. September 8-9....................... Rhode Island For Greenkeepers, at Kingston, R. I. September 10.........................Rhode Island Second Annual Lawn and Garden Field Day. J. A. DeFrance, Rhode Island State College, Kingston, R. I. September 20-21..................... Pennsylvania H. B. Musser, Pennsylvania State Col­ lege, State College, Pa. September 27...................................Indiana G. O. Mott, Purdue University, Laf­ ayette, Indiana October 15.....................................Maryland Turf Gardens, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Maryland. F. V. Grau, USGA Green Section, Beltsville, Md. 16 USGA Journal: August, 1948 SUMMER TURF TROUBLES Scald During the hot summer months, many greenkeepers will have trouble with “scald” on greens. The basic cause of such trouble is usually poor soil conditions, hence poor drainage and poor aeration. The “trouble season,” during the heat of summer, is not the time to take drastic steps toward the correction of these fundamental faults. The grass must be kept alive until a season when weather conditions are more favorable. Scald usually occurs first in small, local­ ized dry spots. These spots are sometimes caused by lack of thorough mixing of the soil, by uneven surfaces, or by allowing the grass to form so dense a mat that water does not get down into the soil in suf­ ficient quantity. When the soil becomes completely dry, the soil particles resist wetting, and the water is likely to run off instead of soaking into the soil. Deep forking, preferably with a hollow­ tine fork, will allow water to soak into the dry spots. After the soil is “re-wetted,” it will take water in a normal manner. The use of tree sub-irrigators is sometimes ef­ fective in “re-wetting” these dry spots. If the greens are poorly drained or have been kept too wet by rains or over-watering, the turf is likely to be shallow-rooted. Un­ der these conditions, greens often start to wilt during the heat of midday. In this case, the wilting is more general and may first be detected by a marked foot-printing of the greens. The grass becomes bluish- gray in color and will eventually die unless the wilting is checked. There is seemingly a paradox in this case, because the soil is saturated with water and yet the grass wilts because of drought. The shallow-rooted turf dries out in the surface half-inch and wilts even though water may be standing m the cups. Frequent light syringing to moisten this surface layer will cool the grass and pre­ vent it from dying. As the excess water in the soil moves out, the roots will start going deeper. Forking aids aeration and may help to get the roots down more rapidly. When grass is weakened by wilting and the roots are shallow, no heroic efforts should be made to force it into growth. Topdressing and fertilizing should be avoided until the grass begins to recover. The thinning out of grass on greens al­ lows invasion of clover and many other weeds that seem to spring up overnight. One might be tempted to apply an herbicide, but the grass is very likely to die completely if treated with an herbicide while it is in such a weakened condition. Algae The first indication of algae in putting greens is a thinning of the grass and the appearance of a greenish or brownish-black scum on the surface of the soil. If the condition is allowed to develop, the grass will sicken and die completely and the algae will cover the area with a thick scum which, when wet, is slippery. When dry, it will crack and flake. Algae is a green plant which grows only in the presence of abundant moisture. On SUGGESTED READING The Connecticut Agricultural Experi­ ment Station has just published a bulletin entitled Control of the Japanese Beetle. It is Circular 166 and was published in May, 1948. Chemicals, Humus and the Soil, by Don­ ald P. Hopkins, is a book in which the con­ troversial matter of the value of chemical fertilizers versus the value of compost is discussed quite thoroughly. The two major divisions of the book are composed of “The Case for Fertilizers” and “The Case Against Fertilizers.” The book may be obtained from Chemical Publishing Com­ pany, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y. - USGA Journal: August, 1948 17 Result of Poor Drainage and Aeration Spots such as this commonly are called “scald.” Actually, it is a dry spot. The dead turf in the light area is matted, and water does not penetrate into the soil. The turf may be saturated on top while the soil one inch below the surface is bone-dry. Fre­ quently, algae will develop in these areas. USGA Green Section Photo putting greens, it is troublesome only under conditions of heavy clay soils, usually bad­ ly compacted, where water is unable to CONFERENCE DATES January 13-14, 1949..................... Maryland Mid-Atlantic Association of Green­ keepers, at Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, Md. Ernest N. Cory, University of Mary­ land, College Park, Md. February 21-24....................... Pennsylvania H. B. Musser, Pennsylvania State Col­ lege, State College, Pa. March 7-9.........................................Indiana G. O. Mott, Purdue University, Lafa­ yette, Ind. penetrate and percolate. In other words, drainage and aeration are poor. The algae is able to thrive because the conditions have been unfavorable to the growth of good turf. When algae is observed, steps such as the following should be taken at once to correct the conditions: 1. Dust the areas with hydrated lime at the rate of 2 to 3 pounds to 1,000 square feet. Hydrated lime quickly raises the pH of the soil and checks further growth of the algae. 2. Tine-fork the affected areas deeply to admit air into the soil and to break the smothering scum. 3. Apply minimum quantities of water to discourage algae and to allow the drowned grass roots to renew growth. (Continued on page 18) 18 USGA Journal: August, 1948 CONTRIBUTIONS TO TURF RESEARCH WORK DURING 1948 Augusta National Golf Club (Masters Tournament)...................... $1,000.00 Augusta Women’s Golf Association................................................. 10.00 Carolina Golf Association.................................................................... 50.00 Clapper, O. O. (The John Samuel Clapper Memorial Grant).......... 500.00 Florida State Golf Association........................................................... 150.00 Forest Park Cemetery....................................................................... 100.00 New England Golf Association for: Connecticut State Golf Association.. .............. $300.00 Maine State Golf Association......................................... 100.00 Massachusetts Golf Association..................................... 300.00 New Hampshire Golf Association.................................... 100.00 Rhode Island Golf Association....................................... 300.00 Vermont State Golf Association................................... 100.00 1,200.00 St. Louis District Golf Clubs............................................................. 400.00 Southern Golf Association for: Alabama Golf Association............................................. $100.00 Athens Country Club...................................................... 50.00 Greenwood Country Club............................................... 25.00 Nashville District Golf Association... ............................ 100.00 Savannah Golf Club........................................................ 25.00 Sea Island Company...................................................... 100.00 South Carolina Golf Association................................... 25.00 Southeastern Section of PGA....................................... 200.00 625.00 Southern Turf Association.................................................................. 100.00 USGA Green Section (through “Education Fund”) to: Florida Agricultural Experiment Station............... $300.00 Michigan State College................................................. 375.00 Pennsylvania State College.......................................1 5003)0 Rhode Island State College............................................ 300.00 2 475.00 $6,610.00 Thus far during the fiscal year 1948 the Green Section has sent to cooperating experiment stations checks to the amount of $10,660.00. This sum represents some contributions received from contributing organizations in 1947 but has not been drawn until this year. The con­ tributed amount was allocated to the following cooperating organizations: Florida Agricultural Experiment Station.................... $ 300.00 3 235 00 Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station.......... Michigan State College....................................... 1 125 00 Oklahoma A. & M. College..........................................’ ’ 2 500 00 Pennsylvania State College.............................. . . \’ ’ ’ ’ ’ 1 500 00 Rhode Island State College.......................................... 2,000.00 $10,660.00 Summer Turf Troubles (Continued from page 17) It is known that algae (clover and crab­ grass, also) frequently develops in areas where the grass has been weakened by brown patch, dollarspot, snowmold and other diseases. Insects, too, can weaken grass and predispose it to algae growth. In the long-term program, it is well to remember that algae has not been known to damage healthy, dense turf which has been grown on sandy soil of open, porous texture in which drainage and aeration are good. Where algae is known to recur year after year, it may be well to plan a program to recondition the soil during the cool seasons. This suggested program applies to Ber­ muda greens and to bent greens wherever they are grown in the United States. USGA Journal: August, 1948 19 Impressions: The Curtis Cup Trip By MRS. EDWIN H. VARE JR. Captain, 1948 USGA Curtis Cup Team The good send-off luncheon given by the USGA. . . . Frannie Stebbins’ won­ derful job as Chairman, and Willie Tur- nesa’s speech telling us of his British golf­ ing experiences. . . . The four-leaf-clover charms which Frannie Stebbins gave us, worn with our USGA Curtis Cup pins. Crowds on the Mauretania to see us off. . . . The three rough days that put some below decks. . . . Cobh Harbor looking mighty green in the early morning, and the fog shielding Cherbourg and Southampton. Tea in the train to London and our first glimpse of the countryside, full of pheas­ ants. The chimney pots and Big Ben. . . . Welcomed at Waterloo by Doris Chambers, Enid Wilson and Mrs. Wallace—William­ son. . . . Our first attack of baggage. . . . Pleasant quarters at the Lady Golfers Club, flowers, messages and dinner. . . . Two rushed but exciting days seeing Lon­ don, meeting people, ridding ourselves of sea legs, and getting acquainted. ... A good day arranged by Doris Chambers at Roehampton, and more pleasant games at Berkshire with the Critchleys. . . . Mad dashes to make the theatres’ seven o’clock curtain. . . . Supper afterwards with Dorothy Pearson at Crockfords. . . . Din­ ner with Roger Wethered, Joyce and her husband. . . . Jean Hopkins and Peggy Kirk trying to decide about going to Paris. . . . Arrival at our real destination, South­ port and Birkdale, with the Union Jack flying in front of the Prince of Wales hotel and at the Club. . . . The golf course looking strange to us with the huge sand dunes, continuous undulating fairways, no trees, and burned so badly. Estelle Page spending every spare mo­ ment writing letters. . . . Grace Lenczyk singing. . . . Enid Wilson and Dot Kirby snap-happy, taking pictures by the score. The Big Day, with everyone keyed to a terrific pitch. . . . Luncheon away from the crowd with our table decorated with balloons and American flags. . . . Our two Mrs. Vare victories in the foursomes to put us in a comfortable position. . . . Singles day, with a complete reversal of weather, high wind and unbelievable cold. .. . Fine finishes by all and especially Louise Suggs’ last two holes. . . . Peggy Kirk ar­ riving from Switzerland just as the matches ended. . . . Elaborate and formal luncheon by the L.G.U. afterward, and Southport’s Lord Mayor and major-domo bedecked with medals. . . . Speeches and toasts. . . . Doris Chambers’ fine sportsmanship. . . . Dinner at the hotel, and our cup filled with bubbly liquid by an English friend, and more toasts by the assembled multitude. . . . The friendliness and marvelous hospitality by everyone at Birkdale. . . . A brief trip to Scotland. Snow-capped peaks surrounding Gleneagles, and a game at St. Andrews, with a privileged visit into the Royal and Ancient Club. Return through the beautiful English lake country to St. Anne’s to prepare for the Championship. . . .Two matches a day for four days, and Louise Suggs’ splendid win from Jean Donald of Scotland on the 36th hole in the final. . . . Statue of Liberty lighted to greet us. . . . Home! 20 USGA Journal: August, 1948 The Memphis Country Club The scene of the 48th USGA Amateur Championship starting late this month. If you liked goff, and if the only course in your part of the State were “a sorry makeshift of nine short holes contained wholly within a race track,” you might do something about it. Six citizens of Memphis did. Out of such a healthy dissatisfaction, they brought forth the idea which produced the Mem­ phis Country Club in 1905. Now, late this month, the Club will entertain the 48th USGA Amateur Championship in its first visit to the Deep South. The Club’s early history is interesting but not entirely serene. One November afternoon in 1910, when the Club was only five years old, the handsome old Geraldus Buntyn mansion which served as the club­ house burned to the ground. Fortunately, the Club numbered among its members Charles O. Pfiel, who later was to serve as president of the Western Golf Association and a Vice-President of the USGA. He was an architect with many ideas for the features that should be in­ corporated into a clubhouse, and the pres­ ent building, shown above, is a monument to his memory. The Club’s original 18-hole course was replaced by a new championship test de­ signed by the -late Donald J. Ross. These improvements, in combination, equipped the Memphis Country Club to entertain the Southern Amateur, Women’s Southern, Western Amateur, Women’s Western Ama­ teur, Western Open and USGA Women’s Amateur Championships. Chick Evans, Jack Westland, Miss Alexa Stirling (now Mrs. W. G. Fraser), Miss Louise Suggs and Johnny McDermott all won sectional titles on the Memphis green. Mrs. Julius A. Page, Jr., in 1937 won the USGA Women’s Championship there. On the next-to-last day of this month at Memphis, Robert H. (Skee) Riegel will start defense of the Amateur Champion­ ship he won a year ago at Pebble Beach. The tournament will be entirely at match play, with 210 contestants eligible after sectional qualifying rounds at 34 points. George Treadwell was a player in last year’s Amateur. This time he is General Chairman of the Memphis Country Club’s committees. Mr. Treadwell was President of the Club three years, four times Club Champion, has been president of the Ten­ nessee and the Memphis Golf Associations. Edward P. Russell, Club President, has appointed the following committee chair­ men: Hugh Francis, grounds and caddies; Thomas J. White, gallery; Dave C. Gaut, scoring; Percy Parker, admission and reg­ istration; Frank C. Pidgeon, entertain­ ment ; M illiam H. Terry, house and pub­ licity; Van Court Pritchard, clubhouse admission; Edward H. Sanders, program; Louis Schutt, transportation and parking; Joseph E. Davis, finance; Roy D. Moore, accommodation and interclub relations. USGA Journal: August, 1948 21 HANDICAPPING THE UNHANDICAPPED The USGA Golf Handicap System re­ mains the approved method for determin­ ing basic handicaps but, like every other system, it will not solve some of the un­ usual problems which face handicappers. One of the most difficult problems is that of determining fair allowances for con­ vention and resort tournaments which at­ tract novice and occasional players. Ob­ viously, the man who never plays except during his two-weeks vacation at Sloping Valley, or at the annual trade tournament at Flat Hill, is entitled to a fair shake in the competition for net prizes. The standard way of solving such a mat­ ter usually has been to conduct a kickers’ tournament, in which each player selects his own handicap and then shoots at a score which has been drawn blind. Another method of handicapping which would seem to fit the same role is the Calloway System of Automatic Handicap­ ping. Under this method, a player’s handicap is determined, after each round, by his gross score for the 18 holes and by the worst, or highest, individual hole scores he has made. For instance, if his gross score was 107, he turns to the accompanying table and opposite that score’ finds that he may deduct the total of his four worst, or high­ est, individual hole scores. Thus, if he had scored one 9, two 7s and several 6s, he could deduct 29 strokes, giving himself a net score of 78. The USGA has had no experience with this system but it is an interesting idea which handicappers and tournament com­ mittee chairman may find useful. We know of no way in which it could be adapted for match play tournaments, and it is in no way a substitute for the USGA Golf Handicap System. The Calloway System Automatic Handi­ cap deductions follow: Class A Deduct Score Par or less................Scratch One over par to 75__ Yi Worst hole to 80......................Worst hole 76 to 85......................Worst hole plus % next 81 86 to 90......................Two worst holes to 95......................Two worst holes plus Yi next 91 96 to 100................... Three worst holes Class B 101 to 105................Three worst holes plus % next 106 111 116 121 to 110............... Four worst holes to 115............... Four worst holes plus J4 next to 120............... Five worst holes to 125............... Five worst holes plus Yz next Class C to 130............... Six worst holes 126 to 135............... Six worst holes plus Yz next 131 to 140............... Seven worst holes 136 to 145............... Seven worst holes plus J4 next 141 to 150............... Eight worst holes 146 Note: Worst hole equals highest hole score. Junior Championship (Continued from page 8) The competitive phases of the Cham­ pionship will be conducted with as much care as any other USGA event. The boy who wins will receive a hand­ some trophy bowl—a reproduction in Ster­ ling of an original owned by the Philadel­ phia Museum of Art. The original was made in 1796 by Samuel Williamson, a well-known Philadelphia silversmith. It is similar to the Sheraton style, made in Eng­ land at the same time, but the beaded borders and square base are typical of Phil­ adelphia silver work in that period. A dup­ licate is aboard the cruiser U.S.S. Philadel­ phia. The 15-inch bowl is a permanent trophy, to be held by the champion for one year. A 6-inch replica, also in Sterling, will be awarded to the winner for permanent pos­ session. The winner must play through seven 18-hole matches in the all - match - play Championship at Ann Arbor—one round on August 11 and two rounds on each of the three ensuing days, with the semi-finals and final being played Saturday, August 14. There were 496 entries for the sec­ tional qualifying rounds. The USGA would be pleased to receive invitations from Member Clubs and educa­ tional institutions to entertain the Junior Amateur Championship in 1949 and 1950. Dormitory facilities for 128 boys are desir­ able, though not essential. 22 USGA Journal: August, 1948 THE REFEREE Decisions by the USGA Rules of Golf Committee Example of symbols: “No. 48-1” means the first Decision issued in 1948. “R. 14(3)” means Section (3) of Rule 14 in the 1948 Rules of Golf. Flagstick: Attending and Removing No. 48-47. R. 7(7) Q: As a Scotsman brought up in the tradition that golf is a gentleman’s game, I am a little grieved by an idea that seems to prevail that a player has the right to “guard” or “protect” the flagstick when his opponent is making an approach shot, even over his op­ ponent’s protest that he leave the flagstick in the hole and move away. I have even heard it stated that the USGA has ruled that a player has this right. I find this difficult to believe, as I can find nothing in the Rules of Golf to justify it. If no such ruling has been made, I should like to suggest this addition to Rule 7(5) (Flagstick-1947 rule book) : “A player making a stroke has the right to determine whether the flagstick shall be at­ tended, regardless of the distance from the hole.” Joseph Farmer Los Angeles, Cal. A: Rule 7(7) governs. As the Rules have long provided, the flagstick may be re­ moved by either side at any time; if this were not so, the player might have the ad­ vantage of striking an unattended*flagstick, and the Rule gives the opponent the right to obviate that possibility. The player then may have the position of the hole indicated to him in the manner stated in the Rule. If the flagstick is not removed, the player has the right to send his own caddie to at­ tend it while he plays his stroke. In such case, the opponent may not “guard” it, as your question intimates. Your suggestion is appreciated. It happens, however, that Rule 7(5) of the 1947 code has been amended, and present Rule 7(7) is the result of much consideration. No. 48-73 Et. (1, 3); R. 7(7) Q: Regarding Rule 7(7), assume that a player is shooting from 100 feet from the flag. His opponent removes the flagstick. May the person shooting insist that, after remov­ ing the flagstick, he leave the green? ' B. M. Temple Houston, Texas A: Not necessarily. The opponent’s conduct should be governed by the Etiquette of the Game, especially sections 1 and 3. Changing Pairings in Stroke Play No. 48-48. R. 1 (2b), 20(1) Q. 2: A and B are paired for the qual­ ifying rounds. Between rounds 1 and 2 it becomes obvious that separating A and B would assure final scores of both players that could be more indicative of each man’s ability instead of too much good-fellowship. On such cases, I would uphold the committee for breaking such an unfair combination for the second round. Such authority has been ques­ tioned. Edward L. Scanlon Pittsburgh, Pa. A. 2: Your contention is correct. Players shall start at the times and in the order arranged by the committee—see Rule 20(1)—-and in stroke play a committee may, at its discretion, change its own ruling at any time—see Rule 1 (2b). The rule of equity is paramount. Ball Moved: Definition No. 48-61. R. 12(def.) Q. 1: A player while addressing his ball on the fairway inadvertently causes it to move out of its original position but it os­ cillated back into its original lie. Does this movement cause the player to count a stroke, or is a penalty incurred only when the moved ball does not return to its original lie? This often occurs when a club is soled behind a ball on a heavy fairway. Harry Winters Inglewood, Cal. A. 1: Under Rule 12, Definition, a ball is deemed to have moved if it leaves its position and comes to u st in any other place. In the case described, the ball has not moved within the meaning of the Rule, and there is no penalty. USGA Journal: August, 1948 23 Lifting Ball Without Authority; Cleaning Ball No. 48-69. R. 10(4), 11(3, 3a, 3c), 14(3), 16; LR Q. 1: Medal Play—Player away on the green asks the other players to lift and mark balls. Per the rules, this is permissible pro­ viding that balls interfere with player. There is no definite statement that restricts the in­ terference to the line of putt, so any ball on the green could be included in a request to lift and mark. The other players lift and mark balls and, because the rules do not say just how a ball is to be held, the players take advantage of that and manage to remove most of the dirt adhering to the ball. They do not clean ball—just manage to get the worst of the dirt off. This procedure continues for the round, thus allowing three men of the four to get rid of most of the dirt. I realize they are evading the rule of honor, etc., but they claim they are staying within the rules as written. Where is the rule at fault or the interpretation as given above? A. 1: Rule 11(3) and (3a) specifically restrict the purposes for which a ball may be lifted in the circumstances. Further, they give the ball’s owner the option of playing first rather than lifting. If a ball be lifted when not authorized by the Rules, the player violates Rule 11 (3c) and is penalized two strokes. In lifting a ball, it is a responsibility of the player to do so in such a manner as will in­ sure that dirt is not removed and the ball not even partially cleaned. A player who fails to use every reasonable care is liable to penalty of two strokes—see Rules 10(4) and 14(3). Ball Embedded, Local Rule Q. 2: Casual water rule specifies a tem­ porary accumulation of water but does not say anything about mud or soft fairways resulting from heavy rains. No water is visible but the ball buries. Am I right in saying that the casual water rule applies in any case where a ball buries itself partly—where under or­ dinary conditions the ball might be expected to bounce or roll? Could this rule be made more specific by a local rule to avoid argu­ ment and unfairness? Can a local rule be suggested, or does the rule book cover? A. 2: Rule 16 gives relief only from casual water as defined in that Rule. It does not give relief in the case of an embedded ball when there is no casual water. If relief is desired, local rules are necessary, and the following are suggested for particular days when conditions justify: “On a surface especially prepared for putt­ ing, a ball which by force of impact remains embedded in its own pitmark may be lifted without penalty, cleaned, and placed as near as possible to the place from which it was lifted but not nearer the hole. “ ‘Through the green,’ a ball which by force of impact remains embedded in its own pit­ mark may be lifted without penalty, cleaned, and dropped as near as possible to the place where it lay and must come to rest not nearer to the hole. See Rule 10(5). A ball may not be cleaned ‘through the green’ unless so em­ bedded." Questions by W. F. Bebout East Akron, Ohio Yardage Markers No. 48-70. Misc. Q: Many courses have yardage markers in the form of small evergreens, marking 150 or 200 yards down the fairways, or marking a certain yardage to the green. Other courses have signs indicating yardage. What is your opinion of this, as far as influencing a player in determining his play? Mrs. Lawrence J. O’Toole Chicago, III. A: The Rules of Golf do not prohibit such markers. Ties in Handicap Tournaments No. 48-49. R. 3(2) Q: Is there a USGA rule covering cases of low net ties in 54-hole medal handicap tournaments ? We have been advised that it is not cus­ tomary to play off ties of-this type, but that both (or more) names should be placed on the trophy. In the case of another medal handi­ cap trophy (which may be owned if won three times)—a one-day affair, 18 holes, low net—we require another 18-hole replay. In the 54-hole events there seems no necessity to establish a winner. The consensus is against a three-day replay. Many players feel that any play-off of less than 54 holes would be unfair. Mrs. A. J. Whitmire Ypsilanti, Mich. A: Rule 3(2) provides that, in stroke competition, a tie or ties shall be decided as and when the committee may determine. It is customary and proper to play off ties. The play-off need not be at 54 holes; it could be at 18. How ties are to be decided should, of course, be determined before the tournament. 24 USGA Journal: August, 1948 Order of Play No. 48-50. R. 6(1) Q: While playing a par 3 hole, the question arose as to who should play the next shot. The tee shot of player A landed in a sand trap, just short of the green. Player B was on the green about 25 feet from the hole. Player A failed to get out of the sand trap on his second shot, the ball remaining in the sand trap; however, since the ball was then closer to the hole, Player A contended that inasmuch as Player B was farther away, he was required to take his second stroke. John J. O’Neill Forest Hills, N. Y. A: The ball farther from the hole shall be played first. See Rule 6(1). Eligibility for Consolation After Default No. 48-51. Tourn. Q: A lady was 5 down after the first five holes when a rain came up. She de­ faulted the match, which was in the first round. Would she be eligible to play in the consolation flight or would she be disquali­ fied from playing any further? If she had never played and defaulted, would she be eligible to play in the consolation flight? Leonard Ott Coral Gables, Fla. A: As the Rules of Golf do not apply, the matter rests with the local committee. In the first case, it is recommended that the player be allowed to compete in the con­ solation flight. In the second case, we consider that the player eliminated herself from further com­ petition. Unusual Caddies No. 48-52. Tourn. Q: Can a lady golfer competing in a tournament have a professional who teaches golf caddie for her. Can a lady golfer have her husband caddie for her in a tournament? Paul Scott Los Angeles, Cal. A: Yes, in each case, unless there is a tournament rule to the contrary. In USGA Championships only caddies attached to the entertaining clubs are allowed to serve. No Time Limit for Disqualification in Stroke Play No. 48-53. R. 1(2, 2b), 21(3) Q: In playing a four-day medal tourna­ ment two of the players (on the first day) after holing out on No. 1 green stopped and practiced putting on the 17th green in viola­ tion of Rule 20(5). The violation was not brought to the at­ tention of the offending players (although it was known by the chairman and several of the players), but their signed cards were ac­ cepted and entered on the books and day prizes awarded. It was not until five o’clock of that day, after everything had been com­ pleted and the players had returned home, that they were told they stood in violation of Rule 20(5) and they faced disqualification. It was submitted to the Rules Committee and it was voted 2 to 1 that the players be disqualified. I contend that, inasmuch as the cards had been accepted and day prizes awarded, it was too late for disqualification. I urged the Club in the name of sportsmanship and fair play at least to allow them to continue in the tournament and the outcome to be decided upon after we secured a ruling from the USGA. This also was voted down. Who is right ? Mrs. Ida D. Blake Alhambra, Cal. A: The players violated Rule 21(3) of the 1948 Rules of Golf. The committee was right in disqualifying them. The commit­ tee’s decision is final—see Rule 1(2). In stroke play a committee may, at its discretion, change its own ruling at any time—see Rule 1 (2b) ; there is no time limit for withdraw­ ing a prize previously awarded. ! Champion’s Place in Draw No. 48-55. Tourn. Q. 1: In a championship tournament where the defending champion is not required to qualify, does she automatically merit the first place in the numerical draw; or does the first place go to the medalist of the day, with the second place going to the defending champion? Mrs. Howard Buttress San Marino, Cal. A. 1: There is no pertinent Rule. The matter is up to the committee in charge, which should announce its decision in ad­ vance. In a USGA match play Championship with a qualifying competition as part of the Championship proper, the last previous win­ ner is not exempt from qualifying, as the event is a test of current ability. USGA Journal: August, 1948 25 IT’S YOUR HONOR Three Cheers for Luck, Good and Bad To the USGA: *‘It is impossible to eliminate all ele­ ments of chance from the game.” I quote this most thought-provoking statement from page 25 of the June issue of your Journal. Will you allow a duffer (who has strug­ gled with golf for half a century on both sides of the Atlantic for about equal periods) to remark that herein would seem to lie most or all of the desire to modifv certain Rules. Some of us think it is highly undesirable to try to eliminate any of the luck element incorporated in this ancient and honorable game played on a surface exposed to the elements and to the damage of man and animals, beyond playing it on a well-kept course perfected a great deal beyond the seaside stretches on which the game started. The view of this school of thought is that all of the most popular games and sports which come readily to mind con­ tain a large element of luck with the un­ derlying theory that in the long pull good and bad luck tend to balance. Chess may be presumed as a game with no luck ele­ ment, but it is certainly not as popular as contract bridge, poker, or gin rummy with their large luck factors which often pre­ vent the victory of players with the greater skill. And one of our most popu­ lar sports, baseball, appears to have a considerable and most fascinating ele­ ment of luck. There are apparently two irreconcilable schools of golf thought, pro-luck and anti­ luck groups. The finest golf players ap­ pear to have as an ideal the reduction of the luck element to a minimum (say as in the best billiards) so that they can get low strnke-scores. But it is suggested that perhaps 80 to 90% of golfers would get far more fun if they played hole-by-hole, or match play, in which the Rules recognized the desir­ ability of a large and delightful element of luck in deciding the outcome. Golf has often been likened to life it­ self where one must take the good luck and the bad with a smile. The original or Scottish concention of the ancient game is that if one’s ball hap­ pens to rest in a divot hole, the good player has a club and a shot which should allow a good recovery. But if that difficult shot does not always turn out to be just as good as it might have been from a perfect fairway lie, so what? Further, one must not forget that mud is not always sticking to one’s own ball. And that an unrepaired heel mark in a sand trap will always be a bad lie until perchance the Rules are further “sissified” and we are deprived of that unholy glow which permeates certain wicked golfers when, in a tight match, they see their competitor’s ball so placed. So here are three rousing cheers for good and bad luck and lots of both. Austin Y. Hoy Southport, Conn. Ben Hogan’s Open Record To the USGA: I had a wonderful time watching the Open Championship at Riviera in June and was really pleased when Ben Hogan set a new Championship record of 276— one stroke more than his winning score in the Los Angeles Open last winter on the same course. In the Championship, cleaning the ball on the green was not permitted, the 14- club limit was observed, and the course was more exacting than for the Los Angeles Open. Ben’s score indicates to me that the desire to clean the ball and the number of clubs used are not important to low scoring by a real golfer. H. F. Russell Salt Lake City, Utah Easier Reading To the USGA: I think the improvement in the new Rules of Golf is remarkable, and the plac­ ing of the rule number on each page is a great help. I used to feel I was in an open sea when I had to go through five pages of Rule 7 and without knowing whether to look forward or backward. Mrs. J. E. Neff South Bend, Ind. Editor’s Note: The USGA Journal invites com­ ments on matters relating to the welfare of the game and will publish them as space permits.