USGA JOURNAL COMBINING TIMELY TURF TOPICS Better Turf Means Better Golf Prof. H. B. Musser of the Pennsylvania Experiment Station operates a point quadrat to determine percentage composition of the grass species in mixed turf. Photo By F- V. Grau USGA JOURNAL COMBINING 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. I, NO. 7 WINTER, 1949 Through the Green.................................................................... 1 State of the USGA: Joseph C. Dey, Jr.................................. 4 Three Times And??: Raymond E. Billows......................... 7 The Case for the Stymie: J. Victor East............................. 8 Are Our Courses Right for Women?: Miss Margaret Curtis......................................... 10 Timely Turf Topics: USGA Green Section......................... 12 Toward Uniform Handicapping: William O. Blaney........ 18 The Referee: Decisions by the Rules of Golf Committee. 21 Annual Index to USGA Journal, Volume 1......................... 23 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: UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION 73 East 57th Street, New York 22, N. Y. Correspondence pertaining to Green Section matters should be addressed to: USGA GREEN SECTION Room 307, South Building Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. Edited by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. and John P. English. Advisory Committee—John D. Ames, Chairman; Isaac B. Grainger, Curtis W. McGraw, James I). Standish, Jr. All articles are voluntarily contributed. PRINTED IN U.S.A. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1949 Walker Cup Match: August 19 and 20, at Winged Foot G. C., Mamaroneck, N. Y. Men’s amateur teams, British Isles vs. United States. (Dates entries close in the schedule below mean the last dates for applications to reach the USGA office, except in the case of the Amateur Public Links Championship. For possible exceptions in dates of Sectional Qualifying Rounds, see entry application forms.) Championship Open Entries Close May 16 Sectional Qualifying Rounds May 31 Championship Dates June 9-10-11 Penne Medinah C. C. (No. 3) Medina!), Ill. Rancho G. C. Amateur Public Links *Jtine 9 Junior Amateur Los Angeles, Cal. Congressional C. C. Washington, D. C. Oak Hill C. C. (East) Pittsford, N. Y. Girls’ Junior —- Dates Undetermined------------ Philadelphia, Pa. Aug. 29-Sept. 3 Aug. 16 Amateur Aug. 1 July 5 **Jt,ne 19 to 25 July 19 Team: July 9 Indiv.: July 11-16 July 27-30 Women’s Amateur .Aug. 12 Aug. 30-31 Sept. 12-17 * Entries close with Sectional Qualifying Chairmen. *’ Exact date in each Section to be fixed by Sectional Qualifying Chairmen, t Tentative. INVITATIONS FOR 1951 CHAMPIONSHIPS from USGA regular member clubs are cordially invited. Club Undetermined Merion G. C. (East) Ardmore, Pa. USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 1 THROUGH THE GREEN High Finance, or Entry Fee Changeth For 53 years Rip van Entry Fee lived in a world apart, un­ sullied by sordid commercial necessities. He was $5 when the USGA Championships were created in 1895—$5 each for the Amateur, the Open, and the Women’s Amateur— and he was still $5 for them last year. You can’t quite say that Entry Fee lived through the two world wars, because the USGA abandoned all Cham­ pionships both times, but he surely wasn’t changed by them. His has been a life of tranquility, simplicity, monotony—just $5, all the time. Monotony. Until now. Starting with this year’s Open. Entry Fee will be $7 for the USGA’s three oldest events. “This must prove,” says our peripatetic philosopher, Air. McCackletackle, “that in­ flation is on the way. Or has it arrived?” “It proves more than that,” says Mr. Daniel A. Freeman, Jr., USGA Treasurer. “It proves we had to do something after sustaining deficits of $14,704 in 1948 and $9,400 in 1947.” Contrary to popular impression, the USGA isn’t rolling in wealth—it couldn’t even operate if - it had to pay its officers and committeemen, all of whom serve for the fun of it, without remuneration, and defray their own expenses to championships and meetings. But that’s another story. The real story is that Rip van Entry Fee has changed. High time. Walker Cup Captains Left-handed golfers of real prominence are rare. One of them is Percy B. (Laddie) Lucas. He has been appointed Captain of the British Isles Walker Cup Team which the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews will send here for a match with a USGA Team, August 19-20, at the Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck. N. Y. Lucas, who served with distinction in the last war, played in the 1947 Match at St. Andrews. Tn foursomes he paired with Leonard Crawley to defeat Marvin H. Ward and Smiley Quick. In singles he lost to Richard D. Chapman. The last time a British side came to the United States was in 1936. Lucas was a reserve on that team in the Match at Pine Valley. Francis D. Ouimet, of Boston, is again Captain of the USGA Team. He has been either a player or captain in every Walker Cup Match since the series was started ill 1922, and is the only person who has so served for either side. The USGA Team will consist of nine players in addition to the Captain. Person­ nel will be selected and announced late in the spring. 2 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 Uncensored John W. Dawson writes from sunny southern California: “It was the strangest sight I have ever seen to stand on the first tee at Riviera, during the Los Angeles Open, and to see the first fairway covered with snow. Some of us early starters had a little rough time for the first several holes. “We have been assured of a mild winter from now on. That will make us happy because you have no idea the kidding we have been receiving from all over the country. The only answer we have is that it happens about once every 25 years, so now we are all set for a long time.” Chicago Teamwork and the Open Some grand cooperation is being given with respect to the USGA Open Cham­ pionship to be played in June at the Medi- nah Country Club near Chicago. Frank M. Whiston, President of the Chicago District Golf Association, advises that the CDGA is “dispensing with our Victory National Tournament this year to devote all our efforts to the success of your tournament, and we hope you will call on us for anything we may be able to do.” To implement this generous idea, Mr. Whiston has appointed a special committee under the chairmanship of Fred Slyder. Teamwork of this sort is typical of golf associations today. Wounded Veterans Need Clubs Don’t throw away those old golf clubs. There are many hospitalized war veterans who could use them. Here is a recent appeal from Dr. N. Howard Hyman, of New York. National Hospitalization Officer of the Jewish War Veterans: “There are about 2,000 patients at the Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenix­ ville, Pa. Some of them are the war’s worst casualties. “The hospital authorities are doing all that is humanly possible to keep up the morale of these patients. They have built a nine-hole golf course on the grounds which is proving to be a source of enjoy­ ment. However, there is a shortage of golf clubs and balls. This handicap creates a waiting line for, at times, as long as two hours. “There must be hundreds of unused clubs lying around in lockers which could be made available to the boys in Valley Forge. Will you please spread this in­ formation to your membership? “The clubs may be sent directly to the hospital in care of Maj. Chesley M. Adams, Special Service Officer, or to me at 295 Central Park West, New York, N. Y.” 1949 USGA Executive Committee The following officers and Executive Committee were elected at the 55th An­ nual Meeting to serve the USGA in 1949: President Fielding Wallace, Augusta, Ga. Vice-President Totton P. Heffelfinger, Minneapolis Vice-President James D. Standish, Jr., Detroit Secretary Isaac B. Grainger, New York Treasurer Daniel A. Freeman, Jr., New York Executive Committee The aboz’c officers and John D. Ames. Chicago C. Pardee Erdman, Pasadena, Cal. Charles B. Grace, Philadelphia William C. Hunt, Houston, Texas Charles L. Peirson, Boston Richard S. Tufts, Pinehurst, N. C. Corydon Wagner, Tacoma, Wash. James W. Walker, New York General Counsel James H. Douglas. Jr.. Chicago USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 Museum Acquisitions The golf ball used by William P. Turnesa at the end of his victory for the 1948 Amateur Championship has found a final home in the USGA Golf Museum after an interesting experience. Air. Turnesa gave the ball to the Mem­ phis Country Club through George Tread­ well, the Club’s general chairman for the Championship. The Club then auctioned it off for benefit of the Memphis Cancer Fund. Udo Al. Reinach, of New York, obtained it on his bid of $1,000, and he promptly gave it to the Aluseum. Two golf balls of a different sort were acquired recently from Jack Level, of New York. They are wooden ones which were produced in one of the Rhodesias (Africa) during the war when regulation golf balls were not available. At the St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Charles S. Watson dis­ covered one of those rarest of golf balls, a “featherie,” in the possession of Robert Cunningham, the club professional. The ball has a simple, hand-sewed pigskin cover and is stuffed with feathers. Air. Cunning­ ham brought it from Scotland and kindly presented it to the Aluseum at the sugges­ tion of Air. Watson. In her home at W’akefield, R. I., Airs. Russell Sturges found a number of old clubs. From them Ralph Rooks, a member of the Aluseum Committee, selected a Slazenger driver, a “Boodie” midiron with a ridged sole, and a putter with a cylindri­ cal head which can be rotated, as worthy of preservation in the Aluseum. From the effects of the late Elmer A. Eulass, of Chicago, a former Secretary of the Western Golf Association, came five books of clippings, mainly about Chicago and midwestern golf from 1904 to 1916 and continuing through 1944, as well as three clubs. Airs. Sally Eulass and Walter Eulass, widow and brother of the late Air. Eulass, kindly contributed them. William B. Langford, a member of the Museum Committee, was responsible for the Eulass contributions and for the gift by John C. Zalinski, of Chicago, of an Auch- terlonie driver and a left-handed, short- shafted D. Anderson spoon. 3 ‘‘Somebody keeps blinking!” Reprinted by special permission of SPORT Magazine While Dick Chapman was in England last spring for the British Amateur Cham­ pionship, he was given a torpedo-shaped, center-shafted wooden mashie, 50 or more years old. by Raymond Quilter, of Woking, Surrey, for presentation to the USGA Aluseum. The club was found in the attic o f the Woking Gol f Club. Even though the history of such old clubs cannot often be determined, they give an interesting sidelight on man’s quest for precision in the control of a golf ball. The Aluseum Committee hereby records its sincere appreciation. Frank M. Hardt Passes We record with profound regret the pass­ ing of Frank AL Hardt, of Philadelphia. He was a member of the USGA Executive Committee from 1934 through 1943 and Secretary of the Association in all except the first of those years. He formerly was President of the Golf Association of Phil­ adelphia. 4 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 State of the USGA By JOSEPH C. DEY, Jr. USGA Executive Secretary In a locked, glass-lidded cabinet in the USGA office there is a document entitled: "United States Golf Association—Report of the Secretary—1895.” This account of the USGA’s first year of operation, by the late Henry O. Tallmadge, ends on a happy note: “Sufficient to say that the year 1895 has been a great one for the general develop­ ment of the Royal and Ancient Game in America and for the United States Golf Association in particular. “With a handsome balance in our treas­ ury ($612.40), with the most costly set of trophies of any athletic organization in the world (then worth $1,500), and with a membership consisting of the representa­ tive clubs of America, I see no reason why the success of the Association for the past year should not be repeated in 1896.” The first report tells how the Association grew from its charter membership of five clubs to 31 in the first year; today there are nearly 1,300 member clubs. In 1895 there were three Championships, and they attracted a grand total of 56 entrants; for 1949 the Association has scheduled six championships and one international match, with an anticipated total entry exceeding 6,000. The latest Annual Report of the Executive Committee, issued at the 1949 Annual Meeting in New York, reflects con­ cern now, as in the old days, about proper conduct of championships, play by the Rules of Golf, observance of the amateur code, proper handicapping, and, by and large, fair play. The report of the Committee’s steward­ ship for 1948 was accepted unanimously by the delegates to the Annual Meeting, which was the best attended in many years. Thereupon, the Executive Committee set forth on some new trails. The 1949 pro­ gram calls for two major innovations. Plans for 19-19 Competitions Girls’ Junior Championship: This new event is for girls who will not reach their 18th birthday by midnight of the final day. It is tentatively scheduled for late summer in Philadelphia. There will be an 18-hole qualifying round to determine 32 qualifiers. They will then play 18-hole matches throughout. En­ trants must be members of USGA Regular Member Clubs or must enjoy the privileges of such clubs through membership of their families. Entry fee will be $3. A perpetual Championship trophy is being donated by Mrs. Edwin H. Vare, Jr., of Philadelphia, the former Miss Glenna Collett, who was USGA Women’s Amateur Champion six times. She and Mrs. Charles Dennehy, USGA Women’s Committee member from Chicago, have taken unusual interest in instituting this sixth USGA Championship. Women’s Championship: Sectional quali­ fying has been adopted to determine the New Officials of USGA Fabian Bachrach Richards, Tacoma Charles B. Grace Corydon Wagner They were elected to the Executive Com­ mittee at the 1949 Annual Meeting. Mr. Grace, who lives in Philadelphia, has served as President, Secretary and Treas­ urer of the Pennsylvania Golf Association; while at Princeton he was Secretary-Treas­ urer of the Intercollegiate Golf Association of America in 1928. Mr. Wagner resides in Tacoma, Wash., has been a Director of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association, and currently is Chairman of the PNGA Handicap Committee. USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 5 USGA Officers for 1949 At the USGA’s 55th Annual Meeting: left to right: Isaac B. Grainger, New York, Secretary; James D. Standish, Jr., Detroit, Vice-President; Fielding Wallace, Augusta. Ga., President; Totton P. Heffelfinger, Minneapolis, Vice-President; Daniel A. Freeman. Jr., New York, Treasurer. Wide World Photos field for the Women’s Amateur Champion­ ship, and the tournament proper will be entirely at match play. The sectional tests will be held in about 26 districts, at 36 holes stroke play over two days—18 holes on Tuesday, August 30 and 18 holes on Wednesday, August 31. The handicap limit remains 6. Each Sec­ tion will be allotted a fixed number of qual­ ifiers’ places for the Championship proper, based on quantity and calibre of entries. The Championship field will consist of 128 players, all to be determined by the sec­ tional rounds except for former Champions, former British Champions, and the 1948 Canadian Champion, all of whom will be exempt. The 128 players will be drawn for match play from the outset of the Championship at the Merion Golf Club, near Philadelphia, in the week of September 12-17. Polls of women’s sectional associations and players revealed overwhelming prefer­ ence for sectional qualifying. Replies were received from 33 associations: they were unanimous in terming the plan feasible and in their willingness to cooperate. They predicted nearly 400 entrants from their sections; this does not include a few major sections which failed to report. Of players who have competed in the last three USGA Championships, 79 replied; 70 of them con­ sidered the plan feasible and said they would file entry if it were adopted. The Committee Chairman is Miss Fran­ ces E. Stebbins, Boston. Open Championship: It has become ne­ cessary to cut nine places from the usual starting field, reducing it to 162. Slow play by the field in recent years has created a condition which jeopardized the possibil­ ity of completing each day’s play on sched­ ule, especially when there are delays due to inclement weather. Amateur Championship: Both Walker Cup Teams will be exempt from sectional qualifying this year. So will the 1949 Public Links Champion and the Junior Champion. The remaining Public Links semi-finalists will be invited to play in the sectional rounds, as heretofore has been the case with all semi-finalists. Entry Fees: To help avoid deficits such as the USGA sustained in 1947 and 1948, entry fees for the Open, the Amateur and the Women’s Championships have been in­ creased from $5 to $7—the only change since the Championships were started in 1895. The Public Links Championship fee has been increased from $3 to $3.50, of which the USGA will now receive $1 instead of 50 cents; the remaining $2.50 will, as before, be used bv sectional chair­ men to help defray expenses of Champion­ 6 USGA Journal: Winter. 1949 ship qualifiers within limits which the USGA allows for this particular event. There is no change in the Junior Champion­ ship fee of $3. In Retrospect The Executive Committee’s report for 1948 showed USGA membership at an all- time peak of 1,280 clubs, or 126 above the previous record. Net gain in the last three years was 529. Chairman of the Member­ ship Committee is Daniel A. Freeman, Jr. Other noteworthy points in the report in­ cluded : Rules of Golf : Isaac B. Grainger, Chair­ man, said further changes for the purpose of clarity and simplicity would appear in the 1949 Rules. “Fundamentals have changed very little in the long period in which golf has been played. Probably no other game has been given such a complete trial. Therefore, no revisions are con­ templated except those which would encour­ age observance of the Rules in both private and public competition.” Amateur Status and Conduct: Pre­ amble to the entire report stated: “There were some unusual and unfortunate prob­ lems of amateur status. The Association strongly advises players who skate on the thin ice of semi-amateurism to decide whether to be true amateurs or to turn professional and have it over with; if they do not, their disqualification as amateurs by the Association is only a matter of time and concrete evidence.” Edward B. Leisenring, 1948 Chairman, noted a new rule adopted by the Pro­ fessional Golfers’ Association concerning amateurs who want to play for prize money in PGA-sponsored events. The PGA re­ quires such players to apply for permission six months before they are allowed to com­ pete for money. Question then arose as to the status of such players during the six- months waiting period. The USGA, in en­ deavoring to uphold the spirit of ama­ teurism and to cooperate with the PGA, ruled that such players forfeit amateur status immediately when they file applica­ tion to the PGA. This follows logically from the Definition of an Amateur Golfer, which provides: “An amateur golfer is one who plays the game solely as a non-remu- nerative or non-profit-making sport.” Championship: Richard S. Tufts, Chair­ man, pointed to Ben Hogan’s record of 276 in the Open Championship, record entries of 1,411 in the Open and 1,220 in the Ama­ teur, and inauguration of the Junior Ama­ teur. “It is perhaps safe to prophesy that this (Junior) Championship can exert greater influence on the game of golf than any of the Association’s other events.” Implements and Ball: John D. Ames, Chairman, found an “increased number of attempts to short-cut the way to skillful golf by artificial aids,” and pointed out that the Association must continue its efforts to keep the game within its traditional limits of skill. Green Section : Janies D. Standish, Jr., Chairman, said 1948 was one of the most successful years in Green Section history. “It was marked by a steady expansion of research and educational developments, by closer cooperation with groups having com­ mon interests, and by keener interest in our activities. Virtually every part of the United States and every golf club have felt the influence of the Green Section and have benefited from its activities.” Ireasurer: The USGA sustained an oper­ ating loss of $14,704 in 1948 (on top of a deficit of $9,391 in 1947). Daniel A. Free­ man, Jr., Treasurer, pointed out that in­ ternational matches abroad in 1948 for the Curtis Cup and in 1947 for the Walker Cup had cost $7,012 and $15,696, respec­ tively. There is no income when matches are played abroad. He reported a sharp rise in USGA administrative costs. At the end of the 1948 fiscal year the Associa­ tion’s surplus was $59,751. Sectional Affairs: Totton I’. Heffel- finger, Chairman, noted the essential work of his colleagues in helping to build the Association’s membership, launching the USGA Journal, arranging sectional qual­ ifying rounds, making numerous investi­ gations, and general liaison. Public Links: Mr. Heffelfinger, Chair­ man. said the all-match-play form of the 1948 Public Links Championship had proved popular and would be continued. Museum : C. Pardee Erdman. Chairman, detailed a varied and intriguing list of 26 contributions to the USGA Museum and Library. USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 7 Three Times And?? International News Photo 1935—Ray Billows and the 88 flivver he rode to fame in the New York State Amateur. How would it feel to reach the final three times and yet never win the USGA Amateur Championship? The only man who knows from experience is Ray Billozvs. Ray is by nature a sportsman. After last year’s final, a zvell-wisher offered condolence. “IVell, somebody has to lose,” Ray responded, “—but zvhy does it always have to be me?” And he laughed. Belozv is Ray’s explanation of the feelings behind that remark. By RAYMOND E. BILLOWS Runner-up USGA Amateur Championship 1937, 1939, 1948. Member USGA Walker Cup Team 1938. It may seem an undesirable distinction to go down in golf history as a three-times runner-up in the USGA Amateur. How­ ever, I feel that reaching the final in this great sports event has many compensations. I am a family man with a demanding job as a printing salesman, and, because of the limited time I have for golf. I’m well satis­ fied with my golf successes. The game has offered me an opportunity to know many fine people, and through it I was able to make that great trip abroad in 1938 as a member of the Walker Cup team. Keen competition is stimulating and win­ ning matches is exciting. Being a good winner is mighty easy, but it is so important to he a good loser. I guess I’ve had plenty of practice in the latter, but I will say that, though I’ve lost the Amateur three times, I’ve won countless friends with each loss. I love golf, and to win the Amateur is a dream I certainly would like to fulfill, have played in it since 1934. Luck plays a small role in the matches, but for the most part the ability to concentrate under pres­ sure is a player’s greatest asset. Golf is in my blood, and as long as I can qualify I shall be among the many trying each year for the Championship. Three times and ? ? —what does the future hold for Ray Billows in golf? Whatever is in store. I consider myself fortunate to have had fourteen rewarding years from golf. 8 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 The Case for the Stymie J. Victor East has had an unusually diversified career in golf. Robert T. Jones, Jr., has said of hint: “It is my opinion that Mr. East possesses knowledge and experience in the game second to no one. lie has been a capable tournament player, a keen student of the technique of playing, and an outstanding model maker and designer of golf clubs.’’ Mr. East began his golf career as profcssional to the Royal Sydney and the Royal Mel­ bourne Golf Clubs in Australia, came .to the United States with Joe Kirkwood, entered the field of club designing zvith distinguished success, and now is Export Manager for the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. By J. VICTOR EAST • Mr. Richard D. Chapman’s hard-luck story “Freak of Fortune” in the Septem­ ber, 1948 issue of the USGA Journal was read with interest. Holding a different viewpoint, I would say any modification of the stymie rule such as he advances would, in my opinion, rob the game of some part of its skill, which skill serves to differentiate between the real champion and the not-so-great player. To support my contention, one has to go back to basic principles and draw attention to the fact that the primary skill in golf springs from having to get the ball into a 4,’4-inch hole, and that for the most part the ball is propelled through the air. Fundamental Difference This getting of the ball off the ground is the fundamental difference between golf and other ball games in that due provision for lofting the ball is found in the imple­ ments. Not only are the clubs shaped to get the ball up but the resilience of the ball itself and its surface markings have been designed with special regard for this pur­ pose. Now, with equal equipment, let’s say any two persons start out to determine which is the better player; knowing the Rules regu­ late the order of play, it is safe to say the winner will be the one who has the best control of distance and direction. At this point, one senses the likely re­ mark, “Oh, yes. but what about the element of luck?” To this, my reply would be that the laying of a stymie does not always come from luck, and that any stymie can be played successfully. In support of this more immediate statement. I could, from what has become a rather extensive ex­ perience, describe many classical examples of stymies being laid and made. That would, however, require more space than is now available, so I will confine myself to only two notable instances, in which they have been successfully negotiated. Kirkwood’s Solution In the final of the Glen Eagles 2,000- guinea tournament in Scotland in 1921, Joe Kirkwood and the late Abe Mitchell were having a great match. At the 14th hole in the first round. Joe was faced with a rather difficult stymie: his ball was about six to seven feet from the hole, and Abe’s had come to rest in Joe’s direct line,- about 30 inches from the cup. The green surface was almost flat, quite hard and fast. With putter in hand. Joe keenly surveyed the chances of holing out by going around Abe’s ball. When satisfied this was well nigh impossible, he changed to the idea of pitching over the intervening ball, and for the purpose called for his niblick. With hi s eyes constantly on the problem, he made a few trial passes with the niblick. I hen quite apparently he figured his ball would, after landing, bounce too higdi to take the hole. Having in turn given up the ideas of going around or carrying over Abe’s ball, a new thought developed: why not land his ball short of the other ball, low-bounce it over, and go on into the hole? The thought became a decision; Joe got his mashie. or No. 5 iron, from the caddie and. with the pattern of the shot in mind, his execution was perfect. This was testi­ fied by the gallery which, it is not unfair to state, had been distinctly pro-Mitchell, for USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 9 As recently as 1946 Chick Evans, who, as almost every living golfer knows, was the holder of both the USGA Open and Amateur Championships, had reached the third round in the British Amateur Cham­ pionship. He was then pitted against a major in the Indian Army. After the 14th hole the major had Chick dormie 4. By dint of some birdies Chick won the 15th, 16th and 17th holes. Then, with his ball only 10 feet from the cup after his second shot at the 18th, it ap­ peared he was in a fair way to get another birdie to square the match. But when his opponent’s third came to rest two inches from the hole in a dead stymie, it looked as if Chick’s chances of getting his next and critical shot into the hole were nil. This indeed was a tense situation, but, as Chick later said, “You know, no matter how bad any situation may look, it has always been my experience that if one will only pause and think, a way out will come to him.” Evans’s Greatest Thrill Then he went on to say, “That’s what happened in this case, because it seemed to me that if I could only play my ball so it would be almost spent at the edge of the hole, the influence of the cross-wind would help it drop. It did just that,” said Chick, “and when the ball dropped, I got the great­ est thrill of my whole golfing experience.” Beside the point is the fact that the major got a birdie at the first extra hole and won the match. What is of interest is the revealing thought of this one-time great national champion, namely, that mental composure combined with resourcefulness and the necessary skill will overcome seem­ ingly impossible situations. Whether it be the “ground route” as used by Chick in this case, or the “air route” such as Joe Kirkwood partially resorted to at Glen Eagles, both require precision in the basic skill of the game. Since the stymie becomes one of the finer mediums of proof of who has it and who has it not. in my humble opinion the best interests of golf will be served by not making any further changes in the stymie rule. J. Victor East Rotofotos, Inc. as Joe’s ball holed out the applause was tre­ mendous. Beyond this, in the next morn­ ing’s newspaper the celebrated cartoonist. Tom Webster, elaborated on the incident by showing Kirkwood’s ball spiraling down the flagpole into the hole. 10 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 Are Our Courses Right for Women? By MISS MARGARET CURTIS We women play our golf on courses laid out for men. Our games are thus under the decided handicap of being real misfits. In every-day life and in other sports, it is taken for granted that men are stronger than women. We ask our menfolk to un­ screw the recalcitrant jar cap because their fingers are stronger than ours. We never did expect Helen Wills to beat Bill Tilden, nor Alice Marble to beat Don Budge. Of course not. But, relatively, don’t our Good Girls play as fine golf as Good Men? When you watch Louise Suggs, Glenna Vare, Estelle Page, Dot Kirby or Grace Lenczyk, to mention a few, it is hard to think otherwise. And this leaves out Babe Zaharias as being unique, she being not only an Olympic- team-in-one but an orchestra also. If Good Girls play as well as Good Men, why are their scores so far apart? Let’s start with scores in the 60s. Estelle Page has played in the 60s four times in compe­ tition. Louise Suggs three times. Glenna once, and that included a hole in one! The Babe many times. But never has any woman broken 70 in the USGA Champion­ ship. The lowest score ever made in the qualifying round was 74. Now for the men: Last year in sec­ tional qualifying for the Amateur Cham­ pionship there were at least 25 rounds in the 60s. What’s the explanation? Mightn’t it be that the courses as arranged for women are a good deal harder than the architect intended and relatively much harder than for men? Let’s take a case in point: Both amateur championships have been played recently at Pebble Beach in California, the men’s in 1947, the women’s in 1948. A beautiful but stiff course. The official scorecard shows that for six of the first nine holes the women played from the men’s tees with identical yardage. The three women’s tees shortened the other holes a total of 85 yards. On the second nine, the women played all but one hole from the men’s THE AUTHOR Miss Margaret Curtis has long held an unique position in women’s golf: —A competitor in the USGA Women’s Amateur Championship 23 times over a 50-year span, the first in 1897 and the latest in 1947; USGA Champion 1907-11-12, runner-up 1900-05, medalist six times; —-Co-Donor of the Curtis Cup with her sister, .Miss Harriot S. Curtis, who was Champion in 1906. The sisters opposed each other in the 1907 final. tees: the 17th was shortened from 218 to 190 yards. In fairness, it should be noted that womens par was /6 as compared with 72 for men. But the course was only 113 \ards shorter for women. Could this be a rather cruel compliment? 1 he crux of this problem isn’t the drive but the shot to the green and the trajectory (isn’t it a grand word?) of the ball—what club should be used and what club is used by the Good Women for that shot? If we are agreed that women are mostly playing golf courses out of tune, mightn’t we start a modest campaign? Several groups are concerned: (1) the Ladies in Authority, both the USGA W omen s Committee and the State and dis­ trict committees which run championships; (2) the men of the thousands of club committees; (3) finally, and in some ways the most important, the big bunch of us rank-and-file players. It isn t reasonable to expect much support from the Championship players. They are in their prime and rejoice in their strength. They are young, and only the thoughtful ones will be interested or see anv need for change. If you are interested in making it possible for women to play the courses compara­ tively as men do, there are some simple things that could be done. Let s begin our studies on our home course’s one-shot holes. It seems to be ac- USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 11 middle of the longest hole on the course. Then she must approach with a 2-wood. The hole is over 500 yards long and has no women’s tee, although the terrain raises no difficulties. What are the steps that can be taken? First, a careful study of the course. Then, a definite program. Nowadays most courses have several women’s tees—some beauti­ fully placed, others still not giving the proper shot to the green. The cost of moving an existing tee or installing a new one in a proper place or making other alterations must be considered. In the main, men’s golf committees have been very sympathetic to women’s needs. The fault has been that the women usually haven’t realized or asked for what would be good for women’s golf. If the men are interested but don’t see where the money is coming from, see if there aren’t enough women keen to have the course improved who would chip in or have a special “day” and use the entry fees to start the improvements. I believe a surprise is in store for the women on any reasonable and well-consid­ ered request that is put before the men. Chivalry isn’t all dead yet, and there is a willingness to give the gals a break. For the Ladies in Authority: Thought, with these considerations in mind, can be given to placing tees for championships. At a State championship not long ago, the markers on a fascinating but tricky water hole were moved back to the men’s tee for the final. One player dared a difficult carry and went splash with a 4-iron. The pro was asked what the Good Men used for this shot. “A number 9,” was the answer! Even the women’s tee, in this instance, wouldn’t give the girls that shot, but it wouldn’t be difficult to advance the tee so that they also could play a number 9. Will the ladies of the USGA Committee give the rest of us a lead over? Will they have the tees placed for our Championship where it is possible for the girls to have the thrill of scoring, like the men, in the 60s ? It will take courage. Of course, we don’t want our courses made too easy. Stiff courses develop good players. But why not the same par for men and women on each course ? —Courtesy The Detroit News Miss Margaret Curtis Fifty years after she first played in the USGA Women’s Championship, Miss Curtis was a competitor in the 1947 tournament at the Franklin Hills Country Club near Detroit. This picture was taken on that remarkable anniversary. cepted that courses should have two one- shot holes in each nine. They usually call for shots of precision, although not neces­ sarily iron shots. They are trapped ac­ cordingly. They range from the closely guarded “dropped-egg” hole to one that might call for a 4-wood by men. It should be remembered that, let’s say, a 7-iron for a man is quite a different shot from a 7-iron for a woman, in both length and trajectory. Let’s watch our Good Men play these holes. Let’s inquire what clubs they use, and the pro, too. If you have girls in the championship class, find out what clubs they use for each short hole. After the short holes, let’s consider the longest on the course. How do the hazards and distances suit women here? There is one hole I can think of where a brook crosses the whole fairway at just the questionable distance for two good woods. In medal play, at least, and usually in match, the sensible woman plays short, using perhaps a 5-iron to be safe in the 12 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 TIMELY TURF TOPICS from the USGA Green Section PREPARING A SOUTHERN GOLF COURSE FOR THE USGA AMATEUR Greenkeeping Superintendent, Memphis Country Club By J. E. HAMNER The 1948 USGA Amateur Championship was scheduled for the Memphis Country Club far enough in advance to allow about two years to prepare the golf course, which was somewhat run down due to war-time conditions. As this was the first time the Amateur was to be played in the South and the first time on Bermudagrass, we were eager to have an outstanding course. The Chairman of the Green Committee, Mr. Hugh Francis, and I agreed that the first step in preparation for the Amateur should be formulation of a program of turf improvement and weed control. The tees, fairways and rough were infested with crabgrass, dallisgrass and other weeds. On January 29, 1947, Dr. Fred V. Grau, director of the USGA Green Section, vis­ ited our club. After an inspection of the course and a general discussion of our problems, a program was outlined. l'he weed control part of the program was carried out in the summer of 1947. Soil samples from the greens and fairways were sent to the Milwaukee Sewerage Com­ mission and complete analyses were fur­ nished us. Mr. O. J. Noer, agronomist of the Milwaukee Sewerage Commission, con­ tributed much helpful advice to the success of the program. Renovation of the Fairways Beginning March 18, the F-G .Verifier equipped with the large (one-inch) spoons was set to penetrate the heavy clay soil to a depth of four inches, 'l'he Aerifier was then drawn over each swath twice. Ground limestone, at the rate of two tons per acre. was applied immediately after the cultiva­ tion. After spreading the limestone, an old fairway mower was used effectively to break up the spooned-out particles of soil made by the Aerifier. Much of the lime­ stone, which is slow in entering the soil, was placed in the root zone. Milarsenite was used for the treatment of weeds in the fairways. The first ap­ plication was started June 30. This is about the time of year when crabgrass seed heads begin to appear in this vicinity and is the ideal time to start treatment. Again, the Aerifier was put on the fairways set at a four-inch penetration. The fair­ ways were watered to a depth of five or six inches, and when the grass blades were dry, Milarsenite at the rate of 400 pounds per acre was applied with a 10-foot Gandy Spreader. After about 72 hours, water again was put on the turf. An estimated 60 per cent of the crabgrass was killed in the first treatment. The second application of Milarsenite began on July 15. Four hundred pounds to the acre was used in that treatment, 'l'he same procedure as in the first treat­ ment was carried out. On August 5 the third and final applica­ tion of Milarsenite began. Because of rains, we were unable to complete the work until August 18. Milarsenite totalling 1,200 pounds to the acre was used in the three treatments. The crabgrass kill was nearly complete. Clover, wild barley, buck- horn and plantain were eradicated com­ pletely. Dallisgrass had to be removed with V-shaped garden hoes. The Aerifier was put on the fairways September 15. Immediately after the cul­ USGA Journal: Winter. 1949 13 tivation, an application of 1,000 pounds of Milorganite to the acre was made. The Milorganite greatly stimulated the Ber­ muda, and before the end of the growing season the fairways were covered almost completely with a healthy, vigorous turf. The height of cut on the fairways at the beginning of the 1948 season was three- fourths of an inch. Later on, as the growth of the Bermuda increased, the mowers were lowered to five-eighths. The Aerifier was started about the first of April, used again in June and August, and a final cultivation was made just prior to the fall fertilization. Close cutting and the regular use of the Aerifier gave us a very tight, closely knit turf that offered perfect lies and really withstood the gaff during the Amateur. The several cultivations with the Aerifier made it possible for us to use much less water to maintain a healthy, vigorous fair­ way turf throughout the Bermuda season. Rough Arsenic acid was the chemical used to combat the weeds in the rough. One gallon of arsenic acid to 50 gallons of water to the acre was applied in each of the three treat­ ments. A Friend Power Sprayer, equipped with a 14-foot boom using fan-shaped noz­ zles, gave splendid results. A pressure of about 50 pounds on the sprayer was used. CONFERENCE DATES March 1-4 Cornell University Turf Confer­ ence, Ithaca, IN. Y. John Corn- man. 7-9 Purdue Turf Conference, Purdue University, West Lafavettc, Ind. G. O. Mott. 10-11-12 Massachusetts State College Turf Conference, zlmherst, Mass. I^iwrence Dickinson. 14-16 Iowa Turf Conference, Iowa State College. Ames, Iowa. H. L. Lantz. 17-18 Minnesota Turf Conference, Minneapolis. Minn. A. W. An­ derson, 3540 24th Street, South, Minneapolis, Minn. The first application of arsenic acid be­ gan June 17. The solution was sprayed on the rough at all times when the grass blades were dry. The killing effect of arsenic acid was much faster in its action on the weeds. Usually 24 hours after spraying most weeds were killed. The second treatment started July 11 and the third August 2. The arsenic acid burned out 100 per cent of the weeds in the rough with the exception of dallisgrass. The dallisgrass was greatly retarded as most of its seed was destroyed. The Ber­ mudagrass recovered very rapidly. Tees Arsenic acid was used also on the tees. Two treatments were sufficient to rid the tees of weeds. The first treatment was made June 20 and the second July 15. The tees were thoroughly saturated with water. After the grass blades were dry, arsenic acid, at the same rate as was used on the rough, was sprayed on them. Two days later water was put on again. After each treatment the Aerifier was drawn over the tees, followed by a fertilization of 40 pounds of Milorganite to 1,000 square feet. 'The weed kill was similar to that in the rough. T he Bermudagrass was very quick to spread over the thin areas. Greens The greens at our club are played about every day of the year. Domestic ryegrass is planted in the fall on one-half of the green for winter play. This method is used in order that we may have the Ber­ muda part of the green ready for play during, and for a short period after, the transition of rye to Bermuda, which usually occurs from June 1 to 15. Twenty pounds of 20 per cent super­ phosphate to 1.000 square feet, put on the greens preceding the rye planting, seems to be ample to take care of the Bermuda requirement for the following year. Ground limestone, at the rate of 30 pounds to 1,000 square feet, was applied in the spring of 1947. Milorganite has been used exclu­ sively for nitrogen feeding for the past two years. When the Bermuda began to show the 14 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 ’first signs of growth in the spring, Milor- ganite was applied at the rate of 50 pounds to 1,000 square feet, and 25 pounds to 1,000 square feet thereafter once a month until about September 1. Our experience has been that the steady feeding of the organic nitrogen in Milorganite and the absence of burn to the turf appear to be the ideal source of that form of nitrogen for Bermudagrass. Preceding the first application of Milor­ ganite, the Aerifier was put on the greens with the one-inch spoons set to penetrate the soil to a depth of four inches. The spooned-out pieces of soil were removed with the Early Bird worm rakes. A top­ dressing, consisting of one-half coarse sand, one-fourth granulated peat and one- fourth woods soil, by volume, was worked into the greens with flexible steel mats. Very heavy topdressings were used to fill the large holes made by the Aerifier. Dur­ ing good Bermuda growth the holes cov­ ered completely in about ten days. This procedure was carried out once a month during the growing Bermuda season of 1947. On parts of three of our greens there were heavy patches of crabgrass. On July 29, 1947, arsenic acid was sprayed on those greens at the rates that were used on the tees and the rough. One treatment de­ stroyed the crabgrass. In two weeks time the Bermuda was as green as ever and had almost covered the places where the crab­ grass had been. We would not hesitate to use arsenic acid for crabgrass on Bermuda greens. The results were perfectly satis­ factory. The Aerifier was put on the greens on three occasions during 1948, the first of May, the first week of July and the first week of August. Fertilization with Milor­ ganite was the same as it had been in 1947. This year we used a flexible steel mat at­ tached to the Aerifier in order to break up the soil particles. About one-half as much topdressing was needed by this operation on the greens. At times when the Aerifier was not put on the greens, light topdress­ ings were made. It is our belief that frequent light top­ dressings and close cutting are absolutely necessary to maintain a good Bermuda put­ ting surface. The greens always are cut closely on our course. In the spring J^-inch is the regular height of cut. By the middle of May the mowers are lowered to 3/16-inch and are kept at that height for the remainder of the Bermuda season. The greens are mowed at a different angle each day. Even with the excellent texture of Bermuda which we have, it is necessary about twice a week during mid-summer to cut back and forth on the same swath. Using this method of cutting the greens, it is seldom necessary to put brushes on the mowers to eliminate grain in the turf. With the continued use of the large spoons of the Aerifier and the topdressing formula mentioned, we have been able to change completely the upper physical struc­ ture of our greens. We have incorporated into the greens a granular mixture which has promoted aeration, deep-root penetra­ tion and resilience. The greens are hold­ ing the shots perfectly. We are using about one-half as much water now as we have in the past. The texture of the greens certainly has improved with less water. We feel well repaid for our efforts by the many favorable comments made by the players and USGA officials on the condi­ tion of the course. Turf’s First Need Excerpt from article on “Duties of the Greenkeeper” in South African Golf, August 20, 1948: “If one general law of turf maintenance is desired, it might well be that turf needs first of all suitable conditions for growth rather than ‘medicines’ to correct the damage result­ ing from improper conditions. Generally speaking, a resort to ‘doctoring’ for the pur­ pose of correcting damage caused by the nu­ merous enemies of turf, such as weeds, in­ sects, fungus, disease, etc., indicates the exist­ ence of negligence somewhere. “It is better practice to remove the cause of the damage, and by adequate fertilizing, and by the use of soils that contain proper plant food, to enable the turf to withstand its enemies, than to resort to ‘doctoring’ after the damage is done.” USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 15 HERSHEY’S “VERTICAL MOWER’’ 1. Front-side view, Jim Morrison up. Levers regulate depth. 2. Rear view, carrying wheels off the turf. Machine cuts six-foot swath. 3. Cut crabgrass runners picked up by hand before mowing. Discs cut inch deep. 4. Cutting fairways in two directions at right angles cuts turf into two-inch squares. 5. Fairway turf, cut twice, ready for conventional mowing to chop cut runners. 6. Same turf four or five days after mowing. Healing is complete in ten days. Photos by Rands Many years ago the fairways at Hershey Country Club, Hershey, Pa., were heavily in­ fested with crabgrass. James Morrison, the superintendent, hit upon the idea of “vertical mowing.” He spied an old culti-hoe in the corner of the implement shop, and one thing led to another. The hoes were removed and replaced with rolling plow coulters. The axles were remade to space the cutting discs four inches apart. The rear set was out of regis­ ter so that the discs cut at 2-inch intervals. A steel top with ends was made so that weight could be added. For two seasons he used the machine fre­ quently, cutting the fairways in two directions before mowing. The crabgrass disappeared. The machine is used also in reseeding and fertilizing. In reseeding, the machine is oper­ ated in two directions. Seed is sowed with a wheelbarrow seeder, and the sprinkling sys­ tem is turned on for one to two hours to wash the seed into the crevices. 16 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY 1948 TURF COMMITTEE REPORT Condensed from the Journal, American Society of Agronomy, Vol. 40, No. 12, December, 1948, p. 1140 The report of the 1947 Turf Committee presented these figures in the Journal, American Society of Agronomy, Volume 39, No. 12: Turf sports fields.........More than 18,000 Total estimated replacement value ............................ $305,000,000 Grassed areas in parks.......250,000 acres Turfed areas on golf courses. 272,133 acres Total estimated value.. .$1,000,000,000 Lawns—Number of lawns.. 15,000,000 Estimated average size... 3,000 sq. ft. Estimated replacement Airfields—total number....... value ............................ $750,000,000 4,490 Total acreage ................. 1,709,632 The report of the 1948 Turf Committee shows that there are 500,000 acres in ceme­ teries, half of which has been developed. Acreage in airfields increased 131,280 acres to a total of 1,840,912 acres. About 98 per cent of the increase was in small civilian fields of 40 to 160 acres. In 1947, 141 new golf courses were built, 102 of which were nine-hole courses. In 1948, 86 new courses were built to July 1, 62 of which were nine-hole courses. Much of the increase has been at military posts. Highland bent is recommended by the committee as a satisfactory substitute for redtop in turf seed mixtures. Redtop is scarce and is high in price. Domestic ryegrass (a mixture of annual and perennial types) is recommended for elimination from mixtures containing per­ ennial turf species. Perennial ryegrass is more satisfactory, but it is difficult to cut with ordinary home lawnmowers. Timothy is not recommended as a substi­ tute for redtop in general lawn mixtures. The committee recommended expansion of education on lower seeding rates, better soil and seedbed preparation, adequate fer­ tility and timely seeding to reduce the im­ pact of high seed prices. Alta fescue and Kentucky 31 fescue are considered to be worthy of more serious consideration and study as ingredients of seed mixtures for parks, cemeteries, road­ sides, fairways, and similar turf. More basic research is needed on grass species which are valuable both for agricul­ ture and for turf purposes. This incomplete list of suggested lines of research is offered for guidance of research organizations: 1. Mechanical aeration of soils under continuous turf cover. 2. Rapid economical vegetative plant­ ing into existing turf. 3. Evaluation of common management practices in relation to recovery of turf from traffic injury. 4. Evaluation of turf species adapted to low soil fertility. 5. Moisture requirements of turf types. 6. Classification of turf grasses for various uses. 7. Heat and fire tolerance of turf grasses. 8. A classification of the service re­ quirements of turf in various cate­ gories. 9. Studies of root systems of turf. 10. Evaluation of turf species adapted to arid conditions. Fred V. Grau, Chairman Other members of the committee were: K. L. Anderson, G. W. Burton, E. B. Cale, M. E. Farnham, C. K. Hallowell, G. H. Jones, W. V. Kell, R. H. Morrish, G. O. Mott, H. B. Musser, O. J. Noer, A. E. Rabbitt, C. R. Runyan. H. A. Schoth, H. B. Sprague. We urge all who are interested in crops, soils and turf to become affiliated with the American Society of Agronomy. Membership in the Society is $7.50 a year. Applications should be sent to Dr. G. G. Pohlman, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural Experiment Station, Morgan­ town, W. Va. USGA Journal: Winter. 1949 17 SUBSCRIBERS TO GREEN SECTION SERVICE IN 1948 Associations Cleveland District of the Greenkeeping Super­ intendents’ Association, Cleveland, Ohio Greenkeepers’ Club of Western Pennsylvania (The), Irwin, Pa. Greenkeeping Superintendents' Association (The), St. Charles, Ill. Alid-Atlantic Association of Greenkeepers, Washington, D. C. Bowling Clubs Kaituna Bowling Club, Dunedin, New Zealand Cemeteries Cave Hill Cemetery Co., Inc., Louisville, Ky. Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Loveland, Ohio Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Lorain, Ohio Rosehill Cemetery Co., Chicago, Ill. Spring Grove, Cemetery of, Cincinnati, Ohio Vine Street Hill Cemetery Association (The), Cincinnati, Ohio Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Ga. Commercial Firms Adikes, J. and L., Inc., Jamaica, N. Y. American Agricultural Chemical Co., New York, N. Y. American Chemical Paint Co., Ambler, Pa. Apothecaries Hall Co.. Waterbury, Conn. Armiger, C. F., Inc., Silver Spring, Aid. Associated Seed Growers, Inc., New Haven Baker Grass Industries, Miami, Fla. Bartlett, F. A., Tree Expert Co. (The), Bala- Cynwyd, Pa. Bean, John, Mfg. Co., Lansing, Mich. Bell, D. B. Son. Inc., Kansas City, Mo. Belt Seed Co., Inc. (The), Baltimore, Md. Bolgiano, F. AV.. A Co., Washington, D. C. Brucker, Charles A Sons, Inc., Englewood, Buckner Mfg. Co., Chicago, Ill. Burdett, Paul E., Lombard, Ill. Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Corp., Fine Chemicals Div.. New York, N. Y. Clapper Co. (The), West Newton. Mass. Coke Oven Ammonia Research Bureau, Co­ lumbus, Ohio Colby. Eli, Co., Hanlontown, Iowa Connolly, J. S„ Bethesda, Md. Cooperative Seed & Fertilizer Supply Service, Inc., Richmond, Va. Crenshaw McMichael Seed Co.. Tampa, Fla. Davis, George A., Inc., Chicago, Ill. Davison Chemical Corp. (The), Baltimore, Md. Ditman, J. A., Laurel, Md. Dobbins Manufacturing Co., Elkhart. Ind. Doughten Seed Co. (The), Jersev City, N. J. Drunicliff Co. (The). Towson. Md. Dryfoos, Sidney I,., Cleveland, Ohio DuPont Semesan Co., Wilmington, Del. Engbretson Seed Co., Astoria, Ore. Evans Implement Co., Atlanta, Ga. Everett Seed Co.. Atlanta, Ga. Funk Bros. Seed Co., Inc., Bloomington. Ill. Gallowhur Chemical Corp., Puratizcd Div., New York, N. A". Gandrud, E. S.. Co., Owatonna, Minn. Geary Bros., Klamath Falls, Ore. Germain Seed A Plant Co., Los Angeles, Cal. Godwin, Hiram F.. Detroit, Mich. Gidf ^A Lawn Supply Corp., White Plains, land Greiner, Clarence E., Co., Indianapolis, Ind. Griffith. E. H., Pittsburgh. Pa. Harradine, Donald, Magliaso-Lugano, Switzer­ Harris Co.. Inc., Joseph. Rochester. N. Y. Hastings. H. G., A Co., Atlanta, Ga. Hector Supply Co.. Miami. Fla. Henderson, Peter A Co.. Inc., New York, N. Y. Hoffman, A. H.. Inc.. Landisville. Pa. Hyper-Humus Co., Newton, N. J. Island Landscape Co., Palm Beach, Fla. Kensington Turf Nursery, Kensington. Md. Kylander Co. (The). Hartford, Conn. Lapp, Walter S., Lansdale. Pa. Lawn A Golf Supply Co,. Philadelphia. Pa. Linck. < >. E.. Co., Inc., Clifton, N. J. Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, New Y'ork Mangelsdorf, Ed. F., & Bro., Inc., St. Louis McCullough, J. Chas., Seed Co. (The), Cin­ cinnati, Ohio Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N. J. Michigan Peat, Inc., New York, N. Y. Minnesota Milorganite Co., Long Lake, Minn. Niagara Sprayer & Chemical Division, Middle­ port, N. Y. ♦Northrup, King & Co., Berkeley, Cal. Ohio Toro Co., Cleveland, Ohio Oliger Seed Co., Akron, Ohio Old Orchard Turf Nurseries, Madison, Wis. Peppard Seed Co., Kansas City, Mo. Peterson. Arthur D.. Co., Inc.. New York Pfizer, Chas., & Co., Inc., New York, N. Y. Philadelphia Seed Co., Inc. (The), Philadel­ phia, Pa. Philadelphia Toro Co., Philadelphia. Pa. Plant Products Corp., Blue Point, N. Y. Qualitv Lime Institute. Philadelphia. Pa. Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp., Glendora, Cal. Scarlett, AVm. G., & Co., Baltimore, Md. Scott, O. Al. A Sons Co., Alarysville, Ohio Scovill Alfg. Co.. Waterbury, Conn. Sewerage Commission, City of Alilwaukee Sherwin-Williams Company (The). Cleveland Skinner Irrigation Co. (The), Troy, Ohio Spalding. A. G. & Bros., Inc., New York, N. Y. Standard Agricultural Chemicals, Inc., Ho- boken^N. J. Stuart. C. AV. & Co., Newark, N. Y. Stumpp & Walter Co.. New York, N. Y. Sutton A Sons. Ltd., Reading, England Swift & Co., Baltimore, Aid. Terminal Sales Corp., Dearborn. Alich. Van Hoven Co., Inc., St. Paul, Alinn. Volkman, C. Al. & Co.. San Francisco, Cal. West Point Lawn Products, AVest Point, Pa. West Coast Fertilizer Co., Tampa, Fla. Wagner, II. L. & Sons, Imbler, Ore. Whitnev Seed Co., Inc., Buffalo. N. Y. AVood, T. AV., A Sons, Richmond, Va. f AA'oodruff, F. H., & Sons. Inc., Alilford, Conn. AVoodside Bent Grass Nurseries, Des Aloines AVorthington Ball Co. (The), Elyria. Ohio AVorthington Alower Co., Stroudsburg. Pa. Golf Clubs Not Eligible for USGA Marlborough Golf & Country Club, Ltd., Car- tierville, P. Q., Canada ATarine Drive Golf Club, A’ancouver, B. C. Sunningdale Golf Club, London, Ont., Canada Golf Course Architects Diddel A Johnson. Ormond Beach. Fla. Gordon, AVilliam F., Co., Bala-Cynwyd, Pa. Harris. Robert Bruce, Chicago, Ill. Jones. Robert Trent, New A'ork. N. A’. Lawrence. Robert F., Boca Raton, Fla. Alaxwell, Perry, Tulsa. Okla. AIcGovern, J. B.. AA’ynnewood, Pa. Ravnor, Ralph I., Alelrose Park, Pa. Thompson, Stanley A Associates, Toronto. Individuals Bottoms. George D., Bottoms Gardens, Athens. Ala. Korber, Mrs. Josephine W., The Wychwood, Great Neck, N. A’. Ladd. Greeley, Alinneapolis, Alinn. Park Depart merits Des Aloines, City of, Des Moines. Iowa Forest Preserve, District of Cook County, Chicago. Ill. Alinneapolis, City of. Alinneapolis. Alinn. San Francisco, City and County of. Cal. AVichita Board of Park Commissioners. Private Estates DuPont. H. F.. AVinterthur, Del. Schools Georgetown Preparatorv School. Garrett Park, Md. * Placed two $.10 subscriptions. t Placed four subscriptions. 18 USGA Journal: Winter. 1949 Toward Uniform Handicapping By WILLIAM O. BLANEY Chairman, USGA Handicap Committee The USGA Golf Handicap System re­ cently completed its first year of existence. It is interesting to review its provisions and the reactions of district, State and sectional associations. To refresh memories, Golf Handicap System standardizes handicaps on the nor­ mal play of the average scratch golfer. The course-rating procedure is based on what we believe to be the average score a scratch player will make for every ten times he plays a given hole or course with­ out making any poor shots or extraordi­ narily good shots, under conditions existing during most of the playing season. Table A was designed to produce handi­ caps which reflect a player’s inherent abil­ ity. The gauge of this ability consists of the player’s ten best scores out of 50 to 100 rounds under normal conditions. By apply­ ing a player’s ten best scores to Table A under the appropriate course-rating column, we produce a handicap which is a numeri­ cal comparison of the player’s ability with that of the average scratch golfer. If we have correctly evaluated the ability of the average scratch golfer, we have established a standard on which all systems should be based. . Basic Handicaps Only Handicaps produced by the USGA sys­ tem are “basic” handicaps, which reflect a player’s inherent ability. Such a handicap should remain relatively constant over sev­ eral years, whether the individual plays frequently or not. It should indicate a caliber of play which can be recaptured by conscientious practice after inactivity. Some sections have been operating, and seem to prefer, “current” handicaps. These are opposed to “basic” handicaps in that they are designed to reflect the at-the-mo- ment state of a player’s game. They show at any time during the year whether a player is on or off his game. Although current handi­ caps are referred to in Golf Handicap System, no methods of calculating them were suggested. Handicaps produced by Table A are for use in stroke play only. For match play singles it is recommended that the higher- handicap player receive an allowance of 85 per cent of the difference between the stroke-play handicaps. Golf Handicap System includes a Table B for those who prefer to issue match-play handicaps only. Preferences of Associations During the last year questionnaires were sent to about 150 men’s golf associations in the United States. Eighty-eight replies were received. Thirty-eight associations indi­ cated that they neither issue handicaps nor recommend any specific system. The fifty others, which either issue handicaps to players or recommend a system for use by their member clubs, have the following preferences: Issue Hdcps. Kecommend Handicap System Total Number of associations... 26 Prefer: USGA system ............ 13 Chicago District system. 3 Own or other systems... 9 “Basic” handicaps ........ 11 “Current” handicaps ... 11 USGA table A................ 11 USGA table U................ 1 Own or other tables........ 6 24 17 4 3 5 9 10 1 3 50 30 7 12 16 20 21 2 9 The figures make several points worthy of further note: 1. Almost half of the associations which replied are taking no interest in handicap matters. They thereby miss a great oppor­ tunity to further the interests of golf in their localities. 2. Golf Handicap System appears to be by far the most widely used and recom­ mended handicap system. 3. Current handicaps seem to be favored by more associations than basic handicaps. 4. USGA Table A appears to be the pre­ dominant table now in use. USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 19 even chance in handicap competitions, whether or not he is playing well at the moment. Single Base Required A system of current handicaps, however, should have the same standard foundation as our basic system, so that the two types will be uniformly related. In this way, the scoring records used to figure a player’s current handicap will contain sufficient in­ formation for his basic handicap if ever needed. If this procedure is followed, it will be possible for sections partial to current handicaps to follow the suggestion of one association that current handicaps be used for club and local tournaments and basic handicaps be used for State, sectional and national events. If a clear distinction be­ tween the two types can be established in players’ minds, this suggestion might have considerable merit. Some associations favoring current han­ dicaps are using USGA Table B, or some similar table of their own, to produce handi­ caps at a level close to the basic handicaps produced by our Table A. This is wrong and may lead to elimination of Table B from future issues of Golf Handicap Sys­ tem. If a club or an association prefers a system which produces current handicaps, the system should have the same foundation as the nation-wide standard. If a player’s current ability is to be judged by his 10 best scores out of his last 13 rounds, it should be anticipated that his handicap will be substantially higher than a basic handicap based on his 10 best scores out of 50 to 100 rounds. A current handi­ cap should never be lower than a basic, as a player’s 10 best scores from 50 to 100 rounds will be the same whether they were made in the last 13 rounds or spread widely throughout the 50 to 100 rounds. If a current system attempts to produce handicaps more nearly in line with basic handicaps through altering the handicap table, it will be inconsistent with the intent of current systems, namely, to handicap players on the at-the-moment state of their games. Such a procedure also would be breaking away from an accepted standard and would be leading back to the handicap Courtesy Boston Herald William O. Blaney The outstanding preference for the USGA system anil Table A was somewhat beyond our expectations for the first year. It certainly shows that a national standard system was needed and desired by a great many associations. The fact that many associations have ex­ pressed preference for a system producing current handicaps leads me to believe that Golf Handicap System should be ex­ panded to include a procedure for their calculation, and this has been my recom­ mendation to the USGA Executive Com­ mittee. Basic handicaps were favored when our new system was being devised because their computation required a minimum of effort by handicappers and they seemed ideal for gauging a player’s eligibility qualifications for championships and important tourna­ ments. On the other hand, current handi­ caps, in spite of requiring considerably more bookkeeping, have the advantage of following the ups and downs of a player’s game. They tend to give him a more nearly 20 USGA Journal: Winter. 1949 chaos the USGA attempted to eliminate through Golf Handicap System. If a player is off his game, he should expect his current handicap to be raised so as to re­ flect the true difference between the at-the- moment state of his game and the ability of the average scratch player. Uniform Course Rating While our course rating procedure ap­ pears to meet with universal approval (no adverse criticisms having been received), I do not have much information on who is doing the rating in various sections. In order to have definite relationship between the ratings of courses in any one locality, State or section, we urge that the associa­ tion having jurisdiction set up a rating committee to rate all courses. If more than one association covers the same territory, a joint committee should be formed. Only thus will the actual rating procedure have uniform application, and the final ratings should show how the playing difficulty of any one course compares with all the others. If the rating is left to the individual clubs, different interpretations of the rating meth­ ods will produce unrelated final ratings. Associations issuing handicaps doubtless have rated or will rate the courses of their member clubs. Associations not issuing handicaps but recommending the USGA handicap system should be prepared, and should advise their clubs that they are pre­ pared. to rate courses of clubs desiring to install the USGA system. Associations not issuing handicaps and not recommending any system can perform a distinct service to golf if they will form rating committees and offer to rate courses of clubs wanting to use the USGA system. Generally speaking, the greatest difficul­ ties in installing or operating any handicap system are: (1) uninterested and lacka­ daisical handicap chairmen, and (2) in­ ability to obtain full scoring records from all players. The first can be overcome in most cases if the club or association, when appointing a handicap chairman, will give more seri­ ous thought to the capabilities and con­ scientiousness of the individual. The sec­ ond difficulty has been with us a long time and probably will stay for some time to come. The finest handicap system in the world will be inadequate with insufficient scoring information. Players who turn in few scores are the ones who cause trouble. 1 have studied many systems and have yet to find one with a satisfactory method of obtaining all the scores of every player. If anyone knows of a way to overcome this difficulty, please send in the details for our consideration. If any good ideas are re­ ceived, a future issue of the Journal will carry an article outlining the best features so that others may benefit. It has been suggested that handicaps based on the USGA system should be re­ quired for entrance into USGA champion­ ships, as a means of establishing the sys­ tem country-wide. It was not our intention when issuing Golf Handicap System to force it on any club or association. We merely hoped it would become the standard base for all systems. With that accom­ plished, we would know that entrants into USGA championships would be meeting our eligibility qualifications. In other words, we prefer that clubs and associa­ tions establish our eligibility qualifications by voluntarily adopting the USGA handi­ cap methods. We again invite constructive criticisms of the USGA system. We do not claim that it is perfect, but we believe everyone real­ izes the desirability of national standard­ ization. and we hope proponents of other systems will be willing to do some giving and taking so the goal may soon be achieved. We urge all readers to help pro­ mote education and cooperation among players, clubs and associations. USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 21 THE REFEREE Decisions by the USGA Rules of Golf Committee Example of symbols: “No. 48-1” means the first Rule 7 in the 1948 Rules of Golf. decision issued in 1948. “R. 7(3)” means Section 3 of Repair of Ball Marks on Greens No. 48-178. R. 18(3, 4) Q: There appears to be a change in play which I cannot find justified by the Rules and which was not allowed or done before the war. In those days any hole made in the green by a ball pitched to that green was left alone until all players of that group had putted out. I remember distinctly seeing many players use a chipper instead of a putter be­ cause of a hole in the line of their putt. After the players left the green a greenkeeper stand­ ing by would repair all holes made by that group. Starting with the 1948 Los Angeles Open and continuing through the National Open at Riviera, the greenkeeper repaired these holes as soon as made, and before the players who had made them had reached the green. I am personally very much in favor of this but just what rule authorizes it? My confusion was added to as I was lis­ tening to the radio broadcast of the Glendale Open at Oakmont. It was Cary Middlecoff’s turn to putt, and in examining his line he found a hole made in the green by some player of a previous group which the local green- keeper had apparently failed to repair. The broadcaster in describing this said that ac­ cording to the Rules a player was allowed to repair this hole, which Middlecoff proceeded to do by leveling the spot with a wooden tee and then stepping on it. Shades of St. Andrews ! Are the common people like ourselves allowed to do that dur­ ing our Sunday play? Col. Stanley E. Ridperhof. USMC El Toro (Santa Ana), Cal. A: As part of general course maintenance for promoting fair play, the USGA for its competitions directs the greenkeeping stall to repair ball marks on putting greens as promptly as possible, even if between ball and hole. The marks arc usually repaired before the players making them have arrived at the green. If repair were generally withheld until the players holed out, there would he delay and interference to succeeding players. If ball marks were not repaired by the green­ keeping staff, players after holing out might not do so, and putting conditions for players near the end of the field would usually be rougher than for their predecessors. A player, however, may never repair ball marks on the line of putt, and he may not request a greenkeeper to do so. Rule 18(3 and 4) prohibits a player from touching the line of putt, from placing a mark anywhere on the putting green, and from testing the putting surface by roughening or scraping it. If a ball mark were so far removed from the line of play that it could not possibly affect subsequent play of the hole, no penalty would result from its repair by the player. We recommend, however, that players avoid the possibility of any question being raised by deferring repair until play of the hole is finished. Where the greenkeeping staff is not avail­ able to make frequent repairs as is done at USGA competitions, players should observe Section 6 of Etiquette, which provides that after the play of the hole is completed the player should see that any ball hole made by him in the putting green is eradicated. Ball Striking Flagstick in Holing Out No. 48-128. R. 4(Def.), 7(7), 7(8) Q. 1: One of the members of our four­ some chipped into the cup from a distance less than 60 feet. The pin was unattended and was in the hole at the time. We were playing medal play, and it is my contention that the player making the shot is subject to the two-stroke penalty covered by Ride 7(8). The player who executed the shot claims that he is not subject to a penalty because the ball was holed out. A. I: When the flagstick is in the hole, a ball cannot come to rest in the cup without hitting the flagstick and, consequently, the flagstick is struck by the ball before the stroke is ended. It would be impossible for players or a referee to state whether or not the ball had touched the flagstick before entering the cup, and any interpretation of Rule 7(8) re­ quiring such refinement is impractical. The player is penalized two strokes. Flagstick Held Up During Stroke Q. 2: In playing from a deep sand trap adjacent to a green. I instructed my caddie to go to the pin and hold up the flagstick and keep it held up while I executed my shot. My opponent insisted that after I had the hole indicated to me, the flagstick should be 22 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 returned to the hole before I shot. Please advise if my instructions to my caddie were correct. A. 2: Rule 7(7) provides that the flag­ stick may be held up at any time, including during the play of a stroke, to indicate the position of the hole. It may not be held up in the line of play—that is, between the player and the hole—while a stroke is being played—see Rule 4(Definition). Questions by: T. J. Charlesworth Pittsburgh, Pa. Knocking Away Opponent’s Ball No. 48-163. R. 11(4) Q. 1: In a four-ball match, A and B are partners against C and D. All four balls are on the putting green. All lie 2. D, who is farthest from the hole, putts first and sinks the putt. He removes his ball from the hole and moves to the side of the green. A, who is next away, putts and his ball comes to rest on the lip of the hole and he stands over it, waiting, in the hope that it will drop. C, who is to putt next, asks A to mark his ball. A ignores the request. May either partner C or D knock the ball away, or may it be knocked away only by that partner (D) who has already holed out? A. 1: Under Rule 11(4), C had the right to request A to lift or play his ball.. There would be no penalty if either C or D knocked away A’s ball as their action would produce the same eventual result in substance —that is, they would have conceded A’s next stroke. The action of so knocking away a player’s ball is not uncommon in four-ball matches and in no way benefits the side of the op­ ponent who knocks it away; in fact, it usually is simply an act of courtesy in not requiring the player to lift or to play the ball himself. Accordingly, any claim of penalty against C or D would be without basis in equity or sportsmanship, and we would not uphold any such claim. Singles and Four-Ball Simultaneously Q. 2: The same four players above are playing their four-ball match. In addition each player is playing every other player an individual match. (This is a form of golf not recognized in the rule book and the proper answer to the question to be posed below probably is “Don’t play that kind of golf.’’) Where the rules for single match play con­ flict with the rules for four-ball match play (as, for example, a player’s ball striking an opponent’s ball on the putting green), do the rules for four-ball match play govern the play ? A. 2: In matches of this kind players should stipulate in advance whether the Rules for Four-Ball Matches or the Rules for single match play will govern any conflict that might arise. In the absence of any such stipulation, it has been our observation that the Rules for Four-Ball Matches should usually be ap­ plied in such cases. Questions by : Charles R. Gross Altadena, Cal. Ball on Lip of Hole No. 48-169. R. 12(5), 18(5, 7, 9) Q. 1: In a match, my opponent’s ball was on the lip of the cup. He thought it was going to drop, but I didn’t, so I waited 10 to 15 seconds. I was going to tap it in the hole, and he said he would call the hole on me if I did. I told him I was away and wanted t putt, and I tapped his ball into the hole, con- ceeding his putt. I showed him the rule book, but he said he could have waited as long as he wanted. I told him if it was going to drop it would have dropped within 15 seconds. A. I: The matter hinges on whether your opponent’s ball had come to rest. This is a question of fact. If your opponent’s ball had come to rest within six inches of the hole, you did not incur a penalty in knocking the ball into the cup. As you had not holed out, it would have been better for you to require your opponent to lift his ball as provided in Rule 18(7). If your opponent’s ball had not come to rest, you lost the hole under Rule 12(5). Under Rule 18(9), a player is entitled to only a momentary delay to determine whether his ball is at rest. There is no specified time limit. Actions to Influence Ball Q- 2: Is he allowed to move from his putting stance after he has putted? I told him he couldn’t, as that would help the ball if it were moving because he would be moving the ground near the hole when he walked up to the hole and would also be shielding the ball from the wind. A. 2: A player is free to move after play­ ing. However, his movements must not be such as to influence the ball into the hole. Rule 18(5) prohibits a player from shielding his ball from the wind. Questions by: Mario Caefagno Belleville, N. J. Casual Water in “Rough’’ No. 48-80. D. 3, R. 16(1) Q: When a ball is hit into the “rough” in which there is an accumulation of rain water or, as the rule book states, “casual water,” and the ball is found in this water, is the player entitled to a lift without penalty? E. A. Kiopp New Britain, Conn. A: Yes. So-called “rough” is part of “through the green” (Definition 3), and Rule 16(1) applies. USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 Annual Index to USGA Journal VOLUME I — SPRING, 1948, THROUGH WINTER, 1949 SPR. — SPRING ISSUE AUT. — AUTUMN ISSUE WIN. — WINTER ISSUE Amateur Status Issue Pane Amateur and His Expenses, The... July 11 Elder Statesman’s Warning, An... June 10 Ignorance of the Amateur Code... Sep. 7 Michigan PGA and Amateurism... 1 June 3 2 3 19 2 2 5 2 2 20 1 8 20 4 1 4 12 4 12 11 1 4 S o 1S T q 20 17 21 5 18 11 1 6 4 1S 19 1 8 6 10 o 9 Books “Official Golf Guide”............................ July “Power Golf” ........................................ Aug. “Rules of Golf, Revised”.................... July “Story of American Golf, The”.... Ant. “Winning Golf” .................................... Aug. Caddies Caddie Scholarships .......................... June Caddie Transportation ........................ Sep. Cleveland Caddie Scholarships........ July Injury to Caddies.................................. June Larry Was A Caddie............................ July Wisconsin Caddies for Wisconsin.. Aug. Championships: Post-Tourn.— Men Americans Abroad .............................. July Junior Shows Dad How...................... Sep. Life With Junior.................................. Sep. Notes on the Public Links Event... Sep. Qualities of a Champion.................... Aut. Unsung Record-Breakers.................. Aug. What Wins the Open............................ July Championships: Pre-Tourn.— Americans Abroad .................................. Spr. Championship Entry Forms.............. July Championships: Junior and Open.. Spr. Championships: Pub. Links and Jr. June Chicago Teamwork and the Open... Win. Entering Open—Opening Entries... Spr. High Finance, Entry Fee Changeth Win. How the Open is Prepared.............. June New Junior Championship. The.... Aug. Open is for the Players, The............ June Public Links Championship, The... July Record Entry .......................................... Sep. Walker Cup Captains............................ Win. Courses Cotuit Highground .............................. Aut. Memphis Country Club, The................'ng. What Is a Championship Course?.. Sep. Width of Fairways................................ July Handicapping Handicapping the Unhandicapped.. Aug. New Handicap System, The.............. Spr. Toward Uniform Handicapping.... Win. Women’s Handicapping .................... June Historical Bit of Nostalgia, A..................................... T»ly 80s Could Win in the 90s.................... June Fifty Years Ago in the Amateur... Aug. First Intercollegiate Match.............. June Kebo Valley’s 60 Years........................... 'ug. Lest We Forget............................................'nt. Shots Heard ’Round the World... Ant. Tees, Well Steeped......................................\ut. When Eight Clubs Were a Bagful.. Ju]-- When Vardon Wore Suspenders... Sep. Implements and tile Ball Club Grips and Gloves........................ Spr. Fishing Bolt' Club.................................. Aug. How to Test Iron-Club Markings.. Aug. New Rule on Grips, The...................... Aut. Letters Advice on Advice.................................... Aut. Amateur Status Principles................... Sep. Ben Hogan’s Open Record.................. Aug. Boy’s Fair Play, A.................................. Sep. Discourteous Defaults ........................ Aut. Easier Reading ...................................... Aug. Estimating the Junior.......................... Sep. Farewell to Calcutta.............................. Spr. 54 Perfect Lies.......................................... Aut. 50 Rounds for Handicaps...................... June From a New Professional.................... Sep. From the P.G.A..................................... Golf Terms............................................. Golfers and Scorers.............................. It’s Still a Game.................................... New Handicap System, The.............. New Members ........................................ P.G.A. Teamwork ................................ Pros as Exemplars........ . ..................... Public Links Appreciation................ Regarding Calcutta Pools.................. Rules Revision ...................................... Three Cheers for Luck. Good & Bad Uniformity in the Rules................... USGA Junior Championship.............. Winter Rules ........................................ Mrs. Zaharias’ Application................ Miscellaneous Age, 13; Score, 77................................ Ah California! ........................................ Alice in Blunderland............................ Alter Ego ................................................. Birdies and Dragons............................ Burrowing Animals ............................ Calcutta Pools ..................................... Championship Broadcasts ................ Do’s and Don’ts...................................... Favorite Shot ........................................ First Edition ................................ ... First Entrant, The................................ Foreign Exchange ................................ Golf and Flog......................................... Golf in Japan......................................... Indian Sign ............................................ Kansas City Oscars.............................. Not Too Drab.......................................... Ringing the Bell.................................... R. and A. Gifts...................................... Scoring Probabilities ........................ State of the USGA................................ Uncensored .............................................. USGA Annual Meeting........................ USGA Chairmen .................................... USGA Family Grows, The.................. Wounded Veterans Need Clubs.... Museum Kolef— Kolf—Golf ................................ Abe Mitchell’s Putter.......................... Museum Acquisitions ........................ Museum Gifts ........................................ Necrology Hardt, Frank M..................................... Maiden, Stewart .................................. Moore, Edward S................................... Rose, Alex ............................................. Schmidt, Hans, Jr............................... Tallmadge, Henry O............................. Walker, Cyril ........................................ Play of the Game Approaching the Ball........................ Boiling Three Strokes Into Two... Concentration ........................................ Concentration ........................................ Glorious Game of Golf, The.............. Golfing Enemy No. 1: The Slow Player ............................................... Maintaining Your Grip........................ Patience and Practice........................ Three Times and ???.......................... Rules of Golf (Not the Referee) Cast' for the Stymie, The.................... Fine Points ............................................ For Stymies ........................................... Freak of Fortune (The Stymie).... Local Rules for Water Hazards.... Minnesota Cooperation ...................... Other Side of Etiquette...................... Pitfalls in Winter Rules.................... Proposed British Ruh's...................... Single Code of Rules, A.................... Uniformity in the Rules.................... View on the Stymie, A....................... Sep. July July Sep. June Spr. Aut. June Spr. Sep. Spr. Aut. July Sep. A tig. ,">pr. Sep. Win. Win. Aut. June June Win. Spr. Snr. 'Win. July Win. Aut. Aut. Aut. Aut. Aut. Sep. June Julv Spr. Aug. Spr. Aug. Aug. Ju nt* Win. 23 Page 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 19 26 26 26 .> 1 3 3 12 1 3 12 1 4 1 4 1 12 4 4 1 o 12 o 12 11 3 IS IS 4 9 10 S 10 9 11 10 9 S 4 IS 6 12 1 10 21 19 4 24 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 Rules of Golf Decisions (The .Referee) Actions to Influence Ball.................... Agreement to Violate Rule................ Ball: Embedded, Local Rule............ Embedded: Local Rule............ Leaning Against Flagstiek... Moved: Definition .................... On Lip of Hole.......................... On Lip of Hole.......................... Striking Fellow Competitor’s. Striking Flagstick .................... Striking Flagstick in Holing Striking Opponent .................. Touching Artif. Obstruction.. Borrowing Club .................................... Boundaries within Course................ Bridge in Hazard: No Relief.......... Casual Water.......................................... Casual Water in Hazard.................... Casual Water in “Rough”.................. Champion’s Place in Draw................ Changing Pairings in Stroke Play.. Cleaning Ball: Dandelion Blade.... Concession May Not Be Recalled.. Dew ........................................................... Dissimilar Penalties .......................... Eligibility for Consolation after Default ...................................... Face Markings on Irons.................... Fence is Not Obstruction.................... Flagstick: Attending and Removing Flagstiek Held up During Stroke.. Ground Under Repair.......................... Handicap Match: Starting Point... Hazards: Natural Impediments and Artificial Obstructions ...... Hole Made by Greenkeeper.............. Knocking Away Moving Ball............ Knocking Away Opponent’s Ball... Lifting Ball Without Authority; Cleaning Ball .................................. Lifting for Identification in Hazard Local Rules Should be Clear.......... Lost or Unplayable Ball: Penalties. No Time Limit for Disqualification Obstructions in Hazards.................... Opponent’s Ball: Knocking in Hole Opponents Exchanging Balls.......... Out of Bounds in Mixed Foursome. Penalty for Lost Ball........................ Player’s Ball Striking Opponent.. Playing off Tied Handicap Matches Playing Opponent’s Ball in Four- Ball Match ...................................... Playing Opponent’s Ball: Opponent May Not Elect to Exchange.... Issue Page 24 24 21 23 23 24 24 24 24 23 23 21 21 23 21 Issue Practice Stroke .................................... Spr. Practice Swing in Hazard.................. June Practicing before Match.................... July Removing Loose Impediment............ Sep. Repairing Line of Putt Prohibited. Spr. Repair of Ball Marks on Green.... Win. Replaying from Tee in Stroke Play July Sand .......................................................... July Scraping Sand on Backswing.......... Spr. Settling Ties in Stroke Play............ Aut. Smoothing Irregularities in Hazard Sep. Straddling Ball, Pendulum Stroke. June Striking Ball in Air............................ Sep. Ties in Handicap Tournaments.... Aut. Tree Branch in Way.......................... Aut. Unplayable Ball in Stroke Play.... Sep. Unusual Caddies .................................. Aug. Water Hazard: No Provisional Ball June Water Hazard: No Provisional Ball Sep. What Constitutes Casual Water... Aut. When Obstruction is Not Obstruc.. July Yardage Markers .................................. Aug. Sportsman’s Corner Bishop, Ted ............................................ July Campbell, William C........................ Aug. Kielty, Miss Dorothy.......................... Aut. Mangrum, Lloyd .................................. June Wiley, Harold ........................................ Sep. Tournaments (Not USGA) Busy Juniors, The................................ Aug. Nelson Whitney Memorial................ Aug. String Tournament .............................. Sep. Tournaments for Your Club............ June Verse Add a Glow.............................................. Sep. From Tee to Tree.................................. Sep. Golfer’s Prayer, A.................................. June Ode to Pebble Beach.............................. Aut. Polonius Played from Scratch.......... June Trees and Threes.................................. June When We're Moaning.......................... Sep. Women Are Our Courses Right for Women? Win. Curtis Cup Renewal.............................. Spr. Impressions: The Curtis Cup Trip. Aug. Pam Barton Day...................................... June Pebble. Beach and the Ladies............ Sep. Sectional Qualifying for Women?. Aut. Senior Ladies ............................................. \ut. State of the USGA.................................. Win. To the Ladies!........................................ Aug. Women’s Handicapping ...................... June TIMELY TURF TOPICS —USGA GREEN SECTION Historical Green Section History—A Review.. Spr. Literature Bibliography of Lead Arsenate Spr. Interesting Reading .............................. June Interesting Reading ............................... July Interesting Reading ............................... Sep. Suggested Reading....................................Dig. Maintenance Airfields and Flight Strips................... Sep. American Society of Agronomy 191S Turf Committee Report.............. Win. Bermuda Grass Tees.............................. June Centipede Grass from Seed................ Spr. Control of Weeds in Special-Pur­ pose Turf with 2, 4-D................... Sep. Experience with Snowmold................... Tilly Golf is Played on Grass......................... Sep. Greenswards in the Cooler Regions Sep. Greenswards in Warmer Regions. Stq>. Hershey’s "Vertical Mower”............ Win. Hunger Signs ............................................. Tune Insecticide-Fertilizer Mixture............. Tilly Kentucky Bluegrass-Bent Tests... Aut. Pest Control Supplies.......................... Spr. Poa Annua—Friend or Foe?............ Jane Pointers on Making Good Lawns.. Sep. Preparing a Southern Golf Course for the USGA Amateur............. Win, Results of Lead Arsenate Survey.. Spr. j;> Safety and Beauty for Highway’s.. Sep. Save Labor ......................................‘.... July Sod is Ideal for Playing Fields.... Sep. Soil Samples ............................................ June IS Sludge or Manure................................. June 1S Summer Turf Troubles........................ Aug. 12 2, 4-D Investigations............................. July 1C> 1(1 Tropical Earthworm, The......................... \ut. Turf's First Need.................................. Win. What Price Ryegrass?........................ June Miscellaneous p; p; Beltsville Turf Field Day (Pre).... Sep. 1s Contributions to Turf Research... Aug. Salute to the South............................ June Steel Spikes vs. Lug Soles for Golf Shoes ........................................................\ut. Subscribers to Green Section............ Win. p Turf Field Day at Beltsville (Post) Aut. 1;> West Coast Trip......................................... \up. 43 Questions and Answers 15 Construction Costs of Golf Course.. July 17 Crabgrass Control on Fairways............. Tulv From the Question Box....'................. Tuiy 12 17 Grub Control on Fairways..................... Tilly 1S Management of Bentgrass Fairways .Tul'v 13 Pocketed Green ................................’.. July Poor Turf on Approaches.................... July 12 Soil Analysis and Grass Identif........... Tulv 12 Topdressing Greens .............................. July Page 23 23 23 21 24 24 24 24 23 23 24 24 23 24 1 1 1 19 4 1 1 19 io 19 io 7 1 4 o IT IS 13 12 12 1(1 IS 10 14 12 14 17 15 IS 1G 13 17 15 12 17 17 13 Id Ifl 17 17 1(1 17 USGA Journal: Winter, 1949 25 IT’S YOUR HONOR PGA Teamwork To the USGA: My every effort shall be for the good of golf, which I feel is the greatest of games and one that is of invaluable aid to those fortunate enough to have become players—and I feel that the number who play should be doubled, yes, trebled. But in all of our aims the PGA desires full and complete cooperation and under* standing with the USGA. Joe Novak, President Professional Golfers’ Association of America Los Angeles, Cal. Pros As Exemplars To the USGA: I wonder if, without offending the many professionals whose course conduct is above reproach, it is possible for you to bring to the attention of those profes­ sionals whose demeanor is open to critic­ ism the importance of their never forget­ ting that they should be models for Mr. Average Golfer. At a pro-amateur event held at my course, we had some 50 professionals compete. All too many of them were guilty of entering and leaving traps any old way, instead of from the rear, of pay­ ing no attention to the replacement of divots, of throwing litter anywhere in­ stead of into the receptacles, and of en­ tirely ignoring their footprints in traps. There are signs all over the course call­ ing attention to these things. You can well imagine the effect on a membership schooled to regard such lapses as heinous crimes. The West­ chester P.G.A. has already promised to take steps to prevent any repetition of the situation. I am sure you, too, will feel the matter deserves attention and will accept this letter in the spirit in which it is written and take such action as your good judgment dictates, for the good and welfare of the game. Very truly yours, Milton A. Jentes Chairman, Green Committee Elmwood Country Club White Plains, N. Y. Regarding Calcutta Pools In the Autumn issue we quoted remarks of Benjamin F. Jaques at the annual meet­ ing of the Massachusetts Golf Association regarding Calcutta pools. The editor of another publication thought Mr. Jaques should specify the evils to which he re­ ferred. Mr. Jaques, who is not one to zig­ zag when the course lies straight ahead, wrote that editor a friendly letter which is quoted in part below. “It is my firm conviction that, if pools are allowed to grow unrestrained, they will bring in a gambling element which in past years has caused national scandals in baseball, hockey, and even college basket­ ball. To my knowledge, there has never been a golf match which has been ‘fixed.’ I hope this never happens. . . . “When I talked about Calcutta pools, part of what I said included this: ‘The American man likes to gamble, and that will obtain in golf as well as in any other sport. I don’t believe it is possible or sensible to try and completely curtail this phase, but I am sure all of you realize what can happen if something isn’t done to keep the gambling within bounds.’ . . . “I have had a lot of favorable reaction from presidents and other executive of­ ficers of golf clubs in this area and not one single unfavorable comment. “Those concerned with running golf clubs tell me that more dissension and trouble center around their auction and pool than any single event on the year’s calendar. It causes serious differences be­ tween club members for reasons such as: (a) Handicaps (the winners are always said to be overhandicapped) ; (b) Unfair tactics in buying up teams at the auction; (c) Questionable actions as regards sports­ manlike play in the course of the tourna­ ment, if not actual disregard of some of the rules. “There are actual cases on record where players owning their own team in four- ball play have tried to buy their way to the final and other instances of this nature which I would rather not discuss in a letter.” 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.