USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT TV TURNS TO GREENKEEPING A motion picture for color television is taken at National Turf Field Days, Beltsville, Md. Dr. Fred V. Grau, USGA Green Section Director, discusses root system as Maynard Speece and Harold E. Wingo do filming. Directly behind cameramen is Richard S. Tufts, USGA Green Section Committee Chairman. W. H. Glover handles sod-lifter. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION Permission to reprint articles herein is freely granted (unless specifically noted otherwise) provided credit is given to the USGA JOURNAL. Vol. Ill, No. 6 November, 1950 Through the Green..................................................................................... 1 How Long Do You Take to Putt?..................... Runcie B. Martin 5 Dame Van Winkle’s Eyes are Opened............ Mrs. W. G. Fraser 7 Watch Your Language, Please ............................... Harry Robert 8 Golden Anniversary Afterglow ....................Joseph C. Dey, Jr. 10 The Spirit of the Women Seniors ...................... Mrs. Dave Gaut 14 Play It Clock-Wise ......................................... Miss Beverly Hanson 15 Lightning Protection for Shelters ................................................... 16 The Jaycees and the Juniors ............................... Hugh Egan, Jr. 17 The British Ladies View Our Courses..........Miss Elizabeth Price 18 What Are Winter Rules? ........................................................................ 20 Change of Address: “Golf House” ..................................................... 21 The Referee: Decisions by the Rules of Golf Committee ......... 26 Turf Management: USGA Green Section What About Liquid Fertilizers? Marvin Ferguson and Fred V. Grau 29 1950 National Turf Field Davs ........................................................................... 31 “Turf Management” Book Now Available ..................................................... 33 Gleanings from Widespread Turf Field Days ............................................... 33 New Series of Turf Experiments at Penn State ........................................... 36 It's Your Honor: Letters........................................................................ 37 Dub'ished seven times a year in February, April, June, July, August, September and November by the UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. s 'brriptions. S’ a year. Single copies: 30c. Subscriptions, articles, photographs, and correspondence, except pertaining !o Green Section matters, should be sent to the above address. Correspondence pertaining to Green Section matters should be addressed to USGA Green Section, Room 307, South Building, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. Entered as second-ciass matter March 3, 1950 at the Post Office at New York, N. Y.,'under the Act of March 3, 1879. Edited by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. Advisory Committee—John D. Ames, Chairman; Isaac B. Grainger, Totton P. Heffelfinger, Curtis W. McGraw. All articles voluntarily contributed. Printed in U. S. A. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1951 Walker Cup Match: May 11 and 12 at Birkdale Golf Club, Birkdale, Southport, England. Men’s amateur teams, Great Britain vs. United States. (Dates entries close mean last dates for applications to reach USGA office, except in the case of the Amateur Public Links Championship. For possible exceptions in dates of Sectional Qualifying P.ounds, see entry forms.) Championship Open Entries Close May 21 Amai. Public Links *June 1 Sectional Qualifying Rounds June 4 Championship Dates June 14-15-16 !:*June 17 to 23 Team: July 7 Indiv.: July 9-14 Junior Amateur July 2 July 17 July 25-28 Girls' Junior August 13-17 Women's Amateur August 6 — August 20-25 July 30 ■ Amateur August 13 August 28 Sept. 10-15 Venue Oakland Hills C. C„ Birmingham, Mich. Brown Deer Park G. C., Milwaukee, Wis. Univ, of Illinois, Champaign, Ill. (not determined) Town and Country C., St. Paul, Minn. Saucon Valley C. C., Bethlehem, Pa. ‘Entries close with Sectional Qualifying Chairmen- “Exac* date in each Section to be fixed by Sectional Chairmen. USGA Journal: November, 1950 1 THROUGH THE GREEN Take It or Leave It In case you ever require the informa­ tion in a hurry, there are 337 dimples on the average golf ball. St. Andrew's, U.S.A. John Reid introduced his neighborhood cronies to golf on three short holes laid out in a pasture across Lake Avenue from his home in Yonkers, N. Y., on February 22, 1888. The introduction was a happy one, and the acquaintance ripened into friendship. The group therefore decided, after the great blizzard of ’88, to continue the game in April on six more adequate holes marked out on a nearby meadow at the corner of North Broadway and Shon- nard Place. This was in effect the first course of what became, later that year, the St. Andrew’s Golf Club, the first club organized in this country which has pre­ served its continuity. The course was played for four seasons before encroach­ ing civilization drove the group four blocks north on Palisade Avenue to the more celebrated apple orchard. Early this autumn the Yonkers Cham­ ber of Commerce memorialized the site by placing a bronze tablet where the first green once lay. The precise location A New Role for Bob Jones Alex Bremner photo Bob Jones had never attended a Women's Amateur Championship until it was brought to his old home course this year. East Lake in Atlanta. Then he was Honorary General Chairman of the Club's Committee. His countless well-wishers will doubtless be interested in this proof that the Grand Slam Champion is getting about after his operation last spring. This photograph of the prize-giving ceremonies includes, beginning at the left. Miss Dorothy Kirby, Mrs. Hanson, mother of ihe new champion; and then, on the other side of Mr. Jones, Miss Beverly Hanson, Mrs. W. D. Tumlin, East Lake's Women's Chairman; James D. Standish, Jr., USGA; President, behind the trophy, and Miss Mae Murray, the runner-up (face turned away)ii 2 had been determined by Robert P. Ridges from the famous first photograph of American golf, taken at the first green about November, 1888, and showing in the background the home of Judge Theodore Fitch, which is still standing. (This photograph was reproduced on page 7 of the June, 1948, issue of the USGA Journal. Ford Frick, now President of the St. Andrew’s Golf Club, unveiled the tablet. John Reid’s son-in-law, Alexander B. Halliday; his grandson, John Reid II; the Mayor of Yonkers, Kristen Kristen­ sen, and the President of the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce, William Cronin, made brief remarks. The attendants included a red-coated delegation from St. Andrew’s, and Lewis A. Lapham, Fraser M. Horn and John P. English of the USGA official family. The tablet stands on the grounds of the Smith Guest House at 480 North Broadway. Beside it is a regulation golf hole containing the old-fashioned, short stick and cone which were in vogue in the 1880s and have since been replaced by taller flagsticks. Before and After There must be something in the saying that clothes make the woman. The Women’s Golf Association of Philadelphia relates, in Par-Tee Lines, the story of a rainy-day match in which two girls played a tight 17 holes, then divested themselves of their soggy rain gear and took to the showers. When they emerged, all dressed up and pretty, they didn’t recognize each other until a formal in­ troduction had taken place. Lockwood's Challenger George H. Lockwood, of Los Angeles, still holds the record. No one has come along with a claim of having played 18 holes with as few as 16 putts. USGA Journal: November, 1950 BLUSHING HONORS Courtesy of The Port Huron Times Herald, Port Huron, Mich. James D. Standish, Jr., USGA President, receiving gifts from Edgar A. Guest Detroit poet, presented by his friends at a dinner in his honor at Black River Country Club, Port Huron, Mich. But Roy M’Gregor of Ayrshire was threatening when he putted only 11 times in 12 holes in a match against E. D. Hamilton at Glasgow. His fine putting, which put him eight under par and seven under 4s, foiled his chance at the record, however. The holes ran out on him when his opponent quite naturally succumbed on the 12th green. Fifty-One Years Ago The Official Golf Guide for 1899, compiled and edited by Josiah Newman and dated March 10 of that year, stated that there were then in the United States 150,000 “patrons” of golf and that 35,000 men and boys were employed in the game. “No sport whatever,” continued this early record book, “and few single industries, finds labor for anything like so many people; it is far more than the whole United States Army when on a peace footing.” The editor modestly admitted that “This first Golf Guide is necessarily very incomplete,” but his volume con­ tained some reference to 558 clubs in 36 States. And this 51 years ago. USGA Journal: November, 1950 3 Third Generation SPORTSMAN'S CORNER The golfing skill which carried the late John D. Chapman to the United States Seniors’ Golf Association Cham­ pionship in 1931 and his son Dick to the USGA Amateur Championship in 1940 has been successfully transmitted to the third generation. Dick’s 8-year-old son Dixie has been playing seriously for two years now under his father’s tutelage, and at the end of the summer achieved his primary goal by scoring a 99 from the women’s tees at the Oyster Harbors Club on Cape Cod. His reward was appropriate to the oc­ casion, for, by the father’s estimate, Dixie is some 40 strokes better than Dick was at the same age. English in Navy It’s now Lieut. Cmdr. John P. English, USNR. The USGA Assistant Executive Secre­ tary has been recalled to active duty by the Navy and is at work in Washington. He is on a military leave of absence from the USGA. Innis Brown, long a writer on golf, has joined the USGA staff. He formerly was managing editor of the old American Golfer, when Grantland Rice was editor. Photo by Alex J. Morrison Innis Brown Oscar Bane Keeler, who passed away in Atlanta last month, was "O. B." to legions of golfers here and abroad — the on-the-spot chronicler of Robert T. Jones' golfing adventures, beginning at Merion in 1916 and ending on that pleasant landscape 14 years later. (Incidentally, one of the last of Keeler's literary achieve­ ments was a review of highlights of the four events involved in the Grand Slam of 1930, published in the August issue of this magazine.) Perhaps something other than chance led to the casting of Keeler in the role of historian for the Jones saga. His first introduction to golf, still in its swad­ dling clothes in this country, came when he was 15, in the summer of 1897. Then followed a lapse of 13 years, during which he took up newspaper reporting in Atlanta and moved to Kansas City. In the spring of 1910 the game claimed his attention for a second time. This time permeation of the virus was positive. He became within a short time a veritable "bug" on golf. By the spring of 1913 he was back in Atlanta with the newspaper on which he had started. It may have been providential that Alexa Stirling, Perry Adair and Bobby Jones, all in their early teens, were playing incredibly fine golf, that the entire city was agog about the game, and that the local papers were keenly alive to the situation. What more natural in these circumstances than that Keeler should fall heir to the task of keeping readers of his paper — at that time the GEORGIAN — posted in mat­ ters of golf. So much for the setting, and the need for a job to be done. As to the man and his quali­ fications, take first a genuine love, even reverence, for golf and its ancient forms. Add a vivid, entertaining style of writing, backed up by a tireless devotion to his duty in tracing down factual details as the contestants in a match trudged over more than 100 acres of variegated landscape. Infuse all this with a deep, natural kindness and a love of his fellow-man. Compound the whole, and you begin to arrive at an understanding of why O. B. Keeler was what he was to golf and golfers. Going Strong Fred McLeod, professional to the Columbia Country Club near Washing­ ton, has passed his 68th birthday. It has been 42 years since he won the USGA Open Championship in 1908. William E. Shannon, Chairman of Columbia’s Golf Committee, reports: “Fred is enjoying good health and is still able to score our course in the low 70s.” 4 USGA Journal: Nove,viber, 1950 California's Winning Team A team match for the Morse Trophy has become an outstanding golf event on the Pacific Coast. It is between California and the Pacific Northwest. Here is Cali­ fornia's winning team, left to right: Tai Smith, Kenneth Venturi, Robert Rosburg, John W. Dawson, Chapin Hunt, Captain; Bruce McCormick, S. F. B. Morse, the "Duke of Del Monte," donor of the trophy; Robert Cardinal, James Ferric, Eli Bariteau, Jr., Dr. Frank Taylor. Julian P. Graham photo A GOLFER'S WIFE Wanted: A Photograph A Golfer's Wife may never lie And contemplate the Sabbath sky, But rise at eight on tottering legs And cook reconstituted eggs. A Golfer's Wife can never say "Observe how fair and fine the day; Let's take our lunch — or even tea. And sport it by the silvery sea." A Golfer's Wife in flaming June (Except it be her honeymoon) May long in vain for river cool, For golden sands or bathing pool. A Golfer's Wife who knows her place, Will fade out early in the race; Will fold her hands and all her life, Be that poor thing — a Golfer's Wife. A Golfer's Wife (with luck of course) May hope for death, or just divorce, But if re-marriage be her goal She must beware the nineteenth hole. A Golfer's Widow should not falter, Whether at registry or altar; Let her escape from any chap Who's taken out a handicap. —JANE BAIRD AND MEL (J. B. MELHUISH) Reprinted by courtesy of Golf Monthly, Edinburgh, Scotland The USGA needs a picture of the 1934 Curtis Cup Team. It is the only missing item in an otherwise complete gallery of Champions and Teams which soon will adorn the walls of “Golf House.” If you know of the existence of such a picture in any form — negative, print or reproduction — we would appreciate being informed so that we may arrange to borrow it and have a print made. Joe Meister We record with great regret the passing of Joe Meister, of Wheaton, III., one of the pioneer American professionals, at the age of 85. Meister was employed by the Chicago Golf Club as caddie-master and profes­ sional in 1894, just two years after Charles Blair Macdonald laid out the Club’s original course in Belmont. He claimed to be the first American-born professional. USGA Journal: November, 1950 5 How Long Do You Take to Putt? By RUNCIE B. MARTIN Duluth Herald and News-Tribune, Duluth, Minn. One of the most controversial angles in golf today is the excessive amount of time some tournament golfers spend on the putting green. The United States Golf Association has tried to cure the malady with a rule. For many years delay which unfairly interfered with another player subjected the slow man to the possibility of dis­ qualification. But the penalty was never applied — its sole use was a threat. At the start of 1949 the USGA reduced the penalty to a more nearly practical degree — loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play, except that repeated delay was to entail disqualifica­ tion. In the last two seasons several players in USGA championships have received the minimum penalties under this rule, most of them for being late at the first tee. USGA officials say the general situation about slow play is improving. But on the putting green play is still painfully slow. In watching tournaments the last two years we have seen many flagrant violations of the rule which requires a player to “play without undue delay,” and never have we seen a penalty invoked on the green, although some decidedly should have been called. Thus far USGA officials haven’t been able to solve the problem satisfactorily, and it may take a Philadelphia lawyer to come up with the perfect answer. The Stop-Watch Test An idea which might go far toward a solution was tried during the semi-final matches of the Northland invitation tournament in Duluth, Minn. The four players were timed on the greens from the time they started studying their putts until the ball was stroked. Player A had an average of 32.1 seconds per putt, with a low of 20 seconds and high of 48. Player B averaged 21 seconds per putt, with a low of 12 and high of 26. Player C’s average was 28.5, with a low of 6 and high of 62. Player D had the highest average of the four players, with 38; a low of 21 and high of 53. The ultimate champion, Tom Hoak, required the lowest average time per putt, 21 seconds. This might be construed as an example of what the late Alex Smith said many years ago, “Miss ’em quick.” This colorful Carnoustie Scot had the reputation of being a fine putter, especially in the clutches. Traveling pros are probably the worst offenders, but amateurs of all ages are likewise guilty. Ten-cent syndicates, dollar Nassaus, regular weekly club events, invitation tournaments, state championships and on down to the big­ gest championship in the country, the USGA Amateur, they are all guilty. At the Amateur Championship We made a time test of a number of contestants in this year’s USGA Amateur at the Minneapolis Golf Club with the following results, from the time they started studying their putts until the ball was stroked: In a first-round match between Wil­ liam C. Campbell, of Huntington, W. Va., and Allan Whaling, of Cincinnati, Camp­ bell averaged 55.3 seconds per putt on 17 greens for a total of 17 minutes and 26 seconds, with a high of 85 and low of 25. Whaling, the winner, averaged 48.8 for a total of 19 minutes and 30 seconds, high 85 and low 5. This 17-hole match, although slightly delayed by the field, required 4 hours 11 minutes, of which 36 minutes 56 seconds were spent studying and stroking putts. Defending Champion Charley Coe averaged 43.12 seconds, with a high of 64 and low 22, in his first-round match 6 USGA Journal: November, 1950 Brass without Hats USGA officials during the Amateur Championship at the Minneapolis Golf Club. Left to right: Front row — Richard Tufts, Pinehurst, N. C., Secretary; Toiton Hef- felfinger, Minneapolis, Vice-President; James Standish, Detroit, President; Isaac Grainger, New York, Vice-President; John Ames, Chicago, Treasurer. Back row: Joseph Dey, Executive Secretary; Charles Grace, Philadelphia; Charles Peirson, Boston; James Walker, New York; Fred Dold, Wichita; Frederic Byers, Jr., Pittsburgh, all members of the Executive Committee. Missing from the photograph are T. R. Garlingion, Atlanta; Lewis A. Lapham, New York; Corydon Wagner, Tacoma, members of the Executive Committee, and Fraser M. Horn, New York, General Counsel. Alex Bremner photo with Thomas S. Jamison, Jr., whose average came to 43.05, high 64 and low 17. Twenty-two minutes 30 seconds were used in putting during this 14-hole contest. Coe averaged 53 seconds per putt on some of the holes which we checked him on in his other matches. On four or more holes Richard Chapman averaged 43 seconds; Gene Littler, 39; Willie Turnesa, 40; Chick Evans, 34; James McHale, 42, and Pat Sawyer, 22. Forty contestants were checked on the 13th green, generally regarded as the trickiest on the course, for an average of 38.7 seconds, with a high of 137 and a low of 12. In Frank Stranahan’s match with Mc­ Hale, the British Amateur Champion averaged 61 seconds to his opponent’s 59.6, and in the following match with William Mawhinney he averaged 50.6 as compared to the Canadian Champion’s 72. These two matches were close and hard-fought, both being decided on the 18th green. lhe putting of Stranahan and Sam Urzetta, the new Champion, was checked on 29 holes of their final match, and the total time spent on the greens was: Stranahan —- 48 minutes 7 seconds; Urzetta — 25 minutes 39 seconds. In this match Frank used more time than before in putting. Perhaps it was because he was so close to the title he (Continued on Page 25) USGA Journal: November, 1950 Dame Van Winkle’s Eyes Are Opened By MRS. W. G. FRASER USGA Women’s Amateur Champion 1916-19-20 After having witnessed the 50th USGA Women’s Amateur Championship at East Lake. I have the feeling of being a feminine Rip Van Winkle who has awak­ ened to find in the women’s golfing world fabulous and wondrous changes. It is a strange feeling, and I should like to give here a few impressions of what I found. First and foremost are the size and the quality of the field of players, any one of whom could be classed as of championship caliber. Gone are the days of the domination of a small group among whom almost certainly the winner would be found. Gone are the players of better than middle age who used to qualify regularly in the first 32. It is a young person’s day — and youth is doing wonderful things with it. Puzzled as I was, more than once I asked why the distance of the shots and the power shown by women golfers came to be. and invariably the answer was Alex Bremner photo Mrs. Fraser during the presentation of prizes at this year's Women's Amateur Championship. 23 Years After Not since 1927 had Mrs. W. G. Fraser played in the Women's Championship until this year at Atlanta. As Miss Alexa Stirling, she was pre-eminent before and after World War I. She reached the Championship final six times in eight con­ secutive tournaments, winning three. She grew up, golf-wise, at the East Lake Course, scene of this year's Championship. the same — better implements and balls. This may be so, to some degree, but it is my impression that it is the women behind the implements and balls who have shown the greatest improvement. There seems to be a uniformity in teaching methods, with a consequent similarity in the swings which was most notable. The time was when, from a good distance, a player could be recognized by her swing due to some peculiarity which stamped it as belonging to that particular individual. Not so today. From a dis­ tance they all look alike. Close up, of course, the details could be seen and the reasons for more distance or greater accuracy noted. Even the stances taken for putting were almost without exception so similar as to be noteworthy. The grip on the putter seemed to be a point where personal preference was given full play, but the swings were all of one type. Good putters they were, too, many of them with a fine sense of touch and timing. I hesitate to make a flat-footed state­ ment about the swings of today; to do so is not only difficult but dangerous. But a change which impressed itself upon me was a tremendous downward drive at the ball from a backswing which entailed a completely straight left arm and almost no wrist action until the very top of the swing, with hands and forearms having moved together as a unit up to that point. This, of course, called for wrists (Continued on Page 20' 8 USGA Journal: November. 1950 Watch Your Language, Please By HARRY ROBERT No golfer worthy of playing the ancient and honorable game would think of violating its rules, and few who violate its etiquette keep their playing compan­ ions. But there is another phase of golf quite as important to many of us which in recent years has been getting foul treatment. I refer to the language of golf, which is in danger of being distorted beyond all original intent. No game has a richer language of its own but, unless we cling to its accuracy, it seems to me, it must eventually become meaningless. It is all very well to say language is what we make it and I subscribe to the collo­ quial quite as much as the next man. But this does not authorize the transformation of words into completely different defini­ tions. You simply can’t do that and have them retain their sense. My pet abomination is the present usage of bogie to represent a score of one more than par on a hole. More than 90 per cent of golf writers and players use it in that sense, yet the word simply doesn’t mean that. Bogie (sometimes bogey) means bogie, period. Not one more or one less than anything. It has a meaning entirely unrelated to par since (and this may surprise some of those bandying it about so loosely) it was part of golf terminology before par was devised. Bogie is the score an average good player — but not a champion — might be expected to make on any golf hole if he plays it well. In some cases it hap­ pens to be one more than par. In many more it is exactly the same. Originally, 1 suppose, since I am not that old, score cards carried only bogie. I do remember that 25 years ago or more, most cards carried both par and bogie. Bogie corresponds roughly to women’s par, which has supplanted it in score cards today. If the hole was not too long and tough, par and bogie were the same. If it was a back-breaker, bogie was a stroke higher, for a man need not be a world beater to score bogie figures. I was genuinely surprised, while work­ ing on this article, to come across a score card, not so many years old, from the Seaview Golf Club at Absecon, N. J., near Atlantic City. It contains both par and bogie. It can be noted on this card that on seven of the holes bogie is one more than par, but on the other 11 the two are the same. Thus, bogie is allowed an extra stroke on a little less than 40 per cent of the holes and I would say this proportion is pretty much average. I don’t know if Seaview still clings to this custom (I hope so), but if it does, its cards should be made required study for all golf writers and recommended reading for all golfers. Shades of Colonel Bogie To rifle such a word of its original meaning is to strip golf of some of its romance, for bogie is one of the legends of the game. It derives from a mythical figure, a Colonel Bogie, apparently one of those retired British colonial officers who pop up in so many English novels. I suspect he was a gruff old boy, rather touchy about his game, which he no doubt developed on jungle courses. At any rate, he supposedly stalked the links by night, shooting his sound game by the light of the moon. Bogie was the score the ghostly colonel made, and the better- than-average golfer pitted his skill against this shadowy opponent. That, of course, was long before par was devised; and the late Bill Flynn, well-known golf course architect, used to share my allergy to the irritant and remark forcefully: “I’d like to know how anything can be one more than something that didn’t come into existence until later.” Today golf articles glibly refer to every score of one over par on a hole as a USGA Journal: November, 1950 How Bogie Compares with Par bogie, and they have even come to call­ ing a score two strokes over par a “double bogie.” This is insult added to injury, for if a 5 on a par 4 hole were a bogie, then certainly, if language is to have any meaning at all, a “double bogie” would be a 10. But I suppose we shall soon be reading of “triple bogies,” and who knows what next. Another thing that used to annoy Bill Flynn was to read: “He shot a 68 which could just as well have been a 63.” Breathes there a golfer with soul so dead who never to himself hath said: “I could easily have saved ten strokes.” Your score is the score you make. You miss some putts, but you make some, too. “It could just as well have been a 75, too. couldn’t it?” Bill used to remark. I have also read reports that “he put together rounds of 36 and 33 for a 69.” If anyone ever does put together rounds of 36 and 33, it will be a greater feat than Ralph Kiner hitting eight home runs in one game or a halfback averaging 80 yards for every carry throughout a football game. What the reporter meant, of course, was that the golfer had nines of 36 and 33. But a nine is not a round unless it is so stipulated or is on a nine- hole course, for a round is a tour of the complete course, and Gertrude Stein would say a round is a round is a round. The Truth About "Links" In the United States, by the way, very little golf is played on links. The British have many golf links but ours are mostly courses, links being the patches of con­ necting turf and sand along the seaside. It is amazing, too, how few golfers seem to know the meaning of dormie. Many a disconsolate tournament player has remarked to me near the close of a match that he was dormie, when he sin­ cerely wished he were. He knew the score but not whereof he spoke, for the player who is dormie is he who is UP as many holes as are left to play, not the one who is down. Belief in the op­ posite seems almost universal. One thing more. That gentleman to whom you gripe about the condition of the course is not the chairman of the “greens” committee. His is, if we would be exact, a singular position. The im­ pression is widespread that his committee has only to do with the putting surfaces. But it is the green committee, and, as in my own name, an “s” is superfluous. Its domain is all that is green; to wit, the entire course, not just the putting greens. The house committee has to do with the club structures, but we don’t refer to it as the “houses committee.” To some these may seem trifling com­ plaints, but I submit they are important if golf is to conserve its full heritage. If terms like bogie and dormie can be twisted into other meanings, so, too, may others. And a generation of golfers yet unborn may some day be unaware of the true meaning of bunker, birdie and even — perish forbid — jigger. 10 USGA Journal: November. 1950 Golden Anniversary Afterglow By JOSEPH C. DEY, JR. USGA Executive Secretary sustained a two-stroke penalty at a cri­ tical juncture. At the finish he was four strokes behind Hogan’s 69. Before all that, a young “unknown,” Lee Mackey, Jr., set an all-time record for the Open with a 61. Yes, it was an epic Open. The most memorable thing of all was the courage A backward look at the USGA’s Golden Anniversary Championships shows that they were happily named. No one could have planned that the 50th Open, Ama­ teur and Women’s Amateur events would be, from a competitive standpoint, as rich and handsome as they turned out. It all started, you will remember, when Ben Hogan came back from the valley of the shadow and won the Open at Merion. There was a three-way tie, and in the playoff Hogan was victor over Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio. Mangrum inadvertently lifted his ball while in play on the 16th green and Courtesy of Minneapolis Star and Tribune Frank Stranahan blasting from a bunker on the 38th hole of the Amateur Championship final. Courtesy of Minneapolis Star and Tribune Sam Urzetta USGA Journal: November, 1550 11 Alex Bremner photo Miss Mae Murray and Miss Fay Crocker, who set a record by playing nine extra holes in the Women's Amateur Championship. and the faith of Hogan. The Open was won by a man who, by the standards of many medical experts, should not even have been walking, much less striving for the big prize. Record Amateur Final The two other golden anniversary tournaments came near the end of the season. Each in its own way provided a record. Sam Urzetta and Frank Stranahan went more holes than any pair of finalists had ever previously gone before their final was decided on the 39th at the Minneapolis Golf Club. Back in 1923 Max Marston defeated Jess Sweetser on the 38th, and that was the longest final until this year. Urzetta was every inch a Champion. You were perhaps most impressed with that quality on the 36th green. The match hung in the balance. Urzetta fluffed a delicate little chip behind the green, sending it only a few feet. But he came back to halve the hole and keep the match alive, after a long putt by Stranahan just missed. Miss Beverly Hanson Alex Bremner photo The deciding shot was a drive out of bounds by Stranahan on the 39th. Frank’s loss was naturally a sore disappointment, especially as he wanted to add the USGA Championship to the British title he won last soring. But Stranahan in defeat gained a host of well-wishers because of his sportsmanship. The defeated semi-finalists were Robert W. Knowles, Jr., and John P. Ward. There were many golden moments at East Lake in Atlanta when Miss Beverly 12 USGA Journal: November, 1950 Winners of the Curtis Cup The United States Team at the Country Club of Buffalo. Left to right: Front row — Miss Dorothy Kielty, Miss Beverly Hanson, Miss Peggy Kirk, Miss Dorothy Kirby. Back row — Miss Polly Riley, Miss Grace Lenczyk, Mrs. Edwin H. Vare, Jr., Captain; Mrs. Mark A. Porter, Miss Helen Sigel. Alex Bremner photo Hanson played through a tremendously strong field which included both British and American Curtis Cup Teams. Her ultimate opponent was Miss Mae Murray, and the. final score was 6 and 4, the match being scheduled for 36 holes. Miss Hanson was a most impressive player all week. After several years of trying, she has brought her game to a very high level and is a thoroughly deserving titleholder. This 50th Women’s Amateur Cham­ pionship produced a record, too. Little Miss Murray had been scheduled to play 18 holes with Miss Fay Crocker, of Montevideo, Uruguay — a player of great capabilities. But 18 holes were not enough to settle it—they took 27 holes, the last three of which were played the next day. They thus set a Women’s Championship record for most extra holes. There have twice been 24-hole match­ es — in 1929 Mrs. Leo Federman (now Airs. Charles Leichner) defeated Airs. H. B. Stetson at Oakland Hills, Detroit; in 1934 Airs. 0. S. Hill defeated Mrs. L. D. Cheney at Whitemarsh Valley, Philadelphia. The defeated semi-finalists at East Lake were Miss Grace De Moss and Miss Helen Sigel. Miss DeMoss’ game made a fine impression in her first Champion­ ship appearance. Just before the East Lake party, a number of the young ladies convened for the Curtis Cup Match at the Country Club of Buffalo. It was the first women’s USGA Journal: November, 1950 13 international team event in this country since 1938. The superior long games of the Americans counted heavily, especially as the course played slow. They took a 2-to-l lead in foursomes the first day and eventually won by 7^2 to 1% from their British Isles opponents. Quite aside from the score, the flavor of the event was in keeping with the best in golf. Although our British visitors did not win the Cup, they gained hosts of friends, and the Match served one of its prime purposes in furthering inter­ national friendship. The Girls' Junior The youngest USGA Championship, the Girls’ Junior, produced a worthy winner in Patricia Lesser, of Seattle, who triumphed in the final over Mary Kathryn Wright, of La Jolla, Cal., 4 and 2. The Wanakah Country Club, in Buffalo, was host. The representatives of the new genera­ tion, all under 18 years of age, show great promise. They are always knock­ ing at par’s door, their medalist turned in a 79 (Miss Barbara Romack, of Sacra­ mento, Cal.), and in a special driving competition on a wet fairway Mickey Wright had a total of 680 yards for three balls and Pat Lesser had 643. What's a Foursome? A foursome is a match in which two players oppose two other players but each side plays only one ball. One member of each team plays from all the odd-numbered tees and his partner drives from all the even-numbered tees; after the tee shot, the partners alternate in striking the ball until the hole is finished. Thus, a foursome is not to be confused with a four-ball match. In a four-ball there are also four players, two on a side, but each player plays a ball all the way. The better ball of each side is the score. Definition 1 in the Rules of Golf has some other little known points, as follows: Threesome: one playing against two, each side playing one ball. Three-ball match: three playing against one another, each playing his own ball. Single: one player playing against another. The term "through the green" (Definition 3) means the entire course except the putting greens, teeing grounds and hazards. So watch your language, please! Contestants in the USGA Girls' Junior Championship. Left to right: Esther Reid, Secane, Pa.; Suzanne Nagell, Buffalo; Katherine McKinnon, West Palm Beach; Pa­ tricia Buell, Niagara Falls; Janet Mack, Niagara Falls; Alice Emhardi, Speedway, Ind.; Leila Fisher, Canton, Mass.; Patricia Bright, Niagara Falls; Barbara Romack, Sacramento (medalist with 79); Marlene Gesell, Winona, Minn.; Virginia Dennehy, Lake Forest, Ill.; Mary Kathryn Wright, La Jolla, Cal. (the runner-up); Anne McAvoy, Phoenixville, Pa.; Barbara Blakely, Anniston, Ala.; Patricia Lesser, Seattle, Wash, (the Champion); Ann Harvey, Niagara Falls; Barbara McIntire, Toledo. 14 USGA Journal: November, 1950 The Spirit of the Women Seniors Guiding lights among the Women Seniors include, left to right: Mrs. Harry Dow, Co-Chairman of the Prize Committee; Mrs. Robert B. Meckley, the 1950 Champion; Mrs. Dave C. Gaui, President; Mrs. Anthony Bassler, Vice-President and Tourna­ ment Chairman; Mrs. Fowler Manning, Co-Chairman of the Prize Committee. A. Chase Holmes photo By MRS. DAVE GAUT President, United States Senior Women’s Golf Association; The United States Senior Women’s Golf Association was founded in 1923 by Mrs. Ronald H. Barlow,,Mrs. Frank Enos, Mrs. Myra D. Paterson, Mrs. Richard Payson and Miss Georgiana M. Bishop. Fifteen ofthe charter members are still very active in. , the/Association. Mrs. Enos, who' is 86' never fails to attend the annual meetings. She is just as keen and interested in golf as she was the day she helped start the organization that has meant so much to older golfers over the nation. Mrs. S. S. Laird, Jr., who will soon celebrate her 76th birthday, participated in the 1950 Championship, playing 18 holes three days in succession. Only a year ago Mrs. Laird fell and broke her hip, and it was thought her golfing days were over — but not for one who has the courage and determination of Mrs. Laird. This is one of the most unique cham­ pionships held in the United States, because you must be 50 to be eligible to join the Association. There was a record of 115 contestants in the 1950 tournament at the Westchester Country Club, Rye, N. Y. Many scored in the low 80s, which was wonderful considering the course is hilly, with long carries over water. The winner was Mrs. Robert Meckley, of Washington, D. C., with a score of 82-85-167. The thing that impresses you most about this event is the interest and enthusiasm of the golfers — and never will you see finer sportsmanship. The spirit and courage that prevail should be an inspiration to golfers everywhere. With all the players staying at the Westchester Country Club, it was a very gay place — parties galore in the after­ noon and dancing in the evening (with each other), everything from tango to waltz. (Continued on Page 25) USGA Journal: November, 1950 15 Play It Clock-Wise By MISS BEVERLY HANSON USGA Women’s Amateur Champion "‘Aw, go on and hit the putt — you’ll either make it or miss it!” on the previous green trying to duplicate her feat. How many times have you murmured that while playing or gallerying? How many times have you glanced frantically at your watch while some friend or tournament player carefully surveyed the green? No doubt you’ve more than once been a victim of “Hesitation Harry” or “Turtle-Speed Tessie.” There are two distinct categories of golfers, the tournament competitor and the week-end or club player, each with its own underlying reason for slow play. The former wastes most of the time on and around the greens, possibly over­ come with the importance of the situa­ tion. This species needs frequent re­ minding that golf is and should be a game, not work, regardless of the stake. There are things in life more important than winning or losing a match or a championship. The second category, which includes the vast majority of golfers, is most often guilty of inattentiveness or just plain day-dreaming. Your watch’s second hand sometimes makes several complete cycles before the weekend variety says, “Oh, is it my shot?” Last winter I played in a “fivesome” of women whose handicaps ranged from 0 to 22 at Los Angeles Country Club, a long and treacherous layout. Since one woman had an afternoon appointment, we decided to tee off alphabetically the entire way in order to speed up play. The group lef:: the first tee at 9:30 A.M. and holed out on the 18th green at 12:35 P.M. — an elapsed time of three hours five minutes. We figured we saved some 30 minutes on the tees by simply being alert and ready through our routine “batting or­ der.” Not once were we forced to wait on the birdie shooter who practices putts Slow Play Harms Good Golf Take it from one who knows, slow play and over-deliberate shot-making are not only unnecessary but they are det­ rimental to par golf. In 1948 I was among the slowest and, in addition, I was among the most inconsistent and least reliable golfers — something of the birdie, two-over-par type. I hardly trusted my own judgment or ability on a six-inch putt, and the scores showed it. I resolved to make my game less of an imposition on those with me and behind me, and in so doing I was more than repaid, for I acquired something akin to a golf game. As I started cutting down on practice swings and nervous mannerisms, I found myself standing up to the ball with a more positive attitude, more assurance. It was around the greens, though, that the greatest strides were made. I stopped asking the caddie’s advice on the speed and the break of the greens and soon found that, with few exceptions, my judgment was almost as good as his. This confidence in my own judgment didn’t take long to show up in terms of scoring ability, for there were fewer three putts and more chip-and-one-putt greens. Now I find enjoyment in the challenge that my score is squarely up to me — that I alone am responsible for a 75 or an 85. No longer am I burdened with such pre-putt talk as, “Play about four inches up on the left side. It’ll be slow going up the hill, but slippery coming down.” Try it. The next time you go out, step up to each shot as though you’d hit it before. You’ll find yourself developing a continuity of thought and a pattern of confidence you’ve never known before. And above all, think how appreciative your friends will be! 16 USGA Journal: November, 1950 Lightning Protection for Shelters Are the shelters on your golf course protected against lightning? Small unprotected buildings on a golf course are not the most desirable places in which to seek refuge during an elec­ trical storm; but they can be made more nearly safe by proper use of steel poles. The subject was first brought up by M. C. James, of Greeneville, Tenn., who said in part: “There have been several golfers killed by lightning on nearby courses this year, and there seems to be quite a bit of interest in building low, flat shelters to encourage players taking shelter. How­ ever, there has been some objection to this practice of shelter inasmuch as the clubs with steel shafts plus a crowd in the shelters seem to draw lightning. I have suggested grounding the shelters for lightning, but several others seem to think that trying to ground them would only add to the danger, as they do not think there is a sufficient ground for lightning.” We submitted the matter to the National Bureau of Standards of the U. S. Depart­ ment of Commerce, and the following helpful reply was received from John A. Dickinson, Secretary, Sectional Com­ mittee. for the Lightning Code: “The problem presented in your letter is a most interesting one. I have noted in local newspapers a number of cases of golfers or spectators being struck by lightning on a golf course. “For a small structure such as a shel­ ter, the protection might best be taken care of by using four steel poles set out at a distance from the corners of the building. (See Lighning Code P. 49). These might be of 2” pipe or 2^” pipe below ground with 2” above ground. “The poles should be set deep enough to reach permanently moist ground (6 to 8 feet). The height should be such that the shelter would be wholly within the 4 cones of protection set up by the poles (45° angle from the top of the pole, or a pole-height radius about its base). “This method was used successfully during World War II to protect buildings containing explosives. It keeps differences of ground potential around the building to a minimum. “If lightning conductors are placed on shelters with a ground adjacent to one side of the building, large differences of potential may exist between points on the surface of the ground which are a few feet apart. The frequent killing of livestock under a tree which is struck is attributed to such potential differences. F ortunately the human animal has a shorter ‘wheel base’ than a horse or cow and consequently deaths of persons from this cause are rare. “A dry raised wood platform in the shelter would decrease the possibility of shock from this cause. (I am assuming they would not have a built-in floor). “The poles or pipes could be painted a ‘grass’ or neutral green to improve their appearance without affecting their effectiveness. (Underground section should be bare).” As Ernest Jones Sees It Ernest Jones, well-known New York golf instructor, has distilled his teaching into the following essence, which he has distributed on little printed cards: Swing the club head with the hands. Make it swing. Do not allow anything to overpower the swinging motion; if it is a swing, it demands freedom. To acquire greater distance, increase the arc of the swing; but never swing the head back beyond a point where hand control is lost. Swing the clubhead with both hands. Swing it with live hands. Above all, trust the swing. LSGA Journal: November, 1950 17 The Jaycees and the Juniors By HUGH EGAN, JR. Director of Sports and Recreation, U. S. Junior Chamber of Commerce In five short seasons a golf tourna­ ment for boys has grown from one of the least significant, with 27 entries, to perhaps the largest in the world, with literally thousands of aspirants. It’s the Junior Championship sponsored by the United States Junior Chamber of Com­ merce. The Jaycees, it should be known, are eager young men who revel in getting things done. They keep themselves young by eliminating all members who reach the ripe old age of 36 years. It’s only natural that they should have wanted to do something for boys, and so the Junior Championship came into being in 1946. There were only 27 teen-agers in that first tournament at the Indian Canyon Course in Spokane. They entered directly, without any state playoffs. Compare that with this year: 197 lads started in the fifth Championship at the Iowa State College course in Ames, but to get there they had to undergo a series of local and state contests with hordes of other boys. Those at Ames came from 39 states and the District of Columbia. The championship has been spread around the country. After Spokane, the boys in 1947 went to the Mount Hawley Country Club in Peoria, Ill., then to the Lincoln, Neb., Country Club in 1948, and to the Houston, Texas, Country Club last year. Hope Valley Country Club in Durham, N. C., will be the host in 1951. The 1950 Champion is Eddie Merrins, of Meridian, Miss., who won in the final from Gay Brewer, Jr., of Lexington, Ky., who had been the USGA Junior Amateur Champion in 1949. The Ames Junior Chamber invested 3,000 man hours in this year’s tourna­ ment during the week of play, besides advance work that had been going on for 15 months. One of the fine features was assignment of one Jaycee to look after the personal wants of each player. This year in conjunction with the Na­ tional Golf Foundation we released a film ‘ Golf for Youth,” a four-year history of the Championship, augmented by five- minute recordings by leading players. The Athletic Institute entered the picture in 1947, offering funds and guidance to the Jaycees. The Jaycee program is highly grati­ fying because of the constructive work which it does for boys. Gene Sarazen holds a clinic for contestants in the Jaycee tournament at Ames. Photo by W. N. Skourup, Jr. 18 USGA Journal: November, 1950 The British Ladies View Our Courses By MISS ELIZABETH PRICE Member 1950 British Isles Curtis Cup Team Before trying to compare British and American courses, may I use a small piece of your paper to reach the many friends we made while in America to thank them for their kindness and hos­ pitality wherever we went. Particularly we of the British Curtis Cup Team want to thank the Pam Barton Day committees, without whose help our trip could never have been made. I feel this is the only way to reach as many of you as we can, and we do thank you all. To compare British and American courses is rather difficult without ex­ plaining what a British course is like, but I think that difficulty can be over­ come by saying that the National and Maidstone, both of which we played while on Long Island for three days, are very like the best British courses. The grass on both was like ours, the layout was similar, and the length of hole and the sand dunes reminded us of home. It is possible that the fairways were a little grassier than the fairways in Britain during August and September, but the ball refused to stay on the greens in just the same infuriating way. On leaving home we had been told that all American courses were much better trapped than our own, particularly round the greens, and that the only shot to play was a high pitch with a wedge. We were told that a ball pitched up to the flag would stop dead, and so we practiced the wedge. We pitched up to the flag and bounded over the greens at home, but always someone said, “That’s all right — they’ll stop in America.” And so, when they didn’t stop on the National and at Maidstone, we said to ourselves, “Well, these courses are like our own; the ball will stop when we get inland.” And so to Buffalo for the Curtis Cup Match. traps, as we had been led to expect at home, with lush greens which would be easy for pitching and lovely to putt on. There had been only one faint whisper about grain on American greens. This had come from Bobby Locke, who had suggested that the grain on the greens was the main danger to us since it was new. We played our first round on Buffalo. The pitch shot was not wanted very much as usually we were taking full wood shots to the green, and if we missed the green with this shot we could use our usual run-up, as the greens were not bunkered tightly on more than two holes. The course seemed very long. It was explained to us that there had been an abnormal amount of rain, but no one seemed able to explain the fact that the sprinklers were on even while the rain was pouring down. The amount of water the course received while we were at Buffalo made the holes very long, and play was the same as in winter at home. Lesson in Concentration But the grain on the greens! Never shall I forget it. It didn’t hold a short pitch as we had expected when pitching down grain, and when pitching or run­ ning the ball into the grain it stopped dead. But the longer pitch (50 yards or more) stopped well. We came in from the first round alarmed at the prospect of playing an important match on those greens. But putting on grain teaches you some­ thing that is difficult to learn any­ where else. I’m sure I, at least, have learnt to concentrate more on the green, and I hope that this extra concentration will pay dividends in the future. And then to Atlanta and more trouble, in the USGA Women’s Amateur Cham­ pionship. Here we thought we should find a course with the greens surrounded by Here we met Bermuda grass. Another novelty, this. We looked at the grass, USGA Journal: November, E50 19 The British Isles Curtis Cup Team Left to right: Mrs. George Valentine, Miss Jean Donald, Miss Elizabeth Price, Mrs. A. C. Critchley, Captain; Miss Jeanne Bisgood, Miss Philomena Garvey, Miss Frances Stephens. A!ex Bremner photo and it looked easier than at Buffalo. There didn’t seem to be any grain to these greens. The grass was spikey but it didn’t seem to lie all one way. But when we had played on these greens once or twice, the grass did seem to lie dif­ ferent ways, so that putting was no easier than at Buffalo. Pitching, however, did seem a good deal easier and the ball stopped as well as we had been told it would on all American courses. Longer and Wider Both Buffalo and Atlanta seemed longer and wider than the courses we are ac­ customed to at home. The fairways are wide and the rough not as thick as in Britain, where you usually lose a shot if you are off the line. In America it seems that you are only on another fair­ way if you wander, and might even have an easier shot to the green. The different type of course is reflected in the different approach to the game. We are usually short but straight, while you are long but sometimes off the line. We try to lay out our courses so that the par 4 hole is within reach with a drive and an iron, and the 3- par hole is usually an iron shot whatever the weather conditions. We realize that we are shorter than you Americans, and we went home de­ termined to get more length so that when next we play the Curtis Cup we shall not be playing wooden club shots when our opponents are using irons. If we increase our length, our comparison between American and British courses may lay emphasis on a different part of the game, as our lack of length puts a premium on our short game and makes difficult greens more difficult. 20 USGA Journal: November, 1950 What Are Winter Rules? That weather-beaten sign “Winter Rules” is now making its annual ap­ pearance at many first tees. But beware of it — the fact is that there are no winter rules, either in the Rules of Golf booklet or anywhere else, unless each club which wants them takes the trouble to adopt some. If a club feels it must have “Winter Rules,” the following statement of the USGA’s position may be helpful: The USGA does not recognize “winter rules” or “preferred lies” in the established Rules of Golf. The Association recommends that the Rules of Golf be observed uniformly. Attention is invited to the fact that Rule 7(5) provides for ground under repair, and it is recommended that occasional unusual conditions which op- perate against fair or pleasurable play and which are not widespread be so defined accu­ rately as ground under repair. The Association recognizes, however, that such adverse conditions are sometimes general throughout a golf course, and that local com­ mittees sometimes adopt local rules called “winter rules” for such conditions. Any such local rules, like all other local rules, should be stated in detail and interpreted by the local committee, as there is no established code of “winter rules.” Without detailed local rules, it is meaningless for a local committee to post a notice which merely says “Winter Rules Today.” From our observation, the following local rule would seem appropriate for the condi­ tions in question, and it is suggested simply for the purpose of standardization: “A ball lying in a ‘fairway’ or on a put­ ting surface may be lifted and cleaned, without penalty, and placed within six inches of where it originally lay, not nearer the hole, and so as to preserve as nearly as possible the stance required to play from the original lie. After the ball has been so placed, it is in play, and if it move after the player has addressed it. the penalty shall be one stroke—see Rule 12 (lb).” It is emphasized that such a local rule is in conflict with the established Rules of Golf and the fundamental principle of playing the ball as it lies, and the USGA therefore does not endorse and will not interpret it. Scores made in competitions where such a local rule is in force should not be used for handicapping. The section in the Rules of Golf entitled “Recommendations for Local Rules” provides in part that “When necessary, local rules should be made . . . for the preservation of the course.” That is not to be confused with the local rule discussed above. All too fre­ quently “winter rules" have been adopted under the guise of protecting the course when, in fact, the practical effect was just the oppo­ site—thejr condoned moving balls to the best- conditioned parts of the course, from which divots were promptly taken and the course injured. Further, such local rules have in­ variably been permissive, rather than obliga­ tory, so that a player was under no compulsion to move his ball if he did not want to do so. A local rule “for preservation of the course” must be mandatory and must be specific as to details in order to be effective. Dame Van Winkle's Eyes Are Opened (Continued from Page 7) and hands which had been held a little on the high side, with the club held very noticeably in the fingers with no sem­ blance of a palm grip. At any rate, what­ ever the reasons, the results were highly satisfactory. Another point which impressed me was the very high standard of play. There was little inaccuracy in direction. While I was not able to watch all the matches, I can recall having seen only three badly missed shots in the whole week’s play. This seems to emphasize the high degree of perfection to which the top women golfers of today have attained. Scores of 71, 72 and the like do not allow of many mistakes. And in this wide awaken­ ing to which I was subjected, I found that such scores, rather than being some- ihing to marvel at, were almost as com­ monplace as 81s and 82s in years gone by. To write about these girls (and they are for the most part in their early 20s or younger I as though they were Ama­ zons, of terrific strength, would be mis­ leading and wholly incorrect. True, there are some of more powerful build than others. But taken as a whole, they are just slight, well-dressed, attractive girls who, as one man expressed it, would be “knockouts” on a ball-room floor. USGA Journal: November, 1950 21 Change of Address: “Golf House” If you should want to communicate with the USGA, you’d better note our new address: 40 East 38th St. New York 16, N. Y. That’s “Golf House,” national home for the game which thousands of golfers all over the country are helping to make possible through donations to the USGA Golf House Fund. If you should want to communicate with the USGA about taking a hand in the project, your letter would receive tender care. It’s going to take a total of about $100,000 to complete the work. Thus far $63,329.67 has been received, repre­ senting the devoted interest of 3,548 givers. They are divided as follows: individuals 3,329; clubs 153; associations 66. Alterations are in progress for the purpose of making “Golf House” not only USGA headquarters but to house pro­ perly the USGA Golf Museum and Lib­ rary — famous clubs, balls, pictures, books, documents, medals. It will be several months before the Golf Museum and Library are ready for use, but the new address should be used henceforth. The Metropolitan Golf Association, which regulates men’s golf affairs around New York City, has occupied a portion of “Golf House.” The United States Seniors’ Golf Association and the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association also plan to make it their headquarters. If wishes were horses, there would be no problem in completing the “Golf House” Fund. Rarely has any golf project evoked such genuine enthusiasm and support. For example, here is a letter from the Clearview Golf Club, a group of players who convene at a public course in New York; it comes from their President, Harold A. South­ wick: “In keeping with the desire of our parent organization to perpetuate for posterity the history, records, souvenirs and recollections of the grand sport of golf, our club and its mem­ bers would like to contribute the enclosed check. “The other officers as well as the entire membership join me in wishing to the USGA and its committee for ‘Golf House’ the very best of good fortune.” Here is a note from Frank Oliver: “A small contribution towards ‘Golf House’ from a British golfer who has enjoyed much pleasant golf hospitality in the United States.” Orville W. Chapin, professional to the Fort Wayne Country Club in Indiana, makes us blush with this message: “Please accept my contribution to the ‘Golf House’ Fund. Your organization has done a great job as the ruling body of golf in America. All professionals should feel in­ debted to your Association. I trust that your project will be successfully financed.” From Tokyo, Major Bill Adams writes in his capacity as Club Officer of the Koganei Golf Club at headquarters of our Far East Air Forces Base; he en­ closed a donation from the Club and said: “Even though our Club is not of­ ficially in the USGA we still would like to make this contribution.” At Rochester, N. Y., a dinner in honor of Sam Urzetta’s Amateur Championship victory produced excess income which was divided among the James Rhodes caddie fund in Columbus, Ohio, the Chick Evans caddie scholarship fund and “Golf House.” To these friends and all others who are helping to make “Golf House” pos­ sible, we record very sincere thanks. The first 3,060 Founders were listed in previous issues of the USGA Journal. Below are the next 532, and others will be published subsequently. Harrold C. Allen Raymond F. Allen Mrs. R. W. Allen Sidney J. Allen Timothy F. Allen Mrs. S. Reed Anthony Mrs. Wilson Atkins A Morey L. Abrahams Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Ackerman Joseph T. Adams Milton P. Adler Charles N. Agree Joseph A. Ahlers Robert F. Ahrens Dr. and Mrs. Ruel L. Alden A. E. Alexander Mrs. Herbert M. Alexander William J. Alexander 22 B Frederick F. Bach Carl W. Badenhausen W. Stanton Barbour R. W. P. Barnes Harry Barnett Edward F. Barrett Erwin S. Barrie John T. Barry Mrs. Anthony Bassler Andrew Baxter Mrs. Irving S. Baxter Robert B. Baxter J. J. Becker Carl N. Behrndt William Benenson Ward V. Bergen J. W. Berning Frank Besl Alexander Biddle Dr. Arthur E. Billings Mrs. Whitney Bird Mrs. Edward Bishop Bertram T. Blake George O. Biome Richard L. Blum, Jr. Max Blumberg Dr. Theodore C. Blutau Donald Bomann Frank K. Bowman, Jr. Mrs. George F. Boyle Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Brieger Irving W. Briggs Everett L. Brooks Rodney W. Brown Thomas T. Bryant Norman Buckner I. W. Burnham, II Mrs. George J. Busch c William Callan Phil D. Campbell Mrs. W. W. Campbell Dr. John J. Catlin Mrs. Dan Chandler Orville W. Chapin William C. Chapin A. N. Chappell Mrs. Elias Chavin Leo E. Clarahan George H. Clark Mrs. James Foster Clark J. M. Clark Mrs. Abraham J. Cohen Richard Collord, Jr. Clarence N. Comegys W. P. Conway James A. Cook Donald D. Cooke Dr. K. L. Cooley Clement J. Coors George C. Coors W. F. Cornell Mrs. Abraham B. Corwin B. P. Costello USGA Journal: November, 1950 Cecil D. Cothran Arthur Cowen, Jr. Edwin A. Cowen Wilford H. Cox John William Coyle Stuart W. Cramer, Jr. Bennie Crann Leonard Crawley L. M. Crosly George Crouch Mrs. D. Mark Cummings Edward P. Curtis James A. Curtis D Richard W. Dammann Mrs. Florence G. Daniels Vincent B. D'Antoni Myron G. Darby Charles H. Dater Mrs. Archie Davidow John W. Dawson Danny Dell Mrs. Virginia Dennehy Margruder Dent Mr. and Mrs. John Derr Dr. and Mrs. D. Anthony D'Esopo Alex N. DiAddario W. B. Dickerman Mrs. H. Joseph Dittrich Howard Dock O. M. Dock Ben F. Dodson C. M. Dolan Mr. and Mrs. H. Hoffman Dolan Dr. Edward W. Douglas Arthur W. Drake Mr. and Mrs. Edmund H. Driggs John J. Driver John C. Duncan, Jr. E J. C. Earle Mrs. Charles Eastman Mrs. Adrian Easton Mrs. Ann Ebinger Mrs. J. R. Endler Mrs. Burnham Enersen Thomas D. Esses F George E. Faulhaber Mrs. Fred R. Fehlhaber Mrs. Violet Fisher John A. Forbes Jules L. Foreman Mrs. Eugene Frank Jack C. Fraser James Frisina, Sr. Mrs. J. Alwin Froehlich G Mrs. Chauncey B. Garver Frank E. Gannett Frank H. Gates Robert M. Gates Mrs. D. Christian Gauss F. Bramwell Geddes W. J. Gerhardt Mrs. Edward H. Gerry Bill and Aaron Gershenson Henry Giebel Dana H. Gillingham Gaylord W. Gillis, Jr. Harry L. Gilmore Bernard F. Gimbel Fred A. Ginsburg John F. Glaser Friend W. Gleason Mrs. Bernard E. Goerler Herman and George Golanty Adolph Goldberg Harvey Goldman Mrs. Irma Graham George Grathwohl Cr. Willard A. Gray Robert K. Greaves Philip W. Gundelfinger B. Manuel Gutfreund Arthur C. Gwynne H Charles W. Hague Carl S. Hallauer Mrs. William A. Hanssler Mrs. Charles R. Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. William M. Hardt, 2nd A. H. Hardy T. J. Hargrave Harry R. Harman Samuel Hartman Louis H. Harvison Walter P. Haskell Stewart S. Hathaway Arthur L. Hawley Henry W. Hays Mrs. Janet Hempel James B. Henderson A. J. Hend’ey Mrs. Leonard D. Henry Mrs. Joseph C. Herron Gordon M. Hill Montgomery S. Hill, Jr. Wesley M. H.'ne Dr. Virginias B. Hirst Munroe Hisgen Clifford B. Hodapp Mrs. J. William Holderfield Mrs. Russell Holman Jason Honigman Ed Honnerkamp Constant C. Hopkins Mrs. Mansfield F. House Mrs. Willard Howard G. Arthur Howell, Jr. Austin Y. Hoy Noyce C. Hoyt William H. Hubbard Robert A. Hudson Mrs. Frank G. Hundley James T. Hunter F. W. Hutchinson USGA Journal: November, 1950 23 I John A. Ingersoll Miss Susan Inman J Edward C. Jackson H. Arnold Jackson James D. Jacobs William K. Jacobs, Jr. Walter Jeffrey Jimmy Johnson Arthur E. Jones K Frank Kaminski, Jr. Irwin Katz Mrs. Melville J. Katz Mrs. Irving Kaufman Frank Keehley Mrs. William Kellner Mrs. Davis P. Kelly Charles L. Kendrick Spence E. Kerkow Memorial Mr. and Mrs. R. Stewart Kilborne, Jr. James P. Kineon John E. King John J. Kinney, Jr. Miss Peggy Kirk Mrs. Adolph I. Klein Mrs. Charles E. Klein Thomas F. Klogh Edward W. Kniffin H. Knuepfer Arthur P. Korach Mrs. Abraham Kurash L Horace A. Lambden Mrs. Charles J. Lane H. E. Lane Alexander H. Lange Louis Lasky J. C. LeBourgeois Percy W. LeDuc Mrs. Charles Leichner Miss Grace Lenczyk Patrick A. Lerza Gay R. Levis Gershon Levy Jacques F. Levy Salim L. Lewis Mrs. Gregg Lifur Lee C. Lippman Mrs. John H. Livingston In memory of George Low, Sr. Miss Dorothy Low Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm S. Lowenstein Percy B. Lucas, D.S.O., D.F.C., M.P. M. S. Ludwig M S. Ciiffton Mabon Jack Malloy Horace S. Manges Mrs. Frank D. Mannion Henry March T. C. Matthews Harry A. May George E. McClintock Harry J. McCormack Bruce N. McCormick Mrs. Ruth McCullah Dr. J. N. McEachren Dick McElyea Ralph McElyea H. Godfrey McGarvey Mrs. John W. McGeehan, Jr. W. D. McGregor James B. McHale, Jr. Clarence W. McKay John A. McKee Robert S. T. McKee Mrs. Donald R. McLennan, Sr. Alfred Meyers Gerald Micklem Mrs. Herman Milchman Arthur H. Miller Charles A. Miller Edward A. Miller E. H. Miller Dr. Fred D. Miller N. W. Miller Philip F. Miller A. J. Milstead Albert A. Mogg Harold A. Moore O. K. Morell Mrs. Albert Mosheim F. Warren Munro William R. Murray H. E. Musser Joseph J. Myler N Mrs. T. S. Nichols George W. Nickel Samuel T. Niviling R. M. Noll Mrs. Charles J. Nourse o Eugene W. O'Brien Howard O'Brien J. Emmett O'Brien Mrs. Edmond C. O'Driscoll Arthur C. Olfs, Jr. Frank O'iver Joseph W. Oliver William R. Olney Grover O'Neill Royal A. Oppenheim William A. Orcutt Innis O'Rourke P T. C. Parker, Jr. Worthington F. Parker Seward M. Paterson William W. Peake Warren Pease, Jr. Burton F. Peek Charles L. Peirson Hamilton Pell John M. Pjura, Sr. W. L. Ploetz Irving M. Popkin Sam Popkin Miss Elizabeth S. Porter Merrill E. Pratt Mrs. Charles M. Price H. H. Pritchett S. L. Probasco, Jr. Edward A. Pumphrey Q Dr. Denis Quittner R Ly.’e B. Ramsey Mrs. Priscilla Dennett Ramsey Allen R. Rankin Mrs. H. D. Raymond Henry S. Redfield Lester H. Reed Howard H. Reineman Mrs. Harry Relkin John W. Remington Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Richmond Charles F. Robbins Louis Robinson Alvin Rodecker C. F. Roeckei Edmund P. Rogers Lisi Ronai E. Rorke Saul Rose Mrs. George Rosenberger Jack Rothberg Kenneth B. Roudebush Ted S. Rubenow Samuel Rubiner George G. Ruppersberger, Jr. s F. Dwight Sage Gerald R. Sandorf Fitzwilliam Sargent A bert W. Savage John G. Saxe Mrs. Ei.ett G bbs Scarritt C. F. Schalble Mrs. Melvin Scharf H. S. Scheffey Mrs. H ugo E. Scheuermann M. A. Schlafer Nate Schlafer Mrs. Manny Schlanger Harold Schreiber Jules R. Schubot Mrs. Laurence Schwab W. F. Sefferino Mrs. Walter Seidman Arthur N. Selby Halvor R. Seward Nate S. Shapero Max M. Shaye Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Sheridan Mrs. Gustave Shuman Ben H. Shwayder Ben L. Silberstein 24 USGA Journal: November, 1950 Bert Silverman Mrs. Jules K. Sindic Mrs. A. P. Slaner Burton C. Smith Mrs. Courtland Smith John M. Smith Sherwood W. Smith William Prince Smith Wilmot M. Smith Mrs. Sidney L. Solomon Laurence Sovik Wilfred A. Springer William H. Stackel Albert M. Stall Mrs. Leland Stanford Arthur L. Stern Mrs. George A. Stern Mrs. Leonard Stern J. M. Stewart J. McWilliams Stone Fred F. Storms Arthur M. Stringari Mr. and Mrs. Homer Strong John J. Sullivan Fred S. Sundermann Robert W. Swanson Mr. and Mrs. Myron Swendsen Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Swoope T Harvey D. Taylor Mrs. Blanche Theodore Dr. S. J. Thiel Mrs. Charles H. Thieriot, Jr. William M. Thomas Jerry Tobias Gilbert C. Tompkins Mr. and Mrs. Howard Tompkins Clarence D. Troup John O. Tucker Walter R. Tuckerman William P. Turnesa u Maxwell M. Upson Joanne Uris V Patrick A. Valentine Miss Margaret Vance Mrs. R. D. Vanderbilt J. Lester Van Name Courtlandt "Peter" Van Voorhis Mr. and Mrs. George A. Vare Mr. and Mrs. Martin Victor Gene Vinson w Harold B. Wabshaw M. Martin Wahl J. J. Wainger Mrs. James Walker John M. Walker, Jr. John P. Ward Harry G. Webb Max J. Weinberg Howard Werle, Jr. W. N. Westerlund Miss Helen White Miss LaJunta White H. LeRoy Whitney Reginald E. Wigham Dr. Orrin S. Wightman Robert S. Wilkerson Frank A. Willard Arthur C. Williams Dr. John R. Williams Major Trevor E. Williams Edward J. Winters Mrs. Margaret Mabon Wise Arthur D. Wolfe Mrs. Donald K. Woodard C. E. Wright R. W. Wright V. Wurtele Mrs. Ella Wyman Y Roswell F. Yahn Foster C. Yawger Mrs. Ruth R. Young z Don Zimmerman William G. Zimmerman Max J. Zivian CLUBS Alameda Golf Club, Cal. Ansley Park Golf Club, Ga. Ashbourne Country Club, Pa. Atlanta Athletic Club (East Lake Country Club), Ga. Atlantic City Country Club, N. J. Ba’tusrol Golf Club, N. J. Bayside Country Club, R. I. Beaver Valley Country Club, Pa. Brae Burn Country Club, Mass. Braemar Golf and Country Club, N. Y. Burlingame Country Club, Cal. Burning Tree Club, Md. Clearview Golf Club, N. Y. Columbia Country Club, Md. The Country Club of Fairfield, Conn. Edgewater Golf Club, III. Fishers Island Country Club, Franklin Hills Country Club, Mich. Green Valley Country Club, Pa. Guyan Goif and Country Club, W. Va. Harkers Hollow Golf Club, N. J. Hershey Country Club, Pa. Highland Golf Club, Ky. Jefferson Park Golf Club, Wash. Kanawha Country Club, W. Va. Koganei Golf Club, Japan La Goree Country Club, Fla. Manchester Country Club, Conn. Meadia Heights Golf Club of Lancaster, Pa. Medinah Country Club, III. Meridian Golf Club, Okla. Moraine Country Club, Ohio Newark Country Club, N. Y. New Haven Country Club, Conn. North Hills Country Club, Pa. Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, Okla. Outdoor Country Club, Pa. Philmont Country Club, Pa. Pointe aux Barques Golf Club, Mich. Race Brook Country Club, Conn. Spring Valley Country Club, W. Va. Summit Hills Country Club, Ky. Tilden Park Golf Club, Cal. Vesper Country Club, Mass. West Seattle Golf Club, Wash. West Shore Country Club, Pa. Wethersfield Country Club, Conn. Women's Golf Club of Brook­ ville Country Club, N. Y. Woodway Country Club, Conn. ASSOCIATIONS Central Pennsylvania Golf Association Kansas City Golf Association Long Island Golf Association Louisiana State Golf Association Middle Atlantic Golf N. Y. Association Fort Mitchell Country Club, Ky. Fort Mitchell Country Club Golf Committee, Ky. Jim Hill, Chairman Lefty Derr Bob Colwell Dave Pendery Chuck Jones Carl Taglauer Bertram Milner Oregon Golf Association Oklahoma State Golf Association Tri-State Golf Association United States Senior Women's Golf Association OTHER The Benevolent Marching and Philosophical Society, Philadelphia USGA Journal: November, 1950 25 HOW LONG DO YOU TAKE TO PUTT? (Continued from Page 6) wanted most, but during the 21 holes in the afternoon round he averaged 81.7 seconds per putt on his first putt and 59.7 when he was obliged to make a second effort. His low of 38 came on the first hole, and high of 166 on the 39th, where Frank froze and walked away from the ball to regain his con­ centration — but came back to miss. Urzetta was faster and more consistent, having an average of 52.7 on his first putts and 37.5 with his seconds. A high of 80 came on the second extra hole and low of 35 seconds only was required on his championship-winning final putt. Stranahan ran over the 100-seconds count six times. The majority of Ur- zetta’s efforts were consistently between 45 and 55. How the Juniors Do It Proof that four to five hours is not required for a round of championship play wras furnished in this year’s USGA Junior Championship at Denver. In the third round Don Bisplinghoff and Merritt Marcus played 18 holes in 2 hours 10 minutes, and the winner was two under par. In the quarter-final round Eugene Hay eliminated Bisplinghoff, 4 and 3. The winner was four under par and the first nine was played in one hour. The final between Mason Rudolph and Chuck Beville required 2 hours 40 minutes for 17 holes and was slowed by a sizeable gallery. Since timing contestants on the putting greens during these two tournaments, we have made the same test on a number of golfers as they played in their regular Saturday club events. The results were interesting from a number of angles, one of which is that some players didn’t realize the time they had been using on the greens. The amount of time spent at putting might not contain a complete answer to the growing problem of “too much time required to play a round of golf,” but a further study along these lines could lead to a step in the right direction. Spirit of the Women Seniors (Continued from Page 14) The younger generation could get many tips as to how golf should be played from the Seniors, as this Cham­ pionship is played according to the strictest Rules of Golf, and often in weather that few players would venture out into. Life begins at 50 wnth the Seniors. There is no other game but golf that women of our age can continue, to pjay and enjoy. The Seniors have ptoven that golf will keep you young and active through the years, and give you more real pleasure than any other sport. May there always be a Senior Cham­ pionship ! HORTON SMITH'S FORMULA Swing your clubhead and play better golf. Swing freely in a circular arc and play more enjoyable go f. Preparation: Visualize your shot, plan your swing, aim club toward1 hole, adjust your stance and balance, get "clubhead feel," and swing. Swing formula: Leg-based, arm-measured, hand­ hit and head-anchored. Legs provide base and ba'ance-in-motion and also generate force (leg drive). Arms measure circular arc, left arm and club form rad?us of swing circ'e. Shou'der- propel’ed arms act as swinging levers. Hand acton (straightening of wrists) climaxes swing a? impact. Left hand emphasizes holding, with right hand hitting. Hands give sense of feel and location of c-ubface. Head and spine are center and location point around which the swing revolves. P aying good golf requires the ability to swing the clubhead a'ong a given line (direction line) ar a given pace. 26 USGA Journal: November, 1950 THE REFEREE Decisions by the USGA Rules of Golf Committee Example of symbols: "No. 50-1" means the first decision issued in 1950. "R. 7(3)" means Section 3 of Rule 7 in the 1950 Rules of Golf. Violation Waived by Fellow Competitors No. 50-68. R. 2(2), 11 (3c), 21(5) Q: In qualifying for a club championship, a competitor failed to hole out; the ball was picked up from beside the hole. The three fellow competitors observed the breach but said nothing nor did they report it to the officials. The violation was reported by spec­ tators. 1. Shall the three fellow competitors be deemed to have tacitly agreed “to exclude the operation of any rule or local rule” and to “waive any penalty incurred?” Rule 2(2) is met with the argument that the fellow competitors did not agree to anything, that they were only spectators to the violation. 2. Must the three fellow competitors be disqualified for failure to report the violation to the officials? 3. Must the competitor who failed to hole out be disqualified? Albin Martinson Sacramento, Cal. A: 1. Fellow competitors who witness a clear violation of the Rules, understand it as such and fail to protest or report it thereby agree to waive a Rule. They have a respon­ sibility to all other competitors as well as to themselves. They should be disqualified under Rule 2(2). 2. The penalty is disqualification for all concerned in the tacit agreement, under Rule 2(2). 3. Yes. See Rule 21(5). He could have avoided disqualification by replacing his ball, with a penalty of two strokes, and completing his play of the hole before striking off from the next teeing ground, or, in the case of the last hole of the round, before leaving the putting green. See Rule 11 (3c). Removing the Flagsiick No. 50-70. R. 7(7). Q: In match play, does the player have the right to have the pin attended when his opponent is approaching the green, whether it be from 60 feet or 200 yards, or does the player’s opponent have the right to demand that the pin be left unattended? Jack F. Binswanger Oreland, Pa. A: Rule 7(7) provides in part: “The flag­ stick may be removed by either side at any time. A player may, however, always have the position of the hole indicated to him.” Thus, if an opponent wishes, he may have the flagstick removed when a player is approach­ ing the green from any distance. If the player then wishes to have the position of the hole indicated to him, he may have his caddie attend the flagstick while he plays his stroke. Score Card in Match Play No. 50-74 Misc. Q: In match play does player carry and mark own score or does opponent? Mrs. Ray H. Watson Milwaukee, Wis. A: Rules of Golf do not require recording scores hole by hole in match play. Custom of game is for loser to report result of match. In USGA match play championships when there is no referee player having honor at first tee is requested to record scores of both players hole by hole for press information, but such score cards do not have official standing because match play result only is important. Dropped Ball Rolls against Boundary Fence No. 50-75. R. 7(4), 8, 10 (5b), 18 (Def.) Q: Ball up against direction flag back of green so flag interferes with shot, so I’m allowed to drop without penalty; but ball when dropped rolls up against out-of-bounds fence that is stationary so I can’t make a swing. What may I do? Hap Malea Portland, Me. A: Since you cannot play the ball as it lies, you must treat it as unplayable and proceed as provided in Rule 8. In dropping a ball under Rule 8(1), the spot of dropping is the spot from which you played your last stroke, that is, the stroke which sent the ball near the direc­ tion flag. Free relief from a boundary fence is not afforded by Rule 7, which provides in part that artificial obstructions do not include fences or fence posts. In dropping the ball away from the direction flag, it is assumed that you proceeded under Rule 7 (4c). In so dropping a ball, the player must accept the eventual result: except that he must re-drop if the ball comes to rest nearer the hole or out of bounds or in a hazard when dropped from outside a hazard; see Rule 10(5b). USGA Journal: November, 1J50 You state that your ball came to rest against a direction flag behind a green. If the ball lay within 20 yards of the hole and not in a hazard, it was technically on the putting green (see Rule 18, Definitions) and you would originally have been entitled to place your ball as provided in Rule 7 (4c). However, since you dropped it, you waived the right to place it. Practice Putts Permitted No. 50-76. R. 2(1, 3), 13(5). Q: The 1950 Rules of Golf state that no practice strokes may be taken on the course after the ball has been hit off the first tee. This Rule is being construed here to mean that once a player holes out his ball on any green during the course of his round, he cannot take a practice putt or putts before teeing off from the next teeing ground. The Rule is further being construed that if a player, after holing out, does take a practice putt, each such practice putt must be added to his score for the next hole? Is this construction correct? David M. Lilly Minneapolis, Minn. A: No. Rule 13(5) provides: “After playing from the first teeing ground a player shall not play a practice stroke with a ball from any teeing ground or during the play of any hole.” A player may make a practice stroke after play of one hole has been completed and before striking off from the next teeing ground, provided play is not delayed in contravention of Rule 2 (3). The penalty for violation of Rule 13(5) is loss of hole in match play and disqualification in stroke play — see Rule 2(1). Partners Exchange Balls No. 50-78. R. 13(4b). Q: This happened in a four-ball match and has reference to Rule 13 (4b) of the Rules of Golf. A and B, partners, hit each other’s balls and it was discovered before the opponents hit another shot. According to the Rule, A, the first man who hit, is disqualified. B also hit the wrong ball, having hit A’s ball. Aren’t both men disqualified, because both of them have hit the wrong ball? They ruled that the first man, A, was dis­ qualified and his partner could drop a ball and play without penalty. I would appreciate an official ruling on this question, as the Rule doesn’t definitely state what will happen if both men hit each other’s balls. W. H. Neale New Haven, Conn. A: The ruling by the local committee was incorrect. Since A and B in turn played each other’s balls, A and B in turn disqualified themselves under Rule 13 (4b). Casual Water Defined No. 50-83. R. 16(Def.) Q: What do you consider casual water on fairways? If the weight of the player brings 27 up water out of the ground while he is ad­ dressing his ball, is that considered casual water ? John R. Inglis Elmsford, N. Y. A: Yes, if it is in fact a “temporary accu­ mulation of water” — see Rule 16(Definition) —which arises as the player takes his normal stance, and not by undue effort on his part to cause it to become visible. Soft, mushy earth does not in itself constitute casual water. Hazard Touched Before Forward Swing No. 50-86. R. 1(1, 2), 2(1), 17(1). Q 1: The Rule in connection with playing a ball which lies in or touches a hazard is not quite clear to me in one respect — that is, the touching of sand when the player is striking at the ball. It says that the club shall not touch the ground nor shall anything be touched or moved “before the player plays his stroke.” Now, does striking at the ball mean the backswing or does it mean only the forward swing? A 1: The phrase quoted in Rule 17(1) refers to the forward swing. A stroke is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking the ball — see Definition 4. Thus Rule 17(1) prohibits touching the hazard on the backward swing. Q 2: Oftentimes in a trap the ball is so located in a hole or with a mound of sand high behind it that the sand might be touched in the player’s backswing without grounding his club at the start. I would like to know whether or not such a touching of the sand would be a penalty. A 2: Yes — loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play — see Rules 17(1) and 2(1). Doubt as io Infraction Q 3: Playing with wedges which have a deep flange, a player can touch the sand, not immediately when it leaves the ball but maybe a foot or so back, without being aware of it. 1 am wondering what would happen if, in playing a match, the opponent would say that the player touched the sand on his backswing and the player honestly thought that he did not. What would be the decision, and what is the penalty? A 3: The question is one of fact, and a desision can be made only by the referee or by the committee in charge after hearing all available testimony. If the player violated Rale 17(1), the penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. Questions by: F. L. Riggin, Sr. Port Huron, Mich. Provisional Ball for Ball in Wafer Hazard No. 50-88. Pre; R. 7(6), 10(5b), 12(5), 17(Def.), 18(7, 9), 19(2); LR Q 1: A player plays a provisional ball for a ball in a wa'er hazard. He then plays his next stroke with the ball that was in the water hazard. Having done this, is he not required, in both medal and match play, to abandon the provisional ball? 28 USGA Journal: November, 1950 A 1: Yes. Rule 19(2) provides in part: “The player may play a provisional ball until he reaches the place where the original ball is likely to be. He shall then elect to play either (a) the original ball, in which case there shall be no penalty, or (b) the provisional ball, under penalty provided in the Rule governing the particular case. When the player makes his choice, the other ball shall then be retired from play.” Water Hazards: Defining Limits Q 2: Along the oceanside of the 18th fair­ way of the Pebble Beach golf course, the beach is considered “a part of the golf course;” i.e., the beach is not designated as a hazard. Regardless of this local rule, it is not true that a ball touched by water from the ocean must be considered as lying in a water hazard? A 2: It depends upon the interpretation of the local committee. In the absence of a local rule to the contrary, such water is a water hazard; and it is the duty of the authorities in charge of a course accurately to define the extent of the hazards—see Rule 17 (Defi­ nitions) . However, it is within the province of the local authorities to classify such water as not constituting a water hazard; in fact, this was done by the USGA for its Champion­ ships at Pebble Beach in 1947 and 1948, when a USGA local rule provided in part that “Ditches, gullies, the ocean and its beach and banks are ‘through the green.’ A ball lying therein may be treated as unplayable under Rule 8. Rule 17(2) for water hazards does not apply. Water in such places is neither a hazard nor casual water.” Re-Dropping Ball not Permitted Q 3: A player drove a ball so that it came to rest in a gopher hole at the top of a steep slope which ran from right to left across the fairway. The player could not drop a ball without it rolling down the slope a distance of about 40 yards. In spite of the length of roll of the dropped ball, when it came to rest it was not nearer the hole. Was the player entitled to place his ball? A 3: No. Rule 10 (5b) provides the only conditions under which a ball may be placed instead of dropped under such a circumstance. It states: “If a dropped ball come to rest nearer the hole or out of bounds or in a hazard when dropped from outside a hazard, it shall be re-dropped without penalty. If it be impossible to prevent a dropped ball from rolling into any such position, it shall be placed.” It is assumed that the ball had been dropped under Rule 7 (6). Substituting Clubs Q 4: A player carrying 14 clubs was desirous of substituting his old putter for the new one with which he started the match if he dis­ covered during play that the new putter being tried did not function satisfactorily. He there­ fore had a friend who followed the match carry his old putter, and actually made the sub­ stitution of the old club for the new one on the eighth hole of the match. Although the player in question never had more than 14 clubs in his bag at one time, did he in essence violate the 14-club rule? If not, what rule is there to prohibit any type or number of such substitutions at any stage of a match? A 4: Unless the putter was replaced because it had become unfit for play, the player violated the Preamble of the Rules of Golf, and the penalty is disqualification. The Preamble pro­ vides in part: “A player is permitted to use during a round the clubs, not exceeding four­ teen, in his bag when he started except that, without unfairly delaying play and without borrowing from an opponent or a partner or a competitor, he may (1) add a club or clubs up to the limit of fourteen, or (2) replace a club which becomes unfit for play in the normal course of play.” Conceding Putt Improperly Q 5: A and B both lie about 12 inches from for a 5. the cup. A is putting for a 3, B A is declared away. A then walks to the hole, says “That’s good” to B and hits B’s ball away. He then sinks his putt for a 3. Ac­ cording to the Rules, did A lose the hole? A 5: Yes. Since A had not holed out, he had no right to move B’s ball. In knocking away B’s ball, A violated Rule 12(5) and the penalty is loss of hole. It is assumed that A’s ball was not within six inches of B’s ball. Questions by: Dr. William J. Oneal Pasadena, Calif. X Obstruction Relief Improving Line No. 50-118. R. 7(4) Q: Ball landed behind tree. From its rest­ ing place, it was stymied by tree in line to pin for next shot. However, an immovable bench was practically over the ball. Due to the immovable bench, the ball can be moved two club-lengths not nearer the hole, but in moving and dropping can the two club­ lengths be taken so as to avoid the tree as a hazard, or does the drop have to be made still keeping the tree between ball and pin for next shot? Lloyd Aspinwall, Jr. Manhasset, N. Y. A: The position of the tree is immaterial if, as it appears, the player is entitled by Rule 7 (4c) to relief from the immovable bench. The ball may be dropped within two club­ lengths of that point of the obstruction nearest where the ball originally lay and must come to rest not nearer the hole, regardless of how the desired line of flight may be affected. USGA Journal: November, 1950 29 Correspondence pertaining to Green Section matters should be addressed to: USGA Green Section, Room 307, South Building, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. WHAT ABOUT LIQUID FERTILIZERS? By MARVIN H. FERGUSON and FRED V. GRAU Agronomist and Director, Respectively, USGA Green Section More and more one hears of golf clubs using liquid fertilizers, and of sales forces directing their attention to the clubs. Keeping pace with these develop­ ments presents a challenge which some green committee chairmen and green­ keepers fail to meet. We feel obliged to take a hand to help to set the record straight. The Green Section has not conducted any tests on the use of fertilizers in solution. A great deal of research is going on, however, on the use of these materials on other crops. It is a known fact that plants are able to absorb nitrogen and some of the other fertilizer elements through their leaves. Thus of necessity the plant does not absorb all its mineral nutrients through the roots. It may be argued that this ability on the part of the plant may afford a saving in the use of fertilizer elements because there is no opportunity for leaching from the soil. It is rather generally agreed, however, that the best way to provide plant food is through the soil, so that roots may absorb the mineral nutrients in the nor­ mal manner. It would be an extremely difficult job to provide all the nutrients required by the grass plant in liquid form in exactly the correct proportions and at the right time to be absorbed by the leaves. A claim made by some manufacturers is that their products provide vitamins and trace elements or minor elements. There is no scientific basis for the claim that vitamins have any effect on the growth of grass. A number of years ago the Green Section conducted some tests on vitamins. All of these tests pro­ duced negative results. Many of the mixed fertilizers and most soils provide all of the minor elements which the plant needs. Only in rare instances may ad­ ditional benefit be derived from their application in liquid form. In summarizing this discussion thus far we may conclude that liquid fertilizers have no place on the golf course. This, however, is not the case. There are some special cases in which fertilizer in liquid form may be decidedly beneficial. Sometimes conditions of poor aera­ tion, water-logging, shallow roots, or the prevalence of a thatched condition on a green may be such that grass roots do not function normally and do not res­ pond to fertilizer treatments. Under 30 USGA Journal: November, 1950 such conditions the use of liquid fertilizers which could be absorbed through the leaves may be justifiable. However, a correction of the factors creating such conditions probably would be the wiser move. In early spring, when the ground is cold, nitrification usually proceeds slowly and plant roots are relatively inactive in the uptake of nutrients. Fertilizer response is notably poor under such con­ ditions. This is another condition under which the use of liquid fertilizer may be justified. Many greenkeepers are hesitant to apply fertilizers in midsummer because they would cause the grass to become lush and susceptible to disease. Some greenkeepers have found that liquid fer­ tilizer can provide a good color without the accompanying lush growth. Thus we have made a case for the use of liquid fertilizers under certain special conditions. However, the primary ques­ tion still remains: Is it a good value? How the Costs Compare A comparison of costs should be made by anyone who contemplates the use of liquid fertilizers. Conventional fertilizers containing 20 percent of actual nutrients will cost from $40 to $75 a ton. A ton of such fertilizer contains 400 units of plant food. To purchase an equal amount of plant food in some of the widely-advertised liquid fertilizers would cost more than $1,000. Some of the brands have 30 cents of plant food to the gallon based on sulfate of ammonia at $80 a ton, phosphate at $50 and potash at $100. It makes water an expensive filler at $3.70 a gallon. We should hasten to add that not all manufacturers of liquid fertilizers charge such exorbitant prices. It behooves the buyer to figure out how much he is paying per unit of plant food. A dealer who is offering his material at a fair price will not object to such a comparison. It has been said that economy of application more than offsets the increased cost of liquid fertilizer. It is within our province to question this statement. Obviously, a ton of fertilizer can be COMING EVENTS Nov. 27-29: Oklahoma Turf Conference, Stillwater, Okla. R. S. Dunning. Jan. 3-5: Northeastern Weed Control Conference, Hotel New Yorker, New York. Jan. 11-12: Mid-Atlantic Conference, Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, Md. E. N. Cory, College Park, Md. Jan. 22-26: Rutgers One Week Turf Con­ ference, New Brunswick, N. J. Ralph Engel. Jan. 28-Feb. 2: 22nd Annual Turf Con­ ference and Show, Hotel Sherman, Chicago, Ill. A. M. Brown, P. O. Box 106, St. Charles, Ill. Feb. 12-14: Texas Turf Conference, Col­ lege Station, Texas. James R. Wat­ son, Jr. Feb. 26-Mar. 1: Pennsylvania Turf Con­ ference, State College, Pa. Prof. H. B. Musser. Mar. 5-8: Midwest Turf Conference, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, Ind. W. H. Daniel. Mar. 8-9: Massachusetts Turf Conference, Amherst, Mass. L. S. Dickinson. Mar. 13-14: Northwest Turf Conference, Pullman, Wash. E. G. Schafer. Apr. 30-May 1: University of California, Los Angeles. V. T. Stoutemyer. applied in any manner for less than the differences in cost which have been mentioned. To date we know of no research work that has been sponsored by liquid fer­ tilizer manufacturers. Some such re­ search is needed badly so that we may know the facts about these products so far as turf is concerned. In the absence of research data, the Green Section feels that it is obliged to offer this advice: Don’t pay more for liquid fertilizer than you would for conventional ferti­ lizers unless you are faced with a condi­ tion that demands feeding through the leaves. If you are confronted with such a condition, it may be cheaper to correct it than to use liquid fertilizers to bypass the condition. Don’t be outfigured by a clever salesman. Get competent advice from your state experiment station or from the Green Section. Note.—The authors are indebted to Mr. R. S. Tufts, Mr. H. Alfred Langben, Dr. George Ml Hoffer, Prof. H. B. Musser, Mr. O. J. Noer, and Dr. Hugh Gauch for reviewing foregoing statements. USGA Journal: November, 1950 31 1950 NATIONAL TURF FIELD DAYS “Highly successful” — “best ever” — and similar statements from many of the 233 registrants made the Green Sec­ tion Staff feel that the National Turf Field Days were worth-while. The wea­ ther cooperated, too — lovely Autumn weather, perfect for anything out-of- doors. Twenty-one states were repre­ sented, including Wyoming and Nebras­ ka, in the programs at Washington, D.C., and Beltsville, Md. Nearly 85 turf enthusiasts were present at the opening session Sunday evening, October 15. This was an open meeting designed to give graduate students in turf research, their advisers, and others in turf extension or resident teaching a chance to tell about their work. The workers who participated are: Massachusetts: Geoffrey Cornish. New Jersey: Ralph Engel. New York: John Cornman, Gene Nutter. Pennsylvania: C. K. Hallowell, Jack Harper, H. B. Musser, Ed Merkel, John Stanford, Neal Wright. Purdue: William Daniel, Earl Staten. Rhode Island: J. A. DeFrance, James Simmons. U. S. Department of Agriculture: Ian Forbes, Jr. USGA: Marvin H. Ferguson, Fred V. Grau, Al M. Radko, Charles G. Wilson. Movies for Television Monday was spent on the plots at the Beltsville Turf Gardens, and it would be difficult to imagine better conditions. The sunshine was of just the right quality for Maynard Speece and Harold E. Wingo, U. S. Department of Agriculture Radio and Television Service, to take color movies for later showing on television. The U-3 Bermudagrass turf was firm and close-cut for the foot action of Mr. Ritchie of the Washington Baseball Club, who had his spiked shoes on for testing the turf. Roger Peacock, representing the Professional Golfers’ Association, found the turf to his liking for hitting beautiful shots far up the “fairway.” Bill Glover removed three large sods to show the root development. (The sods disappeared soon afterward.) Most visitors were impressed with the performance of zoysia turf produced from seed of the Z-52 strain of Zoysia japonica, with the quality of Merion (B-27) bluegrass compared with common bluegrass, and with Arlington (C-l) and Congressional (C-19) creeping bents developed by the Green Section which have maintained excellent green and fair­ way turf with no water other than rain­ fall and without fungicides. Promising New Strains Several other new strains show great promise, especially C-l 15, which was selected by Dr. Fred V. Grau, Director of the USGA Green Section, in 1946 at Dahlgren, Va. Judging from the stolons of C-l 15 that were carried away, we should have plenty of test areas soon. The appearance of the maleic hydrazide plots should make anyone very appre­ hensive about using this chemical on good turf. A single application resulted in much dead grass and an increase in crab­ grass. A demonstration of planting sprigs and plugs of improved grasses by machine was very stimulating. The machine, furnished by C. C. Simpson of the John Deere Co., was designed for planting tobacco and vegetable seedlings. Other features included seed produc­ tion studies on Z-52 zoysia, combina­ tions of cool-season and warm-season grasses, trials of various “nursegrasses,” spring renovation trials, zoysia breeding, including various hybrids and selections in combination with bluegrass for height of mowing studies; fescue trials, and crabgrass tests. The general conclusion after this tour was that great strides have been taken toward the ultimate goal of providing foolproof and weedfree turf with little or no help from chemicals. Most of the superior grasses and combinations being developed are based on drought resistance, disease resistance, relative 32 USGA Journal: November. 1950 immunity to insect attacks, wear resis­ tance, and tolerance to close mowing. Economies in Maintenance High point of the meetings was an after-dinner program at the Prince Georges Golf and Country Club, Land- over, Md. The central theme was “Econ­ omies in Turf Maintenance.” Toast­ master was Dr. Grau, and individual topics were discussed as follows: Water Usage — Prof. H. B. Musser. Seed Usage — A. E. Rabbitt. Fertilizer Usage — 0. J. Noer. Equipment Maintenance — W. H. Glover. Labor Management — Taylor Boyd. Grasses for Economical Maintenance — Neal Wright. Economy in Insect Control — E. N. Cory. Economy in Weed Control — Charles K. Hallowell. Dr. Grau introduced four past presi­ dents of the National Greenkeeping Superintendents Association — John An­ derson, Joe Ryan, Marshall Farnham, and Carl BretzlafL Richard S. Tufts, USGA Secretary and Chairman of the Green Section Commit­ tee, pledged continued support by the USGA in the interests of better turf. Cliff Eisele furnished the Club’s facil- ties for the dinner and the meeting. The West Point Lawn Products recorded the talks, to be transcribed and mailed to those who registered. The next day the Mid-Atlantic Associa­ tion of Greenkeepers conducted tours of the Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Md., and the Fairfax Country Club, Fair­ fax, Va. The tour of Woodmont was conducted by Rudy Wills, greenkeeper; Leopold Freudberg, chairman of the green committee; Alfred H. Tull, architect; Frank Murray, builder, and George Fazio, professional. The new Woodmont course is about a year old. One feature of interest was that no bluegrass, ryegrass, or redtop was used in seeding the course. After an informal lunch at Fairfax, Bill Glover and Charles Treacy took parts of the group on a walking tour. Features included putting greens of various grasses and combinations, including Ar­ lington (C-l) bent alone, Arlington and Congressional (C-19) mixed, Arlington, Congressional and Collins (C-27) mixed; Old Orchard (C-52) alone, Toronto (C-15) alone. U-3 Withstands Beating A number of tees plainly showed how severe the punishment of turf can be on a public course and how well U-3 Ber­ muda can thrive under that severe treat­ ment of 1,800 players a week. Seeded Bermuda was poor in comparison. Zoysia and Merion bluegrass have been planted in fairways for further evaluation and comparison with U-3 Bermuda, which is providing clover-free turf. It was sig­ nificant that flexible combs on fairway mowers have reduced crabgrass to an unimportant factor — no chemicals. John Connolly and Bill Glover are to be complimented for such a beautifully conditioned course for public play. The Green Section expresses appreciation to Fairfax for testing new grasses under heavy play. This arrangement repre­ sents the ultimate in cooperative research. The genuine interest in the Turf Field Days was evidenced by the fact that nearly 100 visitors stayed until the last feature. Dates for the 1951 National Turf Field Days are October 7, 8, and 9. Grateful appreciation is expressed to the Mid-Atlantic Association of Green­ keepers for their cooperation and assis­ tance, to the G. L. Cornell Co. for flags to mark the plot locations, particularly to the Engineer School, Fort Belvoir, Va., for the use of a jeep and a public address system, and to all others who helped make the event such a success. USGA Journal: November, 1950 33 "TURF MANAGEMENT" BOOK NOW AVAILABLE A handbook on development and up­ keep of turf for golf courses, parks, sports fields and large lawn areas, entitled "Turf Management," by H. Burton Musser, was to be published November 10 by Mc­ Graw-Hill. The book was prepared under the sponsorship of the United States Golf Association. It embodies the fruits of experimental work by the USGA Green Section since its formation nearly 30 years ago and by other turf research agencies. The book is designed to be a standard guide and reference volume. It treats of turf management in all its phases, including propagation of turf grasses, maintenance of turf, fertilizers, drainage and irrigation, weed control, insect con­ trol, disease control, and agricultural tools. There are also data on practical engi­ neering and landscape architecture, golf course site selection, preparation of lay­ out plans, and the essentials of design and construction of tees, fairways and putting greens. "Turf Management" contains 63 illus­ trations. The price is $6. The book is available at all bookstores. The author, H. Burton Musser, is Pro­ fessor of Agronomy in the School of Agriculture at Pennsylvania State College. He was assisted in preparation of "Turf Management" by experts from all over the country. GLEANINGS FROM WIDESPREAD TURF FIELD DAYS CALIFORNIA (Grau) The Green Section’s U-3 strain of Bermudagrass, tested since 1938 in the Washington, D. C., area, has found high favor in California wherever Bermuda is grown. It stays green longer than any other strain, and it is fine-bladed and vigorous. The Green Section’s finest selections of creeping bentgrasses for greens are finding favor also. Arlington (C-l) and Congressional (C-19) are tops in per­ formance and bid fair to replace Seaside, which gets ugly purple splotches in cool weather. Various porous minerals found in California’s rich abundance look good as soil amendments. Expanded mica is promising as a peat substitute. Proper use of water alone can result in vast turf improvement. Merion bluegrass is outstanding under close (under one-inch) mowing. Zoysia appears to have definite promise. OREGON (Grau) The fescues (Alta, Chewings, Creep­ ing Red and Meadow) and the bents (Seaside, Highland Colonial and Astoria Colonial) in proper mixture produce ideal lawn and fairway turf under nearly every condition. Carloads of the com­ mon pasture Kentucky bluegrass have failed completely to produce a turf in most cases observed, yet it is added to most seed mixtures. Good Mixture This was one of the outstanding lawn and fairway seed mixtures in the Penn State Trials. Merion bluegrass 40%, Penn State Chewings fescue 50%, and Colonial bent 10.% Please note: No Nurse Grass! Overwatering and underfeeding char­ acterized most sick turf. Sodium arsenite successfully whipped Poa annua, weeds and insects on the excellent bent greens at one 9-hole course (small amounts, often I). MONTANA (Grau) Common bluegrass produces “good” 34 USGA Journal: November, 1950 fairways when cut I1/? inches high and fed heavily. Bent putting greens are easy to keep in direct relation to the sand content of the soil — which means drainage and aeration. Water control is just as important in arid climates as in humid. TENNESSEE (Grau) Bermuda greens respond to heavy feeding, close daily mowing, frequent deep aeration, infrequent watering, top­ dressing. Combination turf (cool- and warm­ season grasses blended) offers great possibilities for the Mid-South. Some creeping bentgrasses have survived for years in Memphis in full sun. Dallisgrass is one of the worst pests which (as yet) is unconquered in turf. KENTUCKY (Grau-Wilson) The zoysia grasses provide ideal golf turf, particularly for fairways. Ber­ mudagrass is the tougher one on tees. The stiff heavy clay soils demand ade­ quate sub-drainage and internal drainage for putting green construction. The fertilizer isn’t made that can com­ pensate for poor drainage, poor aeration, compact, soggy soil, shallow roots, and weak, inferior grasses. NEW JERSEY (Ferguson-Wilson) The Arlington (C-l), Congressional (C-19), and Collins' (C-27) combination is among the best for putting greens. Merion bluegrass is an outstanding piece of turf. Combinations of U-3 Bermuda and cool-season grasses looked good. At the time of the Field Day, the U-3 had the upper hand. Aerification studies have provided negative results under the favorable con­ ditions that have existed this year. Many observers share the opinion that the results will be different under unfavorable growing conditions. The high spot of the day was Charles Hallowell’s report of his visit to Califor­ nia. He presented an excellent resume of turf conditions and problems in that area. We can all learn something by studying problems and practices in the various parts of the country. PHILADELPHIA (Ferguson-Wilson-Radko) Disease control studies show that 531 is still one of the best materials for dollarspot control. The cadmium and mercury combinations show great pro­ mise. Numerous crabgrass control studies were exhibited. Results of chemical ap­ plications appeared to be variable. Rates of application, dilutions, timing, and weather conditions are all factors in the effectiveness of control. It appears to be the consensus that a given set of results is hard to duplicate. While some of the materials have been effective under certain conditions, the uncertainties in­ volved indicate that they should be used with caution. Generally, phenyl mercuric acetate materials appear to be better when crab­ grass seedlings are small, whereas potas­ sium cyanate appears to do a better job later in the season. Practical experimentation with Merion bluegrass, Z-52 zoysia, and U-3 Bermuda­ grass indicates that these grasses are all useful in the Philadelphia area. GEORGIA (Grau) Tifton 57 Bermuda is outstanding in disease resistance, vigor and aggressive­ ness, and ability to snap back in the spring. Spring transition still is the biggest putting green problem. Sawdust is recommended as one of the better and cheaper sources of organic matter for topdressing, composted with raw sewage sludge, sandy soil and Cyana- mid (15 pounds to each cubic yard). Carpetgrass thrives best in the acid range. Most other southern grasses do best in soils at pH 6.5. Mixtures of bent, fescue, and blue­ grass are being favored for winter put­ ting greens. Ryegrass is often lost from disease if weather turns warm. Spring transition is less of a problem when soil is aerated thoroughly. Two-inch plugs are favored as the best method of introducing a new creep- USGA Journal: November, 1950 35 Aeration There was intense interest in soil aeration demonstrations at Cincinnati. Left to right: Nite Crawler, G-L Aerifier, Terferator ing grass into established turf without interfering with play. PENNSYLVANIA (Grau-Radko) Merion bluegrass breeders seed is being produced in Pennsylvania under Prof. H. B. Musser’s supervision. Ureaform fertilizer produces the most uniform level growth curve on turf. Crabgrass control has been excellent at low cost by spraying one pound of sodium arsenite to the acre with a wet­ ting agent. Water management is receiving more attention all the time. A great deal of turf has died because it was watered to death! Experiments involving common Ken­ tucky bluegrass have been abandoned because leafspot killed most of the grass and no readings could be taken. Future experiments on bluegrass turf will be made on Merion bluegrass. Old Orchard bent (C-52) becomes heavily matted spring and fall and stolons have a tendency to run on top. Z-52 zoysia and U-3 Bermuda are showing promise in combination with cool-season grasses under fairway cut. NEW YORK (Wilson) plants are in seedling stage. Potassium cyanate consistently gave better results as crabgrass approached maturity. Sodium arsenite is one of the better crabgrass control materials but in most cases it has been used at higher rates than necessary, which frequently has damaged turf grasses. The only permanent crabgrass control is a good turf of grasses that can whip crabgrass on its own terms. RHODE ISLAND (Wilson) Plots of Arlington (C-l) and Congress­ ional (C-19) creeping bents in combina­ tion are outstanding. Arlington (C-l) turf untreated for disease since 1940 is still near-perfect turf with no mat forma­ tion or spongy root accumulations. Velvet bents present most pleasing surfaces but provide serious problem of spongy root accumulation, not yet solved. Merion bluegrass is superior to com­ mon Kentucky bluegrass. Z-52 zoysia gives promise of becoming a valuable addition to New England turf, especially where summer heat and crab­ grass are troublesome in unwatered lawn and fairway turf. PMA studies are revealing more uses Maleic hydrazide appears to encourage for the material. crabgrass under some conditions. Potassium cyanate at eight pounds to the acre in 100 gallons of water with wetting agent was one of the most satis­ factory materials for crabgrass control. Three applications have best results. PMA materials are most effective in early-season treatments when crabgrass Chlordane is the nation-wide favorite for rapid economical insect control on turf. Wettable powders should stay in suspension. If they settle out quickly they are not good formulations. Chemically-treated grass seeds (Phy- gon, Arasan, Spergon) seem to offer no advantage over untreated seeds. .36 USGA Journal: November, 1950 NEW SERIES OF TURF EXPERIMENTS AT PENN STATE The related problems of soil compac­ tion, thatched turf, and water economy will be the subjects of a new series of turf experiments being established at the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experi­ ment Station. The studies have been made possible by a fellowship grant of •$3,000 from the West Point Lawn Pro­ ducts. The experiments will be under the supervision of Profs. H. B. Musser and Russel B. Alderfer. E. J. Merkel, a graduate in agronomy at Penn State, has been selected to re­ ceive the fellowship grant and will be directly responsible for conduct of the work. Mr. Merkel worked practically the entire summer on construction of six tiers of terraced plots which will be used in the tests. Each tier consists of 12 plots 8 feet wide by 16 feet long on a 7 to 10 percent slope. Individual plots are sep­ arated by steel divides and are designed with flumes at the bottom so that run-off water can be collected and measured. The entire area of approximately 10,000 square feet will be sodded with turf of Arlington bent supplied by Dr. F. V. Grau from his farm near the college. Principal objectives of the program will be determination of effects of aeri­ fication on water absorption and run-off under different conditions of soil com­ paction and thatched turf. INTERESTING READING “The Theory and Practice of Crabgrass Control,” by Warren E. Lafkin, Golf & Lawn Supply Corp., White Plains, N. Y. “Peat and Muck in Agriculture.” Mimeo­ graphed circular, 9 pages, by M. S. Anderson, S. F. Blake, and A. L. Mehring, USDA. This should be on every greenkeeper’s desk. Requests should be addressed to: Dr. M. S. Anderson Soil Management Plant Industry Station Beltsville, Maryland “Control of Ants.” John C. Schread, Con­ necticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Cir­ cular 173, December 1949. If ants trouble your turf, you need this circular. “The Japanese Beetle,” Cornell Extension Bulletin 770, July 1949, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., by J. Alfred Adams and John G. Matthysse. The authors have covered the subject thoroughly. The effective control methods are discussed for turf areas. This is a valuable bulletin for the greenkeeper’s library. “Aerification Studies in Progress and Planned?’ A mimeographed publication of the West Point Lawn Products, West Point, Pa. This publication lists 10 states where Aerifiers have been placed at the disposal of the exper­ imental staffs for research. A brief descrip­ tion of the tests in progress is given for each state. Many results are incomplete but all show promise. “Gypsum, A Soil Corrective and Soil Builder.” Bulletin 200, December 1945, Agri­ cultural Experiment Station, University of Ari­ zona, Tucson. This bulletin should be in every golf course superintendent’s library, especially if the golf course is located where there is alkali (white or black) or where soils are irrigated. Consult the soils department at your own agricultural experiment station for their specific recommendations on the use of gypsum. USGA Journal: November, 1950 37 IT’S YOUR HONOR Mission Accomplished TO THE USGA: The members of the British Isles Curtis Cup Team all enjoyed their trip immensely and got on very well with all the American girls. I think the Match lived up to the in­ scription on the Curtis Cup: "To Stimulate Friendly Rivalry Among the Women Golfers of Many Lands." MRS. A. C. CRITCHLEY Captain, British Isles Team From the Champion TO THE USGA: I consider it a great pleasure to be a member of the amateur golf world. My only hope is that I will be a worthy champion and one you will be proud of. SAM URZETTA East Rochester, N. Y. Joke on Us TO THE USGA: Congratulations on your article on "Artificial Obstructions" in the September issue. I think I have one joke on you apropos of your second illustration. You calmly assume the player is right-handed, as most of us are. I modestly suggest that a left­ handed golfer would be entitled to relief under Rule 7(4) under the circumstances outlined. Also, in your answer to the query ac­ companying the third sketch, in line one of the second paragraph, the word "arti­ ficial" should be inserted before the word "obstruction." I hear that a local player whose ball lodged in the roots of a tree recently moved the ball without penalty two dub-lengths clear of the (natural) obstruction. The word "artificial" needs all the emphasis possible, as trees are, after all, immovable. AUSTIN Y. HOY Southport, Conn. Rooters for "Golf House" TO THE USGA: While I was abroad some of the English fellows who were at Winged Foot a year ago were greatly interested in the USGA plans for "Golf House." Several of them wished to contribute to such a good idea, and it is with much pleasure that I enclose a check for money given me by Laddie Lucas, last year's British Walker Cup Team captain (now a hardworking member of Parliament); by Gerald Micklem, of last year's Team, one of England's most substantial and enthu­ siastic golf leaders; and by Leonard Craw­ ley, former Cup player, now golf writer for English publications, who has been named to the three-man 1951 Walker Cup Team Selection Committee. JAMES E. SHIELDS New York, N. Y. Ultimate in Sportsmanship TO THE USGA: The Amateur Public Links Championship at Louisville was another fine tourna­ ment by the USGA. I know everyone enjoyed it immensely, as did we of Cali­ fornia. I believe sportsmanship is at its highest in that tournament. I am very sorry to say it was my last amateur tournament. My status is now changed. I believe that I can make a living as a professional so have changed over to the "other side." OLIVER (OLLIE) SLEPPY Los Angeles, Cal. Boosters for Juniors TO THE USGA: I thought you might like to know that the Kansas City Golf Association has held its third annual junior city-wide tourna­ ment. Since we inaugurated this tourna­ ment three years ago, we have seen the participation increase from approximately 70 entrants the first year to 210 young men and women in this tournament just past. It was very gratifying to those of us in the Association to be able to stage what we feel is the most important con­ test we sponsor all year long, at the lovely Mission Hills Country Club. We had flights this year as follows: 10 years and under, 11 to 13, 13 to 14, 15 to 16, 17 to age 21, the champion­ ship division. We certainly want to recommend this activity to local Associations all over the country. HERBERT A. SLOAN Kansas City, Mo. Editor's Note: The USGA Journal invites comments on matters relating to the welfare of the game and will publish them as space permits.