AND TURF MANAGEMENT "CALAMITY JANE II" IN GOLF'S NEW HOME Wide World Photo Bob Jones's famous puffer, with which he won 12 of his 13 American and British Championships, now holds a place of honor in "Golf House," new USGA home. Here if is being examined at the dedication of golf's headquarters by Findlay S. Douglas, 1898 Amateur Champion and former USGA President, and James D. Standish, Jr., present head of the Association. 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. 7 February, 1951 Through the Green................................................................................. 1 “Golf House” is Open ......................................... Harry Robert 5 Why Junior Golf? ............................................ Richard S. Tufts 7 Birds in the Snow ................................................................................... 8 Hands Across the Tee........................................ Joseph C. Dey. Jr. 10 Rangers Can Help Cure Slow Play ................................................... 13 The Great Quoicher ......................................... Hugh M. Gordon 14 Swing the Putter—Forget the Ball .................... Ike S. Handy 15 A Cross-Handed Putting Grip .............................. Fred Haas, Jr. 16 If You Were Blind ........................................... Earle Doucette 18 Golf Facilities and Civil Defense ................................................... 20 As the P. G. A. Sees It. ............................................. Joe Novak 21 The Referee: Decisions by the Rules of Golf Committee ......... 24 Turf Management: USGA Green Section Crabgrass Control....................M. H. Ferguson and C. G. Wilson 27 Factors in Controlling Crabgrass with Potassium Cyanate ............................ R. H. Beatty and B. H. Dams 31 Improved Turf Grasses ...................................................................................... 33 Annual Index to USGA Journal. Volume Hl ................................. 35 It’s Your Honor: Letters ................................................................... 37 Published 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. Subscriptions: $2 a year. Single copies: 30c. Subscriptions, articles, except pertaining to Green to Green Section matters should be addressed to USGA Green Section, Room 307, South Building, Plant 3, 1950 at the Post Office at Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. Entered as second-class matter March New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Edited by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. and Harry Robert. Advisory Committee—John D. Ames, Chairman; Isaac B. Grainger, Totton P. Heffelfinger, Curtis W. McGraw. All articles voluntarily contributed. Printed in U. S. A. Section matters, should be sent to the above address. Correspondence pertaining photographs, and correspondence, 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 Rounds, see entry forms.) Championship Open Entries Close Sectional Qualifying Rounds May 21 June 4 Championship Dates June 14-15-16 Amai.Public Links *June 1 **June 17 Team: July 7 Junior Amateur July 2 July 17 July 25-28 to 23 Indiv.: July 9-14 Girls' Junior July 30 ------ August 13-17 Women's Amateur August 6 ------ August 20-25 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. Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Ill. Town and Country C., St. Paul, Minn. Saucon Valley C. C., Bethlehem, Pa. ‘Entries close with Sectional Qualifying Chairmen. “Exact date in each Section to be fixed by Sectional Chairmen. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 1 THROUGH THE GREEN Privileged Classes There are three classes of people who are entitled to refer to themselves as “We.” They are Kings, Editors and Caddies. From the book, "In Praise of Golf" Competing with Age The greater feats of James Braid, five times British Open Champion, who passed away late last year at the age of 80, are internationally known. There may be a few sidelights of his career that are not. Braid, who began playing golf at the age of 4, made 18 holes-in-one. One came on his 77th birthday. It was his custom to play a round of golf on his birthday, and his opponent on these occasions was his age; he strove to score less than the number of years DAY IN THE SUN Julian P. Graham Photo Francis Ouimet, former Open and Ama­ teur Champion, and Peter Hay, veteran Pebble Beach pro, on the first tee at Cypress Point in California during the Bing Crosby pro-amateur tournament. of his life. At 67 he scored a 66, and at 68 he made a 64. His only failure was his last attempt —on his 80th birthday he took 82, at Walton Heath. But that was “almost a miracle,” says Leonard Crawley, “since it was blowing a northeasterly gale and there was some 20 per cent frost.” * * * Findlay S. Douglas always plays golf on his birthday, and for his 76th last fall he did nine holes in 41. But he was not overly pleased, for he has a high standard, having been USGA Amateur Champion in 1898 and USGA President in 1929-30. A few weeks previously, however, Mr. Douglas made the second hole-in-one of his life, a spoon shot against the wind on a 180-yard hole at Blind Brook, near New York. Good golf is apparently ageless. Short­ ly after the turn of the century Mr. Douglas won the President’s Cup at the Nassau Country Club, Glen Cove, N. Y., and 35 years later he tied for it and won a playoff. Guests at the recent opening of the USGA “Golf House” included both Mr. Douglas and his immediate predecessor as USGA Amateur Champion, H. J. Whigham. Mr. Whigham won the sec­ ond Championship in 1896 and repeated in ’97. Local Rules Local rules at the Homewood Golf Course, Ames, Iowa, include: “Do not buy balls on the course. It creates a market for stolen balls. “Do no bookkeeping on greens—move on immediately after holing out.” Beginners7 Clinic Orchids may be a drug on the market in Los Angeles, but if that City can use 2 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 one more, we urge it for its Recreation Department’s beginners’ golf clinic for boys and girls. Free instruction is given by Charles Lacey, Paul Scott and other PGA members, and reduced prices are allowed for practice balls and green fees. Pupils furnish only their clubs. Dudley C. Shumway, Supervisor of Municipal Sports, explains the program as follows: “We accept both the actual beginner and those with a little experience. So far the youngsters desiring to take ad­ vantage of this clinic have practically no experience or knowledge of the game. “The course will last approximately 12 weeks, after which this clinic will be followed by a 12-week series of actual play on the course under supervision and instruction. Then those persons who re­ ceive a graduation certificate will be permitted to use the course under the regular rates.” Triple Record-Holder Richard D. Chapman, 1940 Amateur Champion and a member of the current Walker Cup Team, made a 62 recently on Pinehurst’s No. 3 course. He there­ by became record-holder for all three courses, having previously set marks of 63 on the No. 2 course and 61 on the No. 1. Golden Rules of Golf At the old Fort Clark Ranch course in Brackettville, Texas, there was a note on the scorecard which seemed to cap­ ture much of the spirit of golf. Under the heading “Rules” was the comment: “Fort Clark considers itself short on rules and long on hospitality. Golfers should abide by the Golden Rule in such matters as driving into players ahead, starting from the first tee and playing the holes in order, walking on greens in high heel shoes, etc. “To help settle arguments among your­ selves, following are the rules of the course: . . .” and there they were, and not many of them. The Evening Bulletin, Philadelphia Harry Robert Harry Robert on USGA Staff The USGA staff has been bolstered by the addition of Harry C. Robert, Jr., as Assistant Executive Secretary (in the the place of Lieut. Cmdr. John P. Eng­ lish, who is on a military leave of absence). Mr. Robert is a native of Macon, Ga., and was graduated from Washington and Lee University in the Class of 1922. He has long been a nationally known sports writer, principally on the staff of The Evening Bulletin, Philadelphia; he was in radio sports work two years. Atlanta's "Golfers of the Year" Two unselfish patrons of the game and an up-and-coming youngster were hon­ ored as the Atlanta PGA’s selections as the city’s “golfers of the year.” For distinguished service, primarily in handling the 1950 USGA Women’s Ama­ teur Championship at East Lake, plaques were presented to Mrs. W. D. Tumlin and T. R. Garlington. Mrs. Tumlin for­ merly was a member of the USGA Women’s Committee. Mr. Garlington is a member of the USGA Executive Com­ mittee. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 3 Gene Hay received an award as Atlanta’s junior champion and a prom­ inent competitor in USGA events in 1950. At the dinner was the Golfer of All Years for those who remember him— Bob Jones. Caddie Service Hints The snow-balling military program reminds us we may again face a caddie shortage. A little consideration of the boys who carry our bags may go a long way toward helping. The Oak Park Country Club, Chicago, sends out 500 Christmas cards each year to its caddies. The Ravisloe Country Club, Chicago, invites the mothers of the ten honor caddies to its annual caddie banquet. Tournaments, big and small, add to the funds of the Evans Scholars Foun­ dation. On top of all the others, the West­ ern Amateur and Open Championships net the Foundation more than $15,000 annually. Monopoly Back in 1927 Mrs. Sohnie Markey won the women’s championship of the Rich­ mond County Country Club, Dongan Hills, N. Y. Now 51 years old, weighing 89 pounds, mother of four and grand­ mother of two, she won the championship for the eleventh time last year. Her husband, Frank L. Markey, has won the men’s club championship six times. Their son, Hugh A. Markey, has won that title the last two years, making a total of 19 championship victories in the family. Healthy and Growing One of the most flourishing associations in the country is the Women’s Golf As­ sociation of Northern California. It has 1,283 members and last year had 67 teams. Jackpot Although holes-in-one have long since ceased to be a rarity, most golfers go through life without ever experiencing that thrill. Harold A. Southwick, Pres­ ident of the Clearview Golf Club, White­ stone, N. Y., was reconciled to such a SPORTSMAN'S CORNER in most other sports it would be such a startling rarity that it would stand out like a lighthouse. In golf, it happens all the time. So this was just another time, several years ago, in the final round of the Philadelphia Amateur Championship at the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club. The finalists were Woodie Platt, an outstanding figure in Philadelphia golf for over 30 years and a member of the unofficial first American team that met Great Britain, and W. B. (Duff) McCullough, Jr., runner-up to Dick Chapman for the 1940 Amateur. For Platt to play at all required grit. It was one of the hottest days of mid-summer, and Platt's early career had been interrupted by a long illness due to heat exhaustion. For these reasons, the match did not go off the first tee until nearly 5 o'clock. At the fourth hole, a tough 235-yarder with the green in the bend of a creek that winds through the course, Platt's tee shot faded, dipped past the green on the right and headed for the water and tangled underbrush. Without much hope, Platt, his caddie and a few interested spectators searched the bank. Then someone cried: "Got it!" But the ball was in such a tangle it appeared a hopeless discovery. Platt managed to take some sort of stance and, never a slow or indecisive player, let fly with a mighty swing. The ball arched perfectly and stopped about 15 feet from the cup, at least a fair chance for a par 3. And McCullough had played two. Certainly the tournament had seen no better shot. Platt lined up the putt, and addressed the ball. Then he leaned over, picked it up and examined it. . "This isn't my ball," he announced. No one knew it but himself. He walked to the next tee 2 down. P. S. Platt won on the 20th hole. fate after 15 years of playing the game. Then, within four months last year, he holed three aces on the 158-yard seventh hole at Clearview with a No. 8 iron. Let the World Know USGA Member Clubs sometimes ask whether they may use the USGA seal and the line “Member of the United States Golf Association” on their sta­ tionery. The seal is reserved for official busi­ ness of the Association, but we would be delighted if all Member Clubs would use the line denoting membership. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 He Remembered One of golf’s recent losses was the massing of George Hansen, Sr., county iuperintendent who built the public golf system around Milwaukee. When he took >ver, the seven county parks were run m a budget of $43,355; there was one .8-hole golf course. In his 30 years of de­ moted service Mr. Hansen saw that budget ncrease to $2,750,000. Public links golf was the love of his jfe. Even in death he did not forget •t. In his will, he left $250 to the Mil- vaukee Public Links Association to be ised for a trophy. The 1951 USGA Amateur Public Links Championship is to be played on me of Mr. Hansen’s creations, the Brown Deer Park Course. X No Undue Delay Warren Orlick, professional at the Monroe, Mich., Golf and Country Club, paid a visit to “Golf House” recently and told us how really to speed up play on a golf course. A group of members deployed over the Monroe course last fall and in relay they played nine holes in 5 minutes 14 seconds, using 44 strokes. Monroe used 34 players, with handi­ caps from 6 through 30. “A big per­ centage were in the long handicap bracket,” said Orlick. “We believe in plenty of events for them at Monroe.” It was a cold day, with ice in low spots on the course. “First, there were trials to make sure we placed the players for the best re­ sults,” Orlick explained. “Players took only the clubs the trials proved neces­ sary. Jack Jennette, a former club cham­ pion, drove on Nos. 1, 4 and 7; I drove on Nos. 2, 6 and 8; Pat Munson, another former club champion, drove on Nos. 3 and 5, and Tom Smith on No. 9. “One ball was put into play on each hole. The instant it fell into the cup, a signal was given and the player on the next tee drove a ball, which was already teed. Areas between tees vary with cour ses and are considered dead space in a stunt of this sort. “We had four to eight players on each hole. They moved from hole to hole, wherever needed or wherever they could arrive in time. I feel our record can be broken.” We don’t expect golfers to whiz around 18 holes in 10:28, or in a half-hour or even a hour. But many a slowpoke might give heed to Warren Orlick’s last words: “Most of the players learned it isn’t necessary to do more than take a pre­ liminary waggle and let fly. Players on the greens holed some good ones with out lying on their tummies looking at the grain of the grass or squawking about the greens not being like billiard tables.’ Short Game “Does Jones play much of a short game?” “Only off the tees.” South African Golt Architects' Officers Ponte Vedra Club photo by Belle H. Stamper New officers of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, elected at their fifth annual meeting at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. From left are William F. Gor­ don, Doylestown, Pa., Secretary-Treasurer; William B. Langford, Chicago, President; William P. Bell, Pasadena, Cal., Vice- President. Langford succeeds Robert Trent Jones, of New York. The meeting was well attended by golf architects from California, Florida, In­ diana, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Best score on the beautiful Ponte Vedra course was a 73 by William Diddel, of Carmel. Ind. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 5 “Golf House” is Open By HARRY ROBERT USGA Assistant Executive Secretary “Golf House” opened officially at 1 P.M. on January 27, and on the hour delegates began pouring in from the USGA annual meeting. As they started up to the second floor, a staff man and a girl charged down stairs past them, headed for the only type­ writer still open for duty. He dictated a brief story about an odd-looking golf club, and she machine-gunned it on a card. Then they ran back up the stairs, passing more guests; she hung the card on the club and closed the show-case glass upon the display. It was the final touch to “Golf House’s” coming-out party. Nearly 150 guests milled through the renovated residence at 40 E. 38th St. in New York and expressed gratification that golf now has such a pleasant, useful USGA headquarters and home for the Golf Museum and Library. As you enter the front door, you find yourself in a spacious reception hall, with a rack of “Clubs of Champions” and the stories of their significance on your right. On the wall at the left, over the fireplace, is a colorful painting by Erwin Barrie of the first hole at the Apawamis Club, Rye, N. Y.; it is flanked by colored prints of scenes from St. Andrews and Sandwich. In a place of honor to the left stands the Walker Cup, in a specially built dis­ play case with a curved glass front. Staff offices at the rear complete the ground floor. Glenna Collett's Portrait At the head of the stairway to the second floor hangs a pastel portrait of Glenna Collett (Mrs. Edwin H. Vare, Jr.), six times Women’s Champion. In the broad stair hall are showcases containing clubs which roughly outline the evolution of woods, irons and put­ ters from the dim age of the feather ball "Dollar-A-Year Men" TO UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION: I have been following with great interest your fund gathering to pay for the building and equipment acquired by the Association at 40 East 38th Street. I am at a loss to understand why the fund was not fully oversubscribed by this time inasmuch as we have so many golfers in this country, and being a golfer actively en* gaged in the enjoyment of the game for some 40 years I would like to lead a group of what could be called "Dollar-a-Year Men" by sub­ scribing $1 a year for the 40 years that I have taken much enjoyment from the game. The USGA has done so much in the interest of golf over the entire country that I am sure you will find a great many other golfers who would join this "Dollar-a-Year" group, which in a very short time should cover the cost of your acquiring your headquarters. Sincerely yours, in the interest of the game, CHARLES G. KELLER Member—Montclair Golf Club Seaview Country Club Skytop Club Ponte Vedra Club to the present. Many are queer speci­ mens, but only a fraction of the fasci­ nating items eventually to be exhibited. Sepia pictures line the stairway to the third floor, portraits of some of the great professionals of whom American golfers are rightly proud: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Tommy Armour, and the pre­ sent Open Champion, Ben Hogan. There also are scenes of Hogan’s triumph at Merion last year. At the rear of the second floor are the executive offices. If “Golf House” has a showplace, it is its neat little Library. Pickled oak book­ cases are built into the corners and along the wall opposite the front bay window; they hold one of the best collections of golf literature in this country. The cases also contain some extremely interesting exhibits from the early days of the USGA. Flowered draperies set off the big front window. In the center of the room is the USGA Executive Committee’s meeting 6 USGA JOURNAL AND TuRF MANAGEMENT: FEBRUARY, 1951 Strange Weapons among USGA Museum Exhibits These putters are a few of the odd items in the USGA Museum at "Golf House." Most of the unusual clubs are putters, as you might suspect table, surrounded by green leather chairs. From the walls above, sepia portraits of every Amateur Champion in USGA history gaze down. That was what the delegates saw at the opening of “Golf House.” It is not com­ plete, but it is well open for inspection and visitors drop in daily to see it. The USGA cordially invites all Founders of “Golf House” and members of USGA clubs to visit. The Din of Preparation Few of the guests suspected the tur­ moil in which we worked getting ready for their visit. For months the USGA staff worked to the accompaniment of saws and hammers. In the last few weeks the tempo quickened. Decorators held conferences over our desks while we struggled to carry on the routine of USGA adminis­ tration. We threaded our way between painters’ scaffolds and drapery-hangers’ ladders. Up on the third floor, even now far from straightened out, some of us dived into vast stacks of old magazines and books, and emerged streaked with dust but triumphantly bearing sorted and catalogued issues which were perma­ nently bound in colorful covers and in­ serted on the shelves. As we approached the opening date, cabinet-makers wrestled cases into place, electricians balanced above us hanging special lights, but the tattoo of type­ writers and the drone of dictation went on. Even on the last morning there were adjustments to be made, and hammers swung past our ears as we placed exhibits. Through it all, we were guided by the architectural advice of Edward C. Em­ bury, golfing member of the firm of Embury and Lucas in New York, who have designed such attractive clubhouses as those of the Mountain Brook Club, Birmingham, Ala., the Charlotte Country Club in North Carolina, and the du Pont Country Club in Wilmington, Del. “Golf House’s” dedication was well worth all the preparatory work, and more. We think you’ll find it so when you drop in. As Findlay S. Douglas, 1898 Amateur Champion and former USGA President, said in dedicating “Golf House”: “This is your clubhouse, and we invite you to come in and sit in our comfort­ able chairs and browse through our books and enjoy what we have. ‘Golf House’ is dedicated to the Golfers of America.” Nothing of this would have been pos­ sible without the generous support of the Founders. There are now 3,818 Founders: indi­ viduals, clubs, associations. They have contributed $69,698 toward the total goal of $100,000 estimated to be (Continued on Page 22) USGA JOURNAL AND TuRF MANAGEMENT: FEBRUARY, 1951 7 Why Junior Golf? By RICHARD S. TUFTS USGA Secretary and Chairman of Junior Championship Committee Hitler and Stalin have been earnest advocates of the youth movement. If those dedicated to world domination find that marching boys around imbues them with the spirit to do or die for an un­ worthy cause, why don’t older golfers, country clubs and associations take more interest in promoting the grand game of golf among our younger players? To be sure, Senior passes along his cast-off clubs to Junior and may even ar­ range for a few lessons. But Junior usual­ ly is supposed to play his golf without even being visible when older players are present, and few think of arranging ac­ tivities for Junior and his pals. Truly, golf must be a wonderful game if Junior plays it in spite of these discouragements. Also, who is going to replace Senior when he becomes too feeble to totter around the course? And why deprive Junior of the chance to indulge in a health-giving, character-building sport he can enjoy for the rest of his life? There is just no sense in the way we neglect our opportunities in junior golf. It has been with the thought a national program was necessary to stimulate in­ terest in junior golf that the USGA em­ barked on its present program. Juniors are naturally contest-minded, and the hope has been to provide a national com­ petition that would serve both as a stan­ dard and a stimulant for junior activities at the district and club levels. To tie in USGA activities with those of the districts, a Junior Championship Committee was appointed last year, and it is the plan that members of this Com­ mittee be leaders in junior golf in their respective sections. Not only should these Committee members serve to develop interest in the USGA Junior Amateur Championship but they should also pro­ mote junior activities at the district level. Perhaps the first consideration is to obtain recognition of the importance of junior golf. Golfers, club and district officers, the press and all those closely associated with the game should ap­ preciate that junior golf is a serious, important business. Next, it is of value to establish a defi­ nite program for junior golf at the club level: group lessons by the club profes­ sional, a schedule of junior events, and, above all, recognition of the rights of the juniors to the club facilities under reason­ able limitations. Finally, the promotion of junior golf must be carried up to the district level. A well-planned program of activities and the stimulation of interest in them is the most important feature. The Expense Question Here, however, we run into a problem that requires careful consideration. Not all junior golfers have the means to par­ ticipate in a very extensive program. Therefore, without giving the impression that golf can become a means of getting something for nothing, some of the juniors may require and be found worthy of financial assistance, particularly when attending national competitions. It is quite proper for such aid to be given, as the Rules of Amateur Status on expenses do not start to operate until a boy has reached his 18th birthday. In addition to some expenses for indi­ vidual juniors, there is also the need for financial help in connection with trophies, the cost of putting on tournaments proper­ ly, and so forth. We must remember that the juniors’ earning capacity is limited and proper financing is important. And so, Mr. Senior, if you find some merit in these thoughts, may we suggest that you do more than accord them your tacit approval? Discuss the subject of an adequate junior program with your fellow golfers, express your opinions to your club officers, and, above all, support and take an active part in some worth­ while program for junior golf. 8 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 Birds in the Snow If the U. S. Postal Service hadn’t adopted the slogan to the effect that neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night shall stay the postman from his appointed rounds, something of the sort would surely have been coined at Siwanoy Country Club, Bronxville, N. Y. Only that describes the dogged persistence with which the Siwanoy Snobirds carry through one of the most remarkable tournaments in the game each winter. Come snow, come sleet, come sub-zero weather or pouring rain, the Snobirds have for 42 years conducted a golf tour­ nament that generally begins the first week in December and concludes some­ time around Washington’s Birthday. Snobirds have played in two feet of snow, in 10-below temperatures, in blinding storms of all sorts. Only twice has play been suspended, to the knowledge of Oscar E. Carlson, Siwanoy’s Snobird chairman. Once the course was frozen over with solid ioe and the first group could not continue past the second hole, a 425-yard par-4 on which one took an 82. The going was impossible. The other postponement came when a heavy fall of snow was followed by a dense fog. A little thing like snow would never deter a Snobird, but as the players could not see farther than 10 feet through the fog, there would have been no chance of finding the balls. “Snobird golf is the great leveler,” says Mr. Carlson. “If we were as upset by small distractions as the average golfer often is, we’d give it up. Our tourna­ ments are just one bad break after an- No Use Replacing This Divot The snow Hies when the Snobirds of Siwanoy mush doggedly over the course in Bronxville, N. Y., in iheir annual winter tournament. Only twice in 42 years has the weather been enough io stop them. From left, with caddies, are Snobird Chairman Oscar E. Carlson, Joseph N. McDonald, the late Charles G. Wright and George Hussy USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 9 other. We learn to take them in stride. “The icy conditions are the worst for scoring. But scoring varies greatly—and for good reason. If it is clear and there is no mud, the regular course is played. When the weather’s bad, we play a snow course of nine holes with well-rolled sand greens. It measures about 3,000 yards and we go around twice. That saves wear and tear on the regular greens.” The sand greens are placed in the rough. Instead of a flagstick, inverted brooms mark the cups. A player is per­ mitted to use the broom to sweep away the snow from the line of his putt. This would not be permitted under the Rules of Golf, but the Snobirds have many rules of their own, some of which might cause purists to swoon. They include: Snobird Rules 1. A ball may be lifted and cleaned any time. A player may improve the lie of the ball on the fairway, in the rough or in the traps. This rule applies to mud, snow, sand or water in the sand traps. The ball may he replaced, not nearer the hole. 2. A ball buried in a trap may be placed either in the trap, if trap is playable, or directly in back of the trap, not nearer the hole. 3. A brook or pond is a water hazard. A ball in such a hazard may be lifted and placed with one stroke penalty behind hazard in line of flight. A ball in snow or ice in a hazard may be teed on snow or ice but may not be elevated. 4. When a ball is lost, another ball may be placed and played from where the lost ball presumably landed, without penalty. 5. A ball buried in the snow may be dug out and placed on the snow just back of the place of entry within a club’s length, keeping the same line to the hole, without penalty. In placing the ball back of place of entry into the snow the player may remove all or as much snow as he desires before replacing the ball. 6. All putts must be holed out. 7. USGA rules govern otherwise. The Siwanoy Snobirds tournament was started in 1908 by the late George Semler HARDY BIRDS Siwanoy Snobirds pause during a round in comparatively mild weather. From left are Joe Taylor, Dr. T. C. Swift and Oscar E. Carlson, with caddies. The broom Taylor holds is the snow course flagstick, also useful for sweeping snow away from the line of putt. and has been played without a suspension except for the World War I years of 1917 and 1918. The purpose of the tour­ nament was to continue good fellowship and golf on a year-around basis. The form of play is a series of eight handicap stroke play Sunday rounds, each of which qualifies the two low net scorers for the match play which decides the champion. A player is not eligible for the match rounds unless he takes part in at least four stroke play rounds. No Pneumonia Yet “Everyone must play under the same conditions,” says Mr. Carlson. “The first requisite is long underwear. After that, each man puts on as much clothing as he thinks he needs.” “Does playing in all sorts of weather ever cause illness?” he was asked. “Well, I haven’t heard of any of us getting pneumonia,” he replied. “When we play in the snow, the players must start early because they spend so much time looking for balls that they’d never get around unless they did. If a player would take the trouble to change balls for every shot, he’d probably score (Continued on Page 16) 10 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 Hands Across the Tee By JOSEPH C. DEY. JR. USGA Executive Secretary There is always keen international interest when our Walker Cup Team sails to do friendly battle with the cream of British amateurs for golf’s most cherished team trophy. The trip this spring is of double interest. Besides the Match, there will be an attempt to bring about uniformity between British and American Rules of Golf, at least in substance if not in form. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, governing body of British golf, and the USGA are to have several days of conferences in May, as a climax to correspondence in recent months. Isaac B. Grainger, a USGA Vice-Presi­ dent, heads the committee which will meet with the R. and A. Richard S. Tufts, Secretary, and Herbert Jaques, a former President, are the other members who have been doing the groundwork. Mr. Jaques will not make the trip abroad, but several USGA Executive Committeemen besides Messrs. Grainger and Tufts will be there, including James D. Standish, Jr., President; Totton P. Heffelfinger, Vice-President; John D. Ames, Treas­ urer; T. R. Garlington and Charles B. Grace. The USGA representatives believe the two bodies will come to agreement on basic principles, especially penalties, al­ though minor differences in language may continue. Mr. Grainger, Chairman of the Rules of Golf Committee, told delegates to the USGA’s annual meeting last month that his published report was in error in indi­ cating that complete uniformity on fun­ damentals might be very difficult. More recent information shows that the two bodies are approaching one viewpoint. Walker Cup Team Announcement of personnel of the 1951 Walker Cup Team was an item of principal interest at the USGA’s 57th Annual Meeting, held at the Princeton Club, in New York. The Team mem­ bers are: William C. Campbell, Huntington, W. Va. Richard D. Chapman, Pinehurst. N. C. Charles R. Coe, Oklahoma City Robert W. Knowles, Jr., Boston James B. McHale, Jr., Philadelphia Harold D. Paddock, Jr., Cleveland Frank R. Stranahan, Toledo William P. Turnesa, Elmsford, N. Y., Captain Sam Urzetta, Rochester, N. Y. In case any Member is unable to make the trip, an invitation will be issued to one of the following alternates, in the order named: Alfred J. Mengert, Spokane, Wash. Harvie Ward, Jr., Tarboro, N. C. Frank (Bud) Holscher, Santa Moni­ ca, Cal. William L. Goodloe, Jr., Valdosta. Ga. Dow H. Finsterwald, Athens, Ohio WALKER CUP AND CUPPERS Wide World Photo Sam Urzetta, left, the Amateur Champion, and William P. Turnesa, twice Champion and Captain of the 1951 Walker Cup Team, with the big silver trophy which they will help defend in England in May. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 11 1951 USGA OFFICIALS The following officers and Executive Committee were re-elected at the 57th Annual Meeting to serve the USGA in 1951: PRESIDENT—James D. Standish, Jr., Detroit VICE-PRESIDENTS—Isaac B. Grainger, New York; Totton P. Heffelfinger, Minneapolis SECRETARY—Richard S. Tufts, Pinehurst, N. C. TREASURER—John D. Ames, Chicago EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE—The above officers and: J. Frederic Byers, Jr., Pittsburgh Frederick L. Dold, Wichita, Kans. T. R. Garlington, Atlanta Charles B. Grace, Philadelphia Lewis A. Lapham, San Francisco Charles L. Peirson, Boston Corydon Wagner, Tacoma, Wash. James W. Walker, New York GENERAL COUNSEL—Fraser M. Horn, New York James D. Standish, Jr. The Team will sail from New York April 27 in the SS Parthia. The Walker Cup Match is to be played May 11 and 12 at the Birkdale Golf Club, near South­ port, England. The Team’s members will play in the British Amateur Cham­ pionship at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, near Cardiff, Wales, May 21-26. Five members have had experience as Walker Cuppers — Chapman, Coe, Mc­ Hale, Stranahan and Turnesa. Captain Turnesa was Amateur Cham­ pion in 1938 and 1948 and British Ama­ teur Champion in 1947. Coe won the 1949 Amateur Championship. Strana­ han has won the British Amateur Cham­ pionship twice and is the present holder. Chapman was Amateur Champion in 1940 and runner-up in the British last year. McHale was low amateur in the Open last year and a British Amateur semi-finalist. Sam Urzetta, our present Amateur Champion, will be making his first ap­ pearance on the Team. Campbell, a 1949 Amateur semi-finalist, has won the North and South Amateur in addition to his State open and amateur titles. Knowles was an Amateur semi-finalist last )ear besides winning the New England championship. Paddock is the Ohio Champion and the man who dethroned Coe at Minneapolis. He has performed remarkably in recent Amateur Champion­ ships. "Turf Management" Book The annual report of the USGA Exec­ utive Committee on its stewardship in 1950 highlighted publication of a book, “Turf Management,” by Prof. H. B. Mus- 12 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 1951 COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN The following Chairmen of USGA committees for 1951 have been appointed by James 0. Standish, Jr., President: Rules of Golf—Isaac B. Grainger, New York Championship—John D. Ames, Chicago Implements and Ball—Charles B. Grace, Phila­ delphia Amateur Status and Conduct—James W. Walker. New York Membership—Lewis A. Lapham, San Francisco Green Section—Richard S. Tufts, Pinehurst, N. C. Junior Championship—Richard S. Tufts, Pinehurst, N. C. Women's—Mrs. Frank Goldthwaite, Fort Worth, Texas Girls' Junior Championship—Mrs. Charles Den- nehy, Chicago Public Links—Totton P. Heffelfinger, Minneapolis Sectional Affairs—Charles L. Peirson, Boston Handicap—William O. Blaney, Boston International Relations—Charles W. Littlefield, New York Museum—James W. Walker, New York Public Relations—John D. Ames, Chicago The Membership Committee report by Lewis A. Lapham, Chairman, pointed out that for the third successive year the Association’s membership reached a new record total. At the end of the fiscal year, November 30, 1950, it was 1,448 clubs and courses. The General Counsel, Fraser M. Horn, drew attention to hearings by New York State officials regarding probable setting of a minimum wage rate for caddies. The Museum Committee, through James W. Walker, Chairman, recorded contributions from 35 donors for the collection in “Golf House.” The Treasurer, John D. Ames, re­ ported that the year’s operation produced excess of income over expenses of $8,012.37. ser, financed by the USGA and published by McGraw-Hill. The book has been well received and promises to become a standard work for greenkeepers. Richard S. Tufts, Chairman of the Green Section Committee, also called attention to the Green Section’s service of advisory visits to member clubs on a fee basis. He cited as an outstanding feature of Green Section activities the development of the 1950 Turf Research Review, a compilation and catalog of turf projects, workers and publications in the United States. William 0. Blaney, Chairman, reported that the Handicap Committee had tried to devise methods of computing current handicaps (designed to show the at-the- moment state of a player’s game) to supplement the USGA basic handicap system, but had not so far developed one it could recommend. Charles B. Grace, Chairman of the Implements and Ball Committee, again called attention to the fact that any club made in such fashion as to permit adjustment during play is barred. He thanked golf equipment manufacturers for their cooperation in attempting to produce within specifications. THE NOVICE GOLFER SPEAKS Little golf ball on the tee, What will you do this stroke for me? Will you sail before you bound And dance along the fairway ground? Will you simply zoom along Above the earth as swift as song? Will you from my aim depart If I should top you at the start? Fluttering o'er the velvet green The next hole's pennant flag is seen. Hazards—bunker, brook—and rough Will make the going really tough. But the feel of sun and breeze, The sense of vastness, sight of trees And shrubbery along the way Will blend into a joyous day. Little golf ball on the tee, The hole-in-one, not yet I see; But if we make it under ten, I think we'll try the course again. —MARGARET RABE HAMILTON Harvey, III. Position Open Due to the resignation of Leo Di Nardo, the Baldoc Hills Country Club, Irwin, Pa., has a vacancy for the position of golf professional. Applicants may address Joseph Softer, managing director. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 13 Rangers Can Help Cure Slow Play To the USGA: What immediate good will come from the wide circulation of your observations on slow play, I do not know. However, speaking from long, hard-bitten ex­ perience, I am firmly convinced that you have struck right at the heart of the greatest single obstacle to the growth of golf in this country. Prevailing conditions not only are res­ ponsible for discouraging new golfers but each year these conditions cause many an old-timer to seek other recreation. The youngster, especially the unmarried youngster, does not feel the pinch of a six- or seven-hour stretch from home to get in a round as does the man with a family and responsibilities. Golfers of this type, as well as many young prospects, are lost simply for lack of a little effort to regulate play. We are not utilizing facilities to the extent that a little supervision would make possible. The ranger idea is what I believe to be the cure. My introduction to all that a ranger can accomplish came one morning .when four of us were playing a municipal course. There were hardly any golfers on the course, but on the third hole we were slowed down by a group of three. When we walked to the fourth tee, we saw they had lost a ball, and being hard­ ened to the peculiar type of golf etiquette practiced there, we looked around for a bench. At that moment, a young man—a ranger—stepped out of nowhere, shouted to the three ahead to move aside, and ordered us to shoot. Once we cleared that group, there wasn’t another party on the course for several holes. But had we gotten stuck on any other public course I have played on, chances are we would have had to stay behind that crowd throughout the round. In a general way, lack of etiquette is the chief cause for slow play, and the municipal course player is chief offender and chief sufferer. If he loses a ball, the odds are strong that he will not wave the next party through; in many in­ stances he does not acknowledge the right of the other party to pass him even after a reasonable length of time. The golfer who does not acknowledge this right just doesn’t know any better. He is in the minority. A high percent­ age should know better and the majority are veteran golfers. Their attitude reflects what has just about become a code—that is, hold the line at all costs, even to the extent of dropping the ball at the moment the oncoming party is abreast. When this every-day situation presents itself, someone has to give, and that is when an arbitrator is badly needed. Imitation of Slowness Walking hand in hand with the lost ball problem is the constantly growing inclination to piddle around with each shot, especially on and around the green. Nearly every day in the year thousands of all types of golfers witness some of our foremost golfers surveying every putt and approach. When they get back to their own games, imitation of the cham­ pions is reflected more in their pace than in their play. This situation will be more difficult to handle, but a ranger’s author­ ity can be extended to encourage such groups to a faster tempo. Each game has grown up with certain customs peculiar to it. In golf, you’re on your honor from beginning to end. Anything foreign to that character is detrimental to the game’s growth. No one ever wants to have a stop-watch held over him on a golf course. For that reason it would be dangerous to ap­ proach a reform in an inflexible manner, for to do so would certainly alienate prospective adherents from the cause. The best results can come from drawing a picture of how much more pleasure and profit a little supervision can obtain. (Writer’s name withheld by request) 14 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 The Great Quoicher By HUGH M. GORDON Professional, Roanoke Country Club, Roanoke, Va. Golf belongs to Scotland. Yet from the French Flanders there comes an account of a bastard species of golf in an old book by Charles Deulin named “*Les Contes du Roi Cambrinus.” The spirit of this tale is in true golf tradition and suggests a kinship with the game as it has developed in Scotland and America. Once upon a time, the story goes, there was a wheelwright named Roger who was so great a golfer that no one in the countryside could equal or beat him, and all bowed before him as The Great Quoicher (one who is always holing out, from the Scottish word “quoich” mean­ ing “hole,” or “cup”). Like many a modern player he laid his success to a favorite club, and as Bob Jones had Calamity Jane so Roger had his trusty darach, or forked oak stick, ac­ quired in a curious way. One day as he worked at his forge, a wayfarer came asking for help. Under the shade of the towering darach tree at his shop door, Roger learned that his guest was the famous Saint Anthony, patron of those suffering from erysipelas, or Saint Anthony’s fire. Saint Anthony was in need of a darach tree 12 fathoms high and flourishing near a smithy’s fire to rekindle his own flames with which he combated the dreaded disease. Quickly Roger felled the huge tree, leaving only the ugly stump at his door. In gratitude, the great Saint Anthony granted him three favors. All who sat on the stump of the darach tree must stay there unmoving until Roger willed that they should leave, and any who stood on the door mat from which Saint Anthony had made his plea could not be moved without his own desire. And finally, whacking off a forked stick from the fallen tree, the Saint said to Roger, “Play your game with this darach stick, and you can never be a loser.” Roger prospered. Creditors paid their just bills rather than sit forever on the stump outside the smithy’s door. And no one could beat him on the golf course. Finally Death came to claim Roger. The wily golfer persuaded him to rest a moment on the old darach stump outside the shop before starting on the arduous trip. So Roger bargained for another 100 years of life. And again Roger beat all who were reckless enough to try their skill against his, and his golf cry of “Quoich.” or “In the cup,” became a symbol of his certain victories. At last it was time for Death to return and Roger was carried below. The Devil refused to accept him. “He has already won a sack full of souls from me,” he said. “If I let him in here, he will win everyone from me.” The gates of Heaven were ready to close on him, but Roger finally persuaded Saint Peter to let him have a word with his old friend, the great Saint Anthony. Once inside the gates, Roger unrolled his bit of door mat and seated himself on it. And there he sits to this day, since no one can force him to move. • From “Golfing” by Horace Hutchinson, Printed in London, 1898. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February. 1951 15 Swing the Putter-Forget the Ball By IKE S. HANDY Member of Houston Country Club, Houston, Texas If it were possible for me to revolution­ ize the game of golf—if I could con­ vince everyone about the simplicity of a perfect swing and the certainty of the result therefrom—yet I would fail to convince a great many of the infallibility <>f the subconscious mind. There will always be those who would like to feel the grain of the grass on the putting green, those who will squat and squint at the line of putt from every angle, to “read” the green. The argu­ ment that “Now you have determined the amount of break, the grain of the grass and the speed of the green, how do you know how hard to hit the ball?” carries no weight. If they don’t kill an interminable length of time with this useless and detrimental practice, they don’t look like golfers. In tournament play it must be done for fear somebody would think they are careless, in case the putt is missed. If there is any appreciable roll or break on a putt, the very best of players ill be more than 100 per cent wrong in his conscious estimate of it. That is to say, if he estimates that his ball will roll to right or left, say two feet, and then hits it into the hole, he will have started it on a line which deviates more than 100 per cent from his estimate. I am considering, as the definition of “break,” the distance from the hole of a line on which .the ball starts out, proj­ ected to a point even with it. I saw a very fine young player in a tournament allow his caddie (who was supposed to be possessed of local knowl­ edge but who had never hit a putt on that or any other putting green in his life) to tell him that a putt of some 20 feet broke “a foot to the right.” In truth, due to the roll of the ground and the growth of the grass, the ball would actually roll off more than a foot to the left. But the boy so cut the ball that it actually rolled to the right and almost went into the hole. Nor did he have any idea he was putting such a cut on the ball as to make it spin against the grain of the grass and the roll of the ground. Different Paths—Same Result Some years ago, while fooling with a putting machine which I made, I hap­ pened to practice on a green freshly sprayed with a chemical resembling very- thin whitewash. The path of a rolling hall showed very clearly. To my surprise, 1 found that from the same spot, six feet from a hole, several balls which rolled into the very center of the cup followed different paths in each instance; midway of these paths there was as much as six inches’ distance between them. Tried with the putting machine, one ball after another followed the same path. This tends to prove, if not conclusively, that regardless of what we strive to do, we do not hit even all perfect putts alike —some are slightly hooked, some sliced, some hit a little harder than others, though all may wind up in the cup. In the first years of my golf I was \ery good with a putter; then I had a few years when I couldn’t putt for sour apples. 1 reached the stage where, especially on the first green or two in a tournament, my hands would tremble so that I could hardly hold the club. If I got down in two putts from any short distance. I considered myself lucky; I was sure to take three from as great a distance as twenty^ feet. I seemed to be stroking the ball as I always had. 1 could detect no difference in the mechan­ ics of my swing, and, no matter how I changed it, the result was the same. It finally occurred to me that the trouble was not in my stroke or myr eye­ sight but because I was thinking of the “break,” the growth of the grass and the speed of the green, and was trying to knock the ball into or dead to the hole. 16 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 In some manner I always hit it too hard, or not hard enough, or off the line. More­ over, I acquired the asinine habit of mentally saying, “I’ll miss it.” Forget the Ball I began to put the subconscious mind idea into my putting—to forget the hole, or that there was a hole; to give no thought to break or speed—and put my entire conscious mind on the manner of swinging the putter, swinging it just as if there were no ball in its path. It has paid off. Much to my surprise and delight, however, the nervousness on the first green or two has completely dis­ appeared and my hands no longer have “the shakes.” If any average golfer will merely glance at the hole and the ground in­ tervening between it and his ball, and naturally ground the putter behind the ball, he will unerringly set the face of it on the exact line of the “break” of both ground and grass. The foregoing is an extract from a book by Mr. Handy not yet published, and is printed by permis­ sion. A Cross-Handed Putting Grip Methods of coaxing the ball into the hole are endless in variety. Some new ways have appeared in the last year, among them the cross-handed grip described below.—Ed. By FRED HAAS, JR. TOURNAMENT PROFESSIONAL; FORMERLY A LEADING AMATEUR AND MEMBER OF 1938 WALKER CUP TEAM I crossed my hands on the putter in the hope I would standardize my stroke. I started playing golf as a wrist putter and had fairly good success on slow Ber­ muda greens where a hit was required rather than a smooth stroke very deli­ cately applied. Consequently, on fast greens I became lost, and in the big championships my confusion led to ten­ sion which seemed to be most noticeable in my wrists. When I tried an orthodox putter grip Birds in the Snow '(Continued from Page 9) better, because the frozen ball has less life. Some Snobirds carry pocket-warm­ ers for that very purpose.” The tournament draws 30 to 40 con­ tenders a year, depending upon the weather. All told, 85 signed up this season. But it is not necessary for a man to brave chilblains and frostbite to be a Snobird. Some members only come to the club, post their names, and play cards or watch television: these are known as “Rocking Chair Snobirds.” Two prizes go to the rocking chair brigade each Sunday,_ as well as to the more hardy Snobirds: of the golfing breed. (whatever in the world that is, I don’t know) with my hands in approximately the same position as on my irons and woods, I found I could not hit through the putt when I immobilized my wrists. I seemed to be hitting against my left elbow and I could not take the crook out of my left arm. So I just dropped my left hand below the right in a cross-handed position and I was able to get a freer swing and follow through. Since my main object was to get away from using my wrists, I had to use my shoulders as the hinging point, and whenever I feel them working smoothly and I have no conscious sensation of the head of the putter moving, my putting has been true and decisive. There is not as much tendency for the putter head to roll as in a wrist stroke. ever, I can truthfully say I am still experimenting to find the exact stance, grip and stioki which will produce 100 percent confidence. But by working on a T-square principle of lining up shoul­ ders square, feet on 90 degree angle, hands in a normal comfortable position, and the ball directly under my eyes, I feel I have the best chance to sink putts. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 Ways of Holing Out Where Is He Headed? Edward Freeman photo Distaff Grip Alex Bremner phot' Above, Freddie Haas and his cross-handed putting grip, described on opposite page. He plays right- handed. Upper right, putting grip of Miss Jeanne Bisgood of 1950 British Curtis Cup Team. Lower right, Leo Diegel's odd but well-known style. "Swingtime" Associated Press Photo 18 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 If You Were Blind By EARLE DOUCETTE Maine Development Commission What would happen to your golf game if you were suddenly stricken with blind­ ness? Amazing as it may seem, it wouldn’t make much difference if you happen to be a 100-shooter. After a year or two of readjustment, you’d still go around in about the same figure. On the other hand (and don’t ask me why) if you are in the 70s now, you’d probably be trying to break 100 if you were blinded. In either case, it is heartening to know that the golfer who loses his sight need not give up the game—he can still have a lot of fun. I reached the above conclusions after witnessing the most inspiring sports event I ever attended — the American Blind Golfers Championship Tournament held at my club, the Augusta Country Club, Augusta, Maine, last summer. The emergence of golf as a sport for the blind has come about during the past few years because of the indomitable spirit of many sightless men who have refused to let their handicap lick them. Most are veterans of the past two wars. Those who played at Augusta came from all sections of the United States and Canada and have been leaders in the effort to stimulate competitive sports interest among others similarly afflicted. Curiously enough, the blind golfers seemed better adjusted to life than many who watched them play. No doubt the fires they have gone through have left them triumphant over the self-doubt and self-pity to which many of us are prey. Thus, the tournament was a happy, carefree, extremely warm affair. Players and spectators had a whale of a good time together, even though the players fought tooth and nail, although unsuc­ cessfully, to dethrone Charlie Boswell, of Birmingham, Ala., winner of all four tournaments the blind golfers have played. The previous events were held in California, Michigan and Pennsyl­ vania. System of Play How do you play golf when blind? Well, each golfer has a coach, preferably someone who knows him well and has played golf with him. On the tee, the coach hands his golfer the club, tees up the ball and places the clubhead back of it, aiming it in the process. The golfer then simply goes through with his swing as sighted golfers would. From then on the coach merely hands the golfer the club he needs and proceeds as on the drive. Let us say that for 150 yards the blind golfer needs a No. 5 iron. Under normal conditions, that’s what he’ll always use. He’ll never hit a hard 6 or a soft 4—he swings every club the same way, which is, of course, a secret of good golf. On the green the coach will lead the golfer from where his ball lies to the hole and then back again. When the golfer is getting ready to putt, the coach will often tap the cup with a club so the golfer will be aided in his direction by the sound. Now let us suppose he misses the putt by three or four feet. In that case, he will get down on his knees and run his hand from ball to cup, thus, by feel, getting direction and desired speed of the putt firmly fixed in his mind. Then the coach lines up the putter and, at that distance, the blind golfer rarely misses, far more rarely than the rest of us do. Actually, the blind golfer has certain psychological advantages. He never “looks up.” He doesn’t vary the speed of his swing. He isn’t tempted to use the wrong club. Not being able to see the hazards, he doesn’t tighten up as many of us do when confronted with a difficult shot. There is more than one seeming par- USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 19 At the Blind Golf Tournament Maine Development Commission Photo Charlie Boswell, winner of all four of the Blind Golf Tournaments held so far, driving off at Augusta, Me., Country Club as Francis Ouimet, former Open and Amateur Champion, awaits his turn, blindfolded (left center). They met in a one- hole exhibition ai conclusion of last year's Blind Tournament. Ouimet took ten strokes to Boswell's five. adox to blind golf. Why, for instance should a player who never played until after he lost his sight play as well as the person who was a good player pre­ vious to his accident? An example is Charlie Boswell, present champion, who never swung a club until he became sight­ less, and Bill Gilman, runner-up, who played exceedingly well before he was maimed in the war. Quick Learners Here is another curious thing. I have studied the case histories of those who competed and I’m willing to wager that, all other things being equal, a blind beginner will break 100 before a begin­ ner with sight will do so. Why? I can’t answer that. At present most of the blind boys have difficulty in doing much better than 100, but most of them have been playing only a few years. I am of the opinion that eventually some blind men will be playing in the 80s, which, of course, would be truly remarkable. As a matter of fact, their extraordinary difficulty in the rough and in bunkers is about all that is keeping them from low scoring right now. In those phases of the game, understandably enough, they need im­ provement most. I have covered a great many tourna­ ments and seen many leading players. However, I have never seen any shots more remarkable than some pulled off by the blind players. With experience will come the ability to make them more often, with a resultant lowering of scores. Citizens of Maine, aided by a few Massachusetts sportsmen, financed the Augusta tournament. All expenses of the players, their wives and their coaches were paid from the time they left home until they returned. It was Maine’s way of honoring its own Bill Gilman and, of course, his fellow blind golfers. And Maine felt well repaid, because it was a delight for all of us to associate with these gallant men who have met adver­ sity and beaten it. 20 USGA Journal an© Turf Management: February. 1951 Golf Facilities and Civil Defense The international situation has turned the thoughts of many golf-minded people toward civil defense. Upper Montclair Country Club in New Jersey has taken steps to make its facil­ ities available for the civil defense of the neighboring communities of Clifton, Bloomfield and Montclair. Taylor Boyd, golf course superintendent at Camargo Club, Cincinnati, has written the USGA of the many-sided part he visualizes for golf dubs and their staffs in an emer­ gency. The strategic location of the Upper Montclair Club suggested to several mem­ bers its value in case of emergency. ■‘A compass swinging on the Upper Montclair Country Club as the center of a 15-mile radius would encircle me­ tropolitan New York and New Jersey, the living and working space for more than 10,000,000 persons,” said S. E. Lind- stamer, chairman of Club’s Civil Defense Committee. “The area contains not only the financial center of the world but im­ portant manufacturing establishments even now helping to build the defenses of our country. The club property is adjacent to New Jersey Highway S-3, ten miles from the Lincoln Tunnel and near other trunk highways.” Harr) E. Smith. President, appointed a committee including Mr. Lindstamer, Dr. G. W. Surgent, J. L. Fitzgerald, J. N. Marsh, H. B. Adsit, John Chambers, F. S. Astarita. W. H. Dietze, W. H. Cobb, C. F. Russell. R. E. Doremus, Dr. L. M. Matthews. H. E. Smith and Col. Henrv Gassner. The Board of Trustees has approved purchase of an auxiliary power plant to supply the clubhouse with heat, refrigera­ tion and light in an emergency, not for the convenience of the 600 members but to make the clubhouse usable as an emer­ gency first aid station or temporary hos­ pital. Sub-committees are in charge of this and of water and gas supply, auxiliary police and’fire protection, first aid and relief. “The armed forces have stated the public must be made aware of the neces­ sity of civilians looking to their own preservation and safety in an emer­ gency,” said Mr. Lindstamer. “In the event of an invasion by air or otherwise, the armed services will be so busy re­ sisting the enemy that civilians must take care of ourselves and each other. Upper Montclair wants to do its part and is ready to help those who may need help. “We are not afraid, we hope war does not come to our shores, but we believe in being prepared.” As a Course Superintendent Sees It In his letter, Taylor Boyd said he had been wondering what part a golf course and a greenkeeper could play in an emer­ gency. He pointed out many clubs have their own water system; that clubs usually are in outlying areas around cities and probably would be free from bomb damage; that they have storage space which could be used for first aid equip­ ment, gasoline, etc., and they have trucks and tractors available. Boyd said clubhouses could be first aid stations, courses could be emergency landing fields for small planes, all club personnel could act as emergency police, firemen and first aid assistants, and in dire necessity people could be housed on the course in tents. "Most greenkeepers know enough about plumbing to make some repairs to water systems and most clubs have such tools,” Boyd wrote. “Most green­ keepers I know are pretty level-headed men who would perform well under any emergency. “I’ll make a good-sized bet there are no Russian sympathizers among them.” Boyd concluded that all club officials would be 100 per cent for such a program if the need arose. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 21 As The P. G. A. Sees It By JOE NOVAK President, The Professional Golfers’ Association of America While they may not always be feasible or appropriate, I am sure they will be accorded every consideration. At the same time, however, we of the P.G.A., an association of golf profes­ sionals dedicated to the promotion of golf as a game, recognize the USGA, an association of country clubs, as golf’s ruling body in America. As you doubtless know, the P.G.A. includes among its some 3,000 members the tournament player, as such, together with the home club professional. Both are called upon to interpret the Rules of Golf—the first in their activities as players and the latter in connection with the competitions and games of their club members. Consequently, we in the P.G.A. recognize that the Rules of the game are of prime importance. The P.G.A. also has a great interest in the national championships which are conducted by the USGA. We are vitally interested in the Open Championship, the men’s and the women’s Amateur Cham­ pionships, the Public Links, the Girls’ and the Junior Amateur Championships. All are of paramount importance to pro­ fessional golf. We are likewise interested in the various other services which the USGA renders its member clubs—the work of the Green Section, handicapping, and many other activities. The P.G.A. not only is vitally interested in these functions of the USGA, but it is willing to cooperate and desirous of as­ sisting in insuring their complete suc­ cess. Consequently, it is most appropriate in this, the initial article in this series, to pledge ourselves to lend our best ef­ forts to the attainment of this objective. Joe Novak It is with deep appreciation that we gladly take this opportunity to acquaint the readers of the USGA Journal with some of the thoughts and activities of the P.G.A. through the medium of a series of articles by our officers. It is pertinent to state at the outset that both groups are now functioning in complete harmony, and that first, fore­ most and always, our prime objective is the furtherance of the complete coopera­ tion and understanding with the United States Golf Association which now exists. From time to time we in the P.G.A. may wish to make suggestions or recom­ mendations which may be deemed per­ tinent. Suggestions of this type may fol­ low in the succeeding articles which are contributed to the USGA Journal by my colleagues among our P.G.A. officials. 22 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February. 1951 "Golf House" is Open (Continued from Page 6) necessary to complete payment for and equipping of “Golf House.” Contribu­ tions of any size are cordially invited from lovers of the game. Following are Founders not recorded in previous issues of the USGA Journal: A Mrs. Nat Abelson Mrs. Gus Adler Dr. John J. Albi Fred F. Allen E. P. Allis Russell W. Anderson Anonymous Mrs. J. D. Askew Benjamin W. Ayres B Edwin G. Bagley Franklin Baldwin Mrs. Roland R. Ballenger H. I. Bartholomew S. D. Bechtel A. D. Bell, Jr. Mrs. Sidney G. Bernard Ray Billows In memory of Thomas Joseph Birks by J. Frederic Byers, Jr. Leon Boyle Joseph Bransten David Brown Milton R. Brown William H. Burnham, Jr. c Mrs. Charles J. Carbone John M. Carlisle Oscar E. Carlson Paul E. Carrick P. J. Carstens Capt. T. J. Casey A. C. Castle E. H. Clark C. Bert Clausin W. J. Clear H. C. Collier William J. Condon Mrs. D. Parker Cool Frank Couzens Bing Crosby D G. A. Dailey Charles DeLimur T. de Mesa Mrs. Charles Dennehy Miss Virginia Dennehy George A. Dixon Frank G. Drum Harold du Charme William P. Dutton, Jr. E Lester Edge, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Emich F Marshall E. Farnham Mrs. Sidney W. Fish Miss Susan Jean Folks John E. F. Foote Jack Fox Charles A. Fuller H. Harrison Fuller G Tom Gamble Harrison Godwin John W. Goodrich Douglas Grant Allen Griffin H Stuart Haldorn Gerald E. Hall Mrs. J. Mott Hallwell Arthur Harms Horton Herman Joseph F. Higgins Clifford P. Hoffman Edwin B. Hopkins, Jr. Fraser M. Horn Harry J. Hovey Bruce L. Howard Dr. James G. Howell Mrs. Albert H. Hunker H. C. Hunt Dr. Don K. Hutchens J M. C. Jenkins Charles S. Jones Carl A. Jonson Ernest A. Jonson In memory of Karl F. Kellerman K by Karl F. Kellerman, Jr. Karl F. Kellerman, Jr. Harold R. Kelly Francis W. Kemble Thomas F. Keogh R. C. King William L. Kistler, Jr. Beatrice Barnard Kostelecky Linda Lee Kostelecky Robert Bernard Kostelecky L R. D. Lapham William K. Laughlin Edward J. Lee, Jr. Walter Leuthold John A. Level Mrs. B. J. Levy Miss Virginia Lindblad J. K. Lochead M Mrs. C. S. MacCain Charles M. Mackall Bill MacPherson Richard A. Mahar James S. Manion Frank L. Markey Mrs. N. Harold Marks Alton K. Marsters O. M. Masters Mrs. Edgar Mayer J. A. McCone W. L. McCulloch Jack McLean E. L. McNaghten Mr. and Mrs. Harry McNaughton Walter Merryweather Mr. and Mrs. William Millar Arthur W. Miller Mrs. Fred Miller Mrs. George A. Miller Roy Moe Mrs. Jonathan Moore, Jr. C. Christopher Morris Earl Morrison F. S. Moulton Miss Bernardine Murphy James Murray Miss Mae Murray | N J. W. F. Neill Arthur H. Nevius George W. Nickel o P. J. Oldershaw W. H. Orrick Richard Osborne P Mrs. Catherine Fox Park George A. Park William G. Park Fletcher Parks A. G. Pattee Hervey Bates Perrin T. S. Petersen Mrs. Joseph F. Phillips T. W. Powers R In memory of W. R. Ronnie by Miss Peyton Rannie C. H. Rayne USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 23 David Meredith Reese Leo A. Rivest A. G. Roach Mrs. Morton Rosenthal Mrs. J. Fleming Rutledge s Leo Sanstrom Mrs. Henry Schumer Mrs. S. Weston Scott Charles E. Shearer Robert O. Shearer Mr. and Mrs. Benson Solow Robert Stanton Ben Stevenson A. B. Swinerton T Oakleigh L. Thorne John M. Timmons A. V. Tischer Todd W. Tischer H. W. Toulmin S. A. Trevvett E. R. Valentine V w DeWitt Wallace Thomas E. Walsh Jack Walters William T. Welch, Jr. Brayton Wilbur Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Williams Jack Winston R. S. Worthington z Dene W. Zahn, Jr. CLUBS Agawam Hunt, R. I.v Bellerive Country Club, Mo. Bob O'Link Golf Club, III. Broadmoor Golf Club, Wash. Cedarbrook Country Club, Pa. Cincinnati Country Club, Ohio Crest Hills Country Club, Ohio Dayton Country Club, Ohio Elkridge Club, Md. Evanston Golf Club, III Exmoor Country Club, III. Fairview Country Club, N. Y. Ladies of Fairview Country Club, N. Y. Fargo Country Club, N. D. Gedney Golf Club, N. Y. Glen View Club, III. Women Members of Green Brook Country Club, N. J. Huntington Crescent Club, N. Y. Indian Spring Club, Md. Iron Rock Golf Club, N. J. Jackson Park Golf Club, III. Knollwood Country Club, N. Y. Lancaster Country Club, Pa. Maidstone Club, N. Y. Maketewah Country Club, Ohio Moreland Hills Country Club, Ohii Oakmont Country Club, Pa. Old Elm Club, III. Onwentsia Club, III. Palolo Golf Club, Hawaii Phoenix Country Club, Ariz. Red Run Golf Club, Mich. Rockaway Hunting Club, N. Y. Sebring Golf Association, Fla. Skokie Country Club, III. The Tin Whistles, N. C. Wampanoag Country Club, Conn. Wannamoisett Country Club, R.l. Woodbury Country Club, N. J. Women of the Woodmere Club, N. Y. Yahnundasis Golf Club, N. Y. ASSOCIATIONS Arkansas State Golf Association Berks County Golf Association, Pa. Central Connecticut Golf Association Cleveland District of the National Greenkeeping Superintendents Association Falls City Golf Association, Ky. Finger Lakes Greenkeepers Association, N. Y. Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association New Orleans Golf Association New York State Golf Association Washington State Golf Association Women's Cross County Golf Association, N. Y. Women's New Jersey Golf Association OTHER THE GOLFER (maga zine), San Francisco, Cal. Identifying Ball: Lie Not Improved No. 50-111. R. 7< 3a> Q: In match play, with USGA rules govern­ ing. Player A hits his tee shot to the left into thick rough about four inches high. Player B’s tee shot goes to the right about the same distance on the fairway. The two balls are about equal distance from the tee, but about 100 feet apart. Player A hunts for his ball in the rough and locates a ball, but because of the rough is unable to identify it. He lightly parts the grass to identify the ball without improving his lie or moving the ball. It is his ball. Standing 100 feet away, Player B calls a penalty. Please advise whether a penalty prevails under USGA rules. If a penalty prevails, what rule applies? Harry W. Wright Binghamton, N. Y. A: On the facts presented, there is no penalty. Rule 7 (3a) provides: “The player is always entitled to find his ball and to identify it. He may move fixed or growing objects (including sand) to the extent necessary to enable him to find or to identify the ball, provided that, before ad­ dressing the ball, he restores the objects (in­ cluding sand) to their original position; he is not of necessity entitled to see the ball when playing the stroke. If the ball be touched there shall be no penalty, even in a hazard; but if the ball be accidentally moved the penalty is one stroke (see Rule 12(1).” Practice Putt After Holing Out No. 50-114. R. 2(3). 13(51 Q: In a 36 hole medal play tournament, in one day on an 18-hole course, is there any penalty for taking a practice putt on the first round after holing out? Play was not delayed. Sumio Tai Spokane, Wash. A: Mo, provided play of the hole had been completed and further play was not delayed. See Rules 13(5) and 2(3). . 24 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 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(31" means Section 3 of Rule 7 in the 1950 Rules of Golf. Water Hazard: Options No. 50-69. R. 17(2) Q: We have had discussion of the water hazard Rule. I have accepted the Rule as following; please let me know if this is right: If a man goes into a water hazard, he has five options: (1) Play as is, no penalty. (2) Lay out of water, still in hazard, keeping spot ball entered water between him and hole, one stroke penalty. (3) Drop back of hazard, any distance, keep­ ing spot ball last crossed margin of hazard between him and hole, one stroke penalty. (4) If ball came from tee, he may go back to tee, tee another, one stroke penalty. (5) He may play another ball as nearly as possible from where he played the one which went into hazard, under penalty of one stroke. Now, under the last four options, I contend the player is losing more than just distance. If one went into hazard from tee and player accepts option (4), he is shooting three. If second shot went into hazard and he accepts option (5), he is in in two, out in three and shooting four. In no instance is a player al­ lowed to treat a water hazard the same as out of bounds, which is distance only. Aubrey Turner El Reno, Okla. A: Your statements regarding Rule 17 (2) are generally correct. The Rule provides three basic options under which a player may proceed when he desires relief from a water hazard. A penalty of one stroke is attached to all three options (in contrast to the penalty of loss of distance only which is incurred in the case of a ball out of bounds). Ball Strikes Cup Lining No. 50-105. R. 2(1), 7(4), 7(7), 12(5), 16(2, 4), 18(9) Q 1: A, in match play, hits his putt toward the hole at which B’s caddie is tending the pin. When the ball is about two or three feet from the cup, B’s caddie pulls out the pin. How­ ever, the metal cup lining pulls up with it and A’s ball hits the metal lining and does not go in the hole. Does B lose the hole? A 1: Yes. See Rule 7(7). The metal lining of the cup is deemed to be a part of the flagstick. Striking Opponent's Ball Q 2: A, in match play, hits his putt to the hole. It is a short putt and after it had traveled part way to the hole B says, “I give,” and steps up and hits A’s ball back to him with his putter. Does B lose the hole? A 2: If B had not holed out, or if A’s putt was for a win after B had holed out, B had no right to touch A’s ball and in doing so he violated Rule 12(5) and the penalty was loss of hole. If B had holed out and A’s putt was for a half, Rule 2(1) applied and B thereby con­ ceded the half. Obstruction Covered by Turf Q 3: The course recently had a watering system installed, and in each green is a small disc of turf covering the sprinkler head. If this disc of turf is not blended perfectly with the surface of the green, does a player have a right to move his ball so said disc is not in his line of putt? A 3: No. Questions by: Norman P. Stevenson Rochester, N. Y. Stymie: Abrogation Not Permitted No. 50-106. R. 10(2), 11(3, 4), 18(7) Q: In match play, where stymies are not being played, is it advisable, or should we say permissible, to lift and mark balls on the put­ ting green according to Rule 11(3, 4) ? Dr. Anthony J. Stone Athol, Mass. A: The Rules of Golf do not permit ab­ rogation of the stymie; see Rules 10(2) and 18(7). A ruling cannot be given on the question. Rule 11(3) applies only in stroke play, and Rule 11(4) applies only in three-ball, best­ ball and four-ball matches. "Fairway" Not in the Rules No. 50 -107. Def 3. Q: If an immovable object — for instance a water plug—be within a foot or so of the fairway and the player has a right to drop within two club-lengths but not nearer the hole, does that mean that he has the right to drop in the fairway if his ball previously lay in the rough? Sam W. Reynolds Omaha, Nebraska A: Yes; but attention is called to the fact that the Rules of Golf do not recognize the term “fairway”—it is part of “through the green” as defined in Definition 3. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 25 Two Balls in Play No. 50-154. R. 1(4), 7(5) Q: In a final league game based on stroke competition, one team member drove into an area not marked but later deemed to be ground under repair. As there was some doubt in the player’s mind as to his rights, he elected to play his first ball as it lay and also to shoot a provisional ball, dropping the second ball behind the area in contention. The player holed out both balls, scoring a 4 with the first (original) ball and a 5 with the second (provisional) ball. Player claims he shot the second ball to avoid any subsequent penalty that might be invoked against his team by his opponents, and that inasmuch as he finished out the hole with his original ball, that score should stand. Player states that nothing in the Rules pro­ hibits him from playing out of ground under repair and that once such action is taken, the original ball remains the official ball, even though a provisional was played (Rule 7(5c)). Opponents claim that the score made with the provisional ball should stand, quoting Rule 1 (4-2) and emphasizing: “To play a second ball in these circumstances constitutes an elec­ tion to score with that ball if the Rules permit.” As the decision in this case means the cham­ pionship of the league, only three-tenths of a stroke separating the teams if the 4 is recorded, or the reverse if the 5 is scored, we would greatly appreciate your ruling. The writer is inclined to blame the course in this case for not properly marking the area “ground under repair.” A suggested re-match, however, was declined, and both teams will accept your decision as final. Carl J. Aydelott LaGrange, III. A: The player’s score for the hole is 5; his score with the second ball must be counted, under Rule 1(4). This is based on the under­ standing that the area in question was classified as ground under repair for purposes of this case and that a ball was dropped as provided in Rule 7(5a). Practice Swings: Clarification No. 50-108. R. 7(3), 18(4) Q: Could you please give me a clarification on practice swings? Our members are taking practice swings from about two inches to three feet from the ball and in the direction of the hole. This makes it very confusing, especially if they are some distance away in the rough. I have always been under the impression that a practice swing should be taken crosswise to the hole and at least six feet from the ball. Also, they are taking practice swings within two inches of the ball toward the cup on the putting green. Jay Smith Xenia, Ohio A: Rule 7(3) provides in part: “A practice swing may be taken at any place on the course provided the player does not violate the pro visions of Rules 7 and 17.” The sportsmanlike player, in making a prac­ tice swing, will do it in such a way as to leave no doubt whether he has taken a stroke or infringed a Rule. On the putting green, a player in taking a practice swing should be careful not to violate Rule 18(4) prohibiting testing the putting surface. Unplayable Places No. 50-110. R. 7(4), 7(6), 8 Q: Please furnish me a ruling on an un­ playable lie, such as in the roots of a tree, or gopher or crab hole, or rock pile. Is the penalty ever more than one stroke in either match or medal play? Has the Rule been changed in the past year on one- or two- stroke penalty ? A: 1. If a ball be unplayable in the roots of a tree, Rule 8 applies. Harry A. Wallen Miami, Fla. 2. If a ball lie in or touch a hole made by a gopher or a crab, the player is entitled to free relief as provided in Rule 7(6). 3. If. a ball be unplayable on account of a rock pile, the authority in charge should de­ termine whether it is material piled for removal within the meaning of Rule 7(4). If the player is not entitled to free relief under that Rule, his only recourse is to proceed under Rule 8. ■ general procedures and penalties involved in the foregoing have not been altered in the last year. Ball on Tee Moving When Hit No. 50-117. Def. 4; R. 5(3), 8, 10(2) Q I: A’s ball fell off the tee while she was in the act of swinging her club. She was unable t° stop her swing and caught part of the ball, which caused it to go a few feet and come to rest under a bush. May she bring it back to the tee and be playing 2 or must she declare it unplayable and be playing 3 off the tee? Al: She would be playing 3 from the tee. A has made her first stroke and she must play the ball where it lies under the bush or declare it unplayable and proceed under Rule 8 See Rule 10(2). The penalty in Rule. 12(3) for striking a moving ball does not apply: see Rule 5(3). Stroke Defined Q 2: B takes a swing at the ball and misses, but the force of the club passing over cau?es it to move a few inches. Must she play the ball from where it lies or may she le-tee and play her second shot? A 2: B has made a stroke and must plav the ball where it lies or declare it unplayable and proceed under Rule 8. Definition 4 states: “A ‘stroke’ is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking the ball.” Questions by: Katherine Wole Baltimore, Md. 26 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 HOW TO OBTAIN GREEN SECTION SERVICES Advisory, visits by USGA Green Sec­ tion Staff members are available to USGA Member Clubs and Green Section Service Subscribers at $50 a day plus traveling and living expenses. Where two or more Clubs or Subscribers can be covered in oite day. the fee to each is $25 and travel costs are shared. A written report is rendered to each. There are advantages if the Green Sec­ tion representative inspects as many courses as possible while in a given area. Golf associations and greenkeepers’ as­ sociations can help their interests by ar­ ranging for inspection of groups of courses in their areas. Those desiring advisory visits should make requests soon, as schedules for the season are now being arranged. Requests for visits should be addressed to: USGA Green Section Room 307, South Building Plant Industry Station Beltsville, Maryland. Advisory service by correspondence is available to Member Clubs and Service Subscribers at no cost. other security holders owning or holding 1 per­ cent or more of total amount of bonds, mort­ gages, or other securities are (If there are none, so state) : None. 4. Paragraphs 2 and 3 include, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting; also the statements in the two para­ graphs show the affiant’s full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner. J. C. Dey, Jr. (Signature of editor, publisher, business manager, or owner) Editor Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3rd day of October, 1950. (Signed) Harry A. Malone — Notary Public, State of New York. No. 432560200. Qualified in Richmond County. Cert, filed with N. Y. Co. Clerk & Register. Term expires March 30, 1951. Bending or Breaking Branches No. 50-135. R. 7(3) Q: Would you please interpret the rule pertaining to playing a ball near a bush or tree? How far can a player go in touching, breaking, leaning against, or bending branches? Some players say they can interweave branches to get them out of the way if they don’t break them. Another player broke a limb off a tree because the tree was dead and considered it permissible. This is one of the most abused and least understood Rules in golf, and I would like an interpretation. Wharton Green, Jr. Auburn, N. Y. A: Rule 7(3) prohibits improving the posi­ tion of the ball. The Rule contemplates that there may be some moving, bending, or break­ ing of fixed or growing objects as an incident in the course of taking a fair stance at address and in making the backward or forward swing, and it excuses such incidental movements. However, the Rule prohibits purposeful moving, bending or breaking with the aim of improving the position of the ball. The second exception in Rule 7(3) condones only such moving, bend­ ing or breaking as may incidentally be done in making the swing, but it does not allow such action in order to make the swing. STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MAN­ AGEMENT AND CIRCULATION REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912, AS AMENDED BY THE ACTS OF MARCH 3, 1933, AND JULY 2, 1946 (Title 39, United States Code, Section 233) of USGA Journal and Turf Management, published seven times a year at New York, N. Y., for October 1, 1950. 1. The names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Publisher: United States Golf Association, 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. Editor: Joseph C. Dey, Jr., 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. Managing editor: none. Business manager: none. 2. The owner is (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, its name and address, as well as that of each indi­ vidual member, must be given) : United States Golf Association, 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. President: James D. Standish, Jr., 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. Vice- President: Isaac B. Grainger, 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. Vice-President: Totton P. Heffelfinger, 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. Secretary: Richard S. Tufts, 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. Treasurer: John D. Ames, 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. 3. The known bondholders, mortgagees, and USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 27 Correspondence pertaining to Green Section matters should be addressed to: USGA Green Section, Room 307, South Building, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. CRABGRASS CONTROL By M. H. Ferguson and C. G. Wilson Agronomist in Charge of Research and Extension Agronomist, Respectively, USGA Green Section Crabgrass was the most serious problem in turf in 1950. It was the most nearly universal weed problem. It received more attention from research workers than did any other single phase of turf in­ vestigation. Before 2,4-D came into use, crabgrass was one of the minor turf weed problems. It received very little attention outside of the crabgrass belt. Now research is being aimed at crabgrass control in such borderline states as Rhode Island, Michigan, and Georgia. It is doubtful if crabgrass in turf is more detrimental than it was 10 years ago. The control of some of the more serious turf pests (Japanese beetles, dandelions, and plantain) has removed some of the major obstacles in the way of good turf maintenance. Since the large stones have been removed from our shoes, this small one has become extremely an­ noying. Crabgrass has many attributes which allow it to withstand many of the at­ tempts to control it. It tolerates close mowing. It grows most actively during the hot summer months when the vigor of most cool-season grasses is at its low­ est point. It produces seeds in abund­ ance, and apparently they can maintain their viability for many years in the soil. It is related so closely to turf grasses that there is little selectivity in chemical effects. The volume of research effort being expended on crabgrass control is not altogether in vain. Several chemical control materials are now being marketed and are being used with varying degrees of success. Management practices are being geared to offer the greatest op­ position to crabgrass invasion. More at­ tention is being given to improved sum­ mer-growing (warm-season) grasses which are able to compete successfully with crabgrass. A few mechanical meas­ ures have been devised for lessening the severity of crabgrass infestation. With so many different angles of attack being investigated, it seems likely that effective crabgrass control measures will be devel­ oped in the near future. Research workers are obliged to deter­ 28 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 mine (1) which are the most effective chemicals, (2) which management prac­ tices are most important and effective, (3) whether or not the use of summer­ growing grasses is feasible, and (4) the usefulness of mechanical devices under various conditions for crabgrass control. Chemical Control Phenyl Mercuric Acetate Materials The PMA materials have been mar­ keted in both liquid and dry forms and in various strengths. The user of any of these products should be guided by the rates recommended by the manu­ facturers. Various conditions may be encountered in practice, however, that necessitate variations in the rate of ap­ plication. In general, it has been found that the PMA products are most effective when applied to crabgrass in the seedling stage. Several applications usually are needed because crabgrass continues to germinate over a period of several weeks. Liquid PMA products are considered to be the safest crabgrass control ma­ terials for use on putting greens. They have been used successfully by green­ keepers in a number of locations. Where disease is a problem, the mercury ma­ terials have an added fungicidal value. It has been reported that PMA has an inhibiting effect upon the germination of grass seed sown in the fall following its use. This apparent disadvantage may be a blessing in some instances where it is desirable to inhibit the germination of Poa annua. Root growth of turf grasses has been inhibited in some cases. There have been some reports of skin irritation from the handling of PMA. The lack of acceptance by the public of poisonous materials such as mercury and arsenic compounds may be important in determining their ultimate usefulness. The use of PMA for crabgrass control on large areas may be restricted by its cost. The material is relatively high in price and several applications (3 to 6) usually are needed for effective control. Some of the dry formulations of PMA which have been advertised widely have been COMING EVENTS Feb. 26-Mar. 1: Pennsylvania Turf Con­ ference, State College, Pa. H. B. Musser. Mar. 5-8: Midwest Turf Conference, Pur­ due University, West Lafayette, Ind. W. H. Daniel. Mar. 6-7: Fourth Cornell Turf Confer­ ence, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. John F. Cornman. Mar. 8-9: Massachusetts Turf Conference, Amherst, Mass. L. S. Dickinson. Mar. 7-9: Minnesota Greenkeepers Ass'n. Turf Conference, Minneapolis. Gil­ bert C. Foster. Mar. 12-14: Iowa Turf Conference, Ames. Iowa. H. L. Lantz. Mar. 14-16: Canadian Turf Conference, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. C. E. Robinson. Mar. 21-22: Northwest Turf Conference, Pullman, Wash. E. G. Schafer. April 16-17: Montana-Wyoming Turf Conference, Butte, Mont. R. Man­ fred Peterson. Apr. 26-27: Northern California Turf Con­ ference, University of California, Berkeley, Cal. J. J. McElroy, Apr. 30-May 1: Southern California Turf Conference, University of California, Los Angeles, Cal. V. T. Stoutemyer. May 10-11: Southeastern Turf Confer­ ence, Tifton, Gr., Glenn W. Burton. Aug. 20-24: American Society of Agron­ omy Annual Meetings, Pennsylvania State College, State College, Pa. L. G. Monthey, Madison, Wis. Oct. 24-26: Central Plains Turf Foun­ dation Turf Conference, Manhattan. Kans. L. E. Lambert. very costly and relatively ineffective at the rates recommended by the manu­ facturers. Potassium Cyanate Potassium cyanate (KOCN) is mar­ keted in the dry form and in some cases a wetting agent is included in the for­ mulation. The rate of application most commonly used is 8 pounds to the acre, with a wetting agent. One hundred gal­ lons of water to the acre are regarded as standard. Studies in 1950 have been concerned with rates, gallonage, the effects of wet­ ting agents, and the time of application. Results have been somewhat variable. A thorough wetting of the foliage appears USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 29 to be necessary for good control. KOCN materials appear to be most effective when used in the middle and late por­ tions of the crabgrass season. The safety factor is one of the impor­ tant attributes of potassium cyanate. It is considered relatively non-poisonous and is therefore much more acceptable to the homeowner than are materials of a poisonous nature. There are indications that potassium cyanate is an excellent material for con­ trolling chickweed during the winter months. The same rates that are effec­ tive against crabgrass appear to be right for chickweed control. Some observations indicate that KOCN may not be as selective in the case of crabgrass-infested Bermudagrass turf as are some of the other chemicals. How­ ever, results of tests at Tifton, Georgia, do not confirm these observations. Potassium cyanate may be considered to be the most promising crabgrass con­ trol material in use at the present time. It disappears quickly in the soil and, upon its breakdown, it actually has a stimulating effect on the turf. Arsenicals Arsenical compounds, particularly sodium arsenite, are among the oldest of the herbicidal materials. Their poisonous nature and their limited se­ lectivity have prevented them from at­ taining widespread usage. Some recent studies have indicated that rates of one pound to the acre, with a wetting agent, may be useful in keep­ ing crabgrass in check. At this rate several applications would be required for complete control. Clover suffers se­ verely under this type of treatment. On Bermudagrass turf, the arsenicals are among the best crabgrass control materials. Bermudagrass can withstand rather heavy rates of arsenic compounds with only slight damage. Except in the case of Bermudagrass, it seems that some newer developments may take the place of the arsenic materials for crabgrass control. Miscellaneous Sodium chlorate is one of the materials studied in the early stages of the devel­ opment of herbicides. Sodium chlorate showed considerable promise as an herb­ icide, but it has never reached large-scale usage in turf because of the fire hazard associated with it. This drawback is ex­ tremely unfortunate because sodium chlorate appears to be a specific for crabgrass control. Sodium fluosilicate*, an insecticide, has demonstrated some promise at the Uni­ versity of Tennessee as a possible crab­ grass control material. Studies with this material on crabgrass are quite limited but they deserve more attention. The Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station has reported the successful use of two petroleum fractions in the control of crabgrass. Results of tests with these materials have not been outstanding in other locations. Variability of results seems to charac­ terize all the studies conducted with chemical crabgrass control products. One must realize that humidity, temperature, soil moisture, age of crabgrass, species of permanent grasses comprising the turf, mowing height, fertility cond^jons, and many other factors may influence the action of an herbicide even though the rate, gallonage, spray pressure, etc., may be controlled exactly. Surely chemicals will be an aid in effecting the control of crabgrass, but it seems unlikely that chemical aids ever will afford complete control except when coupled with im­ proved grasses and good management practices. Mechanical Control Because crabgrass is endowed with a prostrate habit of growth, it will thrive under the closest mowing. It forms seed­ heads in spite of the fact that it may be growing in turf that is mowed at one-half inch. James Morrison, of the Hershey Coun­ try Club, Hershey, Pa., has devised a * Sodium fluoride as an Herbicide. Reprint, Journal of American Society of Agronomy. Volume 33, No. 4, April 1941. S. Marcovitch, Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, Knoxville, Tenn. 30 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 “vertical mower” to cut off the prostrate stolons of crabgrass. Such an operation plays havoc with a sprawling, vigorous crabgrass plant. A description of Mr. Morrison’s machine appeared in the Winter, 1949, issue of the USGA Journal. Flexible combs which may be attached to fairway mowing units are now avail­ able on the market. These combs pick up the seed heads of the crabgrass plant so that they can be cut off. Some golf courses have found that the use of this attachment has been effective in giving good crabgrass control. This device is described on page 185 of USGA’s new book Turf Management (McGraw-Hill — $6). Better Grasses A large part of the turf research effort of the last 20 years has been expended in attempts to develop improved grasses which are better adapted for turf use. One weakness of chemical control in inferior turf is that when the crabgrass is destroyed, you still have weak, inferior turf which still can’t resist the crabgrass. Merion bluegrass (B-27), Zoysiagrasses, the tall fescues, improved creeping bents, improved Bermudagrass, and some of the newer selections of red fescues promise to do an outstanding job for competing with crabgrass. The summer-growing grasses are beginning to be used in the more northerly parts of their range. Where cool-season grasses are being grown in combination with warm-season grasses, crabgrass will not be too great a problem. A discussion of the merits of some of the newer grasses will be found elsewhere in this issue of the Journal. Good Management Practices Proper use of herbicides, use of me­ chanical crabgrass control methods, and use of better grasses are parts of good management. There are still other man­ agement practices which may have a great influence upon the ability of the turf to resist crabgrass invasion. Insect damage is responsible for many crabgrass infestations. Whenever turf is damaged to the extent that enough space is left for a crabgrass plant to grow, the crabgrass is almost certain to take advantage of the opening. Good insect control is good preventive weed control. Fertilizer should be applied in suf­ ficient quantities and at the proper times so the maximal vigor and density of turf can be maintained throughout the crab­ grass season. A weak, sparse turf invites crabgrass. The timely aeration and cultivation of the soil under a turf cover, coordinated with favorable soil moisture, with periods of maximal root growth, and with fer­ tilizer application, can do a great deal to strengthen the grass plants and to resist damage to the turf which opens the way for crabgrass invasion. The Green Section has maintained an unwavering policy on mowing heights. The turf on greens, tees, fairways and other sports areas must be mowed at a height in keeping with the use of the area. On these turf areas, then, any discussion of height of cut for crabgrass control is purely academic. However, it is an accepted fact that common blue­ grass and red fescue will do a better job of resisting crabgrass if mowed not shorter than I1/?, inches. There­ fore, on large lawn and park areas and where use permits, higher mowing heights may help some types of turf to resist crabgrass. Summary The full range of crabgrass control methods will be used principally by pro­ fessional turf superintendents who have many growth factors of turf under their control and who have efficient mechanized equipment. They have the facilities to apply chemicals at the correct rate and at exactly the right time. Mechanical control is simply a matter of putting available machines and attachments to work. Golf courses always have been the first to use improved grasses (be­ cause they were responsible for their development). Homeowners are greatly limited in their ability to use modern chemicals intelligently. They do not attend turf conferences and turf field days to learn USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 31 the fine points of turf management. The great majority will depend wholly upon better turf from better grasses for their crabgrass control program. They will buy seed from their dealers and they will sow it on their lawns (much of it out of season), and then hope! A few will use a chemical control, but much of it will be used improperly because they do not know best how to use it. Almost none will use mechanical methods be­ cause that involves labor, and the home­ owner wants to relax on his lawn. Most of them will cut their lawn closely be­ cause that is the way they want it. We will encourage this practice because our improved turf grasses for golf thrive under close mowing for any other use, loo. On golf courses, athletic fields, and many other turf areas, we have learned that periodic soil cultivation provides many benefits to the turf. The net result is stronger turf and, therefore, less crab­ grass. This will become standard prac­ tice on all turf areas as we learn more about it. We believe that crabgrass control in turf will become a simpler procedure as we gain knowledge and understanding and as commercial turf interests develop a better basis for disseminating accurate, authentic information. Crabgrass is losing its place as the No. 1 national turf pest where all known methods of control, the introduction of better grasses, and good turf management are practiced. FACTORS IN CONTROLLING CRABGRASS WITH POTASSIUM CYANATE This was regarded as one of the outstanding papers presented at the 1951 Northeastern Weed Control Conference in New York, January 3-5. The authors were requested to condense the original paper especially for the USGA JOURNAL. We are pleased to present the condensed material here. By R. H. Beatty and B. H. Davis Horticulturists, American Chemical Paint Company Potassium cyanate was reported as an outstanding chemical for the selective control of crabgrass in turf by R. E. Engel and D. E. Wolf, of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in 1948. Further work was reported in 1949. During the summer of 1950 experiments were run to investigate possible causes and remedies for irregular results oc­ casionally observed in field work. Factors investigated include temperature of the solution, degree of concentration, number of applications, rate and type of wetting agent, spray particle size, and possible activators. Temperature of the Solution The first tests were made May 25 when crabgrass kill had been rather slow, apparently because of cool weather. Crabgrass plants were in the two-leaf stage. Weedone Crabgrass Killer was applied at the rates of 8 and 16 pounds of potassium cyanate per acre in 180° and in 60° water. The best kill resulted from applying 16 pounds in hot water as the fine spray produced by Monarch nozzle F-97-S No. 20.0. A coarser spray of 16 pounds in hot water was next in effectiveness. The 8-pound treatments followed the same trend. Poorest results were from coarse sprays of cold solution, indicating a possible advantage to using hot water at this time of year and to using a fine spray. Number of Applications Cumulative application tests were begun June 23. Applications of 8 pounds of potassium cyanate per acre repeated four times at 3-day intervals produced 100% control which persisted throughout the season. Three similar applications gave nearly as good control, with slight re­ infestation. Two treatments were more than twice as good as a single treatment. Minimum Concentration In an attempt to obtain satisfactory crabgrass control with a minimum of discoloration to the permanent grasses, Weedone Crabgrass Killer was applied at rates of 4, 6 and 8 pounds of potassium 32 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 cyanate per acre and treatment repeated at intervals of 3, 6 and 9 days. Best results were obtained by repeating the 8-pound treatment in 9 days. No 4- pound application gave acceptable results. The 6-pound applications were less satis­ factory than the 8-pound treatments. Again, double applications were con­ siderably better than a single one. Rate and Type of Wetting Agent It was noticed that the crabgrass blades were not always completely wetted by sprays. Replicated plots were laid down July 21 at the Philadelphia Country Club with treatments of straight potassium cyanate (no wetting agent), and potas­ sium cyanate combined with a wetting agent at the rate of 1.6, 0.8, 0.4 and 0.2 pounds of Igepon per acre. Plots treated with both potassium cyanate and Igepon showed better control of crabgrass than the plots treated with potassium cyanate alone, but there were no apparent dif­ ferences between the rates of Igepon used. On August 1 five different types of wet­ ting agents were combined with potas­ sium cyanate and compared with treat­ ments of potassium cyanate alone. Again, there were no apparent differences in performance even though some of the solutions wetted the crabgrass blades bet­ ter than others. Possible Activators Potassium cyanate was applied August 4 at rates of 6, 8 and 16 pounds per acre alone and in combination with 2, 4-D sodium salt at rates of one-half or 1 pound 2, 4-D acid equivalent per acre. These treatments were repeated on half of the plots August 15. All plots were replicated three times. The best control of crabgrass was ob­ tained with two treatments of 16 pounds of potassium cyanate plus 1 pound of 2, 4-D per acre. However, as was ob­ served with other 16-pound treatments during the season, there was consider­ able discoloration of desirable grasses. Eight pounds of potassium cyanate plus one-half pound of 2, 4-D per acre applied twice produced nearly as good control and less discoloration. As has been previously mentioned, areas receiving double applications showed considerably better control than those receiving only one application, whether at the 8- or 16-pound rate. All treatments incorporat­ ing 2, 4-D controlled broadleaf weeds (mainly plantain and dandelion) satis­ factorily. Ammonium sulfate had no apparent effect, either alone or in combination with potassium cyanate and Igepon. Ammonium thiocyanate produced only tip burn. Spray Particle Size Results from using different size spray particles were compared in tests started September 6, the applicators ranging from a common watering can to a knap­ sack sprayer fitted with a mist nozzle (Monarch F-97 No. 2.0). The watering can was ineffectual as an applicator, probably because coverage is very poor. Best results were obtained with the mist nozzle which discharged 2 gallons per hour at 100 pounds pressure. Coverage with this was excellent, but the large amount of extra time required for application did not seem justifiable. Applying a lower volume of higher concentration will be investigated. A fan nozzle applying approximately 20 gallons per hour at 100 pounds pressure (Mon­ arch F-97- S No. 20.0 was used) seemed most advisable from the standpoint of getting in a reasonable length of time the thorough coverage which appears essential. Conclusions Under the conditions of these experi­ ments, it was concluded that a hot solu­ tion of potassium cyanate was more ef­ fective than a cold one, at least in early spring. Double applications of 8 or 16 pounds of potassium cyanate per acre gave more than twice as good results as single treatments. Eight-pound treat­ ments of potassium cyanate produced a satisfactory kill of crabgrass with little discoloration of turf grasses. Sixteen- pound treatments killed crabgrass some­ what better but discolored turf grasses more. Six pounds per acre was less satisfactory than 8, and no 4-pound treat­ ment gave acceptable results. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 33 There was an advantage to using a wetting agent with potassium cyanate, the types and amounts tested appearing unimportant. There was an advantage to combining 2, 4-D with potassium cya­ nate for weed control. A fairly fine spray gave best results. Thorough cover­ age and uniform distribution over the prescribed area appear essential to the successful use of potassium cyanate for killing crabgrass. From general observations during the season, it was also concluded that even though crabgrass was not completely killed, it was thinned out so permanent grasses either were not crowded out or were able to re-establish themselves. Such crabgrass was stunted, did not ap­ pear to develop further, and did not set seed. Seed sown on treated spots, even when crabgrass was not raked out, ger­ minated and overcame crabgrass rem­ nants. Re-treatment should be made in about a week if crabgrass shows signs of recovery. Although discoloration of permanent grasses was often noted, it was temporary and was usually eliminated with the first mowing after treatment. Some fescues and bent grasses appeared more sensitive to potassium cyanate than other grasses and should be treated cautiously. Turf less than a year old should not be treated with potassium cyanate, and treatment of all turf should be avoided during verv hot or dry weather. Permanent grasses injured by mid­ summer treatment were slow to recover. Results with potassium cyanate at that time were erratic, and there seems to be little advantage to treating in mid-sum­ mer. More advisable times are late spring when crabgrass seedlings are appearing and early fall when permanent grasses are resuming strong growth. Spring treatment is useful where crabgrass in­ festation is light, but early fall treatment is more advisable where infestation is heavy. Fall treatment should be followed by reseeding and adequate fertilization to heal over bare spots left by dead crab­ grass. This report concerns one year’s ob­ servations. Some of the tests will be repeated next year under different con­ ditions. There are several other factors which may have direct bearing on the successful use of potassium cyanate to control crabgrass in turf, and some of them will be tested also during the coming year. IMPROVED TURF GRASSES February 10, 1951, marked the 30th anniversary of the Green Section’s exis­ tence. During those 30 years a large part of the research effort has been aimed toward improvement of turf grass strains. The research program has involved se­ lection, increase, and testing. The testing phase has been done on as broad a scale as possible. The as­ sistance of golf courses and state exper­ iment stations in this has made the release of some strains possible. Many readers remember the “pie greens” in which strains of bentgrasses for putting greens were tested. In recent years, the Green Section has cooperated much more closely with slate experiment stations. Research grants established at many experiment stations by the Green Section, have facilitated testing strains developed by the Green Section and development of new strains by the stations themselves. The Green Section has attempted to reciprocate by aiding in the proving of these strains developed at the state experiment stations and by coordinating the testing program in other areas. The search for improved strains of turf grasses has been successful, as evi­ denced by the commercial availability of many of these strains. More will be coming into use as strains now being tested are released for commerce. Merion bluegrass is one of the most promising grasses developed by the Green Section. It was described in an article by Charles G. Wilson and Fred 34 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 V. Grau in the April, 1950, issue of the USGA Journal. Several strains of bentgrasses for put­ ting greens have been developed by the Green Section. Some have been in general use for a number of years and have come to be used on a broad scale. Arlington (C-l), Congressional (C19), Collins (C-27), Cohansey (C-7), and Toronto (C-15) are vegetative strains known to practically all greenkeepers who make an effort to keep abreast of devel­ opments. There is little need to repeat the virtues of these grasses. They have performed well under a wide variety of conditions and have been proved over a long period of time. One of the newer bentgrass selections which shows a great deal of promise is Dahlgren (C-115). This strain was selected in December, 1946, from a lawn at the Naval Proving Grounds, Dahlgren, Va. At the time of its selection, the fol­ lowing notes were made: “Weed-free, spreading over a 20-foot diameter; a solid patch, very uniform in partial shade.” C-115 has been grown in the Green Section test plots since its selec­ tion. It is an extremely vigorous grass, holds its color well throughout the entire year, and has been completely free of disease. Another important attribute of C-115 is its ability to thrive at Beltsville, Md., the Green Section’s home, with no supplemental irrigation. Further testing is needed, but for the present C-115 ap­ pears to be an outstanding strain of bent­ grass. A great deal of work has been done at Pennsylvania State College in attempting to develop superior strains of creeping bentgrass from seed. The progress is encouraging. It seems likely that the development of superior bentgrass strains which may be propagated by seed will be accomplished in the relatively near future. The improvement of red fescues is a project that also has been emphasized at Penn State. In many areas the Penn State Blend of Chewings fescue has pro­ duced turf superior to that of common Chewings fescue. It is recognized that the Penn State Blend of Chewings fescue is not the ultimate turf variety, but it has served a useful purpose. In the meantime, the testing program has con­ tinued to deal with many promising selec­ tions. The Green Section has cooperated in testing an extensive series at Belts­ ville. We may look forward to better varieties of red fescue as a result of these research efforts. The Zoysiagrasses have been the object of much research work at Beltsville. The Division of Forage Crops and Diseases has sponsored a rather intensive research project on the cytogenetics of the zoysias. A number of selections of the zoysias have been tested by the Green Section and the Division of Forage Crops and Diseases. Outstanding strains from the standpoints of turf and of high seed yield have been developed. The Z-52 strain is available com­ mercially as vegetative material. This strain is not a particularly heavy seed­ producer and there is a diversity of plant types produced from seed of Z-52. However, its outstanding attributes of fine texture, winter-hardiness, good color and vigorous spreading ability will en­ courage widespread use of Z-52 in veg­ etative plantings. It is expected that high seed-yielding strains of zoysia will be released in the near future. This development should do much to encourage the use of zoysia in turf. Although no strains of tall fescues have been developed especially for turf use, these grasses have come to be used ex­ tensively in turf only during the last decade. They offer much in the way of economical maintenance of turf because of their drought tolerance, wear resist­ ance, and relatively low fertility re­ quirements. Bermudagrass is one of the most im­ portant turf grasses in the United States. Improved strains of Bermudagrass for use in turf have been selected at a num­ ber of state experiment stations and test­ ing of them is under way. USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 Annual Index to USGA JOURNAL and TURF MANAGEMENT VOLUME III—APRIL, 1950, THROUGH FEBRUARY, 1951 Issue Page Riding Now Supplanted Robert on USGA Staff Amateur Status Amateurism in College Golf How it Feels To Be a Horse On Drying up a Calcutta Pool Books July "Golf Doctor," Cary Middlecoff July "Golf Illustrated," Patty Berg June Metropolitan Golfer "My Greatest Day in Golf," symposium Apr. July "Par Golf in 8 Steps," Joe Novak "Thirty Years of Championship Golf," Gene Sarazen Caddies Caddie-Master's Role Caddie Service Hints Milk for the Caddies When Caddies Carry Double Championships (see also Historical) Golden Anniversary Afterglow New Ben Hogan Public Links Milestone Report on the Juniors Why a 36-hole Windup in the Open? Courses British Ladies View Our Courses Golf Facilities and Civil Defense Greenkeepers Need Help Lightning Protection for Shelters Oak Hill's Memorial Trees Utilitarian Value of Trees "Golf House" Change of Address "Golf House" and the Talking Putter "Golf House" Fund Under Way "Golf House" is Open "Golf House" Needs a Hand USGA Acquires "Golf House" Wanted: Several Thousand Golfers Handicapping Handicap System Revised Limiting Hole Scores Ties in Handicap Matches Historical First USGA Year Book Fifty-One Years Ago From Gutty to Golden Jubilee Golden Anniversary Great Moments in the Open St. Andrew's, U.S.A. Twenty Years After When the Open Champion Won $150 Implements and the Ball Adjustable Clubs Taboo Birth of the Brassie Miscellaneous As the P.G.A. Sees It Birds in the Snow Brown on USGA Staff English in Navy Etiquette, Then and Now Great Quoicher Hands Across the Tee Helping Hands for the Juniors How to Behave Though a Guest If You Were Blind Municipal Golf in Los Angeles Pilgrimage to St. Andrews Protection from Lightning Record Drive with Gutty Ball Apr. July Aug. Apr. Apr. Feb. June July Nov. July Aug. Aug. June Nov. Feb. June Nov. June Sept. Nov. June Apr. Feb. Aug. July Sept. Apr. July June June Nov. Sept. Aug. Apr. Nov. Aug. June Apr. June Feb. Feb. Nov. Nov. Apr. Feb. Feb. June June Feb. Sept. July June Apr. Why Junior Golf? Necrology James Braid George Hansen, Sr. L. B. Icely O. B. Keeler Joe Meister Lord Wardington Play of the Game Championship Formulae Concentration is the Key _ Cross-Handed Putting Grip How Long Do You Take to Putt? How to Start the Season How to Talk About Golf Molasses-Footed Golfer Play It Clock-Wise Putting Rangers Can Help Cure Slow Play Slow Play Speed Record Swing the Putter—Forget the Ball Watch Your Language, Please When Golfers Grow Old Wood Shots Sept. Feb. Issue Feb. Feb. Feb. Sept. Nov. Nov. Sept. Sept. July Feb. Nov. Apr. June Sept. Nov. Aug. Feb. July Feb. Feb. Nov. June Sept. Rules of Golf (Not the Referee) Artificial Obstructions British Viewpoint Changes in the Rules of Golf Hands Across the Tee How to Lose Hole Without Hitting Ball Rulings in the Open What Are Winter Rules? Sept. Apr. Apr. Feb. Aug. July Nov. Rules of Golf Decisions (The Referee) June Ball in Spectator's Pocket Sept. Ball Lost, Unplayable, Out of Bounds Sept. Ball Moved to Improve Lie Ball Strikes Cup Lining Feb. Ball Striking Competitor's Ball Sept. Aug. Ball Striking Competitor's Caddie Aug. Ball Struck Unintentionally Apr. Ball Stuck on Face of Club Bag Has Status of Clubs Sept. Feb. Bending and Breaking Branches Caddie Picks up Ball in Play June Cancellation Voids Disqualification Sept. Casual Water in Entire Hazard Aug. Casual Water Defined Nov. Claim of Undue Delay in Play Apr. Committee Should Correct Error Sept. Conceding Player's Putt to Hinder Partner June Default during Nassau Match Apr. Defending Champion Qualifying Sept. Defining Boundaries Aug. Dropped Ball Rolls Against Boundary Fence Nov. "Fairway" Not in Rules Feb. First Ball Only in Play Sept. Four-Ball Match Handicaps Aug. Ground Under Repair on Putting Green Apr. Hazard Touched Before Forward Swing Nov. Hole-in-One Defined Apr. Honor on Tee Mandatory Apr. Identifying Ball: Lie Not Improved Feb. Lost Ball: Penalty Explained July Partners Exchange Balls Nov. Penalty Stroke Defined July Player Unable to Continue Apr. Playing through Slower Group Aug. Point Match Interpreted July Practice Putt After Holing Out Feb. Practice Swing Clarification Feb. Provisional Ball also in Water Apr. Provisional Ball for Ball in Water Hazard Auq Putting away from Hole to Assist Partner Apr. 15 6 9 4 4 3 2 4 2 2 3 7 20 10 9 14 8 16 18 20 1 16 8 9 21 19 18 5 17 5 21 12 2 18 15 2 5 2 5 1 5 5 2 2 20 8 3 3 14 14 10 10 14 18 16 14 17 4 35 2 2 Page 7 1 4 3 3 4 3 1 13 16 5 9 13 8 15 16 13 19 4 15 8 4 13 14 4 10 10 1 12 20 26 23 24 24 23 23 23 24 24 26 25 24 22 27 24 24 28 22 23 23 26 24 24 22 22 27 24 23 23 28 27 27 23 23 27 23 25 24 22 28 36 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 Issue June Putting from Wrong Place Apr. Putting Out of Turn: Match Play Apr. Recalling Tee Shot: Match Play Nov. Removing Flagstick June Replacing Ball Creates Stymie Aug. Reason for Relief from Casual Water Nov. Scorecard in Match Play July Second Ball in Stroke Play Sept. Smoothing Hazard After Stroke Aug. Striking Flagstick Feb. Stymie: Abrogation Not Permitted Nov. Substituting Club July Two Cups in One Green Aug. Type of Stroke Violation Waived by Fellow Competitor Nov. Water Hazard: Ball Improperly Dropped June Water Hazard: Defining Limits Nov. Water Hazard: Free Lift not Recommended July July Water Hazard: Options Available Water Hazard: Penalty Explained July Winter Rules: Ball Moves July Wrong Information Claimed June Page 27 22 23 26 25 24 26 27 23 22 24 28 27 22 26 25 28 28 27 28 28 26 Sportsman's Corner Charlie Boswell Sept- 3 Ed Furgol Junior Golfers O. B. Keeler Lloyd Mangrum Tad Pfister Woodie Platt Tournaments (Not USGA) First Cup? Jaycees and the Juniors Mixed Foursomes by the Hundred Oklahoma Girls Verse Golfer's Lament Golfer's Wife Novice Golfer Speaks Ode to My Golf Club Women British Ladies View Our Courses Curtis Cup Teams Dame Van Winkle's Eyes Are Opened Ladies, Then and Now Spirit of Women Seniors Women's Golf Ass'n. of Massachusetts Celebrates Golden Anniversary TURF MANAGEMENT—-USGA GREEN SECTION Issue June Apr. Nov. July Aug. Feb. June Nov. Aug. Aug. Sept. Nov. Feb. July Nov. Aug. Nov. Sept. Nov. April Page 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 17 13 4 2 4 12 2 18 11 7 18 14 1 Issue Page Algae American Society of Agronomy Turf Report Antidote for Parathion Poisoning Artificial Watering of Lawn Grass Breeding Bermudagrass for Turf Compaction, Drainage and Aeration Cooperative Turf Fungicide Trials Crabgrass Control Crabgrass Controls Effects of Irrigation and Mowing Practices Factors in Controlling Crabgrass with Potassium Cyanate Fairy Rings Gleanings from Widespread Turf Field Days Green Committee Chairman and His Superintendent Green Section Service's Improved Turf Grasses Issue Sept. June Aug. Sept. Apr. June Apr. Feb. Sept. Sept. Feb. Sept. Nov. June June Feb. Page 27 34 29 31 25 32 31 22 26 30 31 28 33 29 30 33 Irrigation, Compaction on Established Fairway Turf Let's Save Water Merion (B-27) Bluegrass National Turf Field Day New Series of Turf Experiments at Penn State 1950 Turf Field Days Oriental Earthworm and Its Control Reduced Maintenance under Govern­ ment Controls Relationship of Hormones and Inhibitors to Seed Germination Soil Water and Soil Air: Their Relation­ Aug. Apr. Apr. June Nov. Nov. Apr. Sept. June ship to Turf Production July "Turf Management" Book now Available Nov. Turf Over These United States July Turf Picture at Beltsville July Use and Misuse of Water Aug. Visits by Green Section Staff June What About Liquid Fertilizers? Nov. F. H. Williams Honored for 28 Years 25 30 27 35 36 31 32 25 36 35 33 29 36 30 31 29 USGA Service July 34 USGA Journal and Turf Management: February, 1951 37 IT’S YOUR HONOR Honor TO THE USGA: I am unable to express fully how pleased and appreciative I am in being selected as Captain of the 1951 Walker Cup Team. Golf has been wonderful to me, and the love of the game itself has made me a very happy fellow for many years. As you know, I have received the American Amateur trophy twice and the British once, but only as a result of good fortune with the drives, irons and putts. Yes, it is thrilling and gratifying to know that you were the fortunate one of thousands who competed and took home the honors. Yet I can't help but feel that any one of our boys can go out and win the Open, the Amateur and other important events on a given day. You and your Committee, therefore, have made it possible for me to attain the highest honor in golf—Captain of the Walker Cup Team. You and your Committee have made me proud of myself and of my upbringing. You and your Committee have proven to the golfing world the true meaning of De­ mocracy in selecting two ex-caddies as your Captains, Francis Ouimet and myself. For your confidence and trust in my char­ acter, I just want to say thanks and hope you will express my feelings of appreciation to the Executive Committee. WILLIAM P. TURNESA Elmsford, N. Y. Filling a Need TO THE USGA: You never said truer words than in your letter that preceded the copy of "Turf Man­ agement." You said, "'Turf Management' undoubtedly will fill a real need for years to come." It certainly fills a real need I've felt for years in the past. You can tell the bunch for me that this thing certainly makes the Green Section's services worth a great deal of money in dollars and cents to golf clubs. HERB GRAFFIS, Editor, "Golfdom" Chicago, III. TO THE USGA: "Turf Management" makes a welcome ad­ dition to my library. Professor Musser has done a most com­ mendable job. His book is the most com­ prehensive work on the problems of or­ namental turf that I have ever seen, and it is one that has long been needed. ELLIS W. VAN GORDER Stanford University, Cal. Greenlceepers Enthusiastic TO THE USGA: In our sincere belief that "Golf House" is a most excellent undertaking, the Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superinten­ dents Association proudly contributes the enclosed check. Besides our genuine enthusiasm in the project, we have another splendid reason. Mr. James Standish, President of the USGA, has shown a great interest in our group, both collectively and individually, and in greenkeeping in general. We hope this shows our appreciation in a small way. Perhaps the greenkeeping field may prove fertile for records, souvenirs and museum pieces. If we can help, let us know. ANDREW BERTONI, Secretary-Treasurer Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association Ann Arbor, Mich. A Small Repayment TO THE USGA: Enclosed is my check as a contribution to "Golf House." Golf has been mighty good to me for 15 years, climaxed in 1950 by my being lucky enough to win the state championship. This is small repayment. The work of you gentlemen is most ap­ preciated by all of us rank and file golfers. MRS. GEORGE A. MILLER Monroe, La. Vote of Confidence TO THE USGA: Herewith check which please accept as a "token" contribution to "Golf House" Fund. We have 100 members who use the golfing facilities of The Tilden Park Golf Course, a public links. Our club dues are $10 a year and we pay as we play. Our budget does not include a fund for other than essentials, hence no money for con­ tributions as such. However, we voted to strip balance in "miscellaneous" and send it along as a vote of confidence in the judgment of USGA officers and directors. OTTO L. ZEUS, Secretary Tilden Park Golf Club Berkeley, Cal. Editor's Note: The USGA Journal invites comments on matters relating to the welfare of the game and will publish them as space permits.