It should not be set against a golfer for foolishness or faddism that he
gives pet names to some of his favourite clubs that have served him well
through many hard campaigns, and between him and which there has grown
up a very close degree of intimacy, for some of the greatest players
have given this rank of name to their trusted clubs. “My driver,” even
“My best driver” or “My old driver,” is a cold term to apply to that
fine head and shaft that you think have no equals on the links--at least
for you. All drivers may be called drivers; shall we have no other name
for the champion that has roamed with us and played with us over courses
all the way from Dornoch to Westward Ho!? Call him “Bill” if you like,
and “Bill” is a very good name; or if your fancy leans that way, and she
is slender and whippy, you may call her “Bess.” But better keep to human
names. There is a man who calls his baffy “Jumbo,” and it does not seem
a nice name. I have a golfing friend who has a driver that he calls
“Ephraim,” and it is one of the most wonderful drivers ever seen, with
such a long shaft that it needs a giant to wield it, but its owner is
something of a giant too. When I hear him ask for Ephraim I know that
mighty schemes are afoot, and, straining my eyes to the far distant
green, I wonder that even old Ephraim should ever be called upon to make
such efforts. But Ephraim has a way with him that makes for success. He
is not to be used often, and then when he is he does his job well. That
is Ephraim. And do not many of us know the famous golfer who has a dear
wooden putter who goes by the name of Fanny? Fanny has done fine duty in
championships ere this, and her master knows her every whim and mood.
She is a delicate creature is Fanny, and she is not so young as she used
to be, and Mr. John, her master, never takes her out in these days when
it is wet.