“The ball is played well back off the right toe,”—the St. Andrews
run-up is under discussion,—“and the hands are held well in front. This
naturally tips the face of the mashie forward, reducing the loft.” Is
there any other reason for holding the hands forward except to reduce
the loft? If not, why not use midiron or cleek? There is, of course, a
reason, but it is not mentioned. We can account for the perfect opacity
of golf writers only on the classic theory that language was invented to
conceal thought.
* * * * *
Steel shafts are mentioned, since hickory is temporarily scarce; and
steel shafts will do as well as wood or concrete for the dub, just as a
steel fish rod serves the ignoble purpose of the impaler of worms.
* * * * *
Readers who attach significance to what is termed the fitness of things
will be enthralled to learn that Charles E. Ball has been re-elected
president of the Tampa Golf Club.
* * * * *
A standard of amateurism is needed in art, says Max Eastman. “We
cherish that standard in sport, where it does very little good and
quite an amount of harm. It is idealism of a kind, but it is misplaced
idealism.” We must agree with Max; indeed, any man whose first name is
Max is more than likely to be right. There is Max Beerbohm for one, and
Max—— But we digress, as Ulysses remarked when his ship was blown nine
points to leeward. What we started to say was, there are two kinds of
golfers—gentlemen and gents. The former might be admitted to national
tournaments, the latter barred. You know the golfing gent. He has spoiled
more than one afternoon for you.