An excellent substitute for golf is swatting flies. Although it does
not take one out in the open air, it provides more excitement. The full
course may be played over in a nine-room apartment, playing from parlor
to kitchen and back again, but good sport may be had in a six-room flat.
Four or five slapsticks of varying shapes and widths are all the clubs
required, and the following suggestions may be useful to those who wish
to take up the new sport.
If the fly is on a table top or other broad surface, a mashie may be
used. If on a curtain, use the driver and follow through with stroke;
this being the only chance to employ the follow-through. If the fly is on
light or expensive wall-paper, take a niblick. This is a difficult shot,
as the fly must be lifted clear of the wall, after which he is holed out
with the putter.
If the fly is on the side of a valuable vase or other bric-à-brac, the
putter and a delicate wrist are required. The swing must be checked
the instant the fly is crushed and before the club reaches the china.
A coffee cup, such as is found in a quick lunchery, is a good thing to
practise on. In fact, that is just the place to practise putting.