ON THE GOLF LINKS

Chronicle (Levin), 2 September 1948, Page 7

ON THE GOLF LINKS

Second Championship Rounds Near Completion

Players in the second round of the Levin Golf Ciub's championships must finalise their games this weekend. On Saturday afternoon a bogey match is scheduled for piay, the draw taking place at from 12.45 to 1.15 p.m. The following t,hree players have had their handicaps reduced for future matches:— O. C. Lagor, from 14 to 12; W. S. Ogier, from 17 to 16; and C. Larsen, from 19 to 17. . Hole in One Club The holing of their tee shots on any of the "Cheslyn Rise" holes has to date e'luded the many members of this select club. The entrance fees have, through the non-pxaying of the "perfect fluke" mounted considerably and the eventual winner should have no fear about paying his subscription as a playing member for several years. For those still desirous of joining this club, particulars of membership may be obtained from any member of the committee. On Putting Golfers should not concede putts even in practice rounds. In the latter, particularly prior to big match play, too many players concede each other putts of varying length. While depriving themselves of good putting practice, many players lose one of the main principles of honest scoring. It is a fine feeling to wend one's way homewards after a gocd round \yith a correctly handed-in card, through every putt being holed. A card handed in with an odd putt .conceded has not the same buoykhcy. Play to the limit, even while practising. You will feel a great deal happier when the results are recorded. Concentration Practice is., .not worth the trouble unless you are constantly trying to improve your game. The overwhelming success of the American pros in Ryder Cup matches against their fellow English pros bears out this statement. The British player too often practices in the same spirit as a young boy being forced to play an instrument against his will, whereas the American pro practices in eventually finding a great deal of pleasure in his own skill. The former outlook can well be found among not only local golfers, but players wherever the game is played. Evidence is found that the golfer who is keen on practice works at improving his golf while others only play at practising. Some practice as though they enjoyed doing so, while others make heavy work of the same effort. Swiping away with a driver will not improve your game, but driving practice that aims at better control of trajectory, or one that attempts to cultivate the use of spin to hold the ball against a ' wind — these little items convert practice into a pleasure and at the same time improve a golfer's skill, which eventually must lead to the long handicapper's dream, a single or scratch figure. In the same way, it is no use going out to play recovery shots from a bunker without some definite objective. Such practice becomes a bore. But what a different matter to see those recovery shots constantly becoming a reality, particularly in match play. Again, the effort to improve your play lends interest and particularly value to your practice. As far as the long handicapper is concerned, the cynical comment holds only too true that "in solf you cannot succeed without practice, and the more you practice the worse you become." The average golfer's attempts at practice do him no good because he has adopted the wrong idea from

Ihis infancy. It is useless for a bad player to go out with a bag ,full of balls and practice playing 'shots the wrong way. The only effect of this will be to make his-, lfauits ineradicable. When this jstage is reaclied, a pro's advice is 'necessary . and when this is thoroughly drummed in practice only will bring results.