GOLF EMOTION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 26, 26 October 1920, Page 10

GOLF EMOTION

SCIENTISTS ON POOR SHOTS.

Why golfers on the first too and on other critical occasions often make poor shots was scientifically considered at one of the meetings of tho British Association. held recently at Cardifl. Tho question arose in connection with Professor Waller's experiments with his electrical device for measuring .human emotions. Professor Wallor discovered, for instance, that emotions can be recorded through his instrument only by application to the most sensitive parts of the human body, the palms of tho hands and the soles .of the feet. Mr. Walter Dixon, a scientist from Glnssow, suggested: ''Mißht not the profeasor's theory explain the cause of bad golf sliols, especially in moments of crisis in the game f "Also, does it not explain why coldblooded,, unemotional 'Scotsmen are least likely to err in their shots when most depends on them? For instance, tho drive depends on three factors—personal emotion, the palms of the hands, and the steadiness of the feet. The last two are 'said to be thc''most sensitive'to emotions passed, through tho brain to the Uso the lecturer hnd said that tho fear of an unpleasant event showed on bis instrument greater emotional activity tlnm the happening of the event itself. In his opinion the thought of Hissing a shot passed through the brain to the highly susceptible palms of tho hands and tlie soles of . the feet, spoiling many shots. ' Professor Waller agreed in jiart with this Ibeorv, but said that although ho was no golfer he understood that keeping the eve on the ball was also a factor. Askod about the possibility of recording a golfer's emotions when about to inako his shot, Professor Waller said that there was no necessity for him to test everyone's emotions. He might be asked to test tho emotions of a man on receiving a tailor's bill, and while it would set tho instrument a-flutter, 110 doubt, it would not serve any further purpose.