How to play Golf.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2087, 22 March 1898, Page 2

How to play Golf.

The most important thing, of ©purse, is the costume. After that comes the Scotch accent. Both are expensive, but golf is not a poor man’s game, yon know. Then buy. or steal your golf clubs. There are exactly % 347,699,1008 of them, but one will do to start with. As to the costume, kilts should

be worn if practicable, bat the ordinary American or English .golf suit will attract sufficient attention to satisfy the beginner. When you arrive on the grounds you-rem'ember what you have come for. In case you forget someone will perhaps remind you that it wasn’t to stand in his way. He will sometimes tell you this by word of mouth, and sometimes by meeting your neck in the downward sweep of his dub. Both are impulsive movements, and you will always remember if you live. Don’t be discouraged at hitting only the atmosphere the first seven times you make a drive with your weapon, your toe the next fourteen times, and the seat of a bystander’s knickerbockers the next time after that, but continue to persevere. Iu a month or two you will be able to hit the ball and land it into some bystander’s mouth, and then, oh, joy I Never pick up your ball in your hand, drop it in a hele, when nobody is looking, and then shout, *'By Jove,, just look at%hiß beautiful' shot of mine 1’ It.is generally regarded as cheating. The etiquette of the game is thus described *— "

L it is-considered very bad form for a player or spectator to talk, move or breathe within forty miles of the ball when a .stroke is being made. It is generally understood that the earth stops spinning around on its axis when a game of golf is going on, for fear of jogging the player. 2. Players should not appear on the ground with golf stockings previously worn while bicycle riding. This would be an outrage on the dignity of the game.. A new pair of stockings, with a different plaid pattern should be donned by every player after eaeh stroke of the bull. This does not apply to the lady players. 3. Turf cut or knocked up in the air by a blow that misses the ball should be instantly replaced, so as not to spoil the appearance of the links Teeth of spectators knocked out or skin damaged by wild blows do not matter very much —unless they belong to members of the same club as yourself

4. If a bah falls into a pond, lake, or ocean, the player who made the stroke must immediately dive for it .vithnut removing his golf costume, and must stay under water until the ball is found The fine against this violation of good taste is forbidding the violator to turn down the tops of his golf stockings more than half an inch. This punishmeic is seldom enforced, however, as it causes the offender untold anguish of mind. 5. Golf should always be pronounced goff by those players who mov9 in the best society. For ordinary persons it makes no difference. And on every occasion should it be spelied with a capital G. ‘ Play Goff, noo T—New York World.