* * * * *

Try to avoid an unnecessary expenditure of nerve force by treating your
adversary--with all due respect to him--as a nonentity. Whatever
brilliant achievements he may accomplish, go on quietly playing your
own game. There is always the probability that sooner or later he will
make enough mistakes to bring him back to you. It is the steadier player
who plays his own game from the first tee to the last green, and who
never allows himself to be upset by anything that happens, who wins the
match.

* * * * *

Never hurry when playing a match or a medal round, or indeed any kind of
golf. Haste will affect your nerves and spoil your play. The record for
playing a round in the shortest possible space of time is not worth the
holding. Take time enough, but don't be unnecessarily slow.

* * * * *

If from any cause whatever you are playing a very slow game, don't miss
an opportunity of inviting the couple behind you to pass. It will please
them, and will be far more comfortable for you. But if your match is
behind a slow one, do not be offensive in pressing upon the match in
front by making rude remarks and occasionally playing when they are
within range. You do not know what troubles they are enduring. Remember
the story of the old player, who, on a ball being driven past him by the
couple behind, sent his caddie with his card to the offender, and with
it the message, "Mr. Blank presents his compliments, and begs to say
that though he may be playing slowly he can play a devil of a lot more
slowly if he likes!"

* * * * *

Be careful that you always stand on the proper side of the tee when your
opponent is preparing to drive. At this most anxious moment for your
friend do not be practising your own swing or move about or talk. You
would be intensely annoyed with him if he did these things when you were
driving. If he lost the match through a foozled drive, he would be
justified in saying that you did not play the game.

* * * * *

In playing through the green, avoid as far as possible getting in your
opponent's line of sight when he is making his stroke. Also do not stand
so near to him that he can see you through the corner of his eye when he
is taking his swing.

* * * * *

Do not get into the habit of asking for a half on the putting green when
i