HOT.]

* * * * *

The life of a rubber-cored ball does not always last as long as its
shell, and its best driving capacity has often disappeared when there is
scarcely a scratch upon it. Therefore, if you are playing in an
important match with a ball that has already been used at a large number
of holes, it may be advisable to put down a new one when long work with
the driver and brassy is a vital necessity. A close watch for loss of
shape should also be kept on these rubber-cored balls. They vary very
much in this respect, and not only is it impossible to putt well with a
ball that is not perfectly round, but it never flies so well as one
which is quite true.

* * * * *

Always use a clean ball, and carry a sponge to keep it clean with. It
detracts from the pleasure of a game more than you may imagine if your
ball is always dirty and cannot be seen from a distance. Besides, the
eye is less strained when a clean white ball is played with, and there
is less likelihood of foozled strokes. Moreover, your dirty ball is a
constant irritation to your opponent.

* * * * *

Don't act upon the advice of your caddie when you are convinced in your
own mind that he is wrong. If you do so, you will very likely play the
stroke hesitatingly and without confidence, and the result in these
circumstances is seldom satisfactory. It is not impossible that the
caddie knows less about the game than yourself, and, on the other hand,
his views as to the best thing to do in a particular situation are often
regulated by what he has seen the scratch men do at such times. You may
not be a scratch man.

* * * * *

When playing in a foursome, never forget that you have a partner. If you
are the inferior player, make a rule, when in any doubt, of asking him
what he would prefer you to do.

* * * * *

When you are addressing the ball, and a conviction forces itself on your
mind just before making the stroke that your stance or something else is
radically wrong, do not be persuaded that it is best to get the stroke
done with notwithstanding. In such circumstances it is almost certain to
be a failure, and you will wish then that you had taken a fresh stance,
as you knew you ought to have done, and made a proper job of it, even at
the risk of annoying your partner by fiddling about on the tee.

* *