Golf demands, among other attributes, the faculties of imitativeness and physical flexibility only to be found, outside the genus simia, in anything like perfect combination, in the human boy. As a proof of this, it is merely necessary to observe the caddies, awaiting their "turn," idly swinging their clubs with an exact reproduction of the style of the professional they unconsciously copy. But even when the said human boy has arrived at the stage of manhood, in which he is denied the physical attributes for violent exercise, he need not despair of reaching a degree of proficiency in the game which has been held in reserve for him. Only a few years ago (1902) the Amateur Championship was won by Mr Charles Hutchings, who did not begin the game until he was thirty years of age, and was said to couple the distinction with that of being a grandfather.

Some golfers are born golfers; but many of the best become so, though they may lack the grand quality of a phlegmatic temperament, by the cultivation of self-control and training of the nerves to bear initial disappointments, coupled with a persistent practice and care to which one philosopher has given the title of "genius." The beginner must not take up the game under any delusions; it is by no means so easy as it looks.

But one of its fascinations is its unattainable perfection; even the greatest exponents realise their weaknesses and devote the combined study of principles and painstaking practice to a furtherance of their prowess. He who aspires to gain any real satisfaction from the game - a satisfaction unforeseen at the outset - must prepare himself for much diligent care and many disappointments. But hope tells a flattering tale, and the self-recognition of improvement, be it ever so slight, will lure him on from strength to strength. Mr Asquith, in October 1906, bore witness to the demands upon the patience and intelligence of the learner when he said, " I calculate that I might almost have learned two new languages in the time I have devoted to becoming a very in-different performer at golf." Having in view his steady attachment to the game, the suggestion that even his moderate rate of progress is a gratifying alternative to polyglot accomplishments may not be over-bold. The value of proper tuition at the very beginning cannot be urged too strongly and the best tuition can only be obtained from the best players. It is ludicrous and even painful to see, day by day, misguided people plodding their destructive way, and remaining in a blissful state of self-deception because of an occasional fluky good stroke or a victory over an equally incapable friend. Beware of entrance into bad habits; there is nothing more difficult to eradicate, and the only way to avoid them is to place yourself in the hands of a competent instructor. Few will be found to dispute the assertion that the professional teacher of golf thoroughly knows his business and how to teach it.

Books have their use in the explanation of the scientific principles involved and in contributing reminders in the quiet hours of reflection after "a bad day," and much can be learnt by their agency if the beginner is careful and painstaking. But, all said and done, a well-qualified teacher is the best means; we need to see ourselves as others see us.

An important outcome of careful professional tuition is good style, which is the product of ease and harmony of movement. The self-taught player condemns himself by his habitual violation of one or more of the canons of the swing or other features of the stroke. True style comes after patient and thoughtful application of proper instruction, and the truer the method, the better the style; in no case should a beginner try to "adopt" a style. It is true that variations of style are seen in the leading players, but such peculiarities rather indicate mannerisms and differences of physique than a departure from governing principles. Though a natural aptitude is indispensable for admission into the first ranks of players, patience and perseverance through all disappointments will eventually secure that standard of successful play that will bring its own reward and prove an incentive to further endeavour. The aspirant to perfection need never be in fear of finding himself (or herself, for the lady golfer is happily now one of us, so to speak) in the predicament that perplexed the great Alexander and brought sorrow to his soul. One problem will possibly interpose itself. The question may arise, "Does golf interfere with my business?" If so, there is only one answer, and that a somewhat equivocal one - "Give it up!"

A word or two as to the Rules and Etiquette of the Game of Golf (see pp. 158-168).

These should be carefully studied, for famili-arity will not, in this case, breed contempt. It is incumbent upon all golfers, having a proper regard for the maintenance of mutual respect and the promotion of good fellow-ship, to avoid placing themselves in a false position through ignorance, which, as the legal maxim has it, is no excuse. Experience shows that this caution is unfortunately a necessary one; beginners therefore should not lightly neglect this important duty, but regard the knowledge as an essential passport to golfing society.

In addition to the general regulations, most clubs make special provision for certain contingencies under the title of "local rules." These may either vary or even annul one or more of those framed by the Rules of Golf Committee. Rule 34 says, "Mud adhering to a ball shall not be considered as making it unfit for play." Many courses have been laid out on clay soil where the chances of misfortune through no bad play are increased by the adherence of mud to the ball. The theory of the putting-green appears to be that no such adventitious handicap should be recognised, and the option of cleaning a ball within putting distance appears to be a just provision. The same rule deals with "split" balls, but the developments in the manufacture of golf balls, to the exclusion of those made of solid gutta-percha, render this measure practically unnecessary. The very common misinterpretation of two of the rules makes it expedient to invite the attention of the beginner to them. Rule 14 (3) describes the manner in which a ball should be dropped after being lifted. Many players appear to think that the path should be retraced over the line in which the ball entered the water (or hazard, where allowed under "local rules" or the rules of stroke competitions). The case seems to be quite clear that all that is necessary is to produce the imaginary line joining the ball and the hole in the opposite direction from the hole; but experience goes to show that by some inexplicable aberration of the intelligence this instruction is misunderstood; so also in another point:

Etiquette of Golf, No. 3 - The force of the word "and" is often overlooked, many players persuading themselves that it means "or." As this is not so, the party may take a hundred strokes before getting out of range and still be entitled to delay a con-stantly - re-inforced throng of irate players on the tee behind. But beginners need hardly be reminded that it cannot fail to be of advantage to cultivate the goodwill of the more expert players, and, for the sake of the game, to neglect no opportunity of observing the golden rule. More especially is this applicable in the replacement of "divots," as the pieces of turf are called, that are naturally cut out in certain strokes, and this should be done by not merely laying the displaced patch on the exposed soil, but also carefully pressing it with the foot.