Most golfers do not appreciate to what an extent the mind is affected by the little incidents which come up in the course of every game, or how much the mind affects the nerves and the nerves the stroke. Few suspect how great the subtle influence of surrounding conditions is and that this outside influence on the nerves has its effect upon every stroke made. The mental condition is in fact of far greater importance than physical fitness and to play golf successfully one cannot be worried. Temperament, consequently, is an important factor.

The thousand little trifles which hopelessly distract the nervous man with delicately adjusted machinery altogether escape the notice of the "dour" phlegmatic player, and we all know how depressing it is, upon many of us, to play against one who always out-drives us, and with what confidence we play knowing that our opponent is sure to "crack" under the slightest provocation. Doggedness is also a factor too much underrated and we all appreciate the effect upon us when playing against one who never knows when he is beaten. In watching any match critically, one cannot fail to notice how little incidents, which have no real connection with the game, affect certain strokes. How, if one player drives a long, slashing ball , the other is apt to press To prove how important this influence of outside circumstances is, say quietly to a self-opinionated opponent of a nervous temperament just before he drives, that he always drives a long ball and the drive will probably be a failure. On the other hand, say to the modest man of nervous temperament just as he is making a long putt that he always putts well, and you will probably give him the necessary confidence to steady his nerves and make the hole. It is this control over the nerves more than any other one thing which is the secret of the success of professionals and one can easily appreciate how great an advantage they have over the more imaginative, more sensitive, more cultured amateurs. To realize in your own play how great a factor this nerve influence is, recall how many times on your own links you have made each hole less than bogie; yet, because of your inability to keep your nerves under control over the whole course, you have never been able to lower the record. The golfer, therefore, whose nerve mastery is perfect, although playing but an average game, would beat the world.

The one, then, who really plays the game must always have in mind, first, that the nerve fibres are a very exhaustible quantity and must be husbanded for those unexpected outside influences which are sure to arise at a critical turning point in the game; and second, that if he keeps his nerves steady enough to withstand this test he will, in nine games out of ten, come in a winner. Every golfer can recall many a game in which he went to pieces at this critical time. It may have been the most trivial incident which threw him off; perhaps some eccentricity of his opponent in putting which was exasperating, or because he lagged too far behind or rushed too far ahead, or perhaps because he was an inveterate chatterer. But, whatever the reason, it was enough to affect the nerves and it then became a question not only of the eye and muscles but a test of the will power over the nerves. Up to that time it had been a give and take match, in which a longer drive, a better lie, or a better approach shot had given first one and then the other, a quickly passing advantage. But now, because the mind did not have command over the nerves, the nerves affected the muscles and several bad strokes were made. To the other player, who knew that his opponent had "cracked," the intensity of his own mental strain was over, as it is not within the range of golfing probabilities for one to pull himself together again who has failed at the crisis. Not to crack, then, is the one thing to guard against, for it seldom happens that two players fight a match through with equal nerve mastery, and sooner or later one or the other loses control of his nerves and in consequence the match. It is this battle 0f mind and muscle, of thought and action, which makes the game of golf worth playing. Each failure is a lesson in self -control ; and each good shot, a realization of what perfect play can do.

Suggestions

Confidence keeps the nerves steady and makes success easy.

If you lose your temper you will lose the match.

Changing a club often affects the nerves and many a golfer, after missing a stroke of which he was reasonably certain, uses a different club when a similar stroke has to be made again.

Play your hardest from the first swing. By winning the first few holes the expenditure of nervous force and the nervous tension, which often lasts to the last putt, may be saved.

Decide before addressing the ball, which club you think will give the best results and what kind of a stroke you intend to make. If you hover over the ball in a state of uncertainty, the chances are that the condition of the mind will affect the swing.

Keep from your mind all temptation to decide beforehand what the result of the match will be. By thinking of the possibilities of defeat one often becomes overanxious and loses his freedom of style. To eliminate hope and fear is one of those seeming impossibilities which comes with practice.

To prevent an unnecessary expenditure of nerve force, treat your adversary as a nonentity and cultivate callousness of mental fibre. Do not be disconcerted if he gets longer distances and do not try to overtake him. Quietly play your own game, for there is always the probability of his making enough mistakes to bring him back to you.

Do not hurry. Hurrying affects the nerves and hurried strokes are generally failures.

Swing easily and walk slowly and your pulse will beat more regularly when you have to make a delicate stroke on the putting green.

The greater the tax on the nerve fibres the more studiously one should avoid exhausting them ; the more critical the situation and the more one desires to have the crisis over, the more deliberately one should play. Therefore, take yourself by the head and keep under control any fluttering nerve or an uneven pulse.

Take chances when you are behind. Playing a difficult shot sucessfully will have its effect upon your opponent.

To underrate an opponent is folly, as golf excels all other games in its uncertainties and, in more than any other game, there is that mysterious nerve sensitiveness which is almost sure to be fatal to one or the other.

If you wish to put yourself in a fit con-'dition for a hard match, read a book before starting out and take with you a water biscuit or some chocolate tablets on which to feed your exhausted nerves and muscles.

Many a golfer who plays his best game when the courage of despair is forced upon him is unable to endure success with equally steady nerves. Shut your eyes, therefore, to prosperity and adversity alike and go through the match in happy stupidity. It is this characteristic as much as any other which gives the professional his great advantage.

In all high pressure matches where each stroke of an opponent has its effect upon one's own nerves, the mental strain is too severe to expect any pleasure while the match is on. The pleasure, however, will be all the greater in thinking it over afterwards if it proves to be a victory.