Excerpts from the “Pro and Con of Golf” (1915) by Alexander H. Revell
“A problem of deep importance to the future of this game has arisen, and the young American school has forced it to the front. It is a question of practice swings, of waiting for inspiration, and of concentration.”
“When a man has played a stroke he has quite sufficient to occupy his mind for the next minute or two in considering how he shall play the next one.”
“Any serious interruption in this continuous thought breaks the spell that is upon the player and handicaps him seriously. The other day I was discussing the matter with Mr. E. A. Lassen, who had been a severe sufferer from the excessively slow methods of one of the Americans, and he stated the case exactly when he said that with so much hesitation and waiting ‘it was like beginning a new match at every shot,’ “
“Another question, however, arises, and that is whether the Americans are not overdoing it. At La Boulie, when the French amateur championship was being played for, three hours and ten minutes were taken over a match that had a clear green in front of it all the way, through the slowness of the American player.”
“At La Boulie Mr. Hilton was waiting until he was weary at every stroke played by his opponent, and undoubtedly he was ‘put off’ and could not play his proper game. Others suffered in the same way. These slow players use up the time in three ways: first by deep thought, secondly by an exhaustive course of prospecting of the land in front when the short game is being played, and thirdly by a series of practice swings done most meditatively. They leave nothing whatever to chance.”
“Then there is the hesitation and doubt that are induced. I believe that in most cases these players are really waiting for an inspiration.”
“Then, if three hours or more were taken over every game, golf as we have it now would become impossible. Only one round a day would be practicable, it would be a wearying thing, and the game would not be the same.”
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