212 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Yards.
414
. 461
426
495
435
2231
retailed by the tavern-keepers at 6d. painted, and 5d. unpainted-so little had
they advanced in price from the days of our Sixth James, when a ball cost 4s.
Scots (i.e. 4d. sterling). The price of a club at present is 3s. 6d.; and of a
ball, 28.’
The handle,
which is straight, is generally about four feet and a half in length, and usually
made of ash, or hickory, which is allowed to be better. The curvature
made of thorn, is affixed to the bottom, faced with horn, and backed with
lead :-
The bat or club is accurately represented in the Engraving.
“ Forth rush’d Cadulio, and his daring foe ;
Both armed with clubs, and eager for the blow.
Of finest ASH Chstalio’s shaft was made ;
Pond‘rous with LEAD, and faced with HORN the head ;
The work of Dickson, who in Letha dwells,
And in the art of making clubs excels.”a
The ball is a little one, but exceedingly hard, being made of leather, and
stuffed with feathers. There are generally two players, who have each of them
his club and ball.” The game consists in driving the ball into certain holes made
in the ground, which he who achieves in the fewest strolres, obtains the victory.
The golf lengths, or the spaces between the first and last holes, are sometimes
extended-where the ground will permit, such as at Xt. Andrews-to the
distance of two or three miles ; the number of intervening holes appears to be
optional,’ but the balls must be struck into the holes, and not beyond them:
when four persons play, two of them are sometimes partners, and have but one
ball, which they strike alternately.
It is no unusual thing for a player to have along with him eight or ten clubs
of different forms, adapted for striking the ball in whatever position it may be
These details are now altered by the change in the manufacture and use of gutta percha. Eo.
1877.
Poem of Goff, formerly quoted. Andrew Dickson, club-maker, is the person alluded to as
having acted the part of fore-cadie to the Duke of York.
It is almost indispensable for a player to have at least two clubs, a long one for driving, and a
short one for putting near the hole ; and on Links such as St. Andrews, where there are many sandholes,
or bunkers, as they are termed, it club with an iron head (differing in form froin the heads of
the wooden clubs) is required, Of these iron clubs there are various kinds, adapted to the different
situations of the green.
On the Links of Leith, which had five,
the lengths were-
* The holes are not limited to any particular number.
I __ FORMERLY. II LATTERLY. I
Feet. Yards.
First hole ...................... 975 325
Second hole .................... 1221 407
Third hole ..................... 1278 426
Fourth hole .................... 1485 495
Fifth hole. ..................... 1305 435
6264 2088
--
--
I Feet.
First hole ......................
Second hole ....................
Third hole .....................
Fourth hole ...................
Fifth hole ......................
1242
1383
1278
1485
1305
6693