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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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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
Volume 9 Page 283
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