In no pastime are the customs and
unwritten laws more clearly defined, and it is essential that the
young lady or gentleman of fashion who contemplates an afternoon
on the "links" devote considerable time and attention to the
various niceties of the etiquette of this ancient and honorable
game.
A young man, for example, when playing with his employer, should
always take pains to let his employer win. This is sometimes
extremely difficult, but with practice even the most stubborn of
obstacles can be overcome. On the first tee, for instance, after
the employer, having swung and missed the ball completely one or
two times, has managed to drive a distance of some forty-nine
yards to the extreme right, the young man should take care to
miss the ball completely THREE times, and then drive forty-eight
yards to the extreme left. This is generally done by closing the
eyes tightly and rising up sharply on both toes just before
hitting the ball.
On the "greens" it is customary for a young man to "concede" his
employer every "putt" which is within twenty feet of the hole. If
the employer insists on "putting" [Ed. note:--He won't] and
misses, the young man should take care to miss his own "putt."
After both have "holed out," the young man should ask, "how many
strokes, sir?" The employer will reply, "Let me see--I think I
took seven for this hole, didn't I?" A well-bred young man will
not under any circumstances remind his employer that he saw him
use at least three strokes for the drive, three strokes for his
second shot, four strokes in the "rough," seven strokes in the
"bunker," and three "putts" on the "green," but will at once
reply, "No, sir, I think you only took six, altogether.
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