Pro Clinics Prove Their Value By HERB GRAFFIS

Purdue, Minnesota and U. of Baltimore present second annual golf clinics to enthusiastic audiences

A PRIL saw the second annual golf clinics officials with officials and faculties of the ** at Purdue university, University of educational institutions. Minnesota and the University of Balti- The University of Baltimore clinic was more. Each of the affairs registered run April 8, 15, and 22. Lectures and dem- greater practical value than during the onstrations by leading pros of the Balti- initial presentations of the clinics, and more district and by prominent physical every pro who attended any of these education authorities, together with guest clinics was enthusiastic about the array of appearances of Dick Metz, Horton Smith, valuable ideas he picked up as well as the Johnny Farrell and Helen Dettweiler con- mental stimulation he received. stitued a program of strong public inter- Each clinic had definite points of dif- est. ference and emphasis. The Purdue clinic Purdue's program was opened by Tom featured a close tie-up between pros and Walsh, PGA president, who noted that physical educators of universities and high pros were strengthening themselves with school systems, although placing strong self-education in a complex business rather emphasis on strictly pro phases of the than depending on the mercy of the storm. program. Further extension of the contact Herb Graffis, editor of GOLFDOM and between pros and university and prep GOLFING, reviewed the first Purdue school physical educators is indicated by clinic, pointing out definite effects that the success of the Purdue clinic. initial session had had on progress of pro Minnesota spotlighted pro-shop opera- golf during 1940. Graffis called attention tion and golf pedagogy, going into the to golf research recommendations made at scientific aspects of golf instruction in a the 1940 Purdue clinic having been en- manner that forecasts some revolutionary tirely neglected. Later discussion with a developments. spokesman for the golf business brought forth promise of financing this needed The University of Baltimore clinic made research through establishment of a fel- yiuch of the pro public relations angle, in lowship, or some other arrangement, at continuing its chosen line of research and Purdue. demonstration in effective selling of pros Prof. Homer Allen of Purdue, illustra- to the public as hosts and guides in a game ting his remarks by reference to a skeleton having far more than the generally recog- and anatomical charts, lectured on the nized recreation and health values. construction and location of bones, muscles All clinics represented a close tie-up of and nerves. He made it plain that recom- sectional and national PGA members and mendations in some golf instruction call

Part of group who attended second annual Purdue University golf clinic is shown in photo below Purdue's huge field house provided by far the best arrangements ever made for an indoor golf group lesson, with pros at Purdue's clinic instructing varsity students, and giving demonstrations of all shots. Tourney stars in the indoor demonstration included Byron Nelson, Johnny Revolta and Dick Metz.

for anatomical performances that are im- good income to the thoroughly qualified possible because of the structure of the pro. body. O. J. Noer, Milwaukee Sewarage Com- Prof. Allen suggested that pros study an mission sales engineer, spoke on the major elementary anatomy textbook so they'll points in modern course maintenance know the construction of the customers, methods. He cited the great advance made but warned them off of trying to remem- in course conditioning work and in main- ber a lot of anatomical terms, saying that tenance economy as an example of educa- tion applied to club operation. technical addition to the lexicon of instruc- tion would simply confuse the pupil Girls Prefer Golf further. Miss Leonore K. Alway of the Univer- In a panel discussion on golf problems sity of Nebraska gave an exceedingly en- Wm, Diddle spoke on the revision in trap- lightening address on golf instruction ping to curtail the maintenance expense background of girls. She told that only and unnecessary penalization of an over- 28% of girls entering the University of abundance of sand. Diddle also brought Nebraska reported previous acquain- up for lively debate the matter of undulat- tance with golf, but that golf is highest ing tees, a proposal which so far as is among the sports girls say they'd like to known has not deliberately been employed get in college. in course construction. She referred to the popularity of bowl- ing as proving that a fee activity would Morris Reports Great Progress register strong with college girls. She Glenn H. Morris, managing director of said that girls now dress for sports, which the National Golf Foundation, told of the makes golf instruction easier to "sell". intense and widespread activity in teach- She advised instructors to conduct pupils ing golf in high schools and colleges and around courses instead of thinking the of the effective coordination of pros, kids knew about golf after receiving in- struction on shot-making. public golf course officials, school officials, newspapers and radio stations. His report Miss Alway cited the practice golf was most cheering in revealing to pros range on the campus at Texas Tech in great progress in increasing the market telling about ideal arrangements for col- for qualified professional service. lege golf instruction. Ed Newkirk of the Country Club of Lin- Harry O'Hare of the Chicago Park Dis- coln (Neb.) and golf instructor at the trict told of the advance being made in University of Nebraska, told how golf is making golf a headline attraction as a fitted into the physical education plan public recreation utility. The Chicago au- at U of N, and how study of golf instruc- thority outlined problems pros and public tion on a physical education basis gives golf authorities have to solve in increasing the pro many ideas he can employ effec- the popularity of public golf and in mak- tively in his private teaching at his club. ing the public course job one to yield a Dr. E. L. Kelley, who made a notable A very good tip from Victor East.—Watch sized that the success of an indoor school the handicap racks and if the scores of a depended on bringing as much of the out- purchaser of new clubs don't improve give doors as possible into the facilities and the club buyer some personal attention and a atmosphere of the place. The reason many few tips as a follow-up service. When the word indoor schools are flops, Charley declared, gets around that a member's score improved is because they lack the first fundamental after the purchase of new clubs, the sale of clubs increases. of neatness and attractiveness in facili- It's the sort of follow-through service, Victor ties and maintenance. points out, that enables the alert pro to offset Tommy Armour in talking on instruc- store competition. tion technique emphasized the importance • of getting the pupil in a receptive and address at the first Purdue clinic, spoke understanding attitude. Considerable in- this time on "Learning Processes." He struction is offset by the customers being told of parallels between golf and flying confused by too much of a load of tech- instruction, and cited some very interest- nicalities and being afraid to ask what it's ing details of government work in im- all about, observed Armour. proving flying instruction technique. Dr. Bob Woodworth, athletic publicity dir- Kelley is coordinator of government flying ector of Purdue, reminded the pros that instruction work. the local sports writers were just as busy He said that a handicap in instruction as pros so if the pros wanted the valuable was talking a language that the pupil free publicity that other business men didn't know. The difficult job of putting would work hard to get, the pro must keep motor skill into words Dr. Kelley illustra- his eyes open for golf news that can be ted by presenting the problem of telling sent into the papers. Wodworth also someone how to walk. He strongly en- urged that pros give attention to the op- dorsed the suggestive procedure on the portunities afforded by sustaining radio "suppose we do this" basis instead of neg- programs in providing valuable publicity. ative policy in instruction. Otto Probst of South Bend, American Dr. Kelley expressed belief that in golf, golf's foremost bibliophile, spoke on the as in flying, one of the primary problems wide variety of golf literature available to was what kind of training should a golfer the pro who wanted to know the complete (or flier) have before he is competent to story of his game. teach. John Vaughn, of the Indianapolis Speed- way Golf Course, said that problems of Use Psychology on Student caddie recruiting and training were certain Prof. A. H. Monroe of Purdue, in telling to be among the highly important duties how the pros could get the most from con- of many pros this year. Unless such prob- ference education opportunities, reminded lems were handled properly the pro in- pros that golf is a tougher instruction come would be adversely effected, Vaughn problem than generally is realized, con- reminded, in outlining details of caddie sequently demands considerable study by training and supervision. the instructor. He suggested that the pupil be petted at the start by beginning Shows Swing's Basic Factors with what the pupil wants, then deftly Victor East closed the clinic program leading in to what the instructor wants with a great lecture on the basic factors done. in the golf swing. East used a table ten- W. A. Bodden of Purdue talked on pro- nis bat, a squash racquet and a golf club shop accounting methods, presenting his from which the front and rear bulges were audience with copies of simple forms that cut away in demonstrating the kinship reduce pro-shop accounting to its element- between sports swings. He suggested an áis. He warned against making pro depart- effective little stunt in impressing the ment accounting too involved, but said pupil with the importance of feel in golf. that the increasing interest of regional He hands a golf ball to the pupil and asks and national government officials in bus- if it feels hard. The pupil almost invari- iness records was going to improve pro ably responds in the affirmative. "Now accounting, or else .... let it fall to the floor," East commands. Charley Jones of Champaign, 111., a pro The ball bounces, of course. "That shows whose indoor winter school operation is you the ball isn't hard, hence application regarded as one of the finest jobs of this of power in the right way instead of brute kind ever done in the country, spoke on force is needed to make that ball travel." indoor practice facilities. Charley empha- Purdue's indoor demonstration by at- Whur e'er ye gang in American «off thur's laddies fra th"1 Cra's Nestie, wee fishin' village on th' North Sea. These six of the small army* of grand professionals Carnoustie supplied to the U. S. participated in the second annual golf clinic at Purdue University. Left to right: Gil Ogilvie, Portland, Ind.; Jimmy Lawson, Country Club of Indianapolis; Allan Lyman, Danville, 111.; George Soutar, Broadmoor Country Club, Indianapolis; Jimmy Anderson, Pine Lake Country Club, Detroit, Mich.; Jim Soutar, Bloomington, Ind. tending pros and the class lesson of Pur- selves as they are, nor believe their own due students was put on in the fieldhouse swings. Somebody "outside" is required which was ideally prepared for such an to do the teaching. People expect too affair. Byron Nelson, Dick Metz, and much from too little instruction in Johnny Revolta gave exhibitions of shot- speech and in golf. Prof. Gilkinson re- making and all pros in attendance collab- ferred to the old style Delsarte elecution orated in the group instruction. teaching as being somewhat similar in Ingleston Opens Minnesota Clinic policy to the old style in golf instruction. After Art Ingleston, Minnesota PGA In making radio contacts Prof. Gilkin- president, formally opened the Minnesota son reminded the pros to have a conver- clinic, Frank McCormick, the noted athletic sational basis of talking to scattered peo- director of the U of M, spoke on the "Golf ple, and to avoid sudden changes of pitch. Professionals' Part in National Defense." In radio and in lesson talking Prof. McCormick brought out that long before Gilkinson advised the pros to vary the the Hitler regime came into power Ger- voice in rate, pitch, quality and intensity. many was rebuilding by a physical de- He warned against teaching by having velopment campaign on its youth and the pupil imitate. That way the pupil adults. Study of American methods pre- misses the fundamentals. ceded this German work and so successful Armour Is 'Hot' was the work done that the physical con- Tommy Armour followed Gilkinson and dition of the German was made consider- gave what the pros present considered the ably superior to that of other nationals. best exposition of instruction policy and The golf pros, said McCormick, in their methods ever presented to a pro group. contact with adults and juniors, are in a GOLFDOM's editor has heard Armour in great spot to impress the physical con- several hundred million words of public ditioning value of golf. There's urgent and private address, and rates The Great need of this, declared McCormick, espe- Armour's talk at Minneapolis the best talk cially as the social rather than the health Tommy every made, as well as one of the values of golf has been stressed. Mr. most valuable addresses ever made on golf McCormick also showed a physical educa- instruction methods. tion picture, "Making the Most of Play- The Armour talk as well as the very time." practical talk Len Mattson made on Pro- Lloyd Boise, trainer of the University Management will be printed in early issues of Minnesota, gave the pros many train- of GOLFDOM. ing and first aid tips. He recommended Horton Smith followed Armour and paid application of tincture of benzoin paint to tribute to the Silver Scot as the most the soles of feet at the start of the season. helpful, friendly pro star Horton ever He said not to puncture blisters but to put played with. Smith urged adoption of cotton and a bandaid over the blister until Armour's recommendation of more pro it breaks, then apply a disinfectant. He meetings to discuss instruction. didn't endorse cold showers but suggested Smith advised 45 minute lesson period warm showers, cooling to room tempera- on the hour, leaving 15 minutes open for ture. sales time, attending to shop details and Howard Gilkinson of the U of M told a breather. of the similarity of teaching speech and Willie Kidd, widely regarded as the teaching golf. People don't hear them- master of shop operations, spoke on shop service. He gave the boys many valuable a dignity and self-respect and a genuine pointers in caring for clubs and bags so interest in their members. This heritage the member would see real returns from that the younger pros are preserving as- club-cleaning and storage charges. Willie sures a bright future for pro golf, said said that many sales are lost by pros not Mr. Ridder. knowing their shop merchandise. "If you Al Wold and Mel Larson, Twin City golf know what you're talking about, stores writers, in telling pros how to get more can talk their heads off trying to out-sell publicity, reminded the pros that it was you," Willie said. difficult to cover all the clubs in a large Phil Brain of the U of M, in talking on area so the pros should telephone or write "Use of Photography in Golf," recom- their news into the papers, paying special mended that a lens be used allowing a pic- attention to opportunities for dramatizing ture to be taken far enough away so the the average golfer who sometimes per- pupil won't be bothered. He told the boys forms a freak feat. There are occasions they'd save film by having a practice when breaking 100 is legitimate news, swing taken to see that all the swing is in Wold and Larson agreed. the picture, before shooting film. Trend Toward General Management Paul Coates gave a practical talk on architecture showing how to make ar- Herb Graffis, GOLFDOM's editor, in rangement of holes to provide interesting speaking on "The Future of Golf," said variety. He presented the design princi- that pros who are smart enough to make ples of greens for various lengths of holes. a living in a six-month business with lim- He also discussed drainage and watering ited membership and not too much of a factors and the trapping of holes to give mark-up on merchandise were smart low- and high handicap players both plea- enough to adjust themselves to changing surable and fair testing rounds. social and economic conditions that are affecting golf. He mentioned the trend Victor East gave virtually the same ad- toward general management of golf clubs dress at Minnesota that he gave at Purdue and recommended that pros qualify them- and it scored strongly with the pros. He selves for broader responsibilities. gave them many club design factors that tipped off the boys on how to outsell stores A golf demonstration and group lesson by superior knowledge of club engineering was held for U of M students in the principles. varsity fieldhouse following the last ses- sion of the clinic. Recommends Standard Accounting Forms The St. Paul Open committee was host Herb Miller of the University of Min- at a polite pouring preliminary to the nesota spoke on accounting. He recom- concluding banquet. Horton Smith and mended use of standard forms. He gave Tommy Armour were presented with hon- the boys samples of a profit and loss state- orary memberships in Golden Valley at the ment that would give the pro an accurate banquet. Armour, Smith and Tom Walsh, and simple picture of where pro business PGA president, as well as numerous others stood at any time. spoke at the banquet at which the lads One of the addresses that golf instruc- let down their hair and relaxed. tion in the future will rate as historic was that made by Dr. John Anderson of the Perfect Teamwork Here—Approximate- U of M on "Psychology of Motor Skills." ly 100 Chicago district greenkeepers Dr. Anderson, one of the country's leading gathered at Tam O'Shanter CC, on the authorities on motor skill teaching and re- night of April 23rd under the auspices of search, talked on principles of golf in- the Mid West Greenkeepers Association struction. Older pros such as Norman and staged an all star display of teamwork. Clark, Willie Kidd, Jock Hendry, Bill Bar- These were generally conceded to be the rett and other veterans in the Minnesota world's finest group of greenkeepers. Con- area joined with the younger men in pro- ceded by whom ? By their wives and nouncing the Anderson talk opening a new sweethearts, of course, who helped them phase in golf instruction. show what real teamwork looks like when Bernard Ridder, publisher of the St. the dance music started. Graham Gar- Paul Dispatch and a veteran and widely- diner, Mid West prexy, and his associates known amateur, in telling "What a Club put on a great party. George May, Tarn's Expects from Its Pro," lauded the "ama- president, did honors for the host club teur" spirit in pros and paid high tribute which, Sept. 4-7, will stage the biggest to the older professionals who maintained money golf event of 1941.