This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI THE LAWS OF GOLF The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews are generally recognised to be the lawgivers of the game, and the St. Andrews Rules are invariably adopted by other clubs. It is somewhat unfortunate, however, that the rules which they have framed are not sufficiently comprehensive, nor are they apparently intended to be applicable to all links on which golf is played; and it would almost seem as if they were drawn up with reference to St. Andrews Links alone. The result of this is, that while these rules are adopted by other clubs, they frequently require modification to suit local requirements, and it cannot therefore be said that the code of laws as it stands is always of general application. The only other club which has framed a set of rules for itself is the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club; but I am not aware that their rules are adopted by another club in preference to the St. Andrews code, and such a proceeding would in Scotland be deemed little short of sacrilege. As a matter of fact, while both codes have their good and bad points, I recommend the adoption of the St. Andrews Rules, subject to such addi 214 tional local rules as may be necessary. This on the ground that they are invariably accepted, and it is desirable that all clubs should, as far as practicable, play under the same Rules. The Wimbledon Rules, however, will be found printed after the St. Andrews Rules, so that the two codes can easily be compared. A table showing the points of difference between them is also given. One can hardly take up a sporting newspaper which devotes a column to golf without being astonished by seeing the number of inquiries on the subject of the rules; and with the view of making them more easily understood by those who...