Changes in equipment and rules

Golfers have always searched for higher-tech clubs that will help to hit the ball farther and straighter. Golf clubs have an interesting history.

For many years they were wooden hickory clubs but by 1925 there was a change to steel-shafted clubs.

This change had not been ratified by the Royal and Ancient Club of  St. Andrews, the governing body of golf in the Commonwealth, although it was strongly favoured by the Canadian Golf Association.

In May 1925 a decision had to be made regarding this matter. In that month a Canada-wide tournament was being held under the auspices of the RCGA. The rumours were that the Royal and Ancient could not change its rules just for Canada. Would the winner be disqualified if he used steel-shafted clubs?  With a reputation of being the most liberal and broad-minded sporting organization in the world, the Royal and Ancient permitted the use of steel-shafted clubs as of May 20, 1925.  The old golf clubs had names such as niblick and mashie, later replaced by numbers, still used today.

The same year saw changes in the rules of the Canadian Open. Formerly, there were no cuts and all entrants played the entire tournament. These changes saw the tournament lasting three days -18 holes the first and second days, then a cut to those players within 20 strokes of the leader. This eliminated many difficulties arising from larger fields.

In January, 1931, a new lighter and larger ball went into use in the United States. After 5 years of testing the improved ball was 1.68 inches and 1.55 ounces in weight compared to that day's standards of 1.62 inches in diameter and 1.62 ounces in weight. The new ball was said to be easier to hit and far easier to putt and would eventually be in common use.

Marion Dunn