One for the Yipper

On Japan.Relaxing in a bath, watching Mt.Fuji change color, no one believes more fervently than a Japanese that a bad day on the course is far better than a good day at the office.

On golf and marriage. Golf should never be a battleground any more than a passion for flying kites, stamp collecting or chasing butterflies should threaten an otherwise successful union. When we love each, other we find ways to make each other happy. We learn to compromise, and instead of playing two rounds over the week-end, we settle for twenty seven holes on Saturday, and maybe a quick nine on Sunday when no one is looking.

On the yips. Mentioning this misfortune to golfing grandsons, they thought the yips was just another disagreeable stomach ailment suffered by senior citizens and wished me a speedy recovery, while others, with a deeper knowledge of the game, refused to discuss it as they feared the dreaded disease was contagious.

On fathers and sons. Fathers like to see their offspring in their own image. If Dad has been a keen baseball player, the new arrival will have a mitt on his hand before his eyes are open; the fisherman expects his son to be looking for worms as soon as he can crawl; and there are few driveways in the United States without a basketball net so Dad and junior can shoot hoops while Mom makes dinner. My first son was presented with a putter sized for a four year old.