THE QUESTION: Is gambling in golf good or bad?

THE DUKE OF WINDSOR
Friendly betting adds interest to golf, but outright gambling is bad for the game. I never play for more than $5 a side. That is enough of a wager and it gives us the chance to jolly each other about our bad shots. Very often, my side bet is $2, and nothing at all when I'm playing too badly.

REAR ADMIRAL ROBERT PIRIE, U.S.N.
Commander, Carrier Division Six
Gambling, of course, adds an element of interest to golf, but no one should gamble for more than he can afford to lose with good grace. In other words, betting should not spoil the sport and fun that makes golf the great game it is. When that happens, gambling loses what little virtue it has.

ROBERT S. MILLER
Portland, Ore. Attorney
Bad. Golf should be played for fun and social contacts, sportsmanship and friendship. This spring I traveled 3,000 miles from Oregon for the fun of playing, as an amateur, with the top pros in the Sam Snead Festival at Greenbrier. If it were not for the fun, I wouldn't waste the green fees.

WALTER J. TUOHY
President, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad
Gambling is extremely bad for golf to the extent it goes in the Calcuttas. These Calcuttas have already done a lot of harm, and they will bring additional disrepute to the game if they are allowed to continue. I bet a dollar Nassau or two. I enjoy winning a friendly bet like that.

E. TRUMAN WRIGHT
Vice-president, Greenbrier Hotel
Bad. Gambling potentially can do golf greater harm than anything else. I'm referring specifically to gambling like that in Calcuttas, for prizes that run into the thousands. A side bet of a couple of dollars for fun is O.K., but large side bets can cause a lot of bad feeling.

JOCK McLEAN
Oil operator and international society and sports figure
I certainly wouldn't call it bad unless dishonesty is involved, as there was in a Calcutta a short time ago. It's up to every individual. To me, it's neither good nor bad. If I want to bet someone $8 million or $8, that's my business and his business. There's nothing ideologically bad about it.

RAYMOND E. SALVATI
President, Island Creek Coal Co.
Prior to the scandals, I thought controlled gambling was wonderful. Now I feel that Calcuttas should be banned. What happened before can happen again, for $50,000 in gambling prizes is a great temptation. In a group, a $20 side bet starts a lot of ribbing and adds to the fun.

PAUL M. BUTLER
Chairman, Democratic National Committee
Bad. Golf is a grand sport for the millions of devotees. It should not be fouled up by gambling. Small side bets among friends for fun are fine, but heavy betting is harmful. Golf should be for relaxation. How can a man who wants to get away from his problems relax if he has a large bet on the game?

DEL RENTZEL
Chairman, Slick Airways, ex-Chairman, Civil Aeronautics Board
There has to be some degree of gambling in golf for added interest. Whether it's good or bad depends on the scale. In a friendly game, gambling is wonderful. However, I'm glad to see the Calcutta on the way out. It became an outright gambling device and was not good for the game.

JAMES M. SYMES
President, Pennsylvania Railroad
Golf wouldn't be any fun without a little gambling between the amateurs playing for fun. When there is good sportsmanship among a group, gambling adds to the game. However, it should be absolutely barred among the pros. Professional gambling can ruin any sport, even golf.

ELEVEN PHOTOS