YOUR CAMPAIGN to restore golf to its traditions as a walking game ("Through the Green," May) is welcomed by many. Over the last several years, and with a variety of reasons, our city talked itself into a mandatory golf cart policy. Even citizens whose taxes paid for course improvements were limited when they could play golf as the Scots intended.

Thankfully, the restrictions were dropped this year. Our park's mission statement now calls for "quality golf recreation." Walking has been restored for all hours and patrons can fully appreciate the enjoyment of the game. Carts are available for those who cannot or choose not to walk. No longer are carts used as the reason to restrict golfers who wish to walk.

The USGA and Golf Digest's campaign has brought greater clout and credibility to stop a trend detrimental to the game. It is helpful to see that keeping golf as a walking game is an issue of the sport itself and not a local preference.

Thank you for protecting the pleasures of the game.

ALAN P. HINDS

President

Noblesville City Council

Noblesville, Ind.

BECAUSE I feel very strongly that the game is meant to be walked, the article that accompanied the bright yellow tag was read first and with great interest.

The statement made by Mr. Fay, that the most enjoyable way to play is to walk and that the use of a cart is detrimental to the game, echoes my sentiments. It is highly rewarding to find that I am a member of an organization that mirrors my feelings on the true way the game is to be played.

Recently, I made a starting time at a local public course for a Friday morning, only to find that it had changed its walking policy to carts-only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Even though I enjoy playing this course immensely, I informed them that I would no longer play there and would urge my friends, who also enjoy golf as a walking game, to boycott the course until the policy is changed.

If more Members of the USGA take the oath and become Walking Members, maybe the carts-only courses will take notice and realize there are more of us than they think. It may just hit them where it really counts -- in their wallets.

ANTHONY J. JANDORA

Trinity, Ala.

THREE CHEERS! You have now gone to print with one of the most significant steps the Association could be taking, to further golf as it should be played.

I have sent in my signed Walking Member Declaration and can't wait for my tag to be placed on my bag next to my regular tag.

I cheer for you because, over the last decade or so, the golf media have praised all the wonderful works of the course architects. But check out how many of these marvels were designed with walking in mind.

Fortunately, I am seeing more and more emphasis placed on the return to the way the game was meant to be played -- by walking.

OMAR V. GREENE JR.

Boca Raton, Fla.

A COURSE in California that my wife and I traveled to by air recently didn't even offer pull-carts to rent. We had planned to walk, but were then forced to cry "uncle" and rent a cart. In regard to your effort, the USGA should encourage courses to have pull-carts available.

STEVE NIEMAN

Brush Prairie, Wash.

. . . BUT NOT ALWAYS . . .

WHILE David B. Fay may decry the use of carts and the USGA may endorse walking, one has to consider the changes that have occurred in course design.

Sixty years ago, the course at which I caddied had greens and tees adjacent to one another. This was true in the following years, but as the popularity of the game grew and more and more courses were built, greens and tees were moved further apart, requiring a journey of 100 yards in many instances. Paths disappeared into woods, crossing other paths marking the route of whichever nine you're playing. Pretty? Yes. But not necessarily conducive to walking.

Another factor is heat. Here in the South, temperatures and humidities in the 90s, plus frequent thunderstorms, dictate a cart for comfort and safety.

While my friends and I prefer walking, the course and the season often dictate otherwise.

DAVID FORD

Fort Myers, Fla.

I AM A third-generation owner/operator of an 18-hole public course in the competitive Chicago market. I have watched the advent of the motorized cart over the past 40 years. During my grandfather's era, there were no carts available. During my father's time, the emergence of the motorized cart permitted golfers with a physical condition to continue their enjoyment of the game. Today, with my continuance, the success and survival of my course depends on the revenue generated by cart sales.

Customers who ask are informed that our policy of requiring a cart fee at specific times of the week is simply economics. They may pay the cart fee and still walk. I do not pretend that cart usage speeds play. I stood by and watched as many of our competitors succeeded with a cart requirement policy for several years. As a result, they had additional money for course improvements. I finally joined the club.

My decision is grounded in economic reality. They are no myths regarding the use of carts. I simply cannot afford to give up the subsidy that cart revenue provides. It is my answer to balancing a course maintenance budget that has increased dramatically over three generations of administration.

I think the USGA Walking Member Declaration is shortsighted and insulting to owner/operators who take pride in maintaining their facility. Perhaps a call to return to the game's traditional nature should include a return to the hickory shaft and feather ball as well.

JEFF HUSEMAN

Huntley, Ill.

. . . AND ABOUT THOSE FEES

ESPECIALLY interesting was your comment that walking has become an option at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort and Country Club on Courses 1, 3, 4 and 5.

Walking at Pinehurst was implemented in March 1995 and, as stated, is popular. However, beginning the first part of May, Pinehurst is charging $12 a round to walk.

I wonder how many golfers will continue to walk at Pinehurst.

MRS. JACK A. NEELY

Pinehurst, N.C.

Don Padgett, director of golf at Pinehurst, responds: Pinehurst is proud of its support for golf as it should be played, which we agree is by walking. As a country club with 1,800 members (or about 3,000-plus persons) and a resort, it is not easy to have policies which fit everyone. This charge is an attempt to make walking available to all without a loss of the revenue that enables us to maintain our fine facilities. A walking club, for which there is no charge, is available for those members desiring to play in the late afternoon. In addition, 11,000 rounds were played with caddies in 1994.

DON'T FORGET THE SUNNEHANNA

THERE can be no debate concerning Dick Siderowf being a great amateur. The "Siderowf File" in the May issue contains many impressive accomplishments but omits his 1961 victory in the Sunnehanna Amateur, which included top-10 finishes by Homero Blancas, Dale Morey and Dick Crawford. Moreover, Dick Siderowf compiled an impressive record in the Sunnehanna Amateur with five top-10 finishes from 1960 to 1989.

GEORGE P. WOLFE

Johnstown, Pa.

HOORAY FOR PACIFIC GROVE

YOUR MAY ISSUE was excellent. In addition to an unusually large number of articles of great interest to me, the photography included is outstanding. The photographs of the Shinnecock and Newport courses were especially good in showing that a great course does not have to be overwatered so that every inch of the course is green.

I was delighted to see that you highlighted the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course. I have only played the course once, but I enjoyed it immensely. It is probably the only course in the Monterey area that one can play for much less than $50.

I think it is important that the USGA recognize the many fine courses that are open to all golfers and USGA Members.

DAVID TEPPER

San Francisco, Calif.