The full story is interesting; apparently in the depths of his struggles with alcohol, Alice recognised that he had an 'addictive personality', and would always tend to follow particular paths to excess. He simply transferred his alcohol addiction to something less harmful.
To the originator; 'Scratch golfer' means very good amateur, not someone who is good enough to be a pro.
Tim (who no longer plays golf, but is still a folkie, sort of)