As for the position of the ball, it should be just in advance of the
imaginary line drawn from the left eye over the hands and down the shaft
to the face of the club head. In other words, let left eye, hands, club
shaft, and the striking face of the head be in the same plane, with the
ball a quarter of an inch in front. This, again, should be arrived at
instinctively. If you try to measure it by a foot-rule you will be
wrong.
The proper position of the feet, or the "stance," is a question about
which the doctors disagree. According to one authority, you should stand
squarely opposite the ball, with both feet equally distant from the line
of fire. Another teacher advises that the right foot should be slightly
advanced in the old or "open" style. According to the modern school, the
right foot should be drawn _back_ two or three inches. Which is right?
As a matter of fact, good golf is possible in all three styles, but it
is generally acknowledged that the last-named position is the most
commanding of the three, and it is the one generally adopted by the
modern school and the majority of professionals. But it should not be
exaggerated, or the power will be gained at the expense of accuracy. The
most important thing is that the "stance" should be absolutely firm. The
"straddle" should be taken naturally, with the feet neither too far
apart nor too close together.
The proper grip was illustrated in last week's paper. It is not the
natural position for the hands _when at rest_, but experience has
decided that it is the best for the swing. In particular the left hand
should be well over the club, or freedom of motion is impossible. Get
your grip by grasping the club as though you were about to strike a blow
straight down upon an anvil, and then swing gently two or three times
directly over the ball, describing a flourish that shall resemble an
elongated eight. This is called the "waggle," and its purpose is to
assist the hands to settle into position. Finally ground the club close
behind the ball for an instant, and then swing back for the real
business of the stroke. About an inch of the shaft should be left above
the grip to give greater command over the club. The thumb may lie along
the shaft or be wrapped around it, or one thumb may be around and the
other along the handle. In any case the grip of the left hand must be
absolutely firm and close so that there may be no possibility of the
club turning at the moment of impact. The right hand may be
comparatively loose, but, generally speaking, that hand will take care
of itself. Finally, keep the left wrist as taut as possible, and
remember that every inch that separates your hands on the shaft takes
off yards from the length of the drive. Let the arms be naturally bent,
and keep your hands low. The end of the shaft should point well below
the waistcoat.
[Illustration: BEGINNING OF FULL SWING.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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