ILLUSTRATIONS

PLATE FACE PAGE
[George Duncan]Frontispiece
I.[Harry Vardon's grip]16
II.[Harry Vardon. Stance and frontal address in short put]38
III.[Harry Vardon at the top of his swing]60
IV.[Harry Vardon at the top of his swing in the drive]82
V.[J. H. Taylor at the top of his swing in the drive]104
VI.[Harry Vardon. The finish of his drive]124
VII.[Harry Vardon. The finish of the drive]146
VIII.[Edward Ray. Finish of drive]168
IX.[James Braid. Finish of stroke]190
X.[Harry Vardon. Finish of a drive]212
XI.[James Braid. Finish of drive]234
XII.[George Duncan. A characteristic finish]256
XIII.[J. Sherlock. Stance and address for iron-shot]278
XIV.[J. Sherlock. Top of swing in iron-shot]304
XV.[J. Sherlock. Finish of iron-shot]330

CHAPTER I

THE SOUL OF GOLF

Nearly every one who writes about a game essays to prove that it is similar to "the great game, the game of life." Golf has not escaped; and numberless scribes in endeavouring to account for the fascination of golf have used the old threadbare tale. As a matter of fact, golf is about as unlike the game of life as any game could well be. As played now it has come to be almost an exact science, and everybody knows exactly what one is trying to do. This would not be mistaken for a description of the game of life. In that game a man may be hopelessly "off the line," buried "in the rough," or badly "bunkered," and nobody be the wiser. It is not so in golf. There is no double life here. All is open, and every one knows what the player is striving for. The least deflection from his line, and the onlooker knows he did not mean it. It is seen instantly. In that other game it may remain unseen for years, for ever.