THE "ADDRESS."
Having determined, then, that the stroke shall lie a swing and not a jerk nor a hit, the first thing is to take up our position to the ball, technically called "addressing" it. Clubs are all about the same length, but they may vary in their "lie" or in the angle made by the club head and the shaft. Generally speaking, a tall player will need a more upright club than his shorter brother, in order that the sole of the club head may rest flatly on the ground.
It is a rough-and-ready rule that when the club is placed with its heel behind the ball the end of the handle should just touch the left knee of the player standing upright. Other authorities say that the club should be grounded with its centre and not its heel opposite to the ball. As a matter of fact, the difference of the inch involved amounts to nothing. You want to be far enough away to get in all the power of your swing and yet keep steady on your feet. No one can measure that distance for you; you must accustom yourself to take it without thinking about it.
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.
BEGINNING OF FULL SWING.
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.