The alternative mode of playing approaches is 'off' the left leg.' The best exponent of this style is Mr. Laidlay, and the illustration (Fig. 35) and diagram (Fig. 36) represent that gentleman's position. In this case the weight of the body is thrown upon the left leg, and the club is held toward the player's left side. Mr. Laidlay prefers to play approaches with an iron that has not a great deal of loft on it, thus getting a comparatively low shot, and allowing the ball to finish with a run after the pitch; but for lofted approaches he invariably uses a mashie.

Fig. 33. Cutting The Feet From It - The Top Of The Swing..

Fig. 34. - Cutting The Feet From It - The End Of The Swing.

Fig. 35. The Approach Of The Left Leg Mr, Laidlay Addressing The Ball.

Fig. 30. - The Approach - Diagram Of Mr. Laidlay's Position.

Mr. Laidlay believes strongly in what he terms "shoulder shots," which arc similar to the stroke mentioned at page 110. lie considers that they arc most useful and deadly, especially in a wind, and his opinion on this matter is of great weight. By these shots a long distance can bo got out of a cleek or iron without taking a full swing, and hence they are very useful to men who begin golf when up in years.

Every one will easily understand what has already been pointed out, that approach strokes must vary considerably in length, depending upon distance from the putting-green. With regard to long approaches there cannot be much difficulty, because one is tied down to the club that will drive the ball the distance; but in shorter approaches one has a choice of clubs at his command, and on this subject I should like to say a few words. First and foremost, I should not in any case, save for long approaches, recommend the use of a spoon. In former days the baffy was used almost exclusively for all approaches; but why? because it was the only suitable club at the command of golfers in those days. Now that we have clocks and irons the baffy has disappeared almost entirely. I do not know any present-day golfer of note who uses it regularly. The reason for this principally lies in the fact that more control over the ball is obtained with an iron club. Further, I think that the nearer the ball can be kept to the ground in playing short approaches, the more precision can be obtained. Hence it is better to skiff up a ball with a clock than to pitch it with an iron. Nay, more, if a putter can bo used, don't use a clock. I am old enough to remember Bob Ferguson of Musselburgh in his best days, and the marvellous precision with which he used to run up his approaches with a putter; and even before Bob Ferguson's day, I remember my father playing the same strokes in the same way, and with the same precision. Using their putters did not spoil either of these golfers in his iron play. Bob Ferguson's iron play at North Berwick, where he used to pitch up balls when he could not run them with his putter, is still fresh in the memory of many. I quote the play of these golfers to show that I am not advocating a theory which has not been tested and proved sound.

Regard must always be had to the nature of the ground between the place where the ball lies and the hole, and upon that will depend the club to be used. If a putter be used, the ball will not, of course, rise at all, but will roll along the ground; if a cleek be used, the ball will rise but a few feet, depending upon the length and consequent strength of the stroke, and will roll a good bit after the pitch is exhausted; while, using the iron, the stroke will be pitched up to the green and roll a comparatively short distance. On a hard green, running up will be found most successful, because it is difficult to pitch a ball dead off an iron, and should it happen to alight on any irregularity it may shoot forward or may bound off in any direction; hence the superiority of running up, because there is much more forward motion on the ball, and it will not, if it hit some irregularity, be deflected to such an extent as if pitched. There is also this advantage, that, the straighter the face of the club, the less is a ball affected when not quite accurately struck, and it is easier to judge the distance - that is to say, an error in calculating the strength tells less against the stroke.

The more pitch there is on a club the less striking surface is presented to the ball, and the more is any mistake magnified. The diagram (Fig. 37) will show more clearly what I mean. A and B represent blades of equal depth of two iron clubs, A having very little pitch and B a good deal. Now, while almost the entire surface of A is perpendicular and available for hitting the ball, in the case of B - owing to the pitch - the perpendicular height of the blade when in position for play is reduced to about two-thirds of that of A. This is what makes it difficult to use irons with a great amount of loft.

Fig. 37. - The Effect Of Pitch On Iron Clubs.

The iron is undoubtedly the best all-round club for playing approaches, and where the ball requires to be lofted, it, or a similar club, must be used; but this fact does not detract from what I have said above.

On courses where the ground is soft, and possibly the putting-greens are surrounded with rough grass, it is not possible to play cleek or putter approaches - the ball will not run; and in these cases it must be pitched on to the green. On such greens, however, owing to their soft nature, the ball can generally be so played to advantage, and the golfer attempting to use his cleek or putter will be at a corresponding disadvantage owing to the ball catching in the soft ground.

In all approach play remember the motto, 'Be up,' unless there is some good reason to the contrary. It is quite possible, and indeed frequently happens, that an approach may be holed out; but unless it is up, this can never occur.

A golfer should always keep in mind his own strength or weakness, and should never allow false pride to interfere with his play. There is no disgrace, and often not even implied inferiority, in not being able to play so loner a cleek shot or so long an iron shot as another man, and he should select the club he is to use in approaching entirely irrespective of the club his opponent or any other player may use. One player may take a half cleek or an iron shot, where another will require a full cleek shot; but the latter should not allow this to deter him from taking a full cleek shot.

There is a great temptation to emulate the play of a stronger opponent.

For short approaches a mashie may be used; but it is more difficult to handle than an iron, owing to the smaller size of the head and the amount of pitch.

I do not wish to say anything that can be construed into advocating divots being cut out of links in play, but I believe that it helps to steady an approach, especially when the ball is to be pitched, if a little turf is taken with the stroke. Do not dig deep into the ground, but just take the surface off the turf. It ensures getting under the ball, and lessens the danger of pulling or slicing; but, above all things, see that the turf cut is replaced and firmly trodden down.