It is of the first importance that a golfer should have a good style of play, these words being here used as including grip of club, stance, and swing. One frequently hears it said, 'What does my style signify provided I can play a good game? To this I would reply. 'In the majority of cases it is hardly possible to play a good game unless you have a good style. It is also said that if the best golfers be closely watched no two of them have the same style, and which among all these styles is the correct one? My answer to this is that there are few crack players who have not a good style, and that although there may be, and undoubtedly are, many whose styles are different in detail, they are fundamentally the same - they are all modelled on the recognised lines. There are, however, among the followers of every game men whose play can hardly bo excelled, and who yet violate the canons of style. Such players have been termed geniuses, and a few are to be found among the ranks of golfers: but [ would further say that these are the exceptions that prove the rule. The imitators of geniuses seldom attain to any perfection, and generally find it difficult to reach mediocrity. For geniuses no rules can be laid down - their success justifies their play, but only their success. Failure would heap on their heads deserved ridicule.

I would recommend all golfers to model their styles upon the recognised lines that have stood the test of decades of play at the hands of the best amateurs and professionals. If any one finds himself to be a genius, he can easily carve out his own peculiar style, and will be none the Averse, but probably much the better, for having begun upon the orthodox lines.

The first detail is the grip of the club, and it is a matter of considerable importance, as upon it depends to some extent the swing. Very many players who study the swing entirely neglect to see that their hands arc in the right position, and consequently their styles can never be good. With the view of showing the proper grip, I propose to describe it somewhat minutely. The illustrations will show that it is really the grasp any one would naturally take. Let the club be placed horizontally, the handle being towards the player: then let him place his hands alongside of it, as shown in Fig. 4. All he has then to do is to close his fingers round the handle without moving his arms, and he has the correct grip. The handle should not lie across the palms of the hands, but across the roots of the fingers, and it is the fingers that should hold the club. Fig. 5 shows the second stage, viz. the club held in the fingers, and Fig. 6 shows the complete grip. The thumbs should neither be wound round the shaft, as shown in Fig. 7, nor should they lie along it, as shown in Fig. 8, but should cross it obliquely, and touch the point of the fingers, as already illustrated in Fig. 6. Of the grips shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the last is by far the more objectionable of the two, because the position of the thumbs in that case prevents the club being properly swung round the shoulders. At the same time I must slate, in fairness to a number of first-class players, that although this grip (Fig. 8) is never adopted by any of them for driving, it is sometimes used in playing half shots and in putting. The grip shown in Fig. 7 is frequently adopted by cricketers who take up golfing; but I consider that in the majority of cases it docs not give the player such a complete command over his club as the grip shown in Fig. 6. Although I do not advocate its adoption, it is, however, a grip that I cannot absolutely condemn; but for approaching and putting it is less delicate than the recognised grip. With regard to what I. have just slated as to players using different grips for driving and for the short game, I hardly think it is advisable to follow that practice. Golfers must please themselves; but the opinion I hold, and which AT follow out in practice, is to simplify the game as much as possible; and if one style of grip is sufficient and equally good for all parts of the game, why have two? I therefore unhesitatingly recommend the recognised grip (Fig. 6) as that most suitable for driving, approaching, and putting. The hands should be close together, touching each other. There should not be a space between them. As a general rule it may be laid down that the fingers of both hands should grasp the club firmly, but those of the left should have the firmer hold: the theory is that the left hand holds the club while the right guides it. This rule is, however, subject to certain exceptions, as will hereafter be pointed out. The club should not be held too tightly, as this wearies the hands and wrists without any benefit being derived therefrom. If it be held sufficiently firmly to prevent its slipping or turning, this is all that is required; holding any tighter is a mistake, and a useless expenditure of force.

Fig. 4 - The Crip - First Stage.

Fig. 5. - The Grip - Second Stage.

Fig. 6 - The Grip - Complete.

Fig. 7- - A Grip Not Recommended.

Fig. 8. - A Grip Not Recommended.

Fig. 9. The Grip - Position Of Hands At Top Of Swing (Front View).