Fig. 38. Putting - Addressing The Ball.

The stance differs slightly from that for either driving or approaching. It is shown by the illustration, Fig. 38, and the diagram, Fig. 39. Here, as in the former case, b represents the place of the ball, and aa the line of play. It will be seen that the feet are placed much closer together, that the ball is nearer the right foot and also nearer the player, that the right foot is placed considerably in advance of the left, and that the knees are more bent. In this position, which is the one usually adopted, the weight of the body, while supported on both legs, is mainly borne by the right leg.

Off the left leg may now be regarded as a recognised position for putting. It is sometimes adopted by players who drive and approach off the right leg; and while I do not recommend that different styles should be cultivated by the same person for different parts of the game, varying the attitude does less harm in putting than in anything else. "We constantly see the best players altering their stance from time to time, and putting equally well from all positions: in the short game there is the greatest scope for golfers humouring a passing fancy, provided a stiff and cramped attitude is not acquired. Mr. Laidlay is again our authority, and an illustration (Fig. 40) and a diagram (Fig. 41) of his position are given. As in approaching, the body is thrown over to the left and the weight rested on that leg. A few years back Mr. Laidlay's position was different, but always ' off the left leg.' He stood with the ball almost opposite the toe of his left foot, and placed the right foot behind the line of the left, and not in front as above shown. I may remark, however, that his putting has not suffered from the change; it is still of the same characteristic deadli-ness as formerly.

Fig. 39. - Putting - Diagram Of Pos1tion'.

Fig 40. - Putting, Off The Left Leg - Mr. L.AIDI.AY Addressing The Ball..

There are two methods of putting in vogue: the one is putting for the hole itself, and the other is putting over a line to the hole. Holing a long putt is a matter of secondary consideration; the proper play is to endeavour to lay the ball near the hole - to 'lay it dead,' in golfing language, - with the view of making certain of getting it down with the next stroke. This is subject to the remarks to be hereafter made. On the other hand, all short putts ought to be holed, and a proportion, varying according to their distance, of putts of average length ought also to be holed. For all putts the proper way is undoubtedly to play over a line to the hole. In explanation of this, it may be stated that, in the intervening ground between the hole and the ball, there must be a spot over which the ball will pass in its course to the hole. This spot, which shows the line to the hole, having been ascertained, all that is required to be done is to play over it with the requisite strength to reach the hole. It is not permissible (see Rule 33) to place any mark or to draw any line as a guide; but even on the smoothest and best kept greens it is always possible to notice a blade of grass, or something of this nature, which will serve as a guide. Such a mark should be selected comparatively near the ball, because if it be far away one may as well not have it, but play directly on the hole: it is intended as an aid. There need not be any hard and fast rule which the player must observe in taking the line to the hole: but it will be found that the best way is either to stand behind the ball and look over it towards the hole, or to stand at the other side of the hole and look over it towards the ball. I prefer the latter mode. Standing in this position, it will not be difficult, after some little experience, to see the imaginary line which the ball must trace on its road to the hole; and somewhere in this imaginary line, near the ball, a spot or mark such as I have spoken of before should be selected. Keeping the spot in view, the ball should be played over it with sufficient strength to reach the hole. Upon the strength may depend the proper line to the hole, as, if the putt is 'bolted,' the line will be straighter and more direct than if it is 'dribbled'

Fig. 41. - Putting - Diagram Of Mr. Laidlays Position.

There will of course be great diversity in the nature of the ground to be traversed in the putts, and allowance must always be made for any irregularity or obstruction which lies in the way. A slight cup in the green may turn the ball off, or a ridge may make it impossible to get the ball down. In some cases the green may be found to lie on an incline or slope, the putt requiring to be played across. In such cases the line of putt will not be straight - as on level ground, - because when the ball is played forward it will at the same time roll down the slope; hence it is necessary to play up the slope a sufficient distance to counteract the falling off, or, in technical language, it is necessary to ' borrow.' The line will be a curve, the curve beginning at the ball and ending at the hole. Having selected the spot to be played over, and estimated the strength required to reach the hole, the face of the putter should be adjusted accordingly and the putt played. It is usual to rest the club in front of the ball for an instant just before playing, and it is now settled that doing so is not a contravention of Rule 34; the practice is, I think, a help to good putting. It is, however, very much a matter of taste and opinion. If the putt be difficult, or if it be an important one, it is worth while to take some trouble with it. It may be an advantage to study the line both from the hole to the ball and vice versa, so as to ensure accuracy. At the same time it must be remembered that the line from each point of view will not necessarily be the same, and both may be correct, as there may be, and very often is, more than one road to the hole. Where both views give the same line, there can be no difficulty; but where each shows a different line, the player must exercise his own judgment as to which he will take. As I have said before, I invariably adopt the line seen by looking from the hole to the ball.