Aside from emphasizing the importance of having the eyes above the ball, there is not a great deal that need be said about the stance while putting. A great deal of latitude is allowed for each person's physical and mental peculiarities. I might say that this latitude is allowed by necessity because the players take it anyway. Nowhere in the game of golf are so many mannerisms exhibited as on the green, but so long as they are harmless it is no use trying to correct them. It is, after all, the results that count, and if players differ somewhat as to their methods it is of no consequence so long as good results are obtained. However, there are certain "don'ts" that must be observed by any player who seriously wishes to be a good putter. They may be briefly stated: don't cramp yourself; don't sway the body; don't move the head; don't tap or shove; don't forget to follow through; don't take your eye off the ball. If the array of don'ts is carefully observed, the exact position of the feet and body is not of importance.

I believe, of course, that there is a "best way" to stand as there is generally one best way for doing anything, but because it is most expedient for the majority does not mean that it must be followed by all individuals. It is well to notice, however, that the greater number of good players stand with feet far enough apart to give a firm base, the left foot a little farther from the line to the hole than the right, and pointing somewhat toward the hole. This is a fairly open stance and gives the player ease and freedom of movement. The ball should be a little nearer the left foot than the right in order to avoid the possibility of striking down upon it.

While speaking of the position of the body to be adopted for putting, it may be well to add a suggestion that applies not only here but to all the strokes of the game and that is the fact that it is well at all times to keep the line of the shoulders almost parallel to the line in which the ball is to travel. Each arm has a tendency to act as a check or pull on the other, and, if the shoulders are out of parallel, the inclination of the player will be to pull the club in across the ball when the left shoulder is too far back, and to thrust it out across the ball when the left shoulder is too far advanced. In order to overcome the difficulties that arise from playing with two hands supported from points approximately eighteen inches apart, some players advocate using the left hand as the master hand, others advocate using the right. The fact remains, nevertheless, that we have two hands to use and that we use them both in playing golf. It seems much more reasonable to use them together as nearly as possible as one, so that we may have the advantage of the double strength where strength is needed, and a nicely adjusted balance where delicacy is needed, than to abandon at least part of the usefulness of one or the other.