I have hardly seen a course in America where back spin is a positive necessity. On the straightforward courses like that of the Chicago Golf Club it is possible to approach almost every hole with an ordinary light iron, because the greens are large enough and the bunkers at a sufficient distance from the hole to permit a considerable run after the ball has landed. There are other courses where the greens are small and abnormally keen, in which case no sleight of hand will enable a player to pitch his ball on to the green and keep it there. In time, however, seaside courses will be laid out in this country, similar to the great links in England and Scotland, where the greens though large are excessively keen compared to most of our inland putting greens, and where the hole is protected by bunkers in such a way that it is absolutely necessary to play many of the approach shots with a spin in order to stop the ball on the putting green. Needless to say, in golf, as in almost every other game, no cut should be administered to the ball unless it is unavoidable. One's object, generally speaking, is to make the ball travel as far as possible, and not to check its movements; moreover, a ball that is struck clean without any cut will roll more truly after landing than a ball which is played with a spin or from a very lofted club. Nevertheless, the cut stroke in golf is just as much part of the game as it is in billiards, and for that reason it is a pity that it is not oftener called into play by the courses which at present exist in America. In fact, it is really the mastery of this stroke which creates the distinction between the really first-class golfer and the average scratch man.

Fortunately it is not hard to explain the manner of playing the shot, although it is exceedingly difficult to acquire any degree of certainty in playing it.

In the ordinary approach shot the player is recommended to keep the head of the club traveling in the line of the ball's flight, both in the backward and the forward swing. He is also advised to draw the club back as near the ground as possible.

In playing the cut stroke he must neglect both these commandments. The club must be drawn across the intended line of flight, starting away from the body and coming toward it, as the ball is hit; moreover, the hands must be raised in going back and after the ball is struck, so that the swing is more vertical than horizontal, to use an un-mathematical, but easily comprehensible, expression. Strike the ball, if possible, nearer the heel than the center of the club, and aim slightly to the left of the hole. Also, in addressing the ball, face the hole more squarely even than in the ordinary short approach. Go out and practice this stroke, and, after half an hour, you will probably despair of ever being able to play it successfully. There is nothing that I can do for you except to tell you to go on practicing. There is no hidden mystery in the matter, and no easy method of acquiring the habit. If you cannot become fairly proficient in the shot, you are not skillful enough to reach the summit of ambition, and that is an end of it. Moreover, if you are unable to play the stroke with a very reasonable degree of certainty, you had better discard it altogether and use some other means of staying near the hole when the green is very fast. You may either use a very lofted club - but that, too, is uncertain - or you may harden your heart and play simply to keep out of difficulties by using the ordinary method of approach and allowing your ball to run past the hole. If there is a bunker on the other side as well, you are indeed in a hard position; but, generally speaking, there is some means of safety if sufficient ingenuity is brought to bear on the situation.

The Cut Stroke

I. At the Top of the Swing

II. At the Top of the Swing, Front View

III. The Finish

I

II

III