IN my previous hints to the intending player I laid down the general rules that would be best followed in learning the game, rules that are dependent for their success upon the practical use that may be made of them, combined with continual tests under the fostering care of a painstaking instructor.

In the course of this and following chapters, however, I will attempt to approach the various departments of the game from a more technical standpoint. I still maintain that the game cannot be learnt wholly and solely from the rules that are laid down in any particular text-book, but there is this to be said in favour of such a work, that information of a useful character may be afforded, and that the young beginner is, after reading these rules, far less likely to possess erroneous ideas about various matters of importance than had he or she, as the case may be, attempted to wield a club upon methods peculiarly his or her own.

The driver is naturally the first of the clubs to engage a player's attention. The game itself commences from the tee, and this is the club that is brought into service in the act of playing the opening stroke of each round, and also of each hole.

In the pursuit of golf the first thing necessary is, of course, the purchase of clubs. That is an obvious fact, and I only mention it to repeat my advice that a good maker should be sought and the best goods purchased-it is impossible to play a game in any way approaching class unless the clubs are equal to the strain-and secondly, accept the mentorship of the professional by whom you are being instructed in this matter. He will quickly see by which kind of clubs you are best suited, and will advise you accordingly, while it is quite certain that a novice can possess no real ideas upon the matter at all.

So ask the professional's advice, and take it when it is offered. This is by far the best course to pursue. Another thing is, that a beginner must not expect to shake down to the conditions governing the use of the clubs immediately he may step upon the links.

He will form an acquaintance with the clubs as he progresses with the game, but he will need to play for a while before he feels perfectly at ease. Possibly, I may say very probably, a change will be rendered necessary in some of the clubs, but that is a matter that must be left to the ability or peculiarity of any individual player. To provide every golfer with a standard pattern is quite an impossible thing; no two men play the same game, exact in every detail, although their styles may exhibit a marked similarity. So discover how you are best suited in the matter of clubs, and when found, do not change again. Once become accustomed to your club, and you make it a willing servant, but continual changes simply mean that unsteadiness is developed, and your style and class of play suffer.

So much for the selection of clubs. After this difficulty has been surmounted, and the club is there ready for use, the art of gripping it has to be learnt. This is one of the most important matters to be considered in the pursuit of the game. A good grip spells success, a bad grip naught but disaster. The good grip does not usually come naturally; possibly there may be a hazy idea of it, but the real thing cannot be secured save at the expense of repeated trials, which are not however so necessary when the services of a tutor have been retained. He will study your style, and at once put you into the proper and correct way of making the most of your capabilities.

I am perfectly well aware that players grip their clubs in different ways, but I take it that the basis, the fundamental idea, of the art of the grip is the same; indeed it must be the same, although little peculiarities may make themselves noticeable later on. The club must be gripped, not by the palm of the hand, as is common with the majority of unassisted learners, but by the middle of the fingers upon either hand. This is what I may describe as the orthodox way, and the method that must be pursued.

This grip described in black and white appears perfectly easy, so far removed from being difficult indeed that it might be dismissed without a moment's consideration. Curiously enough, though, it is not easy; it has to be taught, and many learners have found it a hard matter to accomplish it properly until after repeated trials.

The average beginner handles a golf-club just in the same way as he would a cricket-bat or a tennis-racquet, gripping it with the palm of his hand, into which it slips as it were naturally, and he pleads that the muscles of his hand become contracted and painful if he grips his club by means of his fingers alone.

He will adduce arguments to suggest that a greater amount of power can be developed by gripping with the palm of the hand, and he cannot understand how the necessary muscular force can be applied by means of the fingers; but, difficult as the task undoubtedly is, everyone who wishes to be able to play even a respectable game must learn to grip in the manner I have described.

Constant and careful practice is what is required. Once the method of this grip is thoroughly learnt, the remainder is easy. Strength will come in time: every day spent upon the links will add to it, and at last the grip will come in a perfectly natural manner. That this is beyond all question or doubt the correct method is proved by the fact that when the club is gripped by the palms, no matter how strong or pliable the wrists of the player may be, a "locking" sensation - I can describe it in no other way - is felt, and the sequel is that the swing of the club is interfered with to a considerable degree. That in itself is a very serious matter, and it must be guarded against at all costs.

My own grip is far removed from the style generally considered orthodox, but I see very little harm in describing it, although I might add that I would not recommend its adoption by all and sundry : young players, indeed, would find the accomplishment of it beyond their power. Still, I am not the solitary player to grip the club in the manner I am about to describe. Harry Vardon's style is very similar to mine, with this exception- my thumb is placed over the club.