I am led to repeat my caution, already expressed, that the greatest care should be shown in this swing, for, as is the case in the drive, the swing to the rear affects the swing to the front in exactly a similar manner, the club after the shot has been played being carried through to the same, but not to a greater angle, than that to which it was raised when brought back.

Finally - and this is a thing upon which many people possess an erroneous opinion-the distance over which the ball travels is not governed by the muscular exertion of the player. It is far from being a question of brute strength alone. The aid of science must be invoked, and the true working of the stroke is done during the backward swing of the club. Unless this is accomplished as it should be the stroke will remain a failure. Now I will describe how the necessary amount of cut is to be imparted to the ball. This twist-the retarding influence to its farther progress after it drops upon the green - is set up by the circular, snappy action of the wrists I have previously spoken of, combined with the fact that the face of the club is turned in a slightly outerly direction. In no other way is it possible to put on the cut.

The greatest degree of success in such a stroke as this, when cut is necessary, is to be attained when your ball is resting upon turf, firm yet spongy in texture, for if the lie is upon sand, or even loose soil, it cannot be carried out nearly so well. But, in approaching, except under a condition I shall touch upon later, lift your ball into the air. That is my advice to one and all - advice I will justify myself at once in giving.

In approaching a hole there is a certain amount of ground which has to be covered. The course is never level, and the turf is not of the same consistency or power. But in the air there are no influences at work to deflect the course of a ball or to retard its progress. A breeze will, of course, be blowing, it may be in gusts, or possibly with a steady breath. But this only helps to develop the true art of golf and the capabilities of the player. He calculates mentally at what rate per hour or minute the wind is blowing, he notices the quarter from whence it is coming, and he works out in his mind what effect it will have upon the ball during the time it is suspended in space. This calculation being made, the shot must be played in accordance with it, due allowance being given, as in firing at a target, for the deflection that will be caused naturally by the influence of the breeze that is blowing.

Should there be a hazard between your ball and the hole, then you must of necessity pitch your ball up; but even if the turf is apparently free from obstacle, I maintain that the same thing should be done. Just a patch of uneven grass or coarser herbage is amply sufficient to turn the best-laid plans agley, and a fractional part of an inch may be a serious matter at times. Although I am willing to admit that the pitched-up shot is difficult of acquirement, its utility when learnt far outweighs the initial time of trouble and disappointment. I contend it is the truest form of golf, and that every player who desires to reach the front rank amongst his contemporaries must learn it.

There are times, however, when this pitched-up shot cannot be played with any real hopes of success. If your ball is found to have pitched upon soft, sandy ground, then you must needs modify matters accordingly, and fall back as a last resource upon what I will describe as the running-up approach shot. That is the only shot that can be played under the circumstances; to attempt any other would simply mean that you were courting disaster.

In playing this running-up approach shot the swing is very much shortened, for at the top of it the club should not pass a point upon a level with the knees, the position of the feet and body being similar to that taken up when playing the lofted approach shots previously alluded to. The wrists, however, must be kept absolutely rigid. Too much attention cannot be paid to this, for it is the outstanding feature of the whole stroke, the latter being accomplished by the work of the body and the turn from the hips.

The golfer need not waste a thought upon imparting cut to the ball when he plays this kind of stroke, for such a thing is quite unnecessary. All that remains to be done is to so play that the arms are pushed out after the ball without the semblance of hesitation or check, and that the club is so held that the blade puts plenty of running power upon the ball after the latter has touched the ground.

This running-up approach shot is not nearly of so difficult a character as the lofted variety, so I suppose that is why the majority of players use it.

In conclusion, I should like to point out that the amateur would be well advised were he to perfect himself thoroughly in the use of his iron clubs. It is generally admitted that the professional golfer is far stronger in his intermediate strokes than the man who follows the game merely in the light of a pastime, and so I suppose it will continue.

The reason, I think, is that the wrists of the amateur golfer are not so powerful as those of a professional. The latter is playing the game, day in and day out, very nearly the whole year round, whereas business or social duties will not allow the amateur to participate in the spurt to such an extent. Naturally his wrists and the muscles of Q his forearms are not exercised and used to such an extent, while it is an undeniable fact that the iron clubs call for a far greater measure of exertion on the part of this portion of a man's anatomy than the wooden clubs.

With the driver, brassie, and putter there are many amateurs who are capable of holding their own with the average professional, but when called upon for an iron shot they lose ground. So it will continue to the end of all time, presupposing, of course, that the amateur does not apply himself to his task so strenuously as the paid player