Among many fond memories of my boyhood days on the St. Andrews links in Scotland was a certain old General. The General was an enthusiastic golfer, but at the same time he suffered rather more than his allotted share of golfing faults. The General decided that he would overcome these in short order and he proceeded to work out a plan all his own for doing so.

He got four celluloid tags. Then he attached two of these to the uppers of his shoes. The other two were fastened on the arms of his coat just above the wrists. On one of the foot tags was printed "Keep your eye on the ball," on the other "Don't press." The respective arms' tags read, "Follow through" and "Slow back."

Placarded with these constant reminders, the General started forth on his round of golf.

Fig. 60

A cure for raising up. If the back swing is correct, the space between head and horizontal club will remain as shown in address

I am uncertain as to whether this original scheme helped his game; it seems to me it must have proved a bit disconcerting. However that may be, the General had the right idea. There are a number of little schemes, possibly more or less mechanical, that will notably help a man's game.

Fig. 61

See preceding photo. The above is what often happens. The golfer has raised up and knows it when head meets club

I have spoken recently about the very common fault of topping the ball. A man's shoulder should be on the same plane, his head centred in the same position at the top of the swing as they have been at the address. If they are not, he will probably top the ball on the down swing. A very usual fault is that of raising the body and allowing the head to drop toward the left shoulder as one approaches the top of the swing (Fig. 48).

The golfer is seldom conscious of the fact that he raises his body, but it is easy enough to show him proof of it. If you are inclined this way, get a friend to stand at your left side and hold a golf club horizontally a few inches above your head at the address. Then go through a practice swing (Fig. 60).

Before going far you will probably have a sensation that some one has banged you on the top of the head. This is your friend's club of course. It has remained motionless; it is you who have risen to meet it (Fig. 61). After a little practice you will find that you are reaching the top of the swing without encountering the club.

Fig. 62

The body should pivot on a dead centre throughout the entire swing. Club held vertically in photo represents centre line at address. The golfer has swayed to the right and is off balance

Fig. 63

In this case the golfer has pivoted on a dead centre as noted by position of club to the rear

Another scheme of the same sort, one whereby you can practice by yourself, is that of using a bell. Tie a string to a bell and hang it from the limb of a convenient tree so that it dangles within a few inches of the top of your head at the address. On raising up, you ring the bell.

Practising before a mirror is a great help. There's nothing like seeing yourself as others see you. With a mirror before you it is possible to stop at any stage of the swing and look yourself carefully over to see if everything is as it should be. At the top of the swing especially, it is wise to stop dead and notice whether you are properly balanced. Note carefully the position of the head and body at the address, and then see whether the position at the top of the swing corresponds with it properly.

I always use a mirror in my instruction work. It is much more effective actually to show a man a living likeness of himself off centre and off balance than merely tell him about it. With the pupil facing the mirror at the address I often stand behind him and hold a golf club in front of me in a vertical position. This position represents the line of centre balance (Fig. 62).

At the address, most of the club cannot be seen in the mirror. By the time the top of the swing has been reached, however, it may be in full view. The rigid club still remains in the proper position for the centre of balance, but the actual balance of the pupil has gone strangely askew. After due practice, however, the pupil's head, body, and my golf club become one (Fig. 63).

Another good idea is to have somebody take a few snap-shots of you during various stages of your play. After the films have been developed you will probably find that you play a whole lot differently from what you thought you did. Compare the photos of yourself with those of a prominent golfer like Vardon and note well just where the difference lies.

Fig. 64

If heeling the ball is your fault, try addressing it with the toe of the club

Fig. 65

Turning the club head is a common way to spoil a mashie shot. Club shown at the right has a turned face; that to the left is correct

Many faults can be cured by exaggeration. By going to the opposite extreme one often actually strikes a happy mean. For example, if one is slicing badly he may very well find that by making an effort to pull the ball he overcomes the slicing and instead of pulling really drives the ball straight down the course.

In much the same way if one finds himself continually hitting the ball with the heel of the club, it is wise to go to the other extreme and address it with the toe (Fig. 64).

Or take the matter of topping. Roll up a small piece of paper and lay it on the ground directly behind the ball. Then instead of playing the ball, play that piece of paper. You will probably hit the ball fair and square (Fig. 55).