With apologies both to a proverb and to a friendly club, the brassey may be said to step in where the driver fears to tread; the one is the steeple-chaser, unmindful of and even rejoicing exceedingly over the difficulties of the course, the other the delicate thoroughbred of the flat-race. The highest exponents of the game are divided in opinion as to how far the one should replace the other through the green. Some (the greater number probably) advocate the consistent use of the driver when the conditions of the lie are identical with those of the teeing ground; others argue that the constant demand made upon the brassey justifies its regular application in all long strokes except on the tee. The beginner, at any rate, may be advised to follow the latter course, and he can vary his procedure at discretion as his proficiency in the game becomes more marked.

The brassey differs from the driver in that it is shod with a thin brass plate, is rather more lofted, has a smaller face, and possesses a stiffer shaft; it is therefore a little heavier. It should, however, be of the same length and have the same lie, i.e., the angle between the head and the shaft should be the same. The similarity of stance and swing in the two clubs requires this identity of conditions.

The object of the metal plate is to preserve the sole from injury in hard and rough lies; the frequent occurrence of heavy lies increasing the resistance to the progress of the club-head calls for a stiffer shaft and a smaller face, while the value of the latter provision becomes still more evident when the ball has to be expelled from a depression or "cup."

In such untoward circumstances as those just indicated, the employment of the brassey must be subject to the intelligence; the length of the shot required is, of course, a primary consideration, but even this must be sacrificed when the conditions are manifestly adverse to a successful issue, and the use of the iron substituted. For example, a ball may be badly "cupped" at a distance from the hole requiring a full driving stroke; in such case, the inevitable failure arising from the use of the brassey might well be avoided by the substitution of the iron or bafry, at only a little cost of distance. The slight variations in the lies through the green call for some modifications of the stance, address and grip when the co-operation of the brassey is invited. It is most essential to remember that "loft" is given to a club with the intention of producing a natural elevation to the flight of a ball. So many players fail properly to play a stroke of some difficulty by reason of their needless en-deavour to bring the ball up into the air; the temptation to scoop the ball out of its place leads them to dip the right shoulder, and the freedom and clearness of the swing is impeded, with the usual disastrous consequences. Let it then be a guiding principle that with the appropriate club the proper swing will bring about the desired result. The method of dealing with what are known as "cupped" and "hanging" lies will be explained in a later chapter; it is sufficient to say in connection with the use of the brassey that where the lie is heavy or offers some little difficulty in the way of bareness or thinness of turf, the stance should be rather more behind than usual, i.e., the ball should be more nearly opposite the left foot, and the grip should be firmer in proportion to the opposition to be overcome. It will also help to ensure the successful lofting of the ball from a bad lie if the eye is directed to a spot just behind rather than on the ball. In fine, cultivate the best relations with your brassey; it will often prove a friend in need.

There remains yet another wooden club to be considered - the spoon or baffy. It was once in universal use but lost its popularity upon the introduction of iron clubs.

It is, however, again finding favour, and has much to recommend it to those players who find it difficult to pitch a ball over a hazard with an iron club.

The bigots of an "iron" time do call this harmless art a crime, since it denies them the assistance they look for in the more delicate shots. Yet the beginner who begins to despair of any success with his iron or cleek, in that department of the game known as "approaching," cannot do better than provide himself with one. It is about two inches shorter than the brassey, has a similar head and protected sole, and is a little more lofted (the "loft" is, of course, a matter of discretion). The stance is naturally closer; otherwise, the grip and swing are practically the same as with the longer club. Its value is often conspicuous in the case of a short hole of about one hundred and fifty yards which may be reached in one stroke from the tee without recourse to the driver or brassey; and with a well laid-back face, this club can be made to do some surprising things in the way of pitching a ball dead on the putting-green.

The beginner who elects to give a trial to this variety of club would do well to get one of those known as Mill's Aluminium Spoons. These are made to suit the peculiarities and wishes of every class of player, being varied in weight, loft, lie and length. But the apt and ambitious player, though he may do well to keep a spoon in his bag in reserve, will early devote himself to the practice and perfection of the use of iron clubs.