Teeing the ball. - We may now venture to introduce the club-head to the ball. On the teeing ground we are in the most favoured position of any stroke to be made during the progress of the ball from the tee to the hole, for it is the privilege of the player at this stage to place his ball as he pleases. He (or his caddie whose constructive genius is apt to run riot at times) fashions a mound of sand on which he puts his ball; in the case of the beginner, this mound or "tee" is usually too high. As Bacon says, let him not "set himself too small a task," for it "will make him a small proceeder." He need not quite "practise with disadvantages, as dancers do with thick shoes," but he had better try to begin as he intends to go on.

A low tee, therefore, should be persevered in if an effective drive is to be the rule and not the exception. The habit of playing from a low tee is further to be justified from the nature of the strokes that will occur before the hole is reached. Where the second shot is one that cannot in the most favourable circumstances be played with any other club than the driver or brassey, or, in other words, where the remaining distance from the hole is too great to admit of the use of an iron club, the original careful adjustment of the ball being now barred by the rules and traditions of the game (except in certain rarely-used cases of "medal" play, which are very properly discouraged by a heavy penalty), the player is under the necessity of playing the ball from where it lies. It is quite conceivable, therefore, that the player who accustoms himself to a sand-pyramid of towering height on the tee is at a distinct disadvantage when playing "through the green."

In the choice of the tee, care should also be observed with regard to the ground which should be level, or have a slight upward tendency (an exception to this precautionary measure will be noted later in discussing the case of "difficult strokes"). Not only should the soil in the immediate neighbourhood of the ball be flat but also the patch of ground on which the player has to stand. The tee should not be too near the sand-box, and any alien substance of a distinctive hue or character should be removed beyond the range of vision, since any distracting influence is likely to be exerted with disastrous results to the stroke.

The eager novice will begin to wonder if the stroke is ever going to be made, but he is warned that the ball, so far as the purpose of these explanations and advice is concerned, has yet a long period of agreeable tranquillity to enjoy. Even when we have decided upon our attitude in respect of the disturbance of this position of repose, we shall then have to enter upon a very careful study of the best way to despatch it with the clean, pleasure-giving flight that gives zest to a jaded existence and inspires with hope of victory on the putting-green.

A player is said to be addressing a ball when he is in such a position with regard to it as to be prepared to make the stroke. This position of the feet is called the stance and it varies with the different shots to be made.

The stance is a matter of such great importance that the beginner should spare no pains to find out for himself the exact distance from the ball and the position of his feet. The variations in the height and build of players make it impossible to give fixed measurements; only a careful study of the general principles with individual application will preserve the player from persistent floundering or inconsistent driving.

As in the case of the grip, there are two stances in fashion, the square and the open. The square stance is the one generally adopted by the class of older players of whom the Scots section maintain a traditional habit, while others reflect the teaching of the older tutors or books. The other is the one practised by, amongst others, such great exponents as Vardon and Taylor. Both are described here and their relative merits dis-cussed; but the balance of opinion is in favour of the open stance, and beginners, or even those whose slight acquaintance with the game has not yet gained for them a decided method, will do well to adopt it as being more scientifically correct, and therefore the more likely to produce the best results.

AB represents intended line of flight. CD line at right angles to the line joining the ball to the plane of the body.

The diagram roughly illustrates the difference between the two stances.

In the square stance, the feet practically toe a line which would run at right angles to a line drawn from the ball to a spot on the ground directly under the left eye; some well-known players even keep the right foot somewhat behind the left. The weight of the body is, for the greater part of the stroke, on the left leg. This stance is said to have for its recommendation the avoidance of a fault so common to beginners, viz. slicing, i.e. drawing the club-head across the ball at the moment of impact, with the result of a strong, wayward tendency to the right of the intended line of flight.

In the accompanying diagram (p. 49) it will be noticed that in the open stance the ball is a trifle nearer the right leg which is well advanced over the line. The adoption of this position secures greater control over the ball owing to the convenient disposition of the left foot, the weight of the body being mainly on the right leg; equally important, too, is the greater control of direction of the hit with this stance. It may be noticed, also, that the toes have a somewhat greater outward tendency.

The distance between the feet needs careful arrangement. Obviously there can be no fixed rule in the matter, but assuming the player to be of an average height of about five feet nine inches, he will do well to utilise an old piece of linoleum (with rectangular pattern, for choice), and on it trace out in chalk the above diagram according to the measurements given.

AB is the intended line of flight of the ball; CD the line running at right angles to the left eye (as if dropped on the ground). E,7, are the left and right feet respectively.

The variations from these measurements must, of course, be ascertained by individual trial, the feeling of comfort being a factor to be considered. The player must assume a fairly easy attitude, free from rigidity constraint. The right shoulder should be dropped just a little. A favourite device to ascertain the distance from the ball is to let the left foot take up its proper position with the heel, almost impinging upon the C.D. line; then place the head of the club against the ball, so that the latter rests full against the middle of the face; the dropped end of the shaft should just be level with the left knee. But the beginner will soon learn to dispense with this mechanical expedient, for practice and experience will come to his aid, and he will sub-consciously assume the correct position. But the importance of a proper stance cannot be urged too earnestly at the outset. - Prevention is better than cure.