One sometimes hears it said of a successful golfer that he 'plays with his head as well as his hands,' and the meaning of this remark is too obvious to require explanation. There are many little arts in golf which may be studied, and the attention to which will contribute to improve play. I do not for a moment suggest that any unfair advantage should be taken, or that even doubtful expedients should be resorted to, though within the strict letter of the law; the arts I refer to are quite legitimate, and matter of everyday practice.

When a golfer finds himself pitted against a long and strong driver, I would say, Do not fear him unduly. It is no doubt somewhat terrifying and disheartening to be matched against such a player; but golf does not consist of long driving; there is no disgrace in being out-driven, and one may make up for deficiencies in the long game by more accurate approaching and putting, which, as I have stated before, tell more than any other parts of the game. One should not even be afraid to meet a stronger all-round player than himself. He should play his own game entirely irrespective of bis opponent, and if he cannot avoid being beat ho should make as good a show as lies in his power. This applies with particular force to play in competitions for score. It requires some modification, as is hereafter pointed out, when the game is by holes; and it may be proper to run risks to save the loss of a hole or of the match.

Even when a golfer plays against one who is admittedly and undeniably his inferior, he should beware of regarding the match too lightly. There is a good deal of luck in the game even on the best greens, and a match is not over till it is won. I could quote cases of players being eight holes up with nine holes to play, and yet losing the match all through a contemptuous regard for their opponents. Some golfers play with great determination and pluck, and it is possible to realise too late that, an inferior opponent, who has been held too ' cheap,' has by steady play made the match his own.

It is a mistake, generally speaking, to run risks that can be avoided, and on this principle it is better to avoid a hazard if nothing is to be gained by playing over it. Cautious play of this description is usually termed 'pawky,' and my experience of pawky players is that they are very dangerous opponents.

As before pointed out, a ball must not be teed in front of the marks laid down, nor on either side of these marks, nor more than two club's lengths behind them. Two club's lengths are, roughly, a couple of yards, and a couple of yards may mean all the difference between driving over a hazard and driving in. It is a mistake, therefore, to throw away distance by teeing further behind the marks than is necessary to secure a good tee. It may, however, be an advantage to get as far back as possible, as, for instance, at a short hole, where a full cleek shot would not reach the green, and a driver or brassy stroke would carry past the hole. In such cases it may be expedient to tee as far behind the marks as is allowed, and play with a brassy; but this is one of the cases in which a player must use his judgment.

I would again counsel golfers to remember that it is better to get a ball a few dozen yards nearer the hole, out of a difficult position, than to try too much and run the risk of a miserable foozle.

Rule 11 enacts: 'In playing through the green, all loose impediments within a club length of a ball, which is not lying in or touching a hazard, may be removed, but loose impediments which are more than a club length from the ball shall not be removed under the penalty of one stroke.' It is well to take advantage of the power to remove loose obstructions; even if they do not actually interfere with the stroke, they arc apt to catch the player's eye, and distract his attention from the ball.

Whether playing against a stronger or a weaker opponent, I consider that it is always an advantage to have the honour or privilege of driving first. If the opponent is a longer driver, one is spared the temptation, which is difficult to resist, of pressing to avoid being out-driven. 1 may illustrate this by an example which fell under my own observation. A fairly good amateur golfer was playing against a professional, who allowed him a stroke at every other hole. The amateur got the first honour, and kept it for the first two holes. The professional won the third hole, and going to the fourth drove off first. He was a longer driver by some yards than the amateur, and the latter pressed to get away a long shot, with the result that he topped his ball. For the next five holes the professional held the honour, and at each of these five holes the amateur foozled his drive. I can attribute this to nothing else than pressing with the view of emulating the professional's driving, and indeed this was perfectly obvious to every onlooker. On the other hand, when the opponent is not a long driver, the moral effect of being out-driven may be such as to influence his play very considerably, as was the result in the case above instanced.

It is a curious fact that golfers very frequently drive into a hazard they are doing their utmost to avoid. When there is a small obstruction, such as a post or a whin bush, at all near the line of play, though not actually in it, I have seen balls hit it frequently, although the players were endeavouring to avoid it, and the chances were much against its being struck. The only reason I can adduce for this is that if the mind be concentrated upon an object, the hands, working in concert with it, unconsciously direct the ball towards that object. When, therefore, it is desired to avoid a hazard, I would recommend players not to think of avoiding the hazard, but to concentrate their attention on the intended line of play, and blot the hazard out of mind altogether.

I have before referred to the necessity for playing with confidence and decision, and this is a matter which cannot be too strongly impressed upon golfers. At the risk of being tedious to the reader, I reiterate the statement. If one allows himself to lapse into indecision over any stroke, and first selects his cleek and then thinks of his driver, and finally compromises the matter by using his brassy, he courts disaster. Let him look carefully at the lie of his ball, judge the distance to the hole, and play without further ado. Golfers should always make a rule, too, of holing out every putt. Some comparatively simple-looking putts arc deceptive; and if the habit is acquired of considering these as good as down, and not playing them, the effect of playing them and not holing a few in a competition, when every putt must be played out, has a tendency to demoralise most men.