The ball should be hit with the centre of the face of the club. The maker's name is a good guide for the point of impact. If hit near the heel of the club the ball will go straight a certain distance, and then curve round to the right in the same way as if it had been sliced, and if it be hit near the toe of the club the stroke will likely be pulled.

Some players always aim at the ball with the extreme toe of the club, and while swinging fall forward with their bodies, so that the ball is accurately hit. This is a serious fault, and one which grows alarmingly; and though possibly one may not feel the effect at the time, he should instantly discourage such tendency, as he may afterwards find his play seriously affected, and the habit more difficult to break through.

In playing with iron clubs it will be found advisable to take a somewhat shorter swing, and to grasp the club more firmly.

It is perhaps scarcely necessary to say that the essential and elementary principle in all gulf is, Keep your eye on the ball. This rule has been refined to the extent of saying, Keep your eye on the exact spot of the ball you intend to hit - that is, behind the ball; but doing so seems to add a needless complexity to an otherwise simple rule.

In concluding this chapter I (The Game Of Golf) will summarise the actions usual to playing: - Having taken up the proper stance (in doing this, do not fiddle about with the feet over much), and got the right grip of the club, both of which will soon become instinctive, rest the club-head behind the ball for a moment, to make sure that the ball is within reach; waggle the club over the ball once or twice; again rest the club-head behind the ball for an instant, and swing.