Stand with the body facing the ball, both feet firmly on the ground, the ball to the left of the left foot, the knees a little bent, the body bending a little forward, and the weight of the body largely upon the left leg.

Have the left foot nearer the line of flight than the right and both feet pointing out.

Grasp the club a few inches down the shaft, the hands close together, the left hand behind the right and with no bending of the wrists.

With the beginning of the backward swing, have the left elbow pointing towards the hole, the right elbow fairly close to the body and the right shoulder a little lower than the left. With the backward swing, stretch the arms out to their full length before lifting the club. At the top of the backward swing, have the weight of the body wholly upon the right leg, the left shoulder well down, the left elbow in front of and fairly close to the body, the right shoulder well up, and the right elbow level with the right shoulder.

With the forward swing, the weight of the body should go from the right leg to the left, the right shoulder swinging well down, the arms lengthening out as the club descends. As the club comes around in front of the body, the right elbow should be brought in towards the body, the left shoulder rising, the left elbow pointing towards the hole.

With the concussion, the body should be facing the ball, the left hand firmly grasping the shaft, the right hand relaxing, and the body overbalancing.

At the end of the follow through, the body should be facing the hole, the arms stretching out to their full length towards the hole, the club pointing well into the air and on the line of flight, or swinging over the left shoulder.

Hints about Driving

Learn to drive with a half swing before attempting a full swing.

To prevent sclaffing, hold the club with the sole slanting up so that if the club does strike the ground its direction will not be changed.

Do not keep the arms tucked into the sides of the body like the wings of a roast turkey ready to be carved, or sticking out like the forelegs of a dachshund, or stiff and straight in front of the body as if ready to make a dive.

Do not stop at the top of the backward swing to take aim before beginning the forward swing, or start the forward swing before the backward swing is finished.

Do not start with too much speed at the beginning of the forward swing as the speed should keep increasing until the ball is struck.

Do not sway the body backward with the backward swing or shrink from the ball by moving either foot just as the club head sweeps against it.

Swing well within yourself and do not over swing by attempting to swing too far back.

Do not study details so much that all freedom of motion is lost.

The Common Mistakes are: -

Not taking a stance which will send the ball along the desired line of flight.

Standing so near the ball that the arms are too close to the body when the ball is struck.

Keeping the eye on the top of the ball and not on the ground behind it.

Swinging back so quickly that the club head does not travel far enough along the ground with the backward swing.

Letting the shaft turn in the hand with the forward swing.

Losing accuracy by swaying the body, shrinking from the ball, or bending too much over it.

Not bringing the right shoulder well down with the forward swing and not keeping the left elbow well out.

Not following through after the concussion.