With a full swing from 80 to 130 yards is the distance which, according to the skill of the player, the ball should be sent. In making the stroke :

(1) Stand facing the line of flight and more over the ball than for driving, the hands nearer the body, the left elbow bending out and the right elbow close to the side ; the ball a little to the left of the centre of the body, so that it will be hit as the club head is rising from the ground to give it a forward spin, the right foot back of the left, the weight of the body on the left leg and both feet pointing well out.

Now for a slide.

a b - the sweep of the iron. c d - the forward spin.

(2) Hold the club in the left hand, with a firm grip the same as when driving, the hand being well over, the fingers pressing tightly around the shaft to get as firm a grip as possible, the thumb being across

Note . - In this and the following diagrams remember that the figures given are only to show approximately the relative distances.

the shaft. Hold the club in the right hand in the palm next the fingers, the same as when using the finger grip in driving, except that the club should be held loosely, the hand being well over and the thumb diagonally across the shaft.

(3) Make the backward swing the same as in driving, sweeping the club head along the ground as far as the arms will carry it, the left wrist being kept stiff and taut, the left shoulder swinging well down, and the right elbow moving from the body as the club rises. At the end of the backward swing the hands should be well above the shoulders with the head of the iron almost as far over as the left hip.

(4) With the forward swing, let the left hand carry the weight of the club, the right hand simply guiding it. See also that the arms stretch well out before bringing the right shoulder down, the right elbow coming around close to the body so as not to slice the ball.

(5) With the finish of the follow through, one should be squarely facing the hole, the shoulders fairly level and the weight of the body on the left foot; but, because with an iron, one swings the club less in an ellipse than when driving, the follow through should always end over and back of the left shoulder.

Suggestions

Because the swing is in a shorter ellipse than in driving, one is apt to swing the club around the body and slice the ball. Be careful, therefore, to keep the right elbow close to the body with the forward swing.

Because it is a difficult thing not to slice the ball, bear in mind that if the ball is sliced, it will probably break to the right on striking the ground. Aim, therefore, to drop the ball to the left of the hole. To the finished golfer, an approach shot thus accurately played with a slice gives as much pleasure as a long drive.