When a ball is less than 40 yards from the hole and the ground is smooth, a wooden putter is often used or a running approach shot made with a cleek. But when the ground is rough or a bunker guards the putting green, a quarter stroke is necessary, a stroke most deadly and telling when properly played. It is in the effective use of this stroke that the expert excels ; the difficulty in making it not being that it requires any special skill, but because one has instinctively to know the right amount of force to put into the stroke without having the backward swing as a gauge to determine its accuracy. In making the stroke

(1) Stand facing the line of flight with the bail a little to the left of the centre of the body. Grasp the club the same as for the full swing but further down the shaft, the right foot being nearer the ball than for a half stroke and both feet closer together, the weight of the body being wholly on the right foot, the left foot pointing towards the hole and the right foot at a right angle to the line of flight.

(2) With the backward swing, let the left arm swing from the shoulder, the right elbow moving a little from the side of the body, the left knee knuckling a little to the right but with none of the momentum of the body added as when making a half swing. With this backward swing carry the club head along the ground as far as the left arm will take it, the wrists being stiff and taut and the left shoulder swinging well down. When the left arm is straightened out, raise the club until the hands are on a level with the hips and the shaft half way to the perpendicular. If a longer backward swing is made, the stroke becomes a bad half iron stroke because the stance is wrong for a half swing and the swing is too long for the stance taken for a quarter Swing .

(3) With the forward swing, keep the right elbow close to the body so that the club head will travel along the line of flight, swinging the right shoulder well down and keeping the left shoulder well forward, loosening the grip of the right hand with the swing.

(4) With the follow through, the right arm should straighten out and with the finish of the follow through the club should be on the line of flight and pointing towards the hole.

Suggestions

With these short approach shots, always try to hole the ball even if the odds are a thousand to one against it. It may go in, and if it does not it is more likely to lie close to the hole than if only a vague try had been made to get somewhere near it.

Do not be afraid to carry the club well back even for the shortest stroke. A long, slow stroke will not carry any further than a short, quick one and will give more uniform and satisfactory results.

Remember that the ball will have a run. Take time, therefore, to decide how far the ball will roll and pitch it on the putting green far enough away from the hole.

Remember that the stroke is largely a movement of the right forearm and the left upper arm, that the body remains motionless, and that the wrists should be stiff and taut.

Remember that in neither the backward nor forward swing does the club head leave the line of flight.

Remember that there is always the thought of sending the ball too far and checking the swing with the concussion. Keep in mind, therefore, the follow through or the ball will not go as far as intended.

Remember the old maxim "that the one who can make a good short approach shot does not need to learn to putt."