Unlike all other approaching strokes a running approach stroke keeps the ball close to the ground, the essence of the stroke being to give it no spin. This is done by hitting it squarely in the centre so as not to give it any backward spin by hitting it underneath as the club is descending, or any forward spin by hitting it underneath as the club is rising.

Yes, I'm coming 1

a d - the sweep of the club for the running approach stroke. c d - the sweep of the club for the bent arm stroke. e f - the sweep of the club for the stiff arm stroke.

In making the stroke

(1) Take the same stance as when making a bent arm stroke, but as the stroke is made almost wholly by turning the body, one should stand further away from the ball.

(2) Grasp the club the same as when playing a stiff arm stroke but with both elbows a little out, holding the shaft more to the left of the body and stretching the hands out further in front of the body.

(3) With the backward swing, keep the joints of the wrists, arms, and shoulders almost rigid, sweeping the club head back along the ground by turning the body at the hips and by knuckling the left knee in, keeping the arms nearly as straight as when addressing the ball. When the club head rises from the ground, raise it from the shoulders, holding the arms stiff as if a part of the shaft.

(4) With the forward swing, bring the club around by a similar reverse turning of the body, the right shoulder coming around well down.

(5) With the concussion, follow through by bending the body and knuckling the knees out, the right shoulder being brought well forward.

Suggestions

As the object of the stroke is to keep the ball close to the ground, a driver, cleek, or wooden putter should be used and never a lofter or mashie.

Remember that the secret of the stroke is in keeping the arms and wrists rigid.

For short approaches, when the ground is smooth enough to allow the ball to run true, make a running approach rather than a lofting one because, in lofting, if the ball is hit too much underneath it flies too high and does not go far enough, and if hit not enough underneath it goes beyond the hole.

Diagram showing that the positions, taken for the different driving and approaching shots, are a part of a fixed law which regulates the amount of momentum put into the strokes, and that the position of the ball in reference to the stance is also regulated by a fixed law.

a a - stance for full swing driver, brassy, or cleek. a b - stance for three-quarter swing driver, brassy, or cleek . a c - stance for half swing driver, brassy, or cleek. a d - stance for quarter swing driver, brassy, or cleek.

c b - stance for full swing with iron. c c - stance for three-quarter swing with iron. c d - stance for half swing with iron. c e - stance for quarter swing with iron. c f - stance for wrist swing with iron. g - position of ball for all swings with driver. h - position of ball for all swings with brassy. i - position of ball for all swings with cleek. j - position of ball for all stiff arm iron shots. k - position of ball for all bent arm iron shots, and running approach shots. l - position of ball for all jerk shots when the obstruction is behind the ball.

The finished golfer, then, by changing his stance and regulating the length of his swing, is able to determine the distance which the ball will travel. His first thought, therefore, should be to see that he gets a proper stance, as he instinctively knows, before he addresses the ball, whether with his style of play a full, a three-quarter, a half, a quarter stroke or a wrist shot should be used. With the backward swing he only has to have in mind that the club swings back the right distance and with the forward swing that there is a proper follow through. Only with the quarter iron and wrist shots need he give any thought of the force to be put into the stroke. As he takes his position, there is a certain free play with his club as he measures with his eye the distance to the hole and assures himself that he is right, and then as he rests his club head for a moment behind the ball there comes that characteristic knuckling of the knees if the shot is to be a half iron or quarter iron stroke.

Diagram Showing the relation of the different swings to each other and the position of the ball in reference to these swings.

a a - sweep of driver. b b - sweep of brassy. c c - sweep of cleek. d d - sweep of iron, stiff arm stroke. e e - sweep of iron, bent arm stroke. f f - sweep of iron, jerk stroke.

(1) Position of ball for driver.

(2) Position of ball for Drassy.

(3) Position of ball for cleek.

(4) Position of ball for stiff arm stroke.

(5) Position of ball for bent arm and running approach strokes.

(6) Position of ball for jerk stroke.

Two Golden Rules Which Apply To All Approach Shots

First: Remember that in making any approach shot, a bad stance is worse than a bad lie. Above all things, then, see that the stance is right. If the ball does not go along the desired line of flight do not try to make it by hitting it differently, but by changing the stance.

Second : Never make more than a half swing with an iron if it can be avoided. The old adage is that "The moment you take a full swing with an iron you begin to go wrong." Therefore remember that when there is no bunker to go over and the ball is not in a cup, a half swing with a driver, a brassy or a cleek, should be used instead of a full swing with an iron.