For most players, a ball no yards from the hole is at a very unsatisfactory distance, being too far away for a half iron shot and not far enough for a full shot. The distance, then, between 70 and no yards approximates the distance for a three quarter swing. In making the stroke

(1) Grasp the shaft the same as for the full swing and stand with the ball a little to the left of the centre of the body. Because the swing is not so far back as when making a full swing, stand with the feet closer together, and with both feet pointing out, the right foot being on the same line with the left so that less momentum of the body will go into the swing.

(2) With the backward swing carry the club head along the ground the same as when making a full swing, swinging back until the hands are a little above the level of the shoulders and the shaft parallel with the ground. Because the shoulders do not swing so far around, the stroke is largely made by the arms working on the joints of the shoulders, the shoulder blades being taut and only moving with the body, the right elbow keeping close to the body and the left foot not rising much from the ground.

(3) With the forward swing do not let the right shoulder swing as far down as when making a full swing. By swinging the right shoulder down too far the stroke becomes a bad full iron shot and its effectiveness is lost, as the head of the club cannot describe the proper ellipse. Because one is apt to swing the right shoulder down too far, the three-quarter stroke is quite the most dangerous stroke of golf.

(4) With the finish of the follow through, the shaft of the club should be resting on the left shoulder and be parallel with the ground.

Suggestions

Avoid haste. By pausing at the top of the backward swing there is less liability of slicing the ball.

With the thought of shortening the distance which the ball is to travel, one is apt to take a full backward swing and check it with the concussion. But remember that, by clipping the swing, there is no basis to gauge the amount of momentum which is to go into the ball.