Let the novice grasp his club in one of the manners described, and stand square to the ball, not stooping too much, nor yet uncompromisingly rigid.

The books tell him that he may stand, as regards the ball, in one of two ways, basing their arguments upon the best form. But driving from the left leg has gone out so much in the last few years that the open style may be regarded as the only one which it is worth while to teach beginners.

The Stance.

He must take his position, then, with the ball placed rather more toward his left than his right leg", and at such a distance that he can place the head of the club comfortably behind it without stooping or stretching out the arms, and leaving as obtuse an angle as possible between the arms and the shaft of the club.

The feet should be from two to two and a half feet apart, according to height, and the right if anything advanced a trifle in front of the left.

This style has generally been referred to as driving off the right leg, as opposed to the method of driving from the left leg, already mentioned. But that is in reality an abuse of language.

When the right leg is advanced so far that the weight of the body rests almost entirely upon it, the expression is perfectly correct; but that is not what is at present intended. The beginner must accustom himself to stand fairly erect, with the weight of the body equally distributed between each leg; he will then drive not from one or the other, but from both, and that is the only correct method.

In swinging back he will let the weight fall naturally upon the right foot until the top of the swing is reached. In coming forward again, the weight will follow the club, and when the drive is finished it will rest almost entirely upon the left foot.

But this must be done unconsciously. As soon as the beginner allows himself to think about changing his center of gravity his swing is sure to get out of gear. It will be quite sufficient, then, if he will stand correctly in the first place, and swing as I shall instruct him.