The cleek I play with a full swing, only because I cannot get the distance required without. With the rest of the iron clubs I find my grip and stance slightly altered. I stand with the ball much nearer my right foot, and the stance is decidedly more open. In the grip the right hand is more over the shaft and the thumb and first finger are brought into active service; as the distance to cover becomes shorter, so the backward swing automatically shortens.

In playing iron shots I find it a great help almost to pause at the top of the swing, as Braid advocates. This seems to ensure more accurate hitting. With regard to the 'push-shot,' I must confess I never could see much difference between that and the ordinary firmly hit iron shot.

I always carry a special straight-faced iron (more upright in lie than any ordinary iron), and use it for low shots against a strong wind. I aim to pinch the ball into the turf more decidedly, and rely on the absence of loft on the club to keep the ball low. The only important points to insist on in iron shots are the control of the backward swing, and the keeping of the club head on the line of flight as long as possible after the ball has gone. Remember that the full shot with the shorter irons is limited to what is called the 'half-swing' in driving. Anything fuller than this is quite unnecessary and seldom successful.

In mashie play the principle of the shortened backward swing is carried still further, since it becomes automatically shorter as the distance is shorter. There is the same grip and the same method of taking the club back, only the stance becomes more open. And the more open stance has the effect of keeping the club head moving straight back from the ball longer than in the other shots. Success with the mashie is just a question of accurately hitting the ball and judging the distance. Practice and experience will teach you how the ball runs, that is to say, if you can remember how the different conditions of weather affect the course.

IRON SHOT: TOP OF SWING.

[To face p. 198.

IRON SHOT: FINISH OF SWING.

[To face p. 199.

I am a great believer in taking a small piece of turf after the ball, it has a steadying effect on the shot. Do not, however, stab in behind the ball so that a huge chunk of turf comes out; that is anything but satisfactory, even if the ball reaches the green. A very short period of instruction will be needed to teach you exactly how you ought to strike the ball, and the rest is simply acquiring a regular habit of putting it into practice.