SECRETS OF GOLF.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20624, 13 August 1932, Page 17

SECRETS OF GOLF.

VITAL PART OF SWING. ADVICE ON KEEPING ARMS STRAIGHT. (SPECIALLY WRITTEK FOR TRH PKESS.) (Bv Joyce Wethered.) • A r l. I was asked the other day a question as to -which actual section of the swing of the club is considered to be of thf> greatest importance. On the spur of the moment I" suggested the foot behind the ball, as on that depends how the ball -will be struck. Next to that, I am not sure that the first foot of the baekswing has not a special claim. How to Begin. How. then, are re to begin to take back the club* There are two schools of thought about this. Golfers generally belong to one or the other, although I expect there are a few -who are inclined to sit on the fence and take the best of both sides. The choice we have to consider is between the shut face and the open face. Both of these I have tried; but for a long time I have used the shut face method, and am now confirmed in the habit. By that I mean drawing back the club without appreciably altering the angle of the f ace — as opposed to roiling the wrists and turning the face of the club open in the first few feet of the baekswing. With either method there must obviously come a time when the wrists turn: the club cannot go on for ever to the top of the swing without the face opening. This article professes to only with the initial movements; when the club-head is swung back over the first yard and the hands have moved perhaps twelve inches. Firm But Not Stiff. The first movement is a drawing back of the hands and club-head without any wrist-bending or turning. As your hands are in the address when the club is stationary, so they should be kept over the first twelve inches. The club should be swung back by the arms, not stiffly, but firmly and ail in one piece. This warning about stiffness is necessary, as golfers are apt to grow stiff if they do not feel they are using their wrists. The arms should be straight but loose. If you keep both these points in mind the club is not so likely to be snatched back, especially by those who arc subject to this pernicious habit and involuntarily tighten their muscles in doing so.

The Snatch. I realise well enough that golf is snch an odd game that it is always dangerous to dogmatise unduly. In fact, I have a friend who is a brilliant golfer on his day, although from the rapidity of his movements he is somewhat appropriately called "Snatch." "I. have many times discussed this subject with him, but I should not say that he is in any way greatly impressed, as he still perversely continues to play like lightning, roll his wrists and snatch victories on the last green. This makes it a little difficult for me to press my point home. But I still i hope to convert him one of these days. The Correct Arc.

The backward direction taken by the club-head should be inside the line of play and continue in that line until the left arm and. shaft of the club are pointing straight back away from thehole. If the left arm is kept straight and loose it will of its own accord raise the dub-head from the ground" ia. the correct arc. Beyond this point "we" - will not go at the moment. . - The suggestion I want to make clear is. that lie first movement of the -golf swing should be a drawing back of the club by the hands, wrists, and arms all in one, with as little turning movement of the wrists as possible during the first foot. V