The Washington times., 1921-09-21


cause / want to encourage the be-
ginner to practice with It more. Few
golfers ever think II worth while to
take q number Of balls to an out-of.
the-way sand trap and practice get
ting out. The only time they handle
such an important club as the nib
lick 10 when they need II most I'm q
rnaych or medal round. It Is hardly
likely that they will at this critical
time do very well with the club.
Most buffers abhor the name Of the
club simply because It suggests
trouble. The experts are not this
way. Those who have learned to
play the niblick. and nearly all of
them have, do not fear the sand
trap shot any more than they would
one from out the short rough grass
or the fairway.
In ones career to use the niblick
well for two reasons.
First--When one has occasion to
use the niblick there Is no choice
left. 1t In a niblick or nothing. I
am referring now to bad lies in
traps. OF course there are some
trap shots where II would be possible
to use q brassie or spoon and quite
often one could use a mashie. but
this Is when one is favored by the
goddess of luck and the ball Is not
rammed UP against the bank or half
buried in q heel print. d..
Get Rid Of Mental Doubt.
The second reason is Just as i'm.
portant as the first and one that
is entirely mental.
1t is this-If you know how to get
out of traps you no longer fear them
and for this very reason you play q
bolder game. When a player il
afraid Of a trap or the rough, the
chances are he will unconsciously
spoil the shot through timidity or an
attempt to play safe. The idea first
pops into his head that trouble turks
there. II means the loss Of more
than one stroke; maybe four, or five.
II one has confidence in the niblick
he does not mind going into the trap
at all because the chances are well
worth It. The player, realizing that
1t Is only a wasted stroke or maybe
not even that. approaches the bunker
as friend not an enemy. 90. 8,
The thing to do early in a golf
career 10 to purchase a good niblick,
one with q large face and well laid
back. The shaft. must be straight
and strong. not whippy.
When you find the ball in the sand,
don't play hurriedly. Take a little
time to think II over and pick out the
easiest line to play out.
The explosion shot IL the one most
favored by the experts because Il Is
the safest. To accomplish this take
lot Of sand. Hit well behind the ball
at least an inch or 30. The sand to be
taken depends q lot in it's character,
the weather and also the lie. Only
practice will teach one this.
Use the Cut Shot.
The best way to get out Is to use the
cut shot, the niblick being swung
across from right to left. It is easier
to plow through the sand this way
and the ball rises quicker. In some
cases one would have to resort to a
downright blow or punch, scooping
up sand, ball and everything. Don't
be afraid to put a lot Of strength into
this shot. You do not have to worry
about the rise Of the ball or the follow
through. The loft Of the niblick will
take care of the rise and the sand will
absorb the follow through. Hit hard
with wrists and arms like steel, be-
cause no half-hearted attempt Is going
to meet with success.
The great mistake made by the be-
ginner In his efforts to pick the ball
out Of the trap and just skim the top
Of the bunker. The pity has been
that anyone, ever succeeded in making
this shot and handing tho hall some
where near the hole. One Is apt to
fail three times to where success
crowns his efforts once. Yet, golfers
persist in playing this all-important
shot this way.
In playing out Of a bunker the
club should seldom come into con-