The New York herald., 1921-10-09
Youngsters Should Be Given Every Opportunity te
Learn Game Some Hints as to Proper Stance
Grips and Clubs. (.

teurs and professionals to learn that
they were self-taught in their youth.
What is the best way for child to
learn" and what is the most suitable
club with which to start?'' are two
questions that are constantly asked.
No Fixed and Fast Rules.
In my opinion, lessons from a
professional are not to be recommends
ed until child has been allowed to
learn something on its own. 1t is ut
terly impossible to try and make any
player adopt particular stance, swing
or grip. as no two players in the world
are identical in their methods.
Every player should adopt the style,
swing and grip which are most COM
Portable, provided they are not abso-.
lutely unorthodox. Perhaps my read
ers will pardon me If write Of my
own style, but Il do so in order to
point out my very unorthodox meth.
ods. My grip is a decided palm" one
for all full shots and similar to that
of Sandy Herd my stance is very
open; my swing unusually flat"
and my left knee exceptionally bert
at the top Of the swing. This prob
ably sounds a horrible combination,
and it is, but nothing would induce
me to change in any detail a style
trat came to me naturally. However,
it is not.a style that should ever ad-
wise any one to copy, as it contains
many pitfalls
Parents invariably select brassie
or driver as the first club for child,
but q light iron is preferable. It. is
always pleasing to the child mind to
see a ball flying through the air., and
this effect is easier to obtain with an
iron than with wooden club. Top
ping" Is a most depressing complaint
and one that a novice is inclined to
contract with any wooden club.
Light Iron Preferable,
A few simple hints, light iron and
some old balls are all that the average
child requires to start it on it's way.
The first good shot will inspire him or
her, and before very long there will
be marked improvement. There is
nothing more interesting than watch
ing the progress of child golfer.
Certain clubs In Great Britain are
beginning to recognize the Importance
of encouraging Juvenile players and
championships and meetings are being
arranged in their behalf. This is de-
clded step in the right direction, as a
young player stands little chance in
the big events unless he or she has had
some kind of experience.
1t is mistake to allow child to
imagine 1t is a genius. Press reports
Of flattering nature and too much
praise from friends are liable to make
young player feel she has learned
everything there is to know. Words
of praise should be carefully chosen.
There Is not a single golfer who can
not learn something. and the game
would lose much OF it's fascination IL
this were not so. A Juvenile player
may be good in his or her own club,
but many disappointments may have
to be faced when opponents for other
districts are encountered.
The girls championship is a won
derful training for young players. This
was instituted by the proprietors Of
the Gentletcomdn, and has now
been played for on three occasions. It
proved so popular that similar egent
for boys has just taken place under
the auspices Of the Royal Ascot Club.
Copyright. 1921, by Cectf Leitch.)