New-York tribune., 1922-02-12


rom golfers asking me TO go a little
'urther INTO details in regard to the
use OF hands and wrists. Many golfers
are now either planning to make their
oouthern journey or else are preparing
to take indoor lessons in order to get
running start for the spring season,
"hlch isn't very far away
AS the hands and wrists arc about the
nrst thing that enter into swing.
there is natural desire to get away
IN the right direction. The hands and
golf game. When they are working as
they should. the game certainly be
comes much easier to play.
II you don't think SO. Just note .he
difference on cold day, wncn YOUR
hands and wrists are half frozen or
numb
So to get these two important parts
Of the golf body under control IS q
big start. one worth working over.
At the Start
am not advocating here an over
apping grip or two handed grip. The
most important points to rememb Der
here are that the two VS. formed bv
thumbs and orefngers botn point to
the right shoulder; that the left hand
grips tighter than the right, but not too
lightly, and that the club be held in
,he fingers Of both hands and not the
aims.
Remem bering this, it won't be bad
.cea If you have room in which to
swing club et home, to practice the
aabit of starting the club back with
the left hand on nearly a straight line
until the left arm is pointing straight
back on the line Of fight.
The right hand so lar is used very
little But as the left hand reaches
this position indicated, then the right
comes in to help and lift little. and
to steady the club at the top Of the
swing. want to warn the player here
of trying to roll the wrists Let this
take care Of itself.
Just swing the club back with the
straight left arm, right elbow down
and relaxed.
That's the big thing to work on. to
start with.
The hands and wrists should be in
the same position as if just lifted over
the shoulder without any club, in the
natural way. Just see that the left
wrist is not bent up.
Down Swing
In starting the down swing the
wrists should not be used too much.
In fact, here they should be used as
iittle as possible.
They should be held under control
until about halfway down. or about
two feet from the ball
Here, with the left wrist firm and
steady. holding the club under control,
the right wrist whips in lust as if one
were throwing a baseball
The left nand is also used at this
point after the manner OF back hand
shot in tennis.
Only don't hurry the hands. Don't
give them the chance TO get too far in
front Of the club head
Let them start down in natural
way, picking up speed as they move
along. but not with any fast down.
ward jerk.
Speed is needed as the club head hits
back swing or the start Of the down
swing.
You are not likely to be able to carry
speed to both sections of the swing.
SO save it for the punch.
Good Practice
1t is good winter practice to take up
the club IN the left hand and swing it
back in the way indicated above for
ten or fifteen minutes. This will help
to get one ont Of the habit of the right
hand lift later on
Habit is big thing in golf. II you
get the habit of doing certain thing
in certain way it soon becomes hard
to change.
And this is inc habit to make
natural part Of the swing Then YOU
won't have to remember it when you
step to the tee. 1t vii. be instructive
10 SWING that way, with the right hand
gripping lightly. waiting to take up its
share Of the work at the proper time.
II you arc handling the club in the right
oey most of the rough or callous spots
Will be in the left hand, not in the
right. Il your right hand gets blistered
you are working in a wrong direction.
There are many teachers who advo-
ate at times placing the right hand
yell over or else we'll under the club
o help correct certain faults am
lot great believer in this system.
t may help at times, but it can also
cad to other fanlts The position OF
he hands on the club is not 50 i'm
ortart, however, as the way tAev are
scd in gripping and swinging If the
lght hand is too far under there is
trong tendency to lift the club with /